JP2001016376A - Image processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To print out color image data in optimum conditions by selecting one of plural print conditions, in response to the instruction given from an external terminal unit to print the color image data which are received via a circuit. SOLUTION: A remote operation is carried out via an external terminal unit 114 by transmitting and receiving the data according to an interface protocol, that is predetermined for each of various operations in response to a command, the image data, a response, etc. A command consists of the set values necessary for the execution to identify each command, the types, the opposite party number, the image data type, resolution, etc. An image processor 100 can perform a printout operation according to the condition of a command given from the unit 114 and also can designate a material and the quality of ordinary paper, high grade paper, etc., or a material such as ink that expresses an image on a paper material, etc.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus for processing image data, and more particularly, to an image processing apparatus for controlling color image data transmitted from a communication line or the like by an external terminal to perform processing such as printing. Related to the device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As an image processing apparatus such as a facsimile apparatus, an apparatus having functions of reading, recording, and communicating image data has been proposed. In particular, the image data can be used in an external terminal such as a computer. Some have also been proposed (JP-A-7-288630). On the other hand, in such an image processing apparatus, in view of the increasing number of opportunities to handle high-definition image data including color images, a plurality of types of inks and toners can be selectively used in print output of image data and the like. Objects, and multiple types of recording media, for example, coated paper or paper with a large amount of absorption,
There has also been proposed one that can selectively use paper for printing on cloth or paper serving as a seal.

[0003]

However, in the conventional image processing apparatus, when printing out image data received via a communication line or the like, the image data is set in advance regardless of the type of the image data. Only the printout can be performed under uniform conditions based on the conditions. As a result,
Even when receiving image data that does not require high definition and faithful color reproduction, high quality ink or toner,
Or, when print output is performed using paper and these are wasted, while receiving image data that requires high definition and faithful color reproduction, necessary high quality ink or toner or paper is used. Print output was not used, and a desired print output could not be obtained.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an image processing apparatus capable of printing out color image data received via a line under optimum conditions.

[0005]

According to the present invention, there is provided an image processing apparatus capable of controlling printing of image data by an external terminal connected via an interface, and receiving color image data through a line. Communication means, printing means for printing the received color image data under conditions selected from among a plurality of conditions, and selecting means for selecting the printing conditions of the color image data by a command from the external terminal. Are provided. According to this means, the received image data can be selected from a plurality of conditions and printed out according to the conditions, instead of the uniform printing conditions, so that under the optimum conditions corresponding to the image data, This can be printed out.

In the present invention, the condition may include the type of quality of the recording medium and / or the type of quality of the recording agent. Examples of the recording medium include a material on which an image is formed, such as a paper material. Examples of the quality type include types such as plain paper, recycled paper, and high-quality paper. Further, the recording agent means a material for representing an image such as ink or toner on the recording medium, and the type of quality includes black and white, color, and photographic ink.

In the present invention, a means for judging whether or not the image data can be printed according to a condition according to a command from the external terminal device, and, if it is determined that the image data cannot be printed, the image data is converted to the image data. Means for transferring to an external terminal. When printing cannot be performed in accordance with given conditions, the image data is transferred to the external terminal, thereby giving an opportunity to perform printing with another device or the like.

Further, in the present invention, when image data is received, a notifying means for notifying the external terminal of the reception may be provided. By notifying the external terminal that the image data has been received, the user can quickly respond to the printing. The notifying unit may transmit at least a part of the content of the received image data to the external terminal. Thus, it is possible to easily determine under what conditions whether or not to print the image data.

Further, in the present invention, there is provided a means for judging whether or not a command for a printing condition has been received from the external terminal within a certain time after the notification by the notifying means, If no command has been received, the selecting means:
A preset condition may be automatically selected. As a result, the received image data is printed out at least under some conditions.

Further, in the present invention, a means for judging whether or not a command of a printing condition has been received from the external terminal device within a fixed time after the notification by the notifying means, And storage means for storing the image data when the image data does not come. Thereby, the received image data is stored in the device, and a desired print output can be performed later.

