JP2008225682A - Image processing apparatus, image forming system, image processing method, and image processing program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processor, an image forming system, an image processing method and an image processing program, capable of efficiently executing reprint processing. <P>SOLUTION: This image processor has: an image storage part 302 storing an input image and image ID; an ID storage part 303 storing ID information wherein a medium ID of a recording medium printed with the image, a unit ID identifying a print unit, and the image ID of the image included in the print unit are associated; a detection part 309 detecting a plurality of the medium IDs from the recording medium; an ID acquisition part 307 acquiring the image IDs of all the images included in the print unit identified by the unit ID associated to the plurality of detected medium IDs from the ID recording part 303; an image acquisition part 324 acquiring all the images corresponding to the acquired image ID from the image storage part 302; and a printer engine 322 printing the acquired image on an acquired printing condition. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, an image forming system, an image processing method, and an image processing program for detecting a marking obtained by encoding an ID of a printing paper and reprinting an image associated with the ID.

  In recent years, a scanner that reads a document image, a copier that prints a document image read by the scanner, a printer or facsimile machine that prints image data input from the outside, or a so-called MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) that combines these functions A multi-function machine called is used. Further, a technique is known in which a marking such as a two-dimensional barcode in which various types of information are embedded is read from a document, and subsequent printing processing and the like are controlled based on the embedded information.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, a two-dimensional barcode added to a document is detected, command information encoded in the detected two-dimensional barcode is decoded, and processing on the read document is performed according to the decoded command information. A technique to determine is proposed.

  In Patent Document 2, when the read image data includes two-dimensional code information, access information to the web server is decoded from the two-dimensional code information, and content data is acquired and printed according to the decoded access information. Techniques to do this have been proposed.

JP 2006-80939 A JP 2006-1115020 A

  However, in the methods of Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, it is impossible to print a document printed in a predetermined unit such as a print job unit or a copy unit for each unit by reproducing the print setting at the time of printing. There was a problem.

  For example, in the technique of Patent Document 1, since only command information that defines the processing content for each original is added, for example, when printing in units of copies, all originals belonging to the relevant part are prepared, It is necessary to detect a two-dimensional barcode from each document.

  Further, with the technique of Patent Document 2, it is possible to print the entire content data acquired by referring to the access information, but it is not possible to reproduce and reprint the print settings at the time of content data printing. . In the first place, the purpose of Patent Document 2 is to reduce the trouble of acquiring information from an external device, and to reprint the original by reading a barcode or the like added to the original at the time of printing. Due to not.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to provide an image processing apparatus, an image forming system, an image processing method, and an image processing program capable of efficiently executing a reprint process. .

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the invention according to claim 1 is an image storage means for storing an input image and an image ID for identifying the image in association with each other, and the image Stores ID information that associates a medium ID that identifies a printed recording medium, a unit ID that identifies a printing unit having a plurality of recording media, and the image ID of the image included in the printing unit. ID storage means, detection means for detecting a plurality of medium IDs from one or more recording media, and the unit associated with each of the plurality of medium IDs detected in the ID storage means An ID acquisition unit that acquires the image IDs of all the images included in the printing unit identified by the ID, and an image ID associated with the image ID acquired by the ID acquisition unit. An image acquisition means for acquiring the image of Te from the image storage means, characterized by comprising output means for outputting the image obtained, the.

  In addition, the invention according to claim 2 further includes a determination unit that determines whether or not the unit IDs associated with each of the plurality of detected medium IDs are the same in the invention according to claim 1. When the unit IDs are determined to be the same, the output unit outputs the image associated with the unit ID only once.

  Further, the invention according to claim 3 further comprises a judging means for judging whether or not the unit IDs associated with each of the plurality of detected medium IDs are the same as in the invention according to claim 1. The output unit does not output the image associated with the unit ID when the unit ID is determined to be the same.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the third aspect of the invention, the output means is configured such that the determination means has the same first unit ID among a plurality of unit IDs, and the second unit. When it is determined that the IDs are not the same, only the image associated with the second unit ID determined not to be the same is output.

  The invention according to claim 5 is the invention according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit detects a plurality of medium IDs and print times given in association with the respective medium IDs, and acquires the IDs. The means further includes a specifying means for specifying the medium ID based on the plurality of detected printing times, and the ID storage means identifies the unit ID associated with the specified medium ID. All the image IDs included in the printing unit are acquired.

  The invention according to claim 6 is the invention according to claim 5, wherein the specifying unit specifies the newest printing time among the plurality of detected printing times, and associates it with the specified printing time. The medium ID is specified.

  The invention according to claim 7 is the invention according to claim 1, wherein the ID storage means further associates the ID information with a printing condition for the print unit, and the ID acquisition means further detects the ID. The print condition associated with the medium ID that has been obtained is acquired from the ID storage unit, and the output unit outputs the acquired image by printing according to the print condition acquired by the ID acquisition unit. It is characterized by.

  The invention according to claim 8 is the invention according to claim 1, wherein the ID storage means includes a part ID for identifying a copy unit as the print unit and the image ID of the image included in the copy unit. And the ID information in which the medium ID of the recording medium on which the image is printed and the print condition for the copy unit are associated with each other, and the ID acquisition unit associates the detected medium ID with the detected medium ID. Obtaining the image ID of the image included in the unit identified by the set unit ID and the printing condition associated with the detected medium ID from the ID storage unit. And

  The invention according to claim 9 is the invention according to claim 1, wherein the ID storage unit includes a job ID for identifying a job unit as the print unit, and the image ID of the image included in the job unit. And the ID information that associates the medium ID of the recording medium on which the image is printed with the print condition for the job unit, and the ID acquisition unit corresponds to the detected medium ID. Acquiring the image ID of the image included in the job unit identified by the job ID and the printing condition associated with the detected medium ID from the ID storage unit. To do.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the ID storage unit is a parent representing the medium ID detected by the detection unit when the image included in the print unit is printed. The ID information that further associates an ID with interruption information indicating whether printing of the printing unit has been interrupted is stored, and the ID acquisition unit further includes the ID corresponding to the detected medium ID When the interruption information represents printing interruption, the parent ID corresponding to the detected medium ID is acquired from the ID storage unit, and the medium ID that matches the acquired parent ID is acquired from the ID storage unit. The image ID of the image included in the print unit identified by the unit ID corresponding to the acquired medium ID, and the print condition associated with the acquired medium ID It is obtained from the serial ID storage means and.

  The invention according to an eleventh aspect is the invention according to the first aspect, wherein the ID storage means is a parent representing the medium ID detected by the detection means when the image included in the print unit is printed. The ID information that further associates the ID with the interruption information indicating whether or not the printing of the printing unit is interrupted is stored, and the ID acquisition unit is further associated with the detected medium ID. When the interruption information indicates printing interruption, the parent ID associated with the detected medium ID is acquired from the ID storage unit, and the medium ID that matches the acquired parent ID is stored in the ID storage. And corresponding to the detected medium ID among the image IDs of the images included in the print unit identified by the unit ID associated with the acquired medium ID. The image ID that does not match the image ID of the image included in the printing unit identified by the unit ID obtained and the printing condition associated with the acquired medium ID are acquired from the ID storage unit. It is characterized by doing.

  The invention according to claim 12 is the invention according to claim 1, further comprising authentication means for authenticating the user using a user ID for identifying the user, wherein the ID storage means prints the print unit. The ID information further associated with the print user ID that is the user ID of the user is stored, and the ID acquisition unit further corresponds to the user ID of the authenticated user and the detected medium ID It is determined whether or not the attached print user ID matches, and if they match, the image of the image included in the print unit identified by the unit ID associated with the detected medium ID The image ID and the printing condition associated with the detected medium ID are acquired from the ID storage unit.

  The invention according to claim 13 is the invention according to claim 1, further comprising authentication means for authenticating the user using a user ID for identifying the user, wherein the ID storage means re-prints the printed image. The ID information that further associates the permitted user ID, which is the user ID of the user permitted to print, is stored, and the ID acquisition means further includes the user ID of the authenticated user and the detected user ID It is determined whether or not the permitted user ID associated with the medium ID matches, and if it matches, the ID is included in the printing unit identified by the unit ID associated with the detected medium ID. The image ID of the image to be recorded and the printing condition associated with the detected medium ID are acquired from the ID storage unit.

  The invention according to claim 14 is the invention according to claim 13, wherein when the inputted image is printed, the user ID of the user who permits reprinting of the image to be printed is accepted and accepted. The apparatus further comprises a storage unit that stores, in the ID storage unit, the ID information associated with the image ID of the image to be printed using the user ID as the permitted user ID.

  The invention according to claim 15 is the invention according to claim 14, wherein the storage means further associates with the medium ID detected by the detection means when the output means outputs the image. The obtained authorized user ID is acquired from the ID storage unit, and the acquired ID information that associates the acquired authorized user ID with the image ID of the image output by the output unit is stored in the ID storage unit. It is characterized by this.

  The invention according to claim 16 is the invention according to claim 13, further comprising changing means for changing the permitted user ID stored in the ID storage means.

  The invention according to claim 17 is the invention according to claim 16, wherein the ID storage means stores the ID information further associated with a print user ID that is the user ID of the user who printed the image. The change unit further determines whether or not the user ID of the authenticated user matches the print user ID associated with the permitted user ID to be changed. In this case, the permitted user ID is changed.

  The invention according to claim 18 is the invention according to claim 13, wherein the ID acquisition means corresponds to the authorized user ID that matches the user ID of the authenticated user with the detected medium ID. Matches the user ID of the authenticated user if the medium ID associated with the authorized user ID that does not match the user ID of the authenticated user is included The image ID of the image included in the print unit identified by the unit ID associated with the medium ID, and the medium ID only for the medium ID associated with the permitted user ID And acquiring the printing conditions associated with the ID from the ID storage means.

  The invention according to claim 19 is the invention according to claim 13, wherein the ID acquisition means includes the authorized user ID associated with all the detected medium IDs and the authenticated user ID. It is determined whether or not the user ID matches, and if they match, the image ID of the image included in the printing unit identified by the unit ID associated with the detected medium ID; The printing condition associated with the detected medium ID is acquired from the ID storage unit.

  The invention according to claim 20 is the invention according to claim 13, wherein the ID storage means includes a print user ID that is the user ID of the user who printed the image, and the image included in the print unit. Storing the ID information further associating the parent ID representing the medium ID detected by the detecting means when printing the print and the interruption information indicating whether or not printing of the print unit is interrupted, The ID acquisition means is further associated with the user ID of the authenticated user and the detected medium ID when the interruption information associated with the detected medium ID represents printing interruption. It is further determined whether or not the print user ID matches, and if the print user ID matches, the parent ID associated with the detected medium ID is acquired from the ID storage means. The medium ID that matches the acquired parent ID is acquired from the ID storage unit, and the image ID of the image included in the print unit identified by the unit ID associated with the acquired medium ID The printing conditions associated with the acquired medium ID are acquired from the ID storage means.

