JP2010050561A - Image processing apparatus and image reading apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

By converting a conversion format of input image data into a data file of a plurality of formats and outputting it, the data file of a plurality of formats can be selected again and the image data can be used. It is possible to reduce the cost of reading image data because only one reading operation is required.
An input means for inputting image data, a conversion format specifying means for specifying a plurality of conversion formats of image data input by the input means, and a format specified by the conversion format specifying means for the image data. Conversion means for converting into a data file and output means for outputting the plurality of data files together.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and an image reading apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image processing apparatus, image data of a document read by a scanner connected to a network is converted into a data file of a specified format, and then sent to an image editing apparatus such as a personal computer, for example, e-mail or the like Sent as an attachment.

When the user operates the image editing device to open the data file and edits the image data, if the editing result is unsatisfactory, the user designates another data file and causes the scanner to read the image data again. The image data is converted into the data file of the other format and transmitted to the image editing apparatus (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2002-171369 A

  However, in the conventional image processing apparatus, when the user cannot obtain a desired editing result, it is necessary to cause the scanner to read image data again, which is troublesome. In addition, when the scanner is used for a fee, the image data reading cost increases.

  The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, converts the conversion format of input image data into a plurality of data files and outputs them, and re-selects the data files in a plurality of formats to generate an image. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image processing apparatus and an image reading apparatus that can use data, can read image data only once, and can suppress the reading cost of image data.

  For this purpose, in the image processing apparatus of the present invention, input means for inputting image data, conversion format specifying means for specifying a plurality of conversion formats of image data input by the input means, and the image data as the conversion format. Conversion means for converting the data file into a format designated by the designation means; and output means for outputting the plurality of data files together.

  According to the present invention, in the image processing apparatus, the conversion format of input image data is converted into a plurality of data files and output. As a result, it is possible to select a plurality of data files again and use the image data, and the image data reading operation can be performed only once, and the reading cost of the image data can be suppressed.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In the figure, reference numeral 10 denotes a multifunction peripheral as an image processing apparatus, and is connected to a personal computer 20 as a host apparatus through a network 30 as a path for information used for information exchange between the apparatuses. Has been.

  Here, the multifunction device 10 is a multifunction multifunction device having the functions of a scanner device, a facsimile device, a printer, and a copier, that is, an MFP (Multi Function Printer). In the present embodiment, the MFP 10 can read an image of a document, and can transmit the generated image data to the personal computer 20 as an attached file of an e-mail via the network 30. 20 receives image data as an attached file of an e-mail, and the user can operate the personal computer 20 to edit the image data. The host device connected to the network 30 may be singular or plural. Here, the personal computer 20 will be described as representing all the host devices.

  The multifunction machine 10 includes a scanner unit 11 that reads an image of a document. The scanner unit 11 includes a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), an imaging element such as an imaging tube, a lens, a medium such as paper on which an image is printed, a lamp that illuminates an original such as a photograph, and the like. Is a device that reads while scanning.

  The multi-function device 10 includes operation means such as an operation panel 12, a CPU, and an MPU as conversion format designating means for performing operations such as setting of the multi-function device 10 and designation of a conversion format of image data. A control unit 13 that controls the machine 10 and a memory unit 14 that includes storage means such as a magnetic disk and a semiconductor memory and stores image data and the like.

  Further, the multifunction machine 10 includes an image data generation unit 15 that generates image data of a document read by the scanner unit 11, and the image data generated by the image data generation unit 15 is converted into a PDF (Portable Document Format) format, TIFF (TIFF). Image data conversion unit 16 as conversion means for conversion into a data file of Tag Image File Format (BMP) format, BMP (Bit Map) format, etc., and integration means for integrating a plurality of data files converted by the image data conversion unit 16 Conversion data integration unit 17 and a communication unit 18 as output means for outputting the data file integrated by the conversion data integration unit 17 to the personal computer 20 via the network 30 as an attached file of an e-mail. . The scanner unit 11 and the image data generation unit 15 function as input means for inputting image data.

  The personal computer 20 is a computer provided with arithmetic means such as CPU and MPU, storage means such as magnetic disk and semiconductor memory, display means such as CRT and liquid crystal display, input means such as keyboard, communication interface and the like. Any device can be used as long as it can receive an e-mail from the multifunction machine 10 and open an attached file of the e-mail to edit image data. The personal computer 20 includes an OS (Operating System) unit 21 that controls the operation of the personal computer 20 and a communication unit 22 that transmits and receives data to and from the multifunction device 10 from the viewpoint of functions.

