JP2017184047A - Information processing apparatus, processing method of the same, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily identify content to be used by preview, and to prevent reuse.SOLUTION: The information processing apparatus for managing an electronic file, includes: determination means for analyzing the electronic file and determining a type of each area; change means for changing image quality of the data of the area by using a resolution corresponding to the type; and registration means for registering an electronic file for preview using the data of the area changed by the change means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus that generates resolution-converted preview data, a processing method thereof, and a program.

  In recent years, there is an increasing need for on-demand printing by designating a document managed by a server or the like on the screen of a multifunction machine.

  For example, in a cram school environment, there are usually situations where learning materials are stocked in each school building. In the season when a large amount of teaching materials is required, the school building space is under pressure, and it is desired to make paperless without stocking the teaching materials.

Therefore, teaching materials are managed as electronic data by a server in an in-house school system, and the electronic data is downloaded and printed on a PC. Depending on the environment, one PC per person may not be secured (the part-time instructor may not arrange a PC), which may make operation difficult. In addition, the user may be unfamiliar with the PC operation and mistakenly print the print (for example, forgetting the saddle staple while he / she wants to perform bookbinding printing).
In order to solve such a situation, a system (on-demand printing system) that can print teaching materials with a simple operation on the screen of a multifunction machine is desired.

  The on-demand printing system searches the electronic data of the teaching materials stored on the server, previews the contents, confirms the contents, designates the print format (such as bookbinding), and issues a print instruction. In this case, printing is executed. With this system, it is not necessary to stock the teaching materials that need to be printed each time, paperless can be realized, and an environment in which teaching materials can be printed if a multifunction peripheral exists without using a PC can be provided.

  In order to realize this on-demand printing system, preview display and pre-printing are generally performed so as not to make a printing mistake. In addition, there are various technologies for these previews (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2014-123794 A

  Recently, the display performance of multifunction devices has increased, and previews can be viewed with high image quality. Also, multifunction devices have become sophisticated, and documents registered in a server (for example, a PC) (for example, PDF files) can be displayed.

For this reason, for previewing before printing, a PDF file registered as a teaching material is used for previewing. However, since teaching materials are important contents for managing a cram school, a means to avoid data leakage is necessary. ing.
For example, it is conceivable to embed a watermark such as “unauthorized reproduction prohibited” at the time of previewing to give security for printing / copying / change prohibition.
However, there is a risk that security is released from the security hole, and it is conceivable that data is acquired and reused.

  Further, when a preview is performed on a PC, the preview data is downloaded to the PC, so that it can be reused by using the screen capture function.

  Therefore, it is desired to increase security by another means so that it is not reused. For example, although it is conceivable to create preview data with a rough image, there is a problem that the effect of the preview is reduced and the usability is deteriorated by uniformly roughing the image. In particular, educational materials and the like look similar to each other at first glance, so that it is difficult to identify the content by uniform image conversion such as thumbnail images.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism that makes it easy to identify content to be used by preview and inhibits reuse.

  An information processing apparatus for managing an electronic file for achieving the object of the present invention, wherein the electronic file is analyzed, a determination unit that determines a type for each region, and a resolution according to the type, The image processing apparatus includes: a changing unit that changes the image quality of the data in the area; and a registration unit that registers an electronic file for preview using the data in the area changed by the changing unit.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to easily identify the content to be used by the preview and to suppress reuse.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an image forming system in an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an image processing server 101 and a client terminal 102 in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a multifunction machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the preview data generation process in embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the preview process in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the registration screen in the client terminal in embodiment of this invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a search screen in the multifunction machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the content management table in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the resolution determination table of a text in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the resolution determination table of a figure and a table | surface in embodiment of this invention. It is an image figure of a preview display of a client terminal in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is an image diagram of a preview display of the multifunction peripheral according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the block information in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the module structure (functional structure) of various apparatuses in embodiment of this invention.

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

  First, an example of the configuration of an image forming system (management system) in an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an image forming system (management system) in an embodiment of the present invention.

