JP4645988B2 - Image processing apparatus, image data transfer method and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus such as a scanner that reads and processes image data, and more particularly to an image data transfer method for transferring read image data to another apparatus.

  In recent years, image processing apparatuses such as scanners have been connected to networks. The scanner connected to the network as described above has a function of transferring the read image data to another device connected via the network. When a document is read by such a scanner and image data is transferred to a terminal device such as a personal computer (hereinafter abbreviated as a personal computer), the scanned image data is designated for resolution, monochrome / color selection, and the like. The data is transferred to the terminal device after processing under the specified conditions. In general, image data read by a scanner or the like has a large amount of data. Therefore, it takes time until image data is processed and transferred to the terminal device after the scanning operation is completed in the scanner. As a result, as the file size of the original to be read increases, the time until the processed image data is transferred to the terminal device becomes considerably long.

  As described above, when the time from when the document is read by the scanner to when the image data is transferred to the terminal device becomes long, the user feels uneasy as follows.

(1) Whether the specified file transmission destination address is correctly set in the scanner.
(2) Whether the file to be transferred is processed under the specified conditions (resolution, monochrome / color selection, etc.).
(3) There may have been a failure in the device or communication path.

  In order to eliminate such user anxiety, various methods have been proposed in which the state of a device such as a scanner connected to a network can be confirmed (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). ).

  Patent Document 1 discloses a method in which a processing state of a device connected to a network is transmitted to a preset notification destination. Further, Patent Document 2 discloses a processing state notification method in which an operation condition of a scanner connected to a network can be known from a terminal device such as a personal computer using communication means such as electronic mail.

  However, with such a conventional method, it is possible to know the operating state and operating conditions of the scanner, but it is possible to use other communication means other than transferring image data, monitor the device state of the scanner, etc. The user is requested to perform an operation that is not originally necessary.

JP-A-9-233213 JP 2003-288182 A

  In the conventional image processing apparatus described above, if the user's anxiety is to be resolved before the read image data is transferred to the terminal device or the like, the user is requested to perform an operation that is not originally necessary. There is a problem that the operation becomes complicated.

  An object of the present invention is to eliminate the user's anxiety without requiring a special operation from the user even when the time until the read image data is transferred to the terminal device or the like becomes long. An image processing apparatus and an image data transfer method that can be used.

[Image processing device]
In order to achieve the above object, an image processing apparatus of the present invention comprises an image reading unit for reading image data,
First processing execution means for executing processing of designated conditions on the image data read by the image reading means;
Second processing execution means for performing processing with a smaller processing amount than processing under specified conditions on the image data read by the image reading means;
Transfer means for transferring the image data processed by the second image processing means to a designated transfer destination device before transferring the image data processed by the first processing execution means.

  According to the present invention, before transferring image data that has been processed under a specified condition to a specified transfer destination device, an image that has been processed with a smaller processing amount than the specified condition is processed. Data is transferred to the destination device. Therefore, the user can confirm that the set transfer destination information and the set read conditions are not wrong, and the user does not have to be anxious until the formal image data is transferred.

Preferably, the second processing execution means displays in the processed image data that processing under a condition different from the designated condition has been performed.
Preferably, the second processing execution means displays processing end prediction information in the processed image data.

  Preferably, the second processing execution unit displays the progress information of the process in the first processing execution unit in the processed image data, and updates the display content according to the progress of the processing.

  Preferably, the data transfer means instructs a transfer destination apparatus designated to generate a new hierarchy for storing image data to be transferred, and includes the first and second in the generated hierarchy. The image data processed by the image processing means is transferred.

[Image data transfer method]
The image data transfer method of the present invention reads image data,
A simple file is generated by performing processing with a smaller amount of processing than the processing of the specified conditions for the scanned image data,
Transfer the generated simple file to the designated transfer destination device,
Generate a formal file by executing the specified conditions for the scanned image data,
The generated formal file is transferred to the designated transfer destination device.

[program]
The program of the present invention includes a step of reading image data,
A step of generating a simple file by performing a process with a smaller processing amount than the process of the specified condition on the read image data;
Transferring the generated simple file to a designated transfer destination device; and
A step of generating a formal file by performing processing of specified conditions on the read image data;
And causing the computer to execute a step of transferring the generated formal file to a designated transfer destination device.

  As described above, according to the present invention, even when the time until the read image data is transferred to the terminal device or the like becomes long, the user's operation is not required without requiring a special operation from the user. The effect that anxiety can be eliminated can be obtained.

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

[First embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a system including an image processing apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
In the system shown in FIG. 1, a terminal device 20 such as a personal computer and the image processing apparatus 10 are connected via a network 14.

  In FIG. 1, a copying machine is shown as the image processing apparatus 10, but the image processing apparatus can read an image such as a scanner, a facsimile apparatus, a multifunction printer having a facsimile function and a copying function, and the like. All devices shall be included.