  Further, the network 30 may be a cable such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable, or may be a network such as an intranet, a LAN (Local Area Network), or a WAN (Wide Area Network). Further, it may be an IP (Internet Protocol) network including the Internet.

  Next, the configuration of the operation panel 12 will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the operation panel according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in the figure, the operation panel 12 includes an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) panel 41 as display means for displaying information. The LCD panel 41 is preferably a touch panel that also functions as an input means. In the example shown in the figure, a screen for selecting the format of a data file for converting image data is displayed. In this case, on the LCD panel 41, a cursor 44 indicating the input position and a specified state display mark 45 indicating the specified state of each item are displayed. Further, the LCD panel 41 has, as a touch button type input means, an apply button 43a displayed as “apply” for inputting that the selected state of the displayed data file format is stored and applied, and , An end button 43b displayed as “return” for inputting that the selected data file format selection state is not saved and is returned to the original state.

  The operation panel 12 includes cursor keys 42a to 42d for moving the cursor 44 up and down, left and right, a determination key 42e for starting an image reading operation and determining display contents on the LCD panel 41, and an image reading operation. Operation buttons such as a cancel key 42f for stopping and canceling the display content of the LCD panel 41 are provided.

  By operating the LCD panel 41 and the operation buttons 42a to 42f of the operation panel 12, the user converts the image data of the document read by the scanner unit 11 into a plurality of desired file formats, and attaches it as an attached file of an e-mail. It can be transmitted from the multifunction machine 10 to the personal computer 20.

  Next, an electronic mail received by the personal computer 20 from the multifunction machine 10 will be described.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of an e-mail displayed on the display means of the personal computer in the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In the figure, reference numeral 50 denotes a display screen of an e-mail received from the multifunction machine 10 displayed on the display means of the personal computer 20, and an icon indicating an image data file in a format designated by the user operating the operation panel 12. 51 and a description 52 concerning the image data file corresponding to each icon 51 are displayed. The description 52 displayed at the top includes the name of the software to be used to open the image data file corresponding to the icon 51 displayed at the top. For example, “Adobe (R) Acrobat ( R) Open with Reader "is displayed.

  The PDF format is a platform-independent data format such as Windows (R), UNIX (R), Macintosh (R), etc., which is a standard data format of current electronic documents, and is read while scanning. Suitable for storing images. On the other hand, even if it is necessary to perform editing operations such as changing the brightness and erasing noise, there is no software that can be directly edited, so this data format is not suitable for image editing.

  The TIFF format is a data format for recording image data in a file as image data, and data generated by one platform can be read by software of another platform. There are a compression type in which image data is compressed and stored, and a non-compression type in which image data is stored without being compressed.

  Furthermore, the BMP format is a data format for storing color images without compression. Since there is no image degradation and there are many image editing software, this data format is suitable for image editing.

  Next, the operation of the MFP 10 having the above-described configuration will be described. Here, the image data of the original read by the scanner unit 11 is converted into a plurality of preset file formats, and the converted image data file is attached to an e-mail together as an attached file via the network 30. The operation when performing so-called Scan To E-mail to be transmitted to the personal computer 20 will be described. First, an operation for setting a file format for converting image data will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation for setting a file format for converting image data according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  First, when the setting of the file format for converting the image data is started, the user operates the operation buttons 42a to 42f of the operation panel 12 of the multifunction machine 10 to display the setting screen as shown in FIG. Is displayed. That is, the LCD panel 41 displays the setting status of the convertible format and the output format. The designation state of each item is indicated by a designation state display mark 45.

  Subsequently, the user operates the operation buttons 42a to 42f, moves the cursor 44, and selects a plurality of desired data file formats for converting and outputting the image data. Then, the user determines whether or not a plurality of conversion formats and output formats are selected.

  If it is determined that a plurality of conversion formats and output formats are selected, the user presses the apply button 43a. Then, the multifunction device 10 determines whether or not the user has pressed the apply button 43a. If the user presses the apply button 43a, the specified format is saved, that is, the setting value is saved and the process is performed. finish.

  On the other hand, when determining that a plurality of conversion formats and output formats are not selected, the user presses the end button 43b. Then, the MFP 10 determines whether or not the user has pressed the end button 43b. If the user presses the end button 43b, the multifunction device 10 returns to the original specification, that is, does not save the specified format, Return to the setting of and finish the process.