  An image processing server 101 has a content page rearrangement processing function, a content storage / management function, a function to respond to a request from the user, and the like in this case. The image processing server 101 may be a computer having a server function instead of a server device. The image processing server 101 is an information processing apparatus that is a subject of the processing of this embodiment. The image processing server 101 is an apparatus that illustrates an example of an information processing apparatus that manages an electronic file that is content to be registered.

  A client terminal 102 has a print target content selection function, a print style selection function, and the like in this case. This is a device capable of previewing contents managed by the image processing server 101 and instructing printing.

  Reference numeral 103 denotes an office device such as a multifunction peripheral or printer, which has a print target content selection function and a print format selection function equivalent to those of the client terminal 102, and is based on a print instruction from the image processing server 101 in this case. Provides a function to print content. In addition, it is a device capable of previewing content on the display panel of the multifunction device. It is also possible to paraphrase the multifunction peripheral as an image forming apparatus.

  Reference numeral 104 denotes a LAN, and the image processing server 101, the client terminal 102, and the multifunction machine 103 are all connected via a network. Regardless of the form of the LAN, technically, it can also be configured in the form of a WAN.

Hereinafter, the hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus applicable to the image processing server 101 and the client terminal 102 illustrated in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an information processing apparatus applicable to the image processing server 101 and the client terminal 102 illustrated in FIG.

  In FIG. 2, reference numeral 201 denotes a CPU that comprehensively controls each device and controller connected to the system bus 204. Further, the ROM 202 or the external memory 211 is necessary to realize a BIOS (Basic Input / Output System) or an operating system program (hereinafter referred to as an OS), which is a control program of the CPU 201, or a function executed by each server or each PC. Various programs to be described later are stored.

  A RAM 203 functions as a main memory, work area, and the like for the CPU 201. The CPU 201 implements various operations by loading a program or the like necessary for execution of processing from the ROM 202 or the external memory 211 into the RAM 203 and executing the loaded program.

  An input controller 205 controls input from a keyboard (KB) 209 or a pointing device such as a mouse (not shown). A video controller 206 controls display on a display device such as a CRT display (CRT) 210. In FIG. 2, although described as CRT 210, the display device is not limited to the CRT, but may be another display device such as a liquid crystal display. These are used by the administrator as needed.

  A memory controller 207 is connected to the hard disk (HD), flexible disk (FD), or PCMCIA card slot for storing a boot program, various applications, font data, user files, editing files, various data, etc. via an adapter. The access to the external memory 211 such as a compact flash (registered trademark) memory is controlled.

  A communication I / F controller 208 is connected to and communicates with an external device via a network (for example, the LAN 600 shown in FIG. 1), and executes communication control processing on the network. For example, communication using TCP / IP is possible.

  Note that the CPU 201 enables display on the CRT 210 by executing outline font rasterization processing on a display information area in the RAM 203, for example. In addition, the CPU 201 enables a user instruction with a mouse cursor (not shown) on the CRT 210.

  Various programs to be described later for realizing the present invention are recorded in the external memory 211 and executed by the CPU 201 by being loaded into the RAM 203 as necessary. Furthermore, definition files and various information tables used when executing the program are also stored in the external memory 211, and a detailed description thereof will be described later.

Next, the hardware configuration of the multifunction machine 103 shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the MFP 103 illustrated in FIG.

  In FIG. 3, reference numeral 316 denotes a controller unit which is connected to a scanner 314 functioning as an image input device and a printer unit 312 functioning as an image output device, while being connected to a LAN (for example, the LAN 104 shown in FIG. 1) or a public line (WAN). ) (For example, PSTN or ISDN) to input / output image data and device information.

  In the controller unit 316, reference numeral 301 denotes a CPU, which is a processor that controls the entire system. A RAM 302 is a system work memory for the CPU 301 to operate, and is also a program memory for recording a program and an image memory for temporarily recording image data.

  A ROM 303 stores a system boot program and various control programs. A hard disk drive (HDD) 304 stores various programs for controlling the system, image data, and the like.