  According to a twenty-first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a first image processing device that stores a printed image, and a second image processing device that is connected to the first image processing device via a network and prints the image. The first image processing apparatus includes an image storage unit that stores an input image and an image ID that identifies the image in association with each other, and a recording medium on which the image is printed. ID storage means for storing ID information in which a medium ID to be identified, a unit ID for identifying a printing unit having a plurality of the storage media, and the image ID of the image included in the printing unit are associated with each other; A first receiving unit that receives a plurality of medium IDs from the second image processing device, and an ID storage unit that is identified by the unit ID associated with each of the received plurality of medium IDs ID acquisition means for acquiring the image IDs of all the images included in the print unit, and in the image storage means, all the images associated with the acquired image IDs are processed in the second image processing. First transmission means for transmitting to the apparatus, wherein the second image processing apparatus detects a plurality of the medium IDs from one or a plurality of the recording media, and the detected plurality of the media A second transmission unit configured to transmit an ID to the first image processing device; a second reception unit configured to receive the image from the first image processing device; and a printing unit configured to print the received image. It is characterized by.

  According to a twenty-second aspect of the present invention, there is provided image storage means for storing an input image and an image ID for identifying the image in association with each other, a medium ID for identifying a recording medium on which the image is printed, In an image processing apparatus, comprising: ID storage means for storing ID information in which a unit ID for identifying a printing unit having the recording medium is associated with the image ID of the image included in the printing unit An image processing method, comprising: a detecting step of detecting a plurality of medium IDs from one or a plurality of recording media; and the ID storage means associated with each of the plurality of medium IDs detected An ID acquisition step for acquiring the image IDs of all the images included in the printing unit identified by the unit ID, and the ID acquired by the ID acquisition step And having an image acquiring all the images associated with the image ID from the image storage means, and an output step of outputting the image obtained, the.

  The invention according to claim 23 further includes a determination step of determining whether or not the unit IDs associated with each of the plurality of detected medium IDs are the same in the invention according to claim 22. In the output step, when it is determined that the unit IDs are the same, the image associated with the unit ID is output only once.

  The invention according to claim 24 further comprises a determination step of determining whether or not the unit IDs associated with each of the plurality of detected medium IDs are the same in the invention according to claim 22. In the output step, when it is determined that the unit ID is the same, the image associated with the unit ID is not output.

  The invention according to claim 25 is the invention according to claim 24, wherein, in the output step, the determination step is the same as the first unit ID among the plurality of unit IDs, and the second unit. When it is determined that the IDs are not the same, only the image associated with the second unit ID determined not to be the same is output.

  According to a twenty-sixth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the twenty-second aspect, the detecting step detects a plurality of the medium IDs and printing times given in association with the medium IDs, and acquires the IDs. The step further includes a specifying step of specifying the medium ID based on the plurality of detected printing times, and the ID storage unit identifies the unit ID associated with the specified medium ID. All the image IDs included in the printing unit are acquired.

  According to a twenty-seventh aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the twenty-sixth aspect, the specifying step specifies the newest printing time among the plurality of detected printing times, and associates it with the specified printing time. The medium ID is specified.

  According to a twenty-eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided image storage means for storing an input image and an image ID for identifying the image in association with each other, a medium ID for identifying a recording medium on which the image is printed, An ID storage unit that stores ID information that associates a unit ID for identifying a printing unit having the recording medium with the image ID of the image included in the printing unit, and causes a computer to function. A unit that detects a plurality of the medium IDs from one or a plurality of the recording media, and the unit associated with each of the plurality of medium IDs detected in the ID storage unit ID acquisition means for acquiring the image IDs of all the images included in the printing unit identified by the ID, and the image ID acquired by the ID acquisition means Image means for acquiring all the images attached response from the image storage means, and characterized by causing a computer to function and output means for outputting the image obtained, as.

  According to the first aspect of the invention, it is possible to detect the medium ID from the recording medium and specify and print all the images included in different print units for each medium ID. There is an effect that it can be executed.

  According to the second aspect of the invention, since the image associated with the unit ID is printed only once, it is possible to prevent multiple printing of the same print unit due to a user error.

  Further, according to the third and fourth aspects of the invention, printing is performed only when the same unit ID does not exist. Therefore, the reprinting process can be efficiently executed according to the intention requested by the user.

  According to the inventions according to claims 5 to 6, when a plurality of medium IDs are detected, the reprint process is performed based on the print time, so that the print unit considered to be desired by the user With this, the reprinting process can be executed.

  Further, according to the inventions according to claims 7 to 11, it is possible to efficiently execute the reprinting process using the code image added to the recording medium.

  In addition, according to the inventions according to claims 12 to 20, since only the user who prints in the print unit or the user permitted by the user can perform the reprint in the print unit, the leakage of information not intended by the user who printed it. There is an effect that can be prevented.

  Further, according to the inventions according to claims 21 to 22, since the medium ID can be detected from the recording medium and all the images included in the different printing units can be specified and printed for each medium ID, reprinting can be performed. There exists an effect that a process can be performed efficiently.

  According to the twenty-third aspect of the present invention, since the image associated with the unit ID is printed only once, it is possible to prevent multiple printing of the same print unit due to a user error.

  According to the inventions according to claims 24 to 25, since printing is performed only when the same unit ID does not exist, the reprinting process can be efficiently executed according to the intention requested by the user.

  According to the invention of claims 26 to 27, when a plurality of medium IDs are detected, the reprinting process is performed based on the printing time, so that the printing unit that the user thinks is desired. With this, the reprinting process can be executed.

  According to the invention of claim 28, since the medium ID can be detected from the recording medium and all the images included in the different print units can be specified and printed for each medium ID, the reprint process can be performed. There is an effect that it can be executed efficiently.

  Exemplary embodiments of an image processing apparatus, an image forming system, an image processing method, and an image processing program according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(First embodiment)
As an embodiment of the present invention, an image processing apparatus is provided with a copy function, a facsimile (FAX) function, a print function, a scanner function, and an input image (a document image read by a scanner function or an image input by a printer or a FAX function). An example applied to a multifunction device called a so-called MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) that combines functions to be distributed will be shown.

  When the multifunction peripheral according to the first embodiment prints an image in a predetermined printing unit, it prints a code image (hereinafter referred to as marking) obtained by encoding the identification information of the print paper on each print paper. As a precondition, all the images in the related printing unit can be reprinted by rereading the marking on the printing paper with a scanner.

  The printed image is stored in a predetermined storage unit, and at the time of reprinting, a printing process is performed based on the image stored in the storage unit. As a result, image deterioration can be prevented as compared with the case where normal copy processing is executed on printed paper.

  First, the features of the multifunction machine according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example in which a document A is printed in the multifunction peripheral according to the first embodiment.

  As shown in the figure, when a document A composed of a plurality of sheets is copied or printed, identification information for uniquely identifying the sheets (hereinafter referred to as PID) and information for specifying the printed device are encoded. The marking is output on each sheet.

  As shown in FIG. 1, when the user prints three sheets of paper at the same time, PID = a1 is marked on the first sheet, and PID = a2 is marked on the second and third sheets, respectively. a3 is marked.

  Further, as an example of information specifying the device included in the marking, for example, the IP address of the device can be considered. As a result, it is possible to track which image is stored in which device or which paper is printed on which device.

  In the marking generation process, any conventional code generation method such as a QR code (registered trademark) obtained by encoding a PID or a method of generating another two-dimensional barcode can be used.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining reprinting processing by the multifunction peripheral according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the user scans and reprints the multi-function peripheral according to the present embodiment on one of the sheets printed in FIG. 1 and marked with PID = a1. When instructed, the multifunction peripheral according to the first embodiment can print not only the sheet of PID = a1 but also all the sheets included in the printing unit printed at the same time.

  That is, not only the scanned PID = A1 paper but also all images including the paper corresponding to PID = A2 and A3 in FIG. Note that a marking obtained by encoding a new PID (a′1, a′2, a′3) and information for specifying the multifunction peripheral is printed on the paper at the time of reprinting.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the multifunction machine 300 and the multifunction machine 350 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, an example in which both are connected via a network 360 is shown. As a result, when one multifunction device performs marking printing, the above-described reprinting can be performed also in the other multifunction device. Note that the number of connected multifunction devices is not limited to two, and a plurality of multifunction devices that perform marking printing and a plurality of multifunction devices that perform reprinting may be provided. Further, the multifunction device may have only one of marking printing and reprinting functions. As shown in the figure, since the MFP 300 and the MFP 350 have the same configuration, only the MFP 300 will be described.

  As illustrated in FIG. 3, the MFP 300 according to the first embodiment includes an image storage unit 302, an ID storage unit 303, an operation panel 321, a printer engine 322, a scanner engine 325, and a network interface (I / F) 326, ID management unit 304, transmission / reception unit 305, scanner control unit 306, ID acquisition unit 307, print control unit 308, detection unit 309, display input control unit 310, and print job management Part 311.

  The network I / F 326 is a communication interface connected to the network 360.

  The transmission / reception unit 305 controls the network I / F 326 to transmit information to an external device such as the multifunction device 350 and receive information from the external device. Information to be transmitted and received will be described later. The transmission / reception unit 305 transmits / receives an inquiry or the like that is performed when marking printing is performed. At this time, the transmission / reception unit 305 also transmits / receives various IDs (for example, PID, BID, JID, and EID) and image data shown below.

  The image storage unit 302 stores an image read by the scanner, and stores an image and an image ID (hereinafter referred to as EID) that uniquely identifies the image in association with each other. Note that the multi-function device 300 may be configured to be captured by the network I / F 326 and stored in the image storage unit 302.

  The ID storage unit 303 stores ID information associated with various types of identification information necessary for image reprinting, such as EID. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of the ID information stored in the ID storage unit 303 according to the first embodiment.

  As shown in the figure, the ID information includes a paper PID, an EID of an image printed on the paper, a parent PID, a BID, a copy cancel flag, a JID, a job cancel flag, and a print setting. Stored in association.

  Here, each ID included in the ID information will be described. First, assuming that one job is a print job for a series of input document images, an ID uniquely assigned in the device for each job is called a JID.

  In addition, when a plurality of copies are printed out by the print output, an ID uniquely assigned in the device for each copy is set as a BID. Since a plurality of copies can be designated in one job, a plurality of BIDs can correspond to one JID.

  Further, image data is stored in the image storage unit 302 for each page of the input image, and an ID that is uniquely assigned to the stored image in the device is EID (ID for each electronic image).

  As described above, the PID is an ID for each sheet that is uniquely assigned in the apparatus to the sheet to be printed out.