  The multifunction device 10 determines whether or not the user has pressed the apply button 43a. If the user has not pressed the apply button 43a, the multifunction device 10 determines whether or not the user has pressed the end button 43b. If the user does not press the end button 43b, the process waits until the user determines whether a plurality of conversion formats and output formats are selected.

Next, a flowchart will be described.
Step S1: The LCD panel 41 displays the conversion status and output status setting status.
Step S2: The user determines whether or not a plurality of conversion formats and output formats are selected. If a plurality of items are selected, the process proceeds to step S3. If a plurality of items are not selected, the process proceeds to step S4.
Step S3: It is determined whether or not the user has pressed the apply button 43a. If the apply button 43a is pressed, the process proceeds to step S5. If the apply button 43a is not pressed, the process proceeds to step S4.
Step S4: It is determined whether or not the user has pressed the end button 43b. If the end button 43b is pressed, the process proceeds to step S6. If the end button is not pressed, the process returns to step S2.
Step S5: The designated format is saved and the process is terminated.
Step S6: The original designation is restored and the process is terminated.

  Next, an operation of transmitting image data of a document read by the scanner unit 11 to the personal computer 20 will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation of converting and transmitting the read image data according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  When the multifunction device 10 starts scanning, the scanner unit 11 reads the image data of the document. Then, the image data conversion unit 16 performs image conversion for the designated conversion format. That is, the image data of the document read by the scanner unit 11 is converted into a plurality of file formats designated by the user.

  Subsequently, when the communication unit 18 transmits the image data converted into a plurality of file formats, that is, a plurality of image data files, the multifunction device 10 ends the processing. In this case, the image data is transmitted to the personal computer 20 as an email attachment file.

Next, a flowchart will be described.
Step S11 The scanner unit 11 reads the image data of the document.
Step S12: The image data converter 16 performs image conversion for the specified conversion format.
Step S13: The communication unit 18 transmits the image data files converted into a plurality of file formats together, and ends the process.

  Next, an operation in which the user operates the personal computer 20 to open an email received from the multifunction machine 10 will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation for opening an e-mail received from the multifunction machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  First, the user operates the personal computer 20 to start an operation for opening an e-mail received from the multifunction machine 10. Then, since the display screen 50 as shown in FIG. 3 is displayed on the display means of the personal computer 20, the user selects the icon 51 displayed at the top and opens a PDF file. Although it is arbitrary to select which format file, here, for the purpose of saving the original image data read by the scanner unit 11 as it is, a PDF format file is first opened. .

  Subsequently, the user determines whether the image of the opened file is satisfied. If the user is satisfied with the image, the image data is stored as it is and the processing is terminated.

  Also, for example, if the image has noise such as back-off and the image quality is unsatisfactory, the PDF format file cannot be said to be a format suitable for image editing. A file of a format suitable for image editing such as a format or BMP format is opened using image editing software. Then, after editing to a satisfactory result, the image data is saved and the process is terminated.

Next, a flowchart will be described.
Step S21: A PDF file is opened.
Step S22: Whether or not the image of the opened file is satisfied is determined. If satisfied, the image data is stored as it is, and the process is terminated. If not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S23.
Step S23: A file having a format suitable for image editing, such as TIFF format or BMP format, is opened and edited using image editing software, the image data is saved, and the process ends.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the image data of the document read by the scanner unit 11 can be converted into a plurality of file formats and transmitted together by e-mail. As a result, even when an editing operation such as image processing is performed depending on the state of the image data file received by the personal computer 20, it is necessary to read the image data of the original again, select the file format again, and transmit the data. It is possible to open an image data file of any file format.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In addition, about the thing which has the same structure as 1st Embodiment, the description is abbreviate | omitted by providing the same code | symbol. The description of the same operation and the same effect as those of the first embodiment is also omitted.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of the operation panel according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  Since the configurations of the multifunction machine 10 and the personal computer 20 in the present embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment, description thereof will be omitted, and the configuration of the operation panel 12 will be described.

  As shown in the figure, the configuration of the operation panel 12 in the present embodiment is basically the same as that in the first embodiment, but the display mode of the designated state display mark 45 is the same as that in the first embodiment. This is different from the embodiment. That is, in the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the designated state display mark 45 is displayed for only four items, whereas the designated state display mark 45 in the present embodiment is Also, the item “integrated and transmitted” positioned at the bottom is also displayed. Therefore, the multifunction machine 10 according to the present embodiment integrates the image data files converted into a plurality of file formats into one image data file, and transmits it to the personal computer 20.