  An operation unit interface (operation unit I / F) 307 is an interface unit with the operation unit (keyboard) 308. Further, the operation unit I / F 307 serves to transmit the key information (for example, pressing of the start button) input from the operation unit 308 to the CPU 301.

  A network interface (Network I / F) 305 is connected to the network (LAN 104). In addition, wireless communication is also possible, and connection is made with other devices by communication using infrared rays, Bluetooth (registered trademark), or Wi-Fi (registered trademark). Input and output data. A modem (MODEM) 306 is connected to a public line and inputs / outputs data such as FAX transmission / reception.

  Reference numeral 318 denotes an external interface (external I / F), which is an I / F unit that accepts external inputs such as USB, IEEE 1394, printer port, and RS-232C. In this embodiment, an IC card for a portable terminal required for authentication A card reader 319 for reading (storage medium) is connected to the external I / F unit 318. The CPU 301 can control reading of information from the IC card of the mobile terminal by the card reader 319 via the external I / F 318, and can acquire information read from the IC card of the mobile terminal. The above devices are arranged on the system bus 309.

Reference numeral 320 denotes an image bus interface (IMAGE BUS I / F), which is a bus bridge that connects the system bus 309 and an image bus 315 that transfers image data at high speed and converts the data structure.
The image bus 315 is configured by a PCI bus or IEEE1394. The following devices are arranged on the image bus 315.

  A raster image processor (RIP) 310 develops vector data such as a PDL code into a bitmap image. A printer interface (printer I / F) 311 connects the printer unit 312 and the controller unit 316 and performs synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data. A scanner interface (scanner I / F) 313 connects the scanner 314 and the controller unit 316 and performs synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data.

  An image processing unit 317 performs correction, processing, and editing on input image data, and performs printer correction, resolution conversion, and the like on print output image data. In addition to this, the image processing unit 317 performs image data rotation and compression / decompression processing such as JPEG for multi-valued image data and JBIG, MMR, MH for binary image data.

  The scanner unit 314 illuminates an image on paper as a document and scans it with a CCD line sensor, thereby converting it into an electrical signal as raster image data. The original paper is set on the tray of the original feeder, and when the apparatus user gives a reading start instruction from the operation unit 308, the CPU 301 gives an instruction to the scanner 314, and the feeder feeds the original paper one by one to read the original image. I do.

  The printer unit 312 is a part that converts raster image data into an image on paper. The method is an electrophotographic method using a photosensitive drum or a photosensitive belt, and ink is ejected from a micro nozzle array directly on the paper. There is an inkjet method for printing an image, but any method may be used. The activation of the printing operation is started by an instruction from the CPU 301. The printer unit 312 has a plurality of paper feed stages so that different paper sizes or different paper orientations can be selected, and has a paper cassette corresponding thereto.

  The operation unit 308 has an LCD display unit, and a touch panel sheet is pasted on the LCD. The operation unit 308 displays an operation screen of the system. When a displayed key is pressed, the position information is displayed on the operation unit I / F 307. To the CPU 301 via The operation unit 308 includes, for example, a start key, a stop key, an ID key, a reset key, and the like as various operation keys.

  Note that the display unit has different display performance depending on the printer, and a printer that can be operated via a touch panel, a printer that simply has a liquid crystal screen and displays a character string (displays the print status and the name of the document being printed). Is structured.

  Here, the start key of the operation unit 308 is used when starting a document image reading operation. At the center of the start key, there are two color LEDs, green and red, which indicate whether or not the start key can be used. Further, the stop key of the operation unit 308 functions to stop the operation in operation. The ID key of the operation unit 308 is used when inputting the user ID of the user. The reset key is used when initializing settings from the operation unit.