Further, in the present invention, after the notification by the notifying means, a means for judging whether or not a command of a printing condition has been received from the external terminal device within a certain time, and a command within the certain time. And means for transferring the image data to the external terminal when the image data does not arrive. In this case as well, the received image data is stored in an external terminal or the like, and a desired print output can be performed later.

Further, according to the present invention, there is provided communication means for receiving color image data, and printing means for printing the received color image data under a condition selected from a plurality of conditions. A storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to function as the external terminal having a selection unit for selecting a condition for printing the image data in order to control an image processing apparatus capable of controlling printing of the image data by an external terminal. Is provided.

[0013] In this storage medium, the condition is that the type of the quality of the recording medium and / or the type of the quality of the recording agent,
Can also be included.

Further, the storage medium includes a program for causing a computer to receive the image data when the image processing apparatus determines that the image data cannot be printed in accordance with a condition according to a command from the external terminal. You can also.

Further, the storage medium may include a program that, when the image processing apparatus receives the image data, causes the computer as the external terminal to receive a notification to that effect.

In this storage medium, the computer may receive at least a part of the content of the image data received by the image processing device.

In the storage medium, the image processing device may determine whether or not a command for a printing condition has been received from the external terminal within a predetermined time after the notification by the notification unit. And if no command is received within the predetermined time, the selecting means can automatically select a preset condition.

In the storage medium, the image processing apparatus may determine whether or not a command for a printing condition has been received from the external terminal within a predetermined time after the notification by the notification unit. A storage unit for storing the image data when the command is not received within the predetermined time may be provided.

In the storage medium, the image processing apparatus may determine whether or not a command for a printing condition has been received from the external terminal within a predetermined time after the notification by the notification unit. Means for transferring the image data to the external terminal when the command is not received within the predetermined time,
Can also be provided.

According to the present invention, there is also provided an image processing apparatus capable of controlling printing of image data by an external terminal connected via an interface, the communication means receiving color image data through a line, Printing means for printing the received color image data under a condition selected from among a plurality of conditions, and when a predetermined mode in the external terminal is set, the image data is transmitted by the communication means. An image processing apparatus is provided which outputs the printing conditions to the external terminal so as to display the printing conditions in the printing means on a display unit of the external terminal in response to the reception.

In this image processing apparatus, the display section may display the printing conditions currently set in the printing means.

In this image processing apparatus, the display unit may further display a printing condition selectable by the printing unit.

In this image processing apparatus, the display unit may further display a time required for printing according to the currently set printing conditions.

In this image processing apparatus, at least a part of the received image may be displayed on the display unit.

[0025]

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a configuration of an image processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment.
Note that the image processing apparatus 100 here is configured as a facsimile apparatus. The CPU 101 functions as a system control unit, and controls the entire image processing apparatus 100 via a system bus 119. ROM10
Reference numeral 2 stores a control program of the CPU 101, an operating system (OS) program, and the like. In the present embodiment, software control such as scheduling and task switches is performed for each control program stored in the ROM 102 under the control of the OS stored in the ROM 102.

The RAM 103 is constituted by an SRAM or the like.
This is for storing program control variables and the like. The RAM 103 also stores setting values registered by the operator, management data of the apparatus, and various work buffers.
The image memory 104 includes a DRAM or the like, and stores image data. The operation unit 107 includes various keys,
It is composed of an LED, an LCD, etc., and performs various input operations by an operator and displays the operation status of the image processing apparatus.

The reading control unit 106 includes a CS image sensor (contact type image sensor), an image processing control unit for image processing, and the like.
Optically read using an S image sensor, converted into electrical image data, and subjected to various image processing such as binarization processing and halftone processing by an image processing control unit, and output high-definition image data It is. Note that the reading control unit 106 in the present embodiment corresponds to both sheet reading control for performing reading while transporting a document and book reading control for scanning a document on a document table. In the present embodiment, a color image can be read using the R, G, and B LEDs, but monochrome reading or another reading method may be used.