  Next, an electronic mail received from the multifunction machine 10 by the personal computer 20 in the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of an e-mail displayed on the display means of the personal computer in the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a display on the display means of the personal computer in the second embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the dialog which opens the attached file.

  As shown in FIG. 8, an e-mail display screen 50 received from the MFP 10 displayed on the display unit of the personal computer 20 includes an icon 51 indicating one image data file that can be developed, and the icon 51. A description 52 regarding the image data file corresponding to is displayed. In this case, the image data file corresponding to the icon 51 is an image data file obtained by integrating image data files converted into a plurality of file formats. In the description 52, the integrated image data file is opened in a self-decompressing format. It shows that.

  When the integrated image data file is opened, an interactive screen 60 as shown in FIG. 9 is displayed on the display means of the personal computer 20. The dialogue screen 60 displays a file format name 61 of an image data file that can be opened and a description 62 related to the image data file corresponding to each file format name 61. The description 62 displayed at the top includes the name of software to be used for opening the image data file with the file format name 61 displayed at the top. For example, “Adobe (R) Acrobat ( R) Open with Reader "is displayed.

  The dialog screen 60 also includes a cursor 63 indicating the selected image data file and a file open button 64 displayed as “Open” for opening the image data file indicated by the cursor 63.

  Next, the data structure of image data files in various file formats will be described.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the data structure of a PDF image data file according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 11 is a data structure of a BMP image data file according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 and FIG. 12 are diagrams showing the data structure of an integrated image data file according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 10, a PDF format image data file 70 includes PDF file header information 71 indicating header information in the PDF format and PDF file drawing data 72 which is PDF format drawing data. The PDF file header information 71 includes information necessary for developing the PDF file drawing data 72. The PDF file drawing data 72 stores actual image images.

  In FIG. 11, reference numeral 80 denotes a BMP format image data file, which includes BMP file header information 81 indicating BMP format header information, and BMP file drawing data 82 which is BMP format drawing data. The BMP file header information 81 includes information necessary for developing the BMP file drawing data 82. The BMP file drawing data 82 stores actual image images.

  Further, in FIG. 12, reference numeral 90 denotes an integrated image data file, which is an image data file in which a PDF format image data file 70 and a BMP format image data file 80 are integrated. Then, the integrated image data file 90 is based on the PDF file header information 71 and the BMP file header information 81, a decompression program 91 that decompresses the original image data file, PDF file header information 71, PDF file drawing data 72, , BMP file header information 81 and BMP file drawing data 82. The integrated image data file 90 may include file header information and file drawing data of image data files of other formats.

  Further, the development program 91 can open and open an interactive screen 60 as shown in FIG. 9 based on the PDF file header information 71 and the BMP file header information 81, that is, an image data file that can be developed. This program displays the file format name 61 and develops the image data file indicated by the cursor 63.

  Next, the operation of the multifunction machine 10 in the present embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, image data of a document read by the scanner unit 11 is converted into a plurality of preset file formats, the image data files are integrated, and attached to an e-mail as one attached file. The operation when performing so-called Scan To E-mail that is transmitted to the personal computer 20 via the network 30 will be described. First, an operation for transmitting image data of a document read by the scanner unit 11 to the personal computer 20 will be described.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an operation of converting and transmitting read image data according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  When the multifunction device 10 starts scanning, the scanner unit 11 reads the image data of the document. Then, the image data conversion unit 16 performs image conversion for the designated conversion format. That is, the image data of the document read by the scanner unit 11 is converted into a plurality of file formats designated by the user.

  Subsequently, the conversion data integration unit 17 integrates a plurality of image data files converted by the image data conversion unit 16 and provides a development program 91.

  Subsequently, when the communication unit 18 transmits the integrated image data file 90 integrated by the conversion data integration unit 17, that is, the integrated file, the multifunction machine 10 ends the processing. In this case, the integrated image data file 90 is transmitted to the personal computer 20 as an email attachment file.

Next, a flowchart will be described.
Step S31 The scanner unit 11 reads the image data of the document.
Step S32: The image data converter 16 performs image conversion for the specified conversion format.
Step S33 The conversion data integration unit 17 integrates a plurality of image data files.
Step S34: The conversion data integration unit 17 assigns the expansion program 91.
Step S35: The communication unit 18 transmits the integrated file and ends the process.