  The card reader 319 reads information stored in an IC card (which may be provided in the portable terminal as an IC chip) under the control of the CPU 301, and reads the read information via the external I / F 318. To notify. Further, the card reader 319 corresponds to the NFC communication standard, and is configured to be able to read and write to an IC card or an IC chip of a portable terminal. In addition, when an NFC standard-compliant portable terminal is held over an NFC standard-compliant card reader, authentication is performed and the portable terminal is paired with a printer (multifunction device). Then, communication (P2P) can be established between the held portable terminal and the printer (multifunction machine) to perform data communication. In addition, communication (handover) can be taken over by Bluetooth (registered trademark) or Wi-Fi (registered trademark), which are high-speed communication standards, and communication can be performed between the portable terminal and the printer (multifunction device). For example, by holding the portable terminal over a card reader, an image stored in the portable terminal can be transmitted to a printer (multifunction machine). The details of the NFC communication standard are conventional techniques, and thus the description thereof will be omitted.

  In the above-described multi-function peripheral 103, a platform for controlling the multi-function peripheral 103 exists, and an authentication application for communicating with the authentication server is operating on this platform. The authentication application is stored in the HDD 304. An area on the HDD 304 is secured for a login context that is managed by the platform and stores user information at the time of login, and various setting information.

On the platform, an application in which the main body function of the multifunction machine 103 is extended is installed and operated. These applications are executed using the platform API.
Through this platform, it is possible to control each function of the printer.

  In addition, the MFP 103 also stores a Web browser, and can also cooperate with the Web system. In this case, the screen received from the web application server is displayed using a web browser. A command instructed on the Web browser is requested to the Web application server, and an operation (scanning or print processing) can be executed by the MFP 103 by receiving the command from the Web application server.

  With the configuration described above, the multi-function peripheral 103 can transmit the image data read from the scanner 314 to the LAN 104 and print out the print data received from the LAN 104 by the printer unit 312.

  Further, the image data read from the scanner 314 can be faxed to the public line by the modem 306, and the image data received by fax from the public line can be output by the printer unit 312.

  Next, an example of the module configuration (functional configuration) of various apparatuses according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a module configuration of various apparatuses according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  The request processing unit 1411 is in charge of a function of processing requests from various systems such as the client terminal 102 and the multifunction machine 103. The registration application unit 1412 provides a function of registering content. A print application unit 1413 provides a function of printing content on a printing terminal such as the multifunction machine 103. The content management unit 1414 provides a function of managing content registered by the registration application unit 1412. Content management includes content content and metadata. Specifically, metadata of each content is stored in the content management table of FIG.

The authentication management unit 1415 provides a user authentication function for using various applications installed in the 101. The numbering processing unit 1416 provides a function for numbering the values described in the content ID column of FIG. The content ID is numbered when the content is registered.
The image processing server 101 has an adapter unit, and is configured such that a module can be added so that it can cooperate with an external system and an external device.

  The imaging processing unit 1417-1 provides imaging processing functions such as a content page rearranging function and a content combining processing function. A multifunction device cooperation unit 1417-2 provides a function of receiving a print parameter instruction from the print application unit 1413 and executing a print process on the multifunction device 103.

  A management application unit 1418 provides management functions such as setting, registration / deletion, and status confirmation of various applications installed in the image processing server 101. A log management unit 1419 provides a function of managing logs recorded by various applications installed in the image processing server 101.

  The Web browser unit 1421 provides a Web browser function for using the functions of the registration application unit 1412 and the print application unit 1413. The content preview unit 1422 provides a function for previewing content to be printed.

  The Web browser unit 1431 provides a Web browser function for using the function of the print application unit 1413. The present invention can be applied to use the function of the registration application unit 1412. The content preview unit 1432 provides a function for previewing content to be printed. The print control unit 1433 provides a function of controlling the paper discharge process according to the content instructed to be printed from the multifunction device cooperation unit 1417-2.

Next, with reference to FIG. 4, the preview data generation process in the embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of preview data generation processing in the embodiment of the present invention.
In step S <b> 401, an administrator who registers content creates a document to be registered (content such as a PDF file) by using the client terminal 102.

In step S402, registration processing is performed on the image processing server 101 using a Web browser. The registration screen used at this time is shown in FIG. In the registration screen of FIG. 6, content to be registered is specified, and content settings (content status), content print settings (default print format), content search category (search condition), content category are specified as registration information. Specify (teaching material). The content category is divided into general documents such as teaching materials and guidance / pamphlets distributed to students.
When the registration button is pressed, a registration request including a document (substance) designated on the registration screen and various designated setting information is transmitted to the image processing server 101.
In step S403, the image processing server 101 receives a registration request including a document and setting information.