  The image processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment can transfer image data read by the scanner function to the terminal device 20 via the network 14. Here, it is assumed that the terminal device 20 is designated as a transfer destination device.

Next, FIG. 2 shows a hardware configuration of the image processing apparatus 10 of the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 10 includes a CPU 18, a memory 19, a storage device 22 such as a hard disk drive (HDD), a communication interface (data transmission and reception) with an external computer via a network 14. IF) 24, a user interface (UI) device 26 including a touch panel or a liquid crystal display and a keyboard, and a scanner 28. These components are connected to each other via a control bus 16.

  The CPU 18 executes predetermined processing based on the image processing program stored in the memory 19 or the storage device 22 and controls the operation of the image processing device 10.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the image processing apparatus 10 realized by executing the above-described image processing program.
As illustrated in FIG. 3, the image processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment includes an image reading unit 31, a designation processing execution unit 32, a simplified processing execution unit 33, and a data transfer unit 34.

The image reading unit 31 reads image data of a set original.
The designation processing execution unit 32 executes processing of conditions specified by the user on the image data read by the image reading unit 31.

  The simple processing execution unit 33 executes a process with a smaller processing amount than the process under the designated condition on the image data read by the image reading unit 31.

  The processing with a small amount of processing includes, for example, thumbnail image generation processing, binarization processing, color reduction processing, resolution reduction processing, high compression lossy compression processing, processing of only the first page of a plurality of pages Etc. are considered. Here, the thumbnail format is a display format for displaying a rough reduced image of original image data.

  In general, processing with a large amount of processing includes high compression PDF (Portable Document Format) file generation processing, OCR (Optical Character Reader) processing, two-dimensional code recognition processing, and the like.

  In addition, the simplified processing execution unit 33 uses an annotation (notice that the processed image data has been processed under a condition different from the specified condition or that the official image data is currently being processed) Display). In addition, the simplified process execution unit 33 may display process end prediction information such as a time at which the process by the designated process execution unit 32 is predicted to end in the processed image data. Further, the simple processing execution means 33 may display the date and time information of the scan in the processed image data.

  The data transfer unit 34 transfers the image data processed by the simple processing execution unit 33 to the terminal device 20 that is the specified transfer destination device before transferring the image data processed by the specification processing execution unit 32. .

  Further, the data transfer means 34 instructs the terminal device 20 to generate a new directory (hierarchy) for storing the image data to be transferred, and the designated image processing means 32 or the simplified process in the generated hierarchy. The image data processed by the execution unit 33 is transferred.

  Next, the operation of the image processing apparatus 10 of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, the image processing apparatus 10 requests the user to set a reading condition and a transmission destination of a document to be read (S101). When the reading conditions and the transmission destination are set, the image reading unit 31 of the image processing apparatus 10 starts reading the set original (S102). Then, it is determined whether or not the specified image processing is required for a specified time or more (S103). If it is determined that the specified image processing is not required for the specified time or more, the read image data is stored by the specified processing execution means 32. The specified conditions are processed and transferred to the transfer destination terminal specified by the data transfer means 34 (S106).

  In S103, when it is determined that the specified image processing is necessary for the specified time or longer, the data transfer unit 34 first stores the image data to be transmitted to the terminal device 20 that is the transfer destination device. An instruction is issued to newly create a directory for this purpose (S104).

  An example of the directory generated in this way is shown in FIG. In the example shown in FIG. 5, a holder is shown as the created directory, and the name includes a display “currently XX data is being processed”.

  The image data read by the image reading unit 31 is subjected to image processing with a processing amount smaller than the designated condition, for example, binarized image generation processing, by the simple processing execution unit 33. The generated image data is transferred to the directory created on the terminal device 20 as simple file data by the data transfer means 34 (S105).

An example of the simple file data generated in this way is shown in FIG.
In the example shown in FIG. 6, the annotation “official data is sent as a color image” in the black and white binarized image generated based on the image data read by the image reading means 31. Has been inserted. In this example, the specified reading condition is color display, so that such a display is performed so as not to misunderstand that the reading condition set by the user who viewed the simple file is wrong. .

  When the designated processing execution means 32 finishes the image processing of the designated conditions, the data transfer means 34 creates the image data processed by the designation processing execution means 32 on the terminal device 20 as a formal file. (S106).

  In addition, when the official file is transferred to the terminal device 20, if the simple file remains in the directory, the simple file may be deleted.

Next, the operation between the image processing apparatus 10 and the terminal apparatus 20 of the present embodiment will be described using the sequence chart of FIG.
First, the image processing apparatus 10 reads image data of a set original (S201). Then, the data transfer unit 34 instructs the transfer destination terminal device 20 to create a directory (S202). Upon receiving this instruction, the terminal device 20 newly generates a directory for storing the transferred image data (S203). At this point, the user can know that there is no error in the designation of the transfer destination set in the image processing terminal device 10.