  The parent PID is set in the case of reprinting processing, and represents the PID of the paper that is the source of reprinting. In the figure, PID = 1 to 4 papers that are reprinted in units of jobs to which the paper with PID = 1 to 4 belongs by scanning the paper with PID = 1, and corresponding PID = 1 to PID = 1 to 4 respectively. An example in which 4 is set is shown.

  The copy cancel flag is information indicating whether printing of a copy to which an image to be printed belongs has been interrupted. The copy cancel flag is set to 1 when printing is interrupted due to user designation or occurrence of a jam, and is set to 0 when printing is completed normally. Similarly, the job cancel flag represents information indicating whether printing of a job to which an image to be printed belongs has been interrupted.

  The copy cancel flag and the job cancel flag are used to determine whether printing in units of copies or jobs has been interrupted. When reprinting of an interrupted copy or job is designated, an appropriate EID is obtained by tracing the parent PID. Referenced to get.

  By storing such information in association with each other in the ID storage unit 303, it is possible to reprint all corresponding images in units of copies or jobs only by detecting the PID of an arbitrary sheet.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the image storage unit 302 and the ID storage unit 303 are stored in an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 301. In addition to the HDD 301, the image storage unit 302 and the ID storage unit 303 can be configured by any commonly used storage medium such as an optical disc, a memory card, and a RAM (Random Access Memory). In order to read the stored image information even after the apparatus is turned off, it is desirable to be a non-volatile storage medium such as an HDD.

  The operation panel 321 includes a function setting key, the number of copies, and a display unit (not shown) that displays a message indicating the status of the MFP 300, a numeric keypad, a clear / stop key, a start key, a preheat key, a reset key, and an initial setting. An input unit (not shown) for receiving key inputs such as a key, a print key, a transmission key, and a storage key. The display unit also serves as an input unit that displays an image and can be operated and input by a touch panel method.

  The operation panel 321 performs image scanning and printing processing instructions, reprinting processing instructions, and setting of printing conditions during printing.

  The printer engine 322 includes a marking unit 323 and an image acquisition unit 324, and forms image data on a recording sheet or the like by a method such as an ink jet method or an electrophotographic method.

  The marking unit 323 generates a marking obtained by encoding the PID specified by the print control unit 308 and information specifying the own device (multifunction device 300). The printer engine 322 combines the marking image (code image) generated by the marking unit 323 with the image data of the document and prints it.

  The image acquisition unit 324 acquires an image corresponding to the EID acquired by the ID acquisition unit 307 from the image storage unit 302. The printer engine 322 prints the image acquired by the image acquisition unit 324.

  The marking unit 323 and the image acquisition unit 324 are provided outside the printer engine 322, and an image obtained by combining the image data acquired by the image acquisition unit 324 with the code image generated by the marking unit 323 is sent to the printer engine 322. Alternatively, printing may be performed.

  The scanner engine 325 drives the scanner and executes document scanning processing.

  The display input control unit 310 performs display control of various screens on the display unit of the operation panel 321 and accepts key input events from the input unit.

  The print control unit 308 controls the printer engine 322. In the present embodiment, the print control unit 308 stores the image input from the scanner engine 325 when the printing is instructed and temporarily stores the image in the image storage unit 302 and then prints the stored image. It also controls the image storage process.

  The scanner control unit 306 controls the scanner engine 325.

  The ID management unit 304 manages various IDs stored in the ID storage unit 303. For example, the ID management unit 304 generates a print unit ID such as JID or BID for each image input / print output, and stores the ID in the ID storage unit 303. Further, EID of each image input for printing is generated and stored in the ID storage unit 303 in association with JID or the like.

  Further, the ID management unit 304 performs a process of acquiring various IDs corresponding to the inquiry from the ID storage unit 303 and responding. For example, when receiving an inquiry about the BID associated with the PID detected by the detection unit 309, the ID management unit 304 acquires the BID associated with the PID from the ID storage unit 303 and returns it to the inquiry source. .

  The detection unit 309 detects the marking from the document image read by the scanner engine 325, and detects the PID of the document and information specifying the device by decoding the detected marking. That is, the detection unit 309 is used when performing reprinting.

  Further, when the detection unit 309 detects a plurality of markings from the original paper, information for specifying the PID and the device is detected from each marking. Then, the detection unit 309 outputs the detected plurality of PIDs to the ID acquisition unit 307. As a result, the multifunction peripheral 300 can print a plurality of documents for each marking.

  For example, it is assumed that after the MFP 300 performs printing with the marking shown in FIG. 1, the document B is also printed with the same marking. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example in which the document B is printed by the multifunction peripheral 300 according to the first embodiment. As shown in the figure, when the user prints a document B consisting of three original papers, PID = b1 is marked on the first paper, and the second and third papers are marked respectively. PID = b2 and b3 are marked. Thereafter, when the user attaches markings (for example, a1 and b1) attached by printing to another document and then performs reprint processing on the other document, the original document A and document B Is output.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of reprinting a plurality of documents from a plurality of markings in the multifunction peripheral 300 according to the first embodiment. As shown in the figure, when a reprint process is requested for a document sheet with a PID = a1 marking 601 and a PID = b1 marking 602, the detection unit 309 determines that PID = a1 and PID = B1 is detected. Then, the MFP 300 reprints the document A corresponding to PID = a1 and the document B corresponding to PID = b1. The reprinted document A sheets are marked with PID = c1, c2 and c3, and the reprinted document B sheets are marked with PID = c4, c5 and c6. It will be. As described above, in the MFP 300, when markings attached to different documents are attached to one original sheet and an instruction for reprinting is given, each of the different documents can be reproduced.

  The ID acquisition unit 307 specifies an image to be reprinted by acquiring EIDs of all images included in the print unit (copy unit or job unit) to which the PID detected by the detection unit 309 belongs. Further, the ID acquisition unit 307 acquires a print setting that is a print condition at the time of printing in the print unit to which the detected PID belongs.

  Specifically, the ID acquisition unit 307 first inquires and acquires the BID (JID) associated with the detected PID from the ID management unit 304. Next, all EIDs associated with the acquired BID (JID) are inquired and acquired from the ID management unit 304. In addition, the print setting associated with the acquired BID (JID) is inquired of the ID management unit 304 and acquired.

  When the ID acquisition unit 307 receives a reprint request from the user, the ID acquisition unit 307 displays the EID of all images included in the print unit to which the PID detected by the detection unit 309 belongs and the print setting associated with the print unit. Obtained from the ID storage unit 303 of another multifunction device via the transmission / reception unit 305.

  Further, when the ID acquisition unit 307 receives a transmission request for information to be reprinted from another MFP, the ID acquisition unit 307 prints the EID associated with the PID received by the transmission / reception unit 305, the BID (JID), and the print The setting is acquired by inquiring of the ID management unit 304. Then, by transmitting the acquired information to another multifunction device (for example, the multifunction device 350), information associated with the PID in the other multifunction device can be obtained.

  The print job management unit 311 manages the print job acquired according to the control by the print control unit 308. As the print job, a reprint process selected by the user, a copy process, or the like can be considered. The print job management unit 311 manages print jobs using a print job management table (not shown). FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print job managed by the print job management unit 311. As shown in FIG. 7, in the print job management table, PID extracted from detected marking, PID job information, JID to which the PID belongs, and EID group to which the JID belongs are stored in association with each other. A procedure for acquiring the parent PID, job information, JID and the like from the detected PID will be described later. The storage destination of the print job management table is developed on a RAM (not shown) that is used as a work area by the multifunction machine 300.

  The image information is transmitted through the following transmission path. First, an image input by the scanner or network I / F 326 is transmitted to the image storage unit 302 according to an instruction from the print control unit 308. Further, the image stored in the image storage unit 302 is transmitted to the printer engine 322 according to an instruction from the print control unit 308, and printing is performed. Further, when image transfer is requested from an external device, the image is transmitted to the external device via the network I / F 326 by the transmission / reception unit 305.

  In addition, on the MFP 350 side that has received the image transfer, the image received by the transmission / reception unit 305 is transmitted to the image storage unit 302. Further, in response to an instruction from the print control unit 308, the image stored in the image storage unit 302 is transmitted to the printer engine 322, and printing is performed.

  A processing procedure when the multifunction device 300 prints a marking and the multifunction device 350 performs reprinting will be described below.

  Next, a printing process performed by the MFP 300 according to the first embodiment configured as described above will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an overall flow of the printing process in the MFP 300 according to the first embodiment.

  First, when a job start instruction is input from the operation panel 321 by the user (step S701), the print control unit 308 transmits a JID generation instruction to the ID management unit 304 (step S702). The ID management unit 304 newly generates a JID and stores it in the ID storage unit 303 (step S703).

  Next, the print control unit 308 repeats image storage processing for reading an image with a scanner and storing the image in the image storage unit 302 for the number of input images (steps S704 to S711).

  Specifically, first, the print control unit 308 transmits an EID generation instruction to the ID management unit 304 (step S704). The ID management unit 304 newly generates EID and stores it in the ID storage unit 303 (step S705).

  If the marking print target is not a scanned image but an accumulated image, if the accumulated image has been printed before, the ID management unit 304 is generated at the time of previous printing. The PID is stored in the ID storage unit 303 as a parent PID.

  Next, the print control unit 308 instructs the image storage unit 302 to start image accumulation (step S706). At this time, the image storage unit 302 prepares to store image data for one page. Next, the print control unit 308 instructs the scanner engine 325 to start image input (step S707). Upon receiving the instruction, the scanner engine 325 starts transferring the read image to the image storage unit 302 (step S708).

  When the transfer is completed, the image storage unit 302 notifies the scanner engine 325 of the completion of the image transfer (step S709). In addition, the scanner engine 325 notifies the print control unit 308 that the image input has been completed (step S710). Furthermore, the print control unit 308 notifies the image storage unit 302 that image data for one page has been accumulated (step S711).

  When the image accumulation process ends, the print control unit 308 repeats the accumulated image print process for printing the stored image for the number of copies for which output is designated and for the image for which output is designated (steps S712 to S720).

  Specifically, first, the print control unit 308 transmits a BID generation instruction to the ID management unit 304 according to the number of copies to be printed (step S712). The ID management unit 304 newly generates a BID and stores it in the ID storage unit 303 (step S713).

  Next, the print control unit 308 transmits a PID generation instruction to the ID management unit 304 (step S714). The ID management unit 304 newly generates a PID and stores it in the ID storage unit 303 (step S715).

  Subsequently, the print control unit 308 instructs the printer engine 322 to print an image (step S716). The print instruction includes the EID of the image to be printed, the PID to be encoded and synthesized on the paper to be printed, and information for specifying the multifunction device 300.

  The image acquisition unit 324 of the printer engine 322 starts a process of reading an image corresponding to the EID for which printing has been instructed from the image storage unit 302 (step S717). When the reading of the image from the image storage unit 302 is completed (step S718), the marking unit 323 generates a marking obtained by encoding the PID, and the printer engine 322 combines the generated marking with the print image and prints it (step S718). S719).