  In step S <b> 404, the document is registered in the content management unit of the image processing server 101. Also, metadata such as setting information is managed in the content management table of FIG. Assume that the content ID is associated with the registered document.

  In step S405, it is determined whether the document requested to be registered needs to generate preview data (PDF file or image file) for preview (determination as teaching material). If it is a learning material and it is determined to generate preview data, the process proceeds to S406, and if it is not a learning material, the process ends. Specifically, the determination as to the teaching material is made by specifying the teaching material on the screen of FIG. In this embodiment, the user is allowed to set whether or not it is a learning material. However, as a configuration in which a learning material ID is included in a document, the learning material ID is read, and it is determined whether or not preview data is created by registration as a learning material. May be.

  Although it is possible to create preview data even for a document that is not a teaching material, in the present embodiment, when a document that is not a teaching material is previewed, the registered document is previewed.

  In step S406, the registered document is imaged at the same resolution. The equal resolution is a resolution set in advance in the document or a resolution set in advance in the image processing server 101, and is imaged with the resolution.

  In this embodiment, since the document is described as a PDF file, an image file is created from the document. However, when the document to be registered is an image file (for example, a file in the Multi-TIFF format). May omit the process of S406.

  In step S407, preview data (PDF file or image file) for the MFP is generated. This multi-function peripheral preview data (PDF file or image file) is generated from the image formed in S406. Note that when the document is an image file as described above, preview data for the multifunction peripheral may be generated from the document. That is, this is a step showing an example of a generation process for generating an electronic file for preview used in the image forming apparatus.

  Unlike the client terminal 102, the multifunction device 103 can perform post-display control (controls whether or not to permit printing) on the multifunction device side, so that printed matter is not taken out. Therefore, data having higher resolution than data to be previewed on the client terminal 102 is generated so that browsing is easy. Thereby, the convenience of preview can be improved.

  The preview data (PDF file or image file) for the MFP is converted using a resolution (for example, 300 dpi, 600 dpi) set in advance by the image processing server 101. If the original image is 300 dpi, the process of converting the image with high resolution and generating preview data may be omitted. In other words, the original image can be used as preview data for the multifunction machine.

  In step S408, the generated preview data for the multifunction machine is registered by the content management unit. At this time, the MFP preview data ID is registered in the MFP preview content ID 812 as shown in FIG. As a result, preview data (PDF file or image file) for the multifunction peripheral is registered in association with the original document.

  In step S409, in order to generate PC preview data (PDF file or image file), a conversion target page for resolution conversion is specified. In order to specify a page for resolution conversion, an image file serving as a cover is saved, the cover is specified by image matching, and pages other than the cover are converted. In other words, an electronic file that is an original document (content) is a multi-page file. S409 is a step showing an example of a specifying process for specifying a page whose resolution is changed according to the type from the electronic file.

  Each page may be subjected to OCR processing, and a page having a problem sentence may be specified by language analysis processing to specify a conversion target page. The page to be converted can also be specified by the user when registering the document in S402, and the page to be converted can be automatically specified using the block selection function used in S411 later. is there. The conversion target page only needs to be specified, and the specifying method is not limited to these, and other methods may be used.

  Note that the cover page does not need to be subjected to resolution control due to the characteristics of the document to be registered (information with high confidentiality is not described), but the cover page may also be the target.