  Then, the simplified processing execution means 33 creates a simple file based on the image data read by the image reading means 31, and the data transfer means 34 transfers this simple file data to the terminal device 20 (S204). Then, in the terminal device 20, a simple file is transferred into the directory created in S203 (S205). At this point, the user can confirm that the set original is not wrong. Furthermore, it is possible to know that the set reading conditions are correct and information such as the predicted processing end time based on the contents of the annotation inserted in the simple file.

  Then, when the image processing under the conditions designated by the designation processing execution means 32 is performed and the generation of the formal file data is completed (S206), the data transfer means 34 transfers the formal file data to the directory on the terminal device 20. (S207). Then, the terminal device 20 receives this formal file data (S208).

  Next, in order to explain the effect of the image processing apparatus 10 of this embodiment, the operation of the conventional image processing apparatus will be described with reference to the sequence chart of FIG.

  First, the image processing apparatus reads image data of a set original (S301). Then, image processing under specified conditions is performed on the read image data (S302). When this image processing is completed, the image processing apparatus transfers the image data to the terminal device (S303). The terminal device receives the transferred image data (S304).

  As described above, since the conventional image processing apparatus transfers the image data after the designated image processing is completely completed, the image data subjected to the image processing of the designated condition is transferred at the terminal device. Until you arrive, you will be worried that the reading conditions and transfer destination you set are correct.

  On the other hand, according to the image processing apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, a directory is created before a formal file is transferred to the terminal device 20, and a simple file is transferred. It is possible to confirm that the reading conditions and transfer destination were not wrong.

  In addition, after the directory is generated in the terminal device 20 or after the simple file data is transferred, if the process in the designated processing execution unit 32 fails, the directory created on the terminal device 20 The simple file data stored therein may be deleted, or image data that allows the user to know that the process has failed may be transferred to the terminal device 20.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, an image processing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  In the first embodiment, after the simple file is transferred to the transfer destination terminal device, the terminal device is not particularly processed until the formal file processing is completed and the transfer is performed. However, if the amount of originals read is large and it takes a long time to process the formal file, the user is worried that some trouble will occur if the formal file is not transferred after receiving the simple file. It is also possible that

  For this reason, in the image processing apparatus of the present embodiment, the display of the progress information of the designated process is included in the simple file data as an annotation, and the display content is updated according to the progress of the process.

  That is, the simplified processing execution means 33 in the present embodiment displays the progress information of the processing in the designated processing execution means 32 in the processed image data, and displays the display contents of the simple file data according to the progress of the processing. Update. Then, the data transfer unit 34 transfers the updated simple file data to the terminal device 20.

  Next, the operation of the image processing apparatus of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 9, steps having the same contents as those in FIG. 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

  The flowchart shown in FIG. 9 is obtained by adding the processes of S401 and S402 to the flowchart shown in FIG. Therefore, only the processing of S401 and S402 will be described here.

  The simplified processing execution means 33 in this embodiment monitors whether or not the formal file processing in the designated processing execution means 32 is completed after the simple file is transferred (S401), and the formal file processing is not completed. Then, the content of the annotation displayed in the simple file is updated according to the progress of the process for creating the formal file (S402).

  Then, the simple file with the updated annotation content is transferred to the terminal device 20 by the data transfer means 34.

  The simple file may be updated, for example, at regular intervals, every time processing of a certain number of pages of the formal file ends, or whenever the file size of the formal file increases by a certain amount. May be.

An example of a simple file in which the contents of the annotation are updated in this way is shown in FIG.
In the example shown in FIG. 10, a case where 900 originals are read by the image reading unit 31 and processed is shown.

  In FIG. 10A, an annotation indicating that the 98th sheet out of 900 sheets is being processed is displayed, but the content is updated thereafter. In FIG. 10B, the 124th sheet out of 900 sheets is processed. An annotation indicating that it is inside is displayed.

  As described above, according to the image processing apparatus of the present embodiment, the user can obtain the progress information of the formal file processing and know that the formal file processing is being executed. You don't have to be anxious before it is transferred.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a system including an image processing apparatus 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of the image processing apparatus 10 of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the image processing apparatus 10 of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the image processing apparatus 10 of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the directory produced | generated on the terminal device 20 of the transfer destination by the image processing apparatus 10 of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the simple file data produced | generated by the image processing apparatus 10 of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a sequence chart for demonstrating operation | movement of the image processing apparatus 10 of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a sequence chart for demonstrating operation | movement of the conventional image processing apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the image processing apparatus of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the simple file data produced | generated by the image processing apparatus of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image processing apparatus 12 Terminal apparatus 14 Network 16 Control bus 18 CPU
19 memory 20 terminal device 22 storage device 24 communication interface (IF)
26 User Interface (UI) Device 28 Scanner 31 Image Reading Unit 32 Designated Processing Unit 33 Simple Processing Unit 34 Data Transfer Unit S101 to S106 Step S201 to S208 Step S301 to S304 Step S401, S402 Step