  Next, an operation in which the user operates the personal computer 20 to open an email received from the multifunction machine 10 will be described.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an operation for opening an e-mail received from the multifunction machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  First, the user operates the personal computer 20 to start an operation for opening an e-mail received from the multifunction machine 10. Then, since the display screen 50 as shown in FIG. 8 is displayed on the display means of the personal computer 20, the user selects the icon 51 and integrates the integrated image data file 90 integrated by the conversion data integration unit 17, that is, Open the integrated file.

  Then, an interactive screen 60 as shown in FIG. 9 is displayed on the display means of the personal computer 20 by the development program 91. In this case, since a developable file format is presented as the file format name 61, the user opens an arbitrary file. For example, the user selects and opens the PDF file displayed at the top by the cursor 63. It should be noted that the type of file to be selected is arbitrary, but here, in order to store the image data of the original read by the scanner unit 11 as it is, first the image quality of the image data is determined. It is assumed that a PDF file is opened.

  Subsequently, the user determines whether the image of the opened file is satisfied. If the user is satisfied with the image, the image data is stored as it is and the processing is terminated.

  Further, for example, when the image has noise such as back-off and the image quality is unsatisfactory, the user opens the integrated file again and edits the file in a format suitable for image editing such as the BMP format on the dialog screen 60. Open using software. Then, after editing to a satisfactory result, the image data is saved and the process is terminated.

Next, a flowchart will be described.
Step S41: Open the integrated file.
Step S42 An expandable file format is presented and an arbitrary file is opened.
Step S43: It is determined whether or not the image of the opened file is satisfied. If satisfied, the image data is stored as it is, and the process is terminated. If not satisfied, the process returns to step S41.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the image data of the original read by the scanner unit 11 is converted into a plurality of file formats, the image data files are integrated, and transmitted as an attached file by e-mail. be able to. As a result, the image data file received by the personal computer 20 can be managed more easily than in the first embodiment.

  In the first and second embodiments, Scan to E-mail has been described. However, the present invention can be applied to any format as long as it includes processing for converting read image data into a data file. it can.

  In the first and second embodiments, the case where the file format to be converted is designated in advance has been described. However, the file format to be converted can also be designated at the time of transmission.

  Further, in the first and second embodiments, the PDF format, the TIFF format, and the BMP format have been exemplified as file formats. However, the present invention can be applied to any file format. Moreover, although the example which opens the file of a PDF format first was demonstrated, the order may be mixed according to the objective.

  Further, in the second embodiment, the example in which the self-extracting expansion program is added to the integrated data file has been described. However, the file may be opened using general decompression software.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, It can change variously based on the meaning of this invention, and does not exclude them from the scope of the present invention.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the system in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the operation panel in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the electronic mail displayed on the display means of the personal computer in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement which sets the file format which converts the image data in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement which converts and transmits the read image data in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation for opening an e-mail received from the multifunction machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the operation panel in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the electronic mail displayed on the display means of the personal computer in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the dialog which opens the file displayed on the display means of the personal computer in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the data structure of the image data file of the PDF format in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the data structure of the image data file of the BMP format in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the data structure of the integrated image data file in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement which converts and transmits the read image data in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation for opening an e-mail received from a multifunction peripheral according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Multifunction machine 11 Scanner part 12 Operation panel 15 Image data generation part 16 Image data conversion part 17 Conversion data integration part 18 Communication part 91 Deployment program

Claims (6)

(A) input means for inputting image data;
(B) conversion format specifying means for specifying a plurality of conversion formats of image data input by the input means;
(C) conversion means for converting the image data into a data file in a format designated by the conversion format designation means;
(D) An image processing apparatus comprising output means for outputting a plurality of the data files together. An integration means for integrating the plurality of data files;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output unit outputs the data file integrated by the integration unit. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the conversion format designating unit designates the conversion format in advance or when inputting image data. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the integration unit adds a development program for developing the integrated data file to the integrated data file. The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the expansion program presents at least an expandable format in a selectable manner and expands the integrated data file based on the selected format. (A) a scanner unit for reading an image of a document;
(B) an image data generation unit that generates image data of a document read by the scanner unit;
(C) conversion format specifying means for specifying a plurality of conversion formats of the image data generated by the image data generation unit;
(D) conversion means for converting the image data into a data file in a format designated by the conversion format designation means;
(E) An image reading apparatus comprising output means for outputting a plurality of the data files together.

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