In S410, an image of the conversion target page is acquired. In S411, block selection is performed for each page. By block selection processing, each area of a table, characters, pictures, diagrams, frames, and lines is extracted from the image. Block selection processing is processing that recognizes image data of one page as a block for each object, determines each block as an attribute such as character / drawing / photo / line / table, and divides it into areas having different attributes. is there. Specifically, first, the input image is binarized into black and white, and contour tracking is performed to extract a block of pixels surrounded by a black pixel contour. For a black pixel block with a large area, contour tracing is also performed for white pixels inside, and a white pixel block is extracted, and the black pixel block is recursively extracted from the white pixel block with a certain area or more. Extract lumps. The black pixel blocks obtained in this way are classified by size and shape, and are classified into regions having different attributes. For example, if the aspect ratio is close to 1 and the size is within a certain range, the pixel block corresponding to the character is used, the portion where the adjacent characters can be grouped in a well-aligned manner is the character region, and the flat pixel block is the line region. The area occupied by the black pixel block that is larger than the size and contains the square white pixel block in a well-aligned manner is the table region, the region where the irregular pixel block is scattered is the photo region, and the pixel block of any other shape is used. A drawing area, etc. FIG. 13 shows block information for each block obtained by the block selection process. The block information includes a page, a block ID, a type, an area (coordinate X, coordinate Y, width, height), and a text size (character size).
S411 is a step showing an example of a determination process for analyzing the inside of the electronic file and determining the type of each area.
In step S412, the conversion target page image to be processed is acquired in order to perform resolution conversion in units of pages.

  In S413, the text area information in the conversion target page to be processed is acquired. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 13, the information of the block 2, the block 3 and the block 4 having the text type is acquired.

  In S414, it is determined whether or not the character size of the acquired text area information is within a value range defined by the system. Specifically, the resolution is determined by determining which of the character size (lower limit) 902 and the character size (upper limit) 903 shown in FIG. That is, this is an example of processing for determining the resolution based on the size of the text in the type area indicating text.

  In the case of block 4, since the character size is 10pt, it corresponds to the record 904. In the case of block 2, since the character size is 30pt, it corresponds to the record 905. That is, the resolution to be converted is determined by the character size.

  Thus, since the readability (readability) is high when the character size is large, the readability (readability) is low when conversion is performed at a low resolution and the character size is small. Convert with high resolution. Further, as will be described later, resolution conversion with improved readability (readability) is performed on figures and tables. This makes it possible to imagine what content the text is visually recognized by humans, but it is difficult to analyze the characters with a computer (it is difficult to reuse), or to capture and reuse data that is difficult to reuse. It is possible to make it easier to judge content by previewing while preventing.

  In S415, since the reusability increases depending on the character size, the resolution (low resolution) corresponding to the character size described above is acquired to prevent the reuse, and the block range (coordinates, width) is acquired.

Conversion is performed using the resolution obtained from the image of (height). Various specific conversion methods can be considered. For example, an image in a block range is acquired from an image, and an image with a changed resolution is generated. Further, since the size is reduced when the resolution is changed, the image whose resolution has been changed is enlarged so as to be the original size. The enlarged image is superimposed on the block range (composite), and resolution is partially converted to generate an image with reduced image quality.

S415 is a step showing an example of a change process for changing the image quality of the data in the area using the resolution corresponding to the type. In this change process, an unnecessary page (a page that is not affected even if reused) such as a cover is not changed, and a change is made to the page specified when the resolution is changed according to the type.
Accordingly, it is possible to generate preview data that does not have a level that can be used as it is, while ensuring minimum legibility.

In S417, it is determined whether or not the resolution for conversion of the table or figure region (resolution setting shown in FIG. 10) has been acquired. If it can be obtained, it is the mode for resolution conversion in the tables and figures, so the process moves to S418. If acquisition is not possible, it is determined that the table or figure is in a mode in which resolution conversion is not performed, and the process proceeds to S421.
In S418, information having the type of table or figure is acquired. In the example of FIG. 13, the information of block 1 is acquired.

  In S419, an image is acquired using an area (coordinates and width / height) of information having a table or a figure type, and the image is converted using the resolution shown in FIG. The image conversion is the same processing as in S415. S419 is a step showing an example of a changing process for changing the image quality of the data in the area using the resolution corresponding to the type.

  In the present embodiment, the image of the table or figure is converted with a resolution higher than that of the text. As a result, the visibility of the tables and diagrams is increased, and the user can determine what kind of content is the entire content, and the effect of the preview can be enhanced while reducing the reusability.