  When the printing is completed, the printer engine 322 notifies the print control unit 308 of the completion of printing (step S720).

  When the accumulated image printing process is completed for all the copies and images, the print control unit 308 displays job completion on the operation panel 321 via the display input control unit 310 (step S721), and print processing. Exit.

  Next, a processing procedure in which the MFP 350 performs a reprint process using an image stored in the MFP 300 will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an overall flow of reprint processing in the multifunction peripheral 300 and the multifunction peripheral 350 according to the first embodiment.

  First, when a reprint process is designated by the user via the operation panel 321 or the like, the print control unit 308 instructs the detection unit 309 to start marking detection (step S901). At this time, the user only needs to scan any one of the printing papers constituting the part desired to be reprinted.

  Upon receiving the instruction, the detection unit 309 detects a plurality of markings from the read document image, performs decoding for each detected marking, and detects information for specifying the PID, printing time, and device for each marking. The detecting unit 309 notifies the detected PID and the like to the print control unit 308 (step S902). Further, the print control unit 308 can specify the device that stores the image based on the information for specifying the device. In this processing procedure, it is assumed that the MFP 300 has been specified.

  Next, the print control unit 308 instructs the ID acquisition unit 307 to perform image specifying processing for specifying an image to be reprinted (step S903). This instruction includes all detected PIDs. As a result, the ID acquisition unit 307 repeats the processing of steps S904 to S910 shown below for the number of detected PIDs.

  After the start of the image specifying process is instructed (step S903), the ID acquisition unit 307 sends the ID management unit 304 of the MFP 300 via the transmission / reception unit 305 of the MFP 350 and the transmission / reception unit 305 of the MFP 300. The BID associated with the detected PID is inquired (step S904). The inquiry destination device is determined by information specifying the device such as an IP address included in the detected marking.

  Upon receiving the inquiry, the ID management unit 304 acquires the BID, the copy cancel flag, and the print setting associated with the PID from the ID storage unit 303.

  The ID management unit 304 notifies the ID acquisition unit 307 of the MFP 350 of the BID, the copy cancel flag, and the print setting via the transmission / reception unit 305 of the MFP 300 and the transmission / reception unit 305 of the MFP 350. (Step S905).

  The ID acquisition unit 307 determines whether or not the received copy cancel flag is 1, that is, whether or not printing of the copy to which the PID belongs is interrupted (step S906). When the copy cancel flag is 1 (step S906: Yes), the ID acquisition unit 307 inquires of the ID management unit 304 of the MFP 300 about the BID for the parent PID of the PID (step S907).

  Specifically, the ID acquisition unit 307 first inquires of the ID management unit 304 about the parent PID associated with the PID. Then, the ID management unit 304 is further inquired about the BID associated with the notified parent PID.

  Although omitted in the figure, if the copy cancel flag is 1 but the parent PID cannot be acquired, reprinting based on the parent PID cannot be executed, and the reprinting process is terminated. Further, it is determined whether or not the copy cancel flag acquired for the parent PID is 1, and if it is 1, the process of searching for the parent PID is further repeated.

  When the BID for the parent PID is acquired (step S907), or when it is determined in step S906 that the copy cancel flag is not 1 (step S906: No), the ID acquisition unit 307 is a unit identified by the BID. Are inquired of the ID management unit 304 of the MFP 300 (step S908).

  The ID management unit 304 acquires all the EIDs associated with the BID from the ID storage unit 303, and notifies the ID acquisition unit 307 of the acquired EID list (step S909). Upon receiving the notification, the ID acquisition unit 307 notifies the print control unit 308 of the print settings and BID acquired in step S905 and the EID list notified in step S909 (step S910).

  Next, the print control unit 308 executes an image transfer storage process in which an image to be reprinted is transferred from the multifunction device 300 and stored in the image storage unit 302 (steps S911 to S916).

  Specifically, first, the print control unit 308 instructs the image storage unit 302 to start image accumulation (step S911). Next, the print control unit 308 notifies the image storage unit 302 of the multifunction device 300 of an image transfer request via the transmission / reception unit 305 (step S912).

  Upon receiving the transfer request, the image storage unit 302 of the multifunction device 300 starts image transfer (step S913), and when the transfer is completed (step S914), notifies the print control unit 308 of the multifunction device 350 of the completion of the transfer (step S914). Step S915). Upon receiving the notification, the print control unit 308 notifies the image storage unit 302 of the completion of image storage (step S916).

  After the image data to be reprinted is acquired from the MFP 300 in this way and stored in the image storage unit 302 in the own apparatus, an image reprint process for the stored image data is executed.

  Next, the print control unit 308 executes image reprint processing for the image corresponding to the acquired EID (steps S917 to S921). In the image reprinting process, as in the printing process, the PID of the paper to be reprinted and the BID of the part to be reprinted are generated, but they are omitted in the figure.

  Also, print settings such as the designation of the number of copies can be changed during reprinting, and the BID for reprinting is generated with reference to the changed number of copies. As a result, even when the number of copies required at the time of previous printing is different from that at the time of reprinting, it is possible to designate and print the required number of copies.

  Specifically, first, the print control unit 308 instructs the printer engine 322 to perform reprinting (step S917). This instruction includes the EID of the image to be printed and the generated PID.

  Next, the image acquisition unit 324 of the printer engine 322 starts a process of reading an image corresponding to the instructed EID from the image storage unit 302 (step S918). When the reading of the image from the image storage unit 302 is completed (step S919), the marking unit 323 generates a marking obtained by encoding the PID, and the printer engine 322 combines the generated marking with the print image and prints it (step (step S919)). S920).

  When the reprinting is completed, the printer engine 322 notifies the print control unit 308 of the completion of the reprinting (step S921).

  In the above-described processing procedure, the reprint process has been described in units of copies (BID). However, the reprint process may be performed in units of print jobs (JID). In this case, the difference is only in that the processing is performed using JID instead of BID, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  According to the MFP 300 and the MFP 350 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to specify and print all images included in the printing unit to which the paper belongs from any marking-printed paper. The used reprinting process can be executed efficiently. In addition, it is possible to print from multiple markings in the printing unit set for each mark, so it is possible to reprint multiple printing units in one reading process, enabling efficient reprinting. In addition, the work burden on the user is reduced.

(Second Embodiment)
The MFP according to the second embodiment performs reprinting processing from the latest marking when a plurality of markings are attached to the original paper.

  FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the MFP 1000 and the MFP 1050 according to the second embodiment. The MFP 300 and the MFP 350 according to the first embodiment described above are different from the ID acquisition unit 307 in that the configuration is changed to an ID acquisition unit 1001 having a different process. In the following description, the same components as those in the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  Further, it is assumed that the marking applied to the original paper according to the present embodiment includes the printing time for performing printing with the marking in addition to the information specifying the PID and the apparatus.

  The detection unit 1003 detects the marking from the document image read by the scanner engine 325 and decodes the detected marking, thereby detecting the PID of the document, information specifying the apparatus, and the printing time. In addition, the detection unit 1003 is the same as the detection unit 309 in other processes, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  The ID acquisition unit 1001 includes a specifying unit 1002 and specifies an image to be reprinted.

  The identifying unit 1002 identifies the latest printing time among the detected printing times when the detecting unit 1003 detects a plurality of PIDs, information identifying the device, and the printing time from the plurality of markings, and identifies the identified printing time. PID associated with is specified.

  Then, the ID acquisition unit 1001 inquires and acquires the PID specified by the specifying unit 1002 and the BID (JID) associated with the ID storage unit 303 to the ID management unit 304. Next, the ID acquisition unit 1001 inquires and acquires all EIDs associated with the acquired BID (JID) from the ID management unit 304. In addition, the print setting associated with the acquired BID (JID) is inquired of the ID management unit 304 and acquired. Next, reprint processing according to the present embodiment will be described.

  First, as shown in FIG. 1, in the multi-function peripheral 1000, a user prints a document A consisting of three sheets, and each printed sheet is marked with PID = a1, a2, and a3. .

  Next, the MFP 1000 performs a copying process on the document A marked by the user and the document B consisting of one sheet of paper. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example in which the document A and the document B are collectively copied in the multi-function peripheral 1000 according to the second embodiment. For copying instead of reprinting processing by the multifunction device 1050, as shown in FIG. 11, markings of PID = c1 to c4 corresponding to the copying processing are newly added to each sheet. Since the copying process is not a reprint process using the markings PID = a1 to a3, the markings with PID = a1 to a3 remain as they are on each sheet. As a result, each sheet of the document A is marked with a plurality of markings.

  Then, the user instructs the MFP 1050 to perform reprinting using the paper with the marking of PID = a1 and the marking of PID = c1. FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of reprinting a sheet with a PID = a1 marking 1202 and a PID = c1 marking 1201 in the MFP 1050 according to the second embodiment. The multi-function device 1050 according to the present embodiment performs reprinting using a marking having the latest printing time when a plurality of markings are attached to the sheet. For this reason, the marking 1202 with PID = a1 is not used for reprinting, and the marking 1201 with PID = c1 is used as a target for reprinting. As a result, the copier 1050 outputs document A and document B together. At this time, markings of PID = d1 to d4 are given.

  Note that the print processing is the same as that in the first embodiment, and a description thereof is omitted.

  Next, reprint processing by the multifunction machine 1050 according to the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an overall flow of reprint processing in the MFP 1050 according to the second embodiment.

  First, when a reprint process is designated by the user via the operation panel 321 or the like, the print control unit 308 instructs the detection unit 1003 to start marking detection (step S1301).

  Upon receiving the instruction, the detection unit 1003 detects a plurality of markings from the read document image, performs decoding for each detected marking, and detects information for specifying the PID, printing time, and device for each marking. The detection unit 1003 notifies the print control unit 308 of the detected PID (step S1302).

  Next, the print control unit 308 instructs the ID acquisition unit 1001 to perform image specifying processing for specifying an image to be reprinted (step S1303). This instruction includes all detected PIDs and printing times in association with each other.

  Then, the specifying unit 1002 included in the ID acquisition unit 1001 compares the printing times included in the instruction and specifies the latest printing time. Then, the specifying unit 1002 specifies the PID associated with the specified latest printing time as a reprint target (step S1304). Then, the ID acquisition unit 1001 repeats the processing from step S1305 to step S1311 for the number of PIDs associated with the latest printing time. An example of step S1304 is shown below.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating the detected PID transmitted to the ID acquisition unit 1001 and the printing time. As shown in FIG. 14, the printing time for PID = a1 is 2004/02/14/11: 02: 02.330 ”, and the printing time for PID = c1 is“ 2004/02/24/17: 59: 99.999 ”. In this case, the identification unit 1002 compares the printing times and identifies PID = c1 as the latest PID, whereby the ID acquisition unit 1001 changes the processing from step S1305 to step S1311 to PID = c1. Will be done.