Claims (12)

Image reading means for reading image data;
A determination unit that determines whether or not a predetermined time or more is required to execute image processing under a specified condition for the image data read by the image reading unit;
First processing execution means for generating formal file data by performing image processing under specified conditions on the image data read by the image reading means;
When it is determined by the determination means that it is necessary for a specified time or longer to execute the image processing of the specified condition, the specified condition is applied to the image data read by the image reading means. Second processing execution means for generating simple file data by performing image processing with a processing amount smaller than that of the image processing;
If it is determined by the determining means that it is not necessary for a specified time or more even if the image processing of the specified condition is executed, only the official file data image-processed by the first processing execution means is specified. When it is determined by the determination means that it is necessary to transfer the image to the transfer destination apparatus and execute image processing under the specified conditions for a specified time or longer, the first processing execution means performs image processing. Transfer means for transferring the simplified file data subjected to image processing by the second processing execution means to a designated transfer destination device before transferring the formal file data thus obtained,
The second processing execution means includes display of progress information of image processing in the first processing execution means in the simple file data subjected to image processing, and includes in the simple file data according to the progress of the processing. Update the display content to include,
The transfer means is an image processing apparatus for transferring simple file data whose display contents are updated to a transfer destination apparatus.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second processing execution unit includes a display indicating that the image processing under the condition different from the designated condition is included in the simple file data subjected to the image processing.   The said 2nd process implementation means includes the display of the process completion prediction information which is the information which estimates the completion | finish of the image process in the said 1st process implementation means in the simple file data which performed the image process. Image processing device.   The data transfer means instructs a transfer destination apparatus designated to generate a new hierarchy for storing image data to be transferred, and implements the first and second processes in the generated hierarchy. 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image data processed by the means is transferred. Read image data,
To determine whether or not a specified time or more is required to execute image processing under the specified conditions on the read image data;
If it is determined that image processing under specified conditions does not require more than the specified time, the official file data is obtained by performing image processing under the specified conditions on the read image data. Only generate and transfer to the specified destination device,
If it is determined that it takes more than a specified time to execute image processing under the specified conditions, the processing amount of the read image data is less than that of image processing under the specified conditions. Generate simple file data by performing image processing,
Transfer the generated simple file data to the designated transfer destination device,
Start processing to generate formal file data by performing image processing under specified conditions for the read image data,
Including the display of the progress information of the image processing for generating the formal file data in the simple file data, and updating the display content included in the simple file data according to the progress status of the image processing,
Transfer the simple file data with the updated display contents to the destination device,
An image data transfer method for transferring the generated formal file data to a designated transfer destination apparatus.   The image data transfer method according to claim 5, wherein when generating the simple file data, a display indicating that image processing under a condition different from a condition specified in the simple file data has been performed is included.   6. The image data transfer according to claim 5, wherein when the simple file data is generated, display of processing end prediction information which is information for predicting the end of image processing in the first processing execution unit is included in the simple file data. Method.   8. The designated transfer destination apparatus is instructed to generate a new hierarchy for storing image data to be transferred before the simple file data is transferred to the specified transfer destination apparatus. The image data transfer method according to claim 1. Reading image data;
Determining whether or not a specified time or more is required to execute image processing under specified conditions for the read image data;
If it is determined that image processing under specified conditions does not require more than the specified time, the official file data is obtained by performing image processing under the specified conditions on the read image data. Only generating and transferring to a designated destination device;
If it is determined that it takes more than a specified time to execute image processing under the specified conditions, the processing amount of the read image data is less than that of image processing under the specified conditions. Generating simple file data by performing image processing;
Transferring the generated simple file data to a designated transfer destination device; and
Starting the process of generating formal file data by performing image processing under specified conditions on the read image data;
Including the display of progress information of image processing for generating the formal file data in the simple file data, and updating the display content to be included in the simple file data according to the progress of the image processing;
Transferring the simple file data whose display contents are updated to the transfer destination device;
A program for causing a computer to execute the step of transferring the generated formal file data to a designated transfer destination device.   The program according to claim 9, wherein the step of generating the simple file data includes a display indicating that image processing under a condition different from a condition specified in the simple file data has been performed.   The program according to claim 9, wherein the step of generating the simple file data includes display of processing end prediction information that is information for predicting an end of image processing for generating formal file data in the simple file data. 12. The designated transfer destination apparatus is instructed to generate a new hierarchy for storing image data to be transferred before the simple file data is transferred to the specified transfer destination apparatus. The program according to any one of the above.

Images