  In S420, the image of the conversion target page is replaced with an image generated by performing resolution conversion for each area according to the type. The conversion processing for one page is completed by the processing so far. That is, it is a step showing an example of a generation process for generating an electronic file for preview used in the client terminal.

In S421, it is determined whether or not the next page to be converted exists, and if it exists, the processing from S412 is repeated. After the conversion of all target pages is completed, the content management unit registers it as a preview content for PC in S422. At this time, as shown in FIG. 8, the content ID of the preview content for PC is registered in the content ID 811 for PC preview. As a result, the original content and the preview content for the PC are registered in association with each other.
S420 to S422 are steps showing an example of a registration process for registering a preview electronic file using the changed area data.

  As described above, when an electronic file is registered in S408 and S422, the generated electronic file for preview used in the image forming apparatus and the electronic file for preview used in the client terminal are registered.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 5, the preview process in the embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of preview processing in the embodiment of the present invention.

In step S <b> 501, the system user accesses the image processing server 101 at the client terminal 102 and searches for a document to be previewed. An example of the search screen is shown in FIG. When a search condition is specified and the search button is pressed, a search request is transmitted to the image processing server 101, and the result (search result) hit in the content management table in FIG. 8 is sent from the image processing server 101 to the client terminal 102. Sent. The client terminal 102 displays a list in the lower display area of the search screen of FIG. 7 according to the received search results.
In step S <b> 502, when a target document is selected and the preview button is pressed, a preview request including a content ID is transmitted to the image processing server 101.

  In step S <b> 503, the image processing server 101 receives a preview request from the client terminal 102. That is, this is a step showing an example of a reception process for receiving a preview request from the image forming apparatus or the client terminal.

  In step S504, it is determined whether the access source is a PC. The access source can be determined by determining the IP address of the access source from the request header, but in this case, the access source is acquired from the UserAgent of the request header and determined. Since the value for User Agent is explicitly different between a request from the multifunction device and a request from the PC, the image processing server 101 can acquire the value and determine the request source. In this case, since it is a PC, PC preview data (PDF file or image file) is acquired based on the content ID in S505. The target preview data specifies the content ID from 811 in FIG. 8 and acquires the stored content.

In step S506, preview data is transmitted to the client terminal 102. In S507, the client terminal 102 receives the preview data, and displays the preview data in S508. FIG. 11 is an image diagram of preview display on the client terminal 102.
In the preview process in the MFP 103, S511 and S512 perform the same process as S501 and S502, and the process proceeds to S503.
If it is determined in step S504 that the preview is for the multifunction device, the process proceeds to step S509.

  In S509, the content ID for MFP preview is specified from 812 in FIG. 8, and the stored content is acquired. In step S510, preview data is transmitted to the multi-function peripheral 103. In step S513, the multifunction peripheral 103 receives the preview data, and displays the received preview data in step S514. FIG. 12 is an image diagram of the preview display on the multifunction machine 103.

As described above, in S505 and S509, when a preview request is received from the client terminal, an electronic file for preview used in the client terminal is acquired, and when a preview request is received from the image forming apparatus, image formation is performed. It is a step which shows an example of the acquisition process which acquires the electronic file for a preview used with an apparatus.
S506 and S510 are steps showing an example of transmission processing for transmitting the acquired electronic file to the preview request source.

  FIG. 6 is a document (content) registration screen, in which various settings to be registered and metadata to be registered can be input. Although the registration screen is displayed on the client terminal 102, the registration screen may be displayed on the multi-function peripheral 103 and the document may be registered from the multi-function peripheral 103.

  FIG. 7 is a document (content) search screen, in which search condition settings and search results can be displayed. The search screen is a screen displayed on the client terminal 102 or the multifunction device 103.

FIG. 8 is a content management table for managing content metadata.
The content ID 801 is an ID that uniquely identifies each content. Numbering is performed by the numbering processing unit 1416 in FIG. 14 at the time of content registration.

  The content name 802 is a name for identifying each content. Although the content name originally assigned to the content selected at the time of registration is set as it is, it can be changed.