  Further, the image specifying process, the image accumulation process, and the reprint process from step S1305 to step S1322 are the same as those from step S904 to step S921 in the multi-function peripheral 300 according to the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted. To do.

  According to the present embodiment, when there are a plurality of markings on the original paper, reprinting is performed from the marking of the latest printing time, and therefore processing corresponding to the instruction last specified by the user is performed. Thus, reprint processing can be performed in accordance with the user's request. As a result, the work burden on the user can be reduced, and the reprinting process can be performed efficiently.

(Modification of the second embodiment)
In the present embodiment, the example in which the printing time is included in the marking has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to including the printing time in the marking. Accordingly, an example in which the printing time is managed by the MFP 2400 will be described as a modification of the second embodiment.

  In this modification, the print time is held in association with the PID or the like in the print job management table of the multifunction peripheral. Then, the multifunction device that has scanned the document sheet extracts the PID from each of the plurality of markings added to the document sheet, and transmits the extracted plurality of PIDs to the multifunction device that has printed the document sheet. As a result, the printing time associated with each PID can be acquired from the multi-function peripheral that has printed the original paper. As a result, the multifunction device that has performed the scanning can identify the latest marking, and therefore can perform the reprinting process from the latest marking.

(Third embodiment)
The multi-function peripheral according to the third embodiment performs reprint processing only partially when a plurality of markings are attached to a document sheet and the PID detected from the plurality of markings is the same print job. That's what we do.

  FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a multi-function device 1500 and a multi-function device 1550 according to the third embodiment. The MFP 300 and the MFP 350 according to the first embodiment described above have a configuration in which the processing is changed to the print control unit 1501 that is different in processing from the print control unit 308 and a determination unit 1502 is added. It is different in point. In the following description, the same components as those in the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  Further, it is assumed that the marking attached to the document sheet according to the present embodiment includes only information for specifying the PID and the apparatus as in the first embodiment.

  The print control unit 1501 is different from the print control unit 308 of the first embodiment in that the ID acquisition unit 307 receives information (for example, a copy ID or job ID) that identifies the print unit acquired by the ID acquisition unit 307. There is a point to be output to the determination unit 1502. The print control unit 1501 is the same as the print control unit 308 in other processes, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  When a plurality of PIDs are detected, the determination unit 1502 determines whether the print units (sets or jobs) corresponding to the detected plurality of PIDs are the same. If the determination unit 1502 determines that the print units are the same, the determination unit 1502 instructs the print control unit 1501 to reprint only one copy of the print unit. Thereby, it is possible to prevent a plurality of reprint processes from being performed in the same print unit. Next, details of the reprint process performed by the MFP 1550 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  First, as shown in FIG. 1, in the MFP 1500, the user prints a document A composed of three sheets, and the printed sheets are marked with PID = a1, a2, and a3. .

  Next, it is assumed that the user prints a document B composed of three sheets in the MFP 1500, and PID = b1, b2, and b3 are marked on each printed sheet. FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example in which a document B is printed by the MFP 1500 according to the third embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 16, the MFP 1500 outputs a sheet with PID = b1 to b3 in the printing process of the document B.

  Then, the user places a document with PID = a1, a2, and b1 on a contact glass (not shown) of the multi-function device 1550, and requests reprint processing. FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of performing reprint processing of PID = a1 and a2 of document A and PID = b1 of document B in the MFP 1550. In the example shown in FIG. 17, the detection unit 309 detects PID = a1 (marking 1701), a2 (marking 1702), and b1. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, PID = a1 and PID = a2 are printed as the same print job. For this reason, when PID = a1 and PID = a2 are detected, the determination unit 1502 determines that the same print job is performed, so only one of them is reprinted. As a result, the MFP 1550 prints only one copy of the document A and one copy of the document B.

  Next, reprint processing by the MFP 1500 and the MFP 1550 according to the third embodiment will be described. FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating an overall flow of reprint processing in the MFP 1500 and the MFP 1550 according to the third embodiment.

  First, the image specifying process from step S1801 to step S1810 is substantially the same as the process from step S901 to step S910 in the multi-function peripheral 300 according to the first embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted. The only difference is that reprinting is performed in units of printing offices, not in units of copies, and only the point of using JID instead of BID is different.

  The print control unit 1501 stores the notified JID and the EID associated with the JID in the print job management unit 311. Then, the print control unit 1501 requests the determination unit 1502 to inquire whether the JIDs stored in the print job management unit 311 are duplicated (step S1811). The determination unit 1502 determines whether JIDs stored in the print job management unit 311 are duplicated (step S1812).

  FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print job held by the print job management unit 311 after step S1813 in FIG. 18 is completed. As illustrated in FIG. 19, the print control unit 1501 holds PID job information, a JID, and an EID group belonging to the JID in association with each other as a print job. Then, it can be confirmed that the job ID = Ja associated with PID = a1 matches the job ID = Ja associated with PID = a2.

  Then, when there is such a duplicate JID, the determination unit 1502 deletes the JID leaving only one. In addition, the determination unit 1502 also deletes the EID associated with the deleted JID.

  Then, the determination unit 1502 outputs the result after performing the processing to the print control unit 1501 (step S1813). As a result, the print control unit 1501 performs the image accumulation process and the reprint process using the EID associated with the non-overlapping JID.

  Since the image accumulation process and the reprint process from step S1814 to step S1824 are the same as those from step S901 to step S910 in the multifunction peripheral 300 according to the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  According to the present embodiment, since only a part of the original paper included in the same print job is scanned, printing of a plurality of copies due to a user error can be prevented. This improves convenience.

(Fourth embodiment)
The multi-function peripheral according to the fourth embodiment reprints a print job when a plurality of markings are attached to the original paper and the PID detected from the plurality of markings is the same print job. The processing is not performed.

  FIG. 20 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the multifunction machine 2000 and the multifunction machine 2050 according to the fourth embodiment. The MFP 1500 and the MFP 1550 according to the third embodiment described above are different from the determination unit 1502 in that the configuration is changed to a determination unit 2001 different in processing. In the following description, the same components as those in the above-described third embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  Further, it is assumed that the marking attached to the original paper according to the present embodiment includes only information for specifying the PID and the apparatus as in the third embodiment.

  When the determination unit 2001 detects a plurality of PIDs, the determination unit 2001 determines whether the print units (units or jobs) associated with the detected plurality of PIDs are the same. If the determination unit 1502 determines that the print units are the same, the determination unit 1502 instructs the print control unit 1501 not to reprint the print units. Next, reprint processing performed in the multifunction machine 2000 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  First, as shown in FIG. 1, in the multi-function peripheral 2000, a user prints a document A consisting of three sheets, and PID = a1, a2, and a3 are marked on each printed sheet. .

  Next, as shown in FIG. 16, in the multi-function machine 2000, a user prints a document B composed of three sheets, and each printed sheet is marked with PID = b1, b2, b3. To do.

  In the multi-function peripheral 2000, the user performs a copying process on two sheets of paper with PID = a1 of document A and PID = b1 of document B. FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example in which one sheet of document A and one sheet of document B are copied together in the multifunction machine 2000 according to the fourth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 21, new markings of PID = c1 and c2 are newly added to each sheet. Since the copying process is not a reprint process using the markings PID = a1 and b1, the markings with PID = a1 and b1 remain as they are on each sheet. As a result, each sheet is provided with a plurality of markings.

  After that, in the multifunction device 2050, the user requests reprint processing for the two sheets that have been copied. FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of performing reprinting after copying one sheet of document A and one sheet of document B in the multifunction machine 2050 according to the fourth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 22, the multi-function device 2050 detects PID = c1, c2, a1, and a2. Since PID = c1 and PID = c2 are the same print job, reprint processing is not performed, and only reprint processing using PID = a1 and PID = b1 is performed.

  That is, if the user knows that two sheets of the paper are a copied set, the user also recognizes that there is no need to place two sheets when requesting reprint processing of the print job. Nevertheless, if the user has performed the reprint process using two sheets, the print job corresponding to PID = a1 and PID = b1 is not reprinted instead of the print job corresponding to PID = c1 and c2. It can be determined that print processing is requested. Therefore, in this embodiment, the MFP 2050 does not perform reprinting processing when a plurality of PIDs included in the same print job are detected.

  The processing flow in the present embodiment is the same as that shown in FIG. 18 except for the processing flow shown in FIG.

  The process shown in step S1812 of FIG. 18 performed by the multifunction machine 2050 of this embodiment will be described. In step S1812, the determination unit 2001 determines whether JIDs are duplicated in the print job managed by the print job management unit 311. If the determination unit 2001 determines that the JID is duplicated, the determination unit 2001 deletes the JID.

  FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print job held by the print job management unit 311 after step S1811 is completed. As shown in FIG. 23, the print control unit 1501 holds, as a print job, PID job information, JID, and EID group belonging to JID in association with each PID. Then, it can be confirmed that the job ID = Jc (marking 2301) associated with PID = c1 matches the job ID = Jc associated with PID = c2 (marking 2302).

  Then, when there are duplicate JIDs as described above, the determination unit 1502 deletes all the JIDs. In addition, the determination unit 1502 also deletes the EID associated with the deleted JID.

  Accordingly, when a plurality of PIDs included in the same print job are detected, the reprint process can be prevented from being performed.

  According to the present embodiment, when original paper included in the same print job is scanned, only the image data included in another print job can be reprinted without reprinting the same print job. . This improves the convenience for the user.

(Fifth embodiment)
According to the first to fourth embodiments, any user who owns marked paper can reproduce the job. For this reason, there is a possibility that a user or the like who obtains the paper by an unauthorized method will reproduce the job against the intention of the job executor and leak information.

  Therefore, the MFP according to the fifth embodiment manages the authority of reprinting by managing the information of the job executor (job owner) and the information of the user who permits reprinting for each job, Only authorized users can reproduce printing.

  FIG. 24 is a block diagram illustrating configurations of a multifunction machine 2400 and a multifunction machine 2450 according to the fifth embodiment. The MFP 300 and the MFP 350 according to the first embodiment described above are changed to the print control unit 2404 that is different in processing from the print control unit 308, and the ID management unit 2405 that is different in processing from the ID management unit 304. The ID storage unit 2403 has a data structure different from that of the ID storage unit 303, and the user information storage unit 2401 and the authentication unit 2402 are added. In the following description, the same components as those in the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  The user information storage unit 2401 stores a user information management table that stores information related to users necessary for authentication. FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the data structure of the user information management table. As shown in the figure, the user information management table stores a user ID that uniquely identifies a user and a password in association with each other.

  Note that the user information management table may be managed by a user information management server (not shown) on the network 360, and the user information may be obtained via the network 360.

  The ID storage unit 2403 is different from the ID storage unit 303 of the first embodiment in that information of a job owner or a user who permits reprinting (access permitted user) is added to the ID information. FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the data structure of the ID information stored in the ID storage unit 2403 according to the fifth embodiment.

  As shown in the figure, the ID information of the fifth embodiment includes PID, EID, parent PID, BID, copy cancel flag, JID, job cancel flag, and print setting. The user ID of the job owner and the user ID of the access-permitted user are stored in association with each other.

  The authentication unit 2402 authenticates the user based on whether or not the input user ID and password match the user information stored in the user information storage unit 2401, and permits only the authenticated user to use the apparatus. That is, when user information that is not registered in the user information management table is input, the authentication unit 2402 rejects the input and prohibits job input to the apparatus.

  Note that the authentication method by the authentication unit 2402 is not limited to a method using a user ID and a password, and any conventionally used method such as a method using biometric authentication such as a fingerprint can be used. The user information storage unit 2401 stores information necessary for the authentication method to be used instead of a password or the like.

  In addition to the function of the print control unit 308 of the first embodiment, the print control unit 2404 has a function of storing, in the ID storage unit 2403, information on the user who has been authenticated using the ID management unit 2405.

  In addition, before reprinting the image, the print control unit 2404 requests another multifunction device connected to the network 360 to transfer the image data to be reprinted. It has a function of controlling processing stored in the image storage unit 302.

  In addition to the functions of the ID management unit 304 of the first embodiment, the ID management unit 2405 has an access right management function during print reproduction, a user information storage function, and a stored user information change function. FIG. 27 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of the ID management unit 2405 according to the fifth embodiment.

  As shown in the figure, the ID management unit 2405 includes a storage unit 2405a and a change unit 2405b. The storage unit 2405a stores, in the ID storage unit 2403, the user ID of the job owner and the user ID of the user who permits reprinting specified before job execution in accordance with an instruction from the print control unit 2404.

  The changing unit 2405b changes the access-permitted user stored in the ID storage unit 2403.

  Next, a printing process performed by the MFP 2400 according to the fifth embodiment configured as described above will be described. FIG. 28 is a flowchart illustrating an overall flow of a printing process in the MFP 2400 according to the fifth embodiment.

  First, when a user ID and password are input from the login screen of the operation panel 321 and a login operation is performed (step S2801), an authentication process is executed by the authentication unit 2402, and an authentication result is notified (step S2802).

  FIG. 29 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a login screen. As shown in the figure, a login screen 2900 displays a user ID input field 2901 for inputting a user ID, a password input field 2902 for inputting a password, and an authentication execution button 2903 for executing authentication. Yes.

  If the authentication is successful, the display input control unit 310 accepts designation of an access permitted user from a setting screen (not shown) for designating a user who is permitted to reprint from the operation panel 321 (step S2803). . For example, the user ID of the user stored in the user information management table is displayed on the setting screen so as to be selectable, and the selected user is accepted as an access-permitted user. Note that the access-permitted user can be specified only by the job owner.

  Next, the print control unit 2404 stores the job owner, which is an authenticated user, and the designated access-permitted user in the ID storage unit 2403 using the ID management unit 2405 (step S2804).

  Accordingly, it is possible to refer to the ID storage unit 2403 and perform control so that only the job owner or the access-permitted user is allowed to reprint.

  Since the ID generation processing, image storage processing, and stored image printing processing from step S2805 to step S2825 are the same as the processing from step S701 to step S721 in FIG. 8 according to the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted. .

  Next, reprint processing by the MFP 2400 and the MFP 2450 according to the fifth embodiment will be described. FIG. 30 is a flowchart illustrating an overall flow of reprint processing in the MFP 2400 and the MFP 2450 according to the fifth embodiment.

  Since the marking detection process and the image specification start instruction process from step S3001 to step S3004 are the same as those from step S901 to step S904 in the multi-function apparatus 350 according to the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  However, the inquiry in step S3004 further includes the user ID of the user who has logged in and instructed reprinting.

  Upon receiving the inquiry, the ID management unit 2405 acquires the job owner and the user ID of the access-permitted user from the ID storage unit 2403 in addition to the BID associated with the PID, the copy cancel flag, and the print setting. Then, by comparing the user ID in the inquiry with the acquired user ID, it is determined whether or not the user who has instructed reprinting has an access right to the corresponding job (step S3005).

  Then, the ID management unit 2405 sends the access right determination result, the BID, the copy cancel flag, and the print setting to the ID acquisition unit via the transmission / reception unit 305 of the multifunction device 2400 and the transmission / reception unit 305 of the multifunction device 2450. 307 is notified (step S3006). The MFP 2450 performs the following process only for the BID determined to have the right to access based on the access right determination result.

  The copy cancel flag determination process, the EID inquiry / notification process, and the image transfer / save process from step S3007 to step S3021 are the same as the process from step S906 to step S921 in the MFP 350 according to the first embodiment. The description is omitted.

  In the case of a reprint job, the user ID of the user who executed the reprint is not stored in the ID storage unit 2403 as a job owner, but the job owner of the original job to be reprinted is copied to reprint the job. Set as job owner.

  Similarly, for the access-permitted user, the access-permitted user managed by the job to be reprinted is duplicated and recorded in the ID storage unit 2403. As a result, the job owner of the reprint job is not the user who was authenticated at the time of reprinting, but the user who executed the job to be reproduced. That is, since the access right of the original job can be taken over by reprinting, it is possible to prevent the access right from being changed against the intention of the original job owner.

  On the other hand, when changing the reproducible user, only the job owner can be changed. FIG. 31 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a change job selection screen displayed when an access-permitted user is changed.

  As shown in the figure, the change job selection screen 3100 displays a display field 3101 for displaying a list of jobs that can be changed, a next button 3102 for displaying a job on the next screen, and a job on the previous screen. And a previous button 3103. The display column 3101 displays the JID, job print conditions (print settings), document name, and IP address of the apparatus that executed the job.

  In the display column 3101, only jobs having a job owner that matches the user ID of the logged-in user are displayed. As a result, only the job owner that executed the printing can change the access right.

  When a job is selected on the changed job selection screen 3100, a change screen for changing the access-permitted user of the selected job is displayed. FIG. 32 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a change screen.

  As shown in the figure, the change screen 3200 includes an access-permitted user display column 3201 for displaying a current access-permitted user, a selected user display column 3202 for selecting a user to be added, a delete button 3203, and an add button 3204. , A change button 3205 and a cancel button 3206 are included.

  An access-permitted user can be deleted by selecting a user in the access-permitted user display field 3201 and pressing a delete button 3203. Further, an access-permitted user can be added by selecting a user in the selected user display field 3202 and pressing an add button 3204. When a change button 3205 is pressed after deleting or adding a user, the changed content is stored in the ID storage unit 2403.

  As a method for changing the access right, a method for acquiring information to be changed via the network 360 is used in addition to the method for changing by the operation from the various screens displayed on the operation panel 321. May be.

  As described above, in the fifth embodiment, whether or not reprinting can be performed is determined in consideration of the access right of the job corresponding to the detected PID. For this reason, when a plurality of PIDs are detected from a plurality of markings by scanning a plurality of sheets, for example, jobs corresponding to some PIDs have access rights, but jobs corresponding to other PIDs May not have access rights.

  In this case, it may be configured to reprint only a job for which access right exists, or may be configured to permit reprinting only when access right exists for all jobs. In the former case, there is an advantage that reprinting can be executed without being aware of the presence of access rights. In the latter case, there is a convenience that it is possible to prevent a halfway job reproduction that is not intended by the user.

  Further, as in the above-described embodiment, there may be a case where a plurality of markings are attached to the original paper. In this case, reprinting may be performed only when all the jobs corresponding to the marking attached to the original paper can be printed, or printing can be performed among the jobs corresponding to the marking attached to the original paper. Only the job may be reprinted.

  Further, it may be configured such that processing at the time of detecting a plurality of marks can be set in advance on an initial setting screen for setting the operation of the apparatus in advance. FIG. 33 is a diagram showing an example of the initial setting screen. By setting the administrator on the initial setting screen shown in the figure, appropriate security can be set according to the usage.

  In the fifth embodiment, it is possible to reproduce a canceled job as in the first embodiment, and in this case, reproduction of the canceled job is permitted only when the user has an access right. The Here, in the case of a job interrupted due to a jam or cancellation, even an access-permitted user may be allowed to reproduce only the job owner without allowing reproduction. This is because the interrupted job is originally a job to be discarded, and it may be desirable to tighten the authority for reproduction.

  As described above, in the MFP according to the fifth embodiment, the access right can be set, and only the user having the access right can execute reprinting. Thereby, it is possible to prevent leakage of information contrary to the job owner's intention. Further, in the multifunction machine according to the fifth embodiment, reprinting can be executed from an apparatus other than the apparatus in which the images are accumulated.

(Modification)
Moreover, it is not limited to each embodiment mentioned above, The various deformation | transformation which is illustrated below is possible.

(Modification 1)
In the first to fourth embodiments described above, examples have been described in which different processing is performed when a plurality of markings are attached to a scanned sheet. However, the functions of the multifunction peripherals of the first to fourth embodiments described above may be combined into one multifunction peripheral so that processing can be selected according to the purpose of the user who uses the multifunction peripheral. Therefore, in this modification, an example of a multifunction machine that can select processing will be described.

  In the multi-function peripheral, when a user tries to perform reprinting using document paper with markings, if a plurality of markings are detected, a message to that effect is displayed on the operation panel.

  FIG. 34 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed when a plurality of markings are detected. As shown in the figure, the user must select an appropriate process from reprinting all jobs, reprinting except duplicate jobs, reprinting only the latest job, and reprinting only one duplicate job. Can do.

  Note that the processing when each item is selected has been described in the above-described embodiment, and is therefore omitted. Thereby, the printing process according to a user's usage can be performed. For this reason, user convenience is improved.

(Modification 2)
Further, when a plurality of markings are attached to the scanned paper, the user may select a job to be reprinted. Therefore, in this modification, an example of a multifunction peripheral capable of selecting a print job to be reprinted will be described. In this modification, it is assumed that printing time is included in the marking.

  When a plurality of markings are detected, the multifunction peripheral according to the present modification displays a print job corresponding to the detected markings.

  FIG. 35 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print job selection screen displayed when a plurality of markings are detected in the multifunction peripheral according to the second modification. As shown in the figure, the user can select a print job to be reprinted from the displayed print jobs.

(Modification 3)
In the above-described embodiment, the case where the information specifying the device included in the marking is an IP address has been described. However, the IP address is not necessarily fixed to the device, and a different IP address may be assigned every time the device is connected to the network. Therefore, in the third modification, an example in which it is possible to specify a multifunction peripheral that has performed printing even when the IP address is changed will be described. The MFP according to this modification is an example in which a device ID that identifies the MFP is included in the marking when performing a printing process. It is assumed that the device ID is uniquely assigned to each multifunction device in advance.