A paper size 803 is a paper size of each content. If there is a difference from the paper size specified at the time of printing, enlargement / reduction is executed by the imaging processing unit 1417-1 in FIG. The paper orientation 804 is the paper orientation of each content. A writing direction 805 is a writing direction of characters of each content. The page number 806 is the number of pages of each content.
Search categories 809 and 810 are search keys for making each content a search hit.

  The PC preview content ID 811 is a content ID assigned when registering the PC preview content. The MFP preview content ID is also a content ID assigned at the time of registration, as in the case of 811.

FIG. 9 is a text resolution determination table for determining the resolution based on the character size.
In this embodiment, a setting for converting a small-sized character with a character size of less than 12 pt at a high resolution of 144 dpi is defined, and a medium-sized character with a size of 12 pt or more and less than 24 pt is set to convert at a medium resolution of 72 dpi. It defines a setting to convert a large size character of 24 pt or more at a low resolution of 36 dpi.
FIG. 10 is a table / figure resolution determination table for determining the resolution of a table or diagram.
In this embodiment, a setting for converting a table or a figure uniformly at 144 dpi is defined.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to easily identify the content to be used by the preview and to suppress reuse.

  In addition, by controlling the content output by the preview output terminal, it is possible to suppress unauthorized reprinting (illegal copying) while ensuring the minimum legibility of the content.

  For example, if the preview on the MFP screen uses high-resolution preview data because of the small screen size, and the same preview data is used for the preview on the PC screen, the risk of unauthorized reproduction and unauthorized copying increases. The PC preview is required to have a content with a certain level of quality lowered, and can meet the demand. In addition, since the resolution is changed depending on the text, the figure, the table, or the character size of the text, the reuse can be suppressed while maintaining the identifiability of the content by the preview.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above. However, the present invention can take an embodiment as a system, an apparatus, a method, a program that can be read and executed by the apparatus, a storage medium, or the like. In addition, the present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices, or may be applied to an apparatus composed of a single device.

  Another object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the storage medium. Needless to say, this can also be achieved by reading and executing the program code stored in.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the program code itself and the storage medium storing the program code constitute the present invention.

  As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a flexible disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

  Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (basic system or operating system) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. Needless to say, a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included.

  Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function is determined based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the CPU or the like provided in the expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

101 Image processing server 102 Client terminal 103 Multifunction machine 104 LAN

Claims (7)

An information processing apparatus for managing electronic files,
Determining means for analyzing the electronic file and determining the type of each area;
Changing means for changing the image quality of the data in the region using a resolution according to the type;
An information processing apparatus comprising: a registration unit that registers an electronic file for preview using data of an area changed by the changing unit. The type includes a type indicating text,
The information according to claim 1, wherein the changing unit determines a resolution based on a text size of an area of a type indicating text, and changes an image quality of data in the area using the determined resolution. Processing equipment. The electronic file is a multi-page file,
A specifying unit for specifying a page whose resolution is changed according to the type from the electronic file;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the changing unit changes an image quality of data of a page specified by the specifying unit. When the electronic file is registered, the electronic file further includes a generation unit that generates an electronic file for preview used in the image forming apparatus and an electronic file for preview used in the client terminal,
The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the preview electronic file used in the client terminal is generated using data of an area changed by the changing unit. Receiving means for receiving a preview request from an image forming apparatus or a client terminal;
When a preview request is received from the client terminal by the receiving unit, an electronic file for preview used by the client terminal is acquired. When a preview request is received from the image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus Obtaining means for obtaining an electronic file for preview to be used;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising: a transmission unit that transmits the electronic file acquired by the acquisition unit to a preview request source. A processing method of an information processing apparatus for managing electronic files,
Analyzing the electronic file and determining a type for each area;
A changing step of changing the image quality of the data in the region using a resolution according to the type;
A registration step of registering a preview electronic file using the data of the area changed by the changing step. An information processing apparatus program for managing electronic files,
The information processing apparatus;
Determining means for analyzing the electronic file and determining the type of each area;
Changing means for changing the image quality of the data in the region using a resolution according to the type;
A program which functions as a registration unit for registering an electronic file for preview using data of an area changed by the changing unit.

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