  Then, in order to identify the IP address by the device ID detected from the marking, the multifunction device has the device ID of the own device, the IP address assigned to the own device, and the port for performing the processing described in the above-described embodiment. The number is associated with and a registration request is made to a device such as a DNS server. As a result, the DNS server holds the device ID, the IP address, and the port number in association with each other.

  In this modification, the registration process is performed on the DNS server after the MFP is turned on and an IP address is assigned to the MFP.

  In addition, as the registration destination of the information described above, various devices such as a DNS server and a multifunction device in the same subnetwork as the multifunction device that requested registration may be considered.

  When a device such as a DNS server receives the above-described information registration request from the multifunction peripheral, the device stores the information in an SRV record, an A record, or the like. For example, the device ID is stored in the “Name” field of the SRV record, the port number is stored in the “Port” field, the device ID is stored in the “Name” field of the A record, and the IP address is stored in the “Addr” field. By doing so, the correspondence relationship between the device ID, the port number, and the IP address can be maintained. Further, when the “TXT” record is used, conditions for performing reprinting can be stored.

  Moreover, as a transmission method at the time of registration, unicast transmission may be used and multicast transmission may be used. When multicast transmission is performed, the correspondence relationship between the device ID, the IP address, and the port number can be registered for all the multifunction devices and DNS servers included in the same subnetwork. When unicast transmission is performed, registration can be performed with respect to a DNS server or the like exceeding the same subnetwork. That is, when registering by performing unicast transmission, it is possible to identify the multifunction peripheral from a network outside the same subnet. Thereby, for example, the above-described information can be registered in a typical DNS server in the office network.

  Then, when the user scans the original paper with an arbitrary multifunction device, the device ID and the PID are detected. Then, using the search query including the device ID, the multifunction device makes an inquiry about an IP address or the like to another device (for example, a DNS server or another multifunction device in the network). For this inquiry, unicast transmission or multicast transmission may be used.

  In the case of unicast transmission, when specifying the transmission destination, the user may be allowed to select a business office that printed the original paper. As a result, the MFP that has performed the scan can unicast the inquiry by the search query to the DNS server that represents the network of the office selected by the user.

  If the DNS server or multifunction device that has received the inquiry holds the above-described correspondence, the IP address and port number associated with the device ID are sent to the multifunction device that has scanned the original paper. Send.

  As a result, the MFP that has scanned the document sheet can specify the IP address and the port number of the MFP that stores the document data for reprinting. Subsequent processing can realize reprint processing by performing the same processing procedure as in the above-described embodiment.

  In this modification, the MFP performs the above-described processing, so that even if the IP address or the like is changed, a MFP that stores image data for reprinting and a function for reprinting are provided. Port number can be specified. When registering using unicast transmission, the above-described multifunction peripheral and port number can be identified even from a network different from the reprinted multifunction peripheral.

  FIG. 36 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of such a multifunction peripheral (300, 350, 1000, 1050, 1500, 1550, 2000, 2050, 2400, 2450). As shown in the figure, this multifunction machine has a configuration in which a controller 10 and an engine unit (Engine) 60 are connected by a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) bus. The controller 10 is a controller that controls the entire multifunction device 1 and controls drawing, communication, and input from an operation unit (not shown). The engine unit 60 is a printer engine or the like that can be connected to a PCI bus, and is, for example, a monochrome plotter, a 1-drum color plotter, a 4-drum color plotter, a scanner, or a fax unit. The engine unit 60 includes an image processing part such as error diffusion and gamma conversion in addition to a so-called engine part such as a plotter.

  The controller 10 includes a CPU 11, a north bridge (NB) 13, a system memory (MEM-P) 12, a south bridge (SB) 14, a local memory (MEM-C) 17, and an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). 16 and a hard disk drive (HDD) 18, and the north bridge (NB) 13 and the ASIC 16 are connected by an AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) bus 15. The MEM-P 12 further includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12a and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 12b.

  The CPU 11 performs overall control of the multifunction machine 1 and includes a chip set including the NB 13, the MEM-P 12, and the SB 14, and is connected to other devices via the chip set.

  The NB 13 is a bridge for connecting the CPU 11 to the MEM-P 12, SB 14, and AGP 15, and includes a memory controller that controls reading and writing to the MEM-P 12, a PCI master, and an AGP target.

  The MEM-P 12 is a system memory used as a memory for storing programs and data, a memory for developing programs and data, a drawing memory for printers, and the like, and includes a ROM 12a and a RAM 12b. The ROM 12a is a read-only memory used as a program / data storage memory, and the RAM 12b is a writable / readable memory used as a program / data development memory, a printer drawing memory, or the like.

  The SB 14 is a bridge for connecting the NB 13 to a PCI device and peripheral devices. The SB 14 is connected to the NB 13 via a PCI bus, and a network interface (I / F) unit and the like are also connected to the PCI bus.

  The ASIC 16 is an image processing application IC (Integrated Circuit) having hardware elements for image processing, and has a role of a bridge for connecting the AGP 15, the PCI bus, the HDD 18, and the MEM-C 17. The ASIC 16 includes a PCI target and an AGP master, an arbiter (ARB) that forms the core of the ASIC 16, a memory controller that controls the MEM-C 17, and a plurality of DMACs (Direct Memory) that perform rotation of image data by hardware logic or the like. Access Controller) and a PCI unit that performs data transfer between the engine unit 60 via the PCI bus. An FCU (Fax Control Unit) 30, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) 40, and an IEEE 1394 (the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers 1394) interface 50 are connected to the ASIC 16 via a PCI bus.

  The MEM-C 17 is a local memory used as an image buffer for copying and a code buffer, and an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 18 is a storage for storing image data, programs, font data, and forms. It is.

  The AGP 15 is a bus interface for a graphics accelerator card proposed for speeding up graphics processing. The AGP 15 speeds up the graphics accelerator card by directly accessing the MEM-P 12 with high throughput. .

  Note that the image processing program executed by the multifunction peripheral according to the first to fifth embodiments and modifications is provided by being incorporated in advance in a ROM or the like.

  An image processing program executed by the multifunction peripheral according to the first to fifth embodiments and modifications is a file in an installable format or an executable format, such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, You may comprise so that it may record and provide on computer-readable recording media, such as DVD (Digital Versatile Disk).

  Further, the image processing program executed by the MFP according to the first to fifth embodiments is stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and is provided by being downloaded via the network. May be. Further, the image processing program executed by the MFP according to the first to fifth embodiments and modifications may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

  The image processing program executed by the MFPs according to the first to fifth embodiments and modifications includes the above-described units (display input control unit, print control unit, scanner control unit, ID management unit, detection unit, ID acquisition). Module, a transmission / reception unit, a print job management unit, and the like. As actual hardware, a CPU (processor) reads out and executes an image processing program from the ROM, so that each unit is a main storage device. The above-described units are generated on the main storage device.

  As described above, the image processing apparatus, the image forming system, the image processing method, and the image processing program according to the present invention are suitable for a multifunction machine that controls the printing process using the marking printed on the printing paper.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of printing a document A in the multifunction peripheral according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining reprint processing by the multifunction peripheral according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating each configuration of the multifunction machine according to the first embodiment. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of ID information stored in an ID storage unit of the multifunction peripheral according to the first embodiment; FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of printing a document B in the multifunction peripheral according to the first embodiment. FIG. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example in which a plurality of documents are reprinted from a plurality of markings in the multifunction peripheral according to the first embodiment. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print job managed by a print job management unit in the multifunction peripheral according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an overall flow of print processing in the multifunction peripheral according to the first embodiment. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an overall flow of reprint processing in a plurality of multifunction peripherals according to the first embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows each structure of the multifunctional device concerning 2nd Embodiment. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example in which a document A and a document B are copied together in a multifunction machine according to a second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of reprinting a sheet with a PID = a1 marking and a PID = c1 marking in the multifunction peripheral according to the second embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an overall flow of reprint processing in a multifunction machine according to a second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a detected PID and a printing time transmitted to an ID specifying unit of a multifunction peripheral according to a second embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows each structure of the multifunctional device concerning 3rd Embodiment. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example in which a document B is subjected to print processing in a multifunction peripheral according to a third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example in which reprint processing of PID = a1 and a2 of document A and PID = b1 of document B is performed in the multifunction peripheral according to the third embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an overall flow of reprint processing in a plurality of multifunction peripherals according to a third embodiment. FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print job held by the print job management unit of the multifunction peripheral according to the third embodiment after step S1813 in FIG. 18 ends. It is a block diagram which shows each structure of the multifunctional device concerning 4th Embodiment. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example in which one sheet of document A and one sheet of document B are copied together in a multifunction peripheral according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example in which a reprint process is performed after copying one sheet of document A and one sheet of document B in a multi-function peripheral according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print job held by a print job management unit of a multifunction peripheral according to a fourth embodiment after step S1811 is completed. It is a block diagram which shows each structure of the multifunctional device concerning 5th Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the data structure of the user information management table of the multifunctional device concerning 5th Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the data structure of ID information stored in the ID memory | storage part of the multi-function device concerning 5th Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the detailed structure of the ID management part of the multifunctional device concerning 5th Embodiment. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an overall flow of a printing process in a multifunction machine according to a fifth embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of a structure of a login screen. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an overall flow of reprint processing in a plurality of multifunction peripherals according to a fifth embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the change job selection screen displayed when changing an access permission user. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of a change screen. It is the figure which showed the example of the initial setting screen. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed when a plurality of markings are detected in a multifunction machine according to Modification 1; FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print job selection screen that is displayed when a plurality of markings are detected in a multifunction peripheral according to a second modification. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a multifunction machine.

Explanation of symbols

10 Controller 11 CPU
12 System memory (MEM-P)
12a ROM
12b RAM
13 North Bridge (NB)
14 South Bridge (SB)
15 AGP bus 16 ASIC
17 Local memory (MEM-C)
30 FCU
40 USB
50 IEEE1394 interface 60 Engine unit 300, 350, 1000, 1050, 1500, 1550, 2000, 2050, 2400, 2450 MFP 302 Image storage unit 303 ID storage unit 304 ID management unit 305 Transmission / reception unit 306 Scanner control unit 307, 1001 ID Acquisition unit 308, 1501 Print control unit 309, 1003 Detection unit 310 Display input control unit 311 Print job management unit 321 Operation panel 322 Printer engine 323 Marking unit 324 Image acquisition unit 325 Scanner engine 360 Network 601, 602, 1201, 1202, 1701 , 1702, 2301, 2302 Marking 1002 Identification unit 1502, 2001 Judgment unit 2401 User information storage unit 2402 Authentication unit 2403 ID record Storage unit 2404 Print control unit 2405 ID management unit 2405b Change unit 2405a Storage unit 2900 Login screen 2901 Input field 2902 Password input field 2903 Authentication execution button 3100 Change job selection screen 3101 Display field 3102 Next button 3103 Previous button 3200 Change screen 3201 Access-permitted user display field 3202 Selected user display field 3203 Delete button 3204 Add button 3205 Change button 3206 Cancel button

Claims (28)

Image storage means for storing the input image and an image ID for identifying the image in association with each other;
ID information in which a medium ID for identifying a recording medium on which the image is printed, a unit ID for identifying a printing unit having a plurality of recording media, and the image ID of the image included in the printing unit are associated with each other. ID storage means for storing
Detecting means for detecting a plurality of medium IDs from one or a plurality of the recording media;
ID acquisition means for acquiring the image IDs of all the images included in the print unit identified by the unit IDs associated with each of the detected plurality of medium IDs in the ID storage means;
Image acquisition means for acquiring all the images associated with the image ID acquired by the ID acquisition means from the image storage means;
Output means for outputting the acquired image;
An image processing apparatus comprising: Determining means for determining whether or not the unit IDs associated with each of the detected plurality of medium IDs are the same;
The output means outputs the image associated with the unit ID only once when it is determined that the unit ID is the same;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1. Determining means for determining whether or not the unit IDs associated with each of the detected plurality of medium IDs are the same;
The output means does not output the image associated with the unit ID when the unit ID is determined to be the same;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1. The output unit determines that the first unit ID among the plurality of unit IDs is the same and the second unit ID is not the same when the second unit ID is not the same. Outputting only the image associated with the unit ID;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 3. The detecting means detects a plurality of medium IDs and printing times given in association with the medium IDs,
The ID acquisition means further includes a specifying means for specifying the medium ID based on the plurality of detected printing times, and the ID storage means uses a unit ID associated with the specified medium ID. Obtaining all the image IDs included in the identified printing unit;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1. The specifying means specifies a newest print time among the plurality of detected print times, and specifies the medium ID associated with the specified print time;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 5. The ID storage means further associates a print condition for the print unit with the ID information,
The ID acquisition unit further acquires the printing condition associated with the detected medium ID from the ID storage unit,
The output means outputs the acquired image by printing according to the printing condition acquired by the ID acquisition means;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1. The ID storage means identifies a unit ID as the print unit, the image ID of the image included in the unit, the medium ID of the recording medium on which the image is printed, and the unit Storing the ID information in association with the printing condition for a unit;
The ID acquisition means includes the image ID of the image included in the unit identified by the unit ID associated with the detected medium ID, and the image ID associated with the detected medium ID. Obtaining printing conditions from the ID storage means;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1. The ID storage unit includes a job ID for identifying a job unit as the print unit, the image ID of the image included in the job unit, the medium ID of the recording medium on which the image is printed, and the job Storing the ID information in association with the printing condition for a unit;
The ID acquisition means includes the image ID of the image included in the job unit identified by the job ID corresponding to the detected medium ID, and the printing condition associated with the detected medium ID. From the ID storage means,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1. The ID storage means includes a parent ID representing the medium ID detected by the detection means when the image included in the printing unit is printed, and interruption information indicating whether printing of the printing unit is interrupted. And the ID information further associated with
The ID acquisition unit further acquires and acquires the parent ID corresponding to the detected medium ID from the ID storage unit when the interruption information corresponding to the detected medium ID represents a print interruption. The medium ID that matches the parent ID is acquired from the ID storage unit, and the image ID of the image included in the printing unit identified by the unit ID corresponding to the acquired medium ID is acquired. Obtaining the printing conditions associated with the medium ID from the ID storage means;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1. The ID storage means includes a parent ID representing the medium ID detected by the detection means when the image included in the printing unit is printed, and interruption information indicating whether printing of the printing unit is interrupted. And the ID information further associated with
The ID acquisition unit further obtains the parent ID associated with the detected medium ID from the ID storage unit when the suspension information associated with the detected medium ID represents printing suspension. The acquired medium ID that matches the acquired parent ID is acquired from the ID storage unit, and the image included in the print unit identified by the unit ID associated with the acquired medium ID Corresponds to the image ID that does not match the image ID of the image included in the printing unit identified by the unit ID associated with the detected medium ID and the acquired medium ID. Obtaining the attached printing conditions from the ID storage means;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1. An authentication unit for authenticating the user using a user ID for identifying the user;
The ID storage means stores the ID information further associated with a print user ID that is the user ID of the user who printed the print unit,
The ID acquisition means further determines whether or not the user ID of the authenticated user and the print user ID associated with the detected medium ID match, and if they match, The image ID of the image included in the printing unit identified by the unit ID associated with the detected medium ID, and the printing condition associated with the detected medium ID are the ID. Obtaining from storage means;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1. An authentication means for authenticating the user using a user ID for identifying the user;
The ID storage means stores the ID information further associated with an allowed user ID that is the user ID of the user who permits reprinting of the printed image,
The ID acquisition means further determines whether or not the user ID of the authenticated user and the authorized user ID associated with the detected medium ID match, and if they match, The image ID of the image included in the printing unit identified by the unit ID associated with the detected medium ID, and the printing condition associated with the detected medium ID are the ID. Obtaining from storage means;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1. When printing the input image, the user ID of the user who is permitted to reprint the image to be printed is received, and the received user ID is the permitted user ID, and the image ID of the image to be printed A storage unit that stores the ID information associated with the ID storage unit in the ID storage unit;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 13. The storage means further acquires the authorized user ID associated with the medium ID detected by the detection means from the ID storage means when the output means outputs the image, and acquires the acquired Storing the ID information in which the permitted user ID is associated with the image ID of the image output by the output unit in the ID storage unit;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 14. Further comprising changing means for changing the authorized user ID stored in the ID storage means;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 13. The ID storage means stores the ID information further associated with a print user ID that is the user ID of the user who printed the image,
The changing unit further determines whether or not the user ID of the authenticated user matches the print user ID associated with the permitted user ID to be changed. Changing the authorized user ID;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 16. The ID acquisition means includes the medium ID that is associated with the detected medium ID and the authorized user ID that matches the user ID of the authenticated user, and the user ID of the authenticated user. When the medium ID associated with the authorized user ID that does not match is included, only for the medium ID associated with the authorized user ID that matches the user ID of the authenticated user, Obtaining the image ID of the image included in the printing unit identified by the unit ID associated with the medium ID and the printing condition associated with the medium ID from the ID storage unit; ,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 13. The ID acquisition means determines whether or not the authorized user ID associated with all the detected medium IDs matches the user ID of the authenticated user. The image ID of the image included in the printing unit identified by the unit ID associated with the detected medium ID, and the printing condition associated with the detected medium ID are the ID. Obtaining from storage means;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 13. The ID storage means includes a print user ID, which is the user ID of the user who printed the image, and a parent ID representing the medium ID detected by the detection means when the image included in the print unit is printed. Storing the ID information further associating an ID with interruption information indicating whether printing of the printing unit has been interrupted;
The ID acquisition means is further associated with the user ID of the authenticated user and the detected medium ID when the interruption information associated with the detected medium ID represents printing interruption. It is further determined whether or not the print user ID matches, and if it matches, the parent ID associated with the detected medium ID is acquired from the ID storage unit, and the acquired parent ID The image ID of the image included in the print unit identified by the unit ID associated with the acquired medium ID, and the acquired medium Obtaining the printing condition associated with the ID from the ID storage means;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 13. An image forming system comprising: a first image processing device that stores a printed image; and a second image processing device that is connected to the first image processing device via a network and prints the image.
The first image processing apparatus includes:
Image storage means for storing the input image and the image ID for identifying the image in association with each other;
ID information in which a medium ID for identifying a recording medium on which the image is printed, a unit ID for identifying a printing unit having a plurality of the storage media, and the image ID of the image included in the printing unit are associated with each other. ID storage means for storing
First receiving means for receiving a plurality of medium IDs from the second image processing device;
ID acquisition means for acquiring the image IDs of all the images included in the print unit identified by the unit IDs associated with each of the plurality of received medium IDs in the ID storage means;
A first transmission unit configured to transmit all the images associated with the acquired image ID to the second image processing device in the image storage unit;
The second image processing device includes:
Detecting means for detecting a plurality of medium IDs from one or a plurality of the recording media;
Second transmission means for transmitting the detected plurality of medium IDs to the first image processing apparatus;
Second receiving means for receiving the image from the first image processing device;
Printing means for printing the received image;
An image forming system comprising: Image storage means for storing the input image and the image ID for identifying the image in association with each other;
ID information in which a medium ID for identifying a recording medium on which the image is printed, a unit ID for identifying a printing unit having a plurality of recording media, and the image ID of the image included in the printing unit are associated with each other. An image processing method in an image processing apparatus comprising: ID storage means for storing
A detecting step of detecting a plurality of medium IDs from one or more recording media;
An ID acquisition step of acquiring, in the ID storage means, the image IDs of all the images included in the print unit identified by the unit ID associated with each of the detected plurality of medium IDs;
An image step of acquiring all the images associated with the image ID acquired by the ID acquisition step from the image storage means;
An output step of outputting the acquired image;
An image processing method comprising: A determination step of determining whether or not the unit IDs associated with each of the detected plurality of medium IDs are the same;
The output step outputs the image associated with the unit ID only once when it is determined that the unit ID is the same;
The image processing method according to claim 22. A determination step of determining whether or not the unit IDs associated with each of the detected plurality of medium IDs are the same;
The output step does not output the image associated with the unit ID when it is determined that the unit ID is the same;
The image processing method according to claim 22. In the output step, when the determination step determines that the first unit ID is the same and the second unit ID is not the same among the plurality of unit IDs, the second determination unit determines that the second unit IDs are not the same. Outputting only the image associated with the unit ID;
The image processing method according to claim 24, wherein: The detection step detects a plurality of medium IDs and printing times given in association with the medium IDs,
The ID acquiring step further includes a specifying step of specifying the medium ID based on the plurality of detected printing times, and in the ID storage unit, a unit ID associated with the specified medium ID. Obtaining all the image IDs included in the identified printing unit;
The image processing method according to claim 22. The specifying step specifies the newest printing time among the plurality of detected printing times, and specifies the medium ID associated with the specified printing time;
27. The image processing method according to claim 26. Image storage means for storing the input image and the image ID for identifying the image in association with each other;
ID information in which a medium ID for identifying a recording medium on which the image is printed, a unit ID for identifying a printing unit having a plurality of recording media, and the image ID of the image included in the printing unit are associated with each other. A program for causing a computer to function as an ID storage means for storing
Detecting means for detecting a plurality of medium IDs from one or a plurality of the recording media;
ID acquisition means for acquiring the image IDs of all the images included in the printing unit identified by the unit IDs associated with each of the plurality of detected medium IDs in the ID storage means;
Image means for obtaining all the images associated with the image ID obtained by the ID obtaining means from the image storage means;
Output means for outputting the acquired image;
An image processing program for causing a computer to function as:

Images