The recording control unit 112 is for printing output, and includes a page printer such as a laser beam printer and an ink jet printer, a sorter, an image processing control unit, and the like. In the recording control unit 112, the image processing control unit applies smoothing processing, recording density correction processing, TIFF and JPEG of a color image, CIFF which is a data method of a digital camera, and the like to the recording paper and ink / toner. Various image processing is performed according to the type, the image data is converted into high-definition image data, and printed out.

The communication control unit 108 comprises a MODEM (modulator / demodulator), an NCU (network controller), and the like. The communication control unit 108 in the present embodiment is connectable to an analog communication line (PSTN) 116 and a digital communication line (ISDN) 117, and performs communication control according to G3 and G4 protocols, and calls and terminations to the communication lines. It performs line control for calls and the like. Further, a telephone 115 can be connected to the communication control unit 108 to perform communication, DTMF remote control, and the like. The answering machine control unit 109 includes a voice IC, a voice recording / playback control unit, and the like, and provides an answering machine function.

The code decoder 111 performs code decoding and scaling of image data handled by the image processing apparatus. The resolution conversion processing unit 110 controls resolution conversion such as millimeter-inch resolution conversion of image data. Note that the resolution conversion unit 110 can also perform image data scaling processing. Further, the data conversion unit 105 performs analysis of page description language (PDL) and the like, and conversion of image data such as CG expansion of character data.

The I / F control unit 113 controls the image processing apparatus 10
It controls the interface with an external terminal 114 such as a personal computer or a word processor connected to the outside of the PC. In the present embodiment, each interface is compatible with a serial interface such as RS232C, USB, and IEEE1394, a parallel interface such as Centronics, and a LAN interface.

The external terminal 114 is connected to the image processing apparatus 100.
The remote operation such as transmission, printing, and data registration from the external terminal 114 transmits predetermined command, parameter, data, and the like via the I / F control unit 113. This is performed by transmitting the image to the image processing apparatus 100. In this embodiment, it is assumed that application software and driver software for performing a remote operation are installed in the external terminal 114.

The display device 120 is a user interface of the external terminal 114, and is configured independently in the present embodiment, but may be included in the external terminal 114. An expansion slot 118 is a slot for inserting an option board into the image processing apparatus.
Various optional boards such as an SI interface board and a video interface board can be mounted.

Next, the basic operation of interface control with the external terminal 114 (hereinafter, also referred to as a host) will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating a communication sequence (a procedure for transmitting and receiving data) between the external terminal 114 and the I / F control unit 113 in the present embodiment. The remote operation from the external terminal 114 is performed by transmitting and receiving commands, image data, responses, and the like for various operations according to a predetermined interface protocol.

The commands include a command code for identifying each command, and set values (recording paper size, required recording paper quality, required ink (toner) type, destination telephone number) required to execute each command. , Image data type, resolution, etc.). The image processing apparatus 100 can perform print output in accordance with the conditions of this command from the external terminal 114, and can use a material such as a paper material for forming an image and a material such as plain paper, recycled paper, and high-quality paper. It is possible to specify the quality or a material for representing an image such as ink or toner on a paper material or the like, and the conditions for print output such as the quality of black and white, color or photographic ink.

The image data is sent or received in response to a command for requesting image data or a command for transferring image data. Note that the command can specify an end processing condition for various controls and an abnormal end processing condition at the time of an apparatus error. The designation of the end processing condition designates the control (such as clearing the specified image data) executed by the image processing apparatus 100 at the end of the control. The designation of the abnormal processing condition refers to a control (such as execution of error retransmission control) performed by the image forming apparatus 100 when the image processing apparatus 100 is abnormal (such as a communication error, out of ink, or a recording paper jam). Is what you do.

By specifying the end processing condition and the abnormal processing condition, the end processing condition can be set according to the type and character of the command regardless of the state of the image processing apparatus 100. In addition, a priority can be set for the command to determine the priority when executing various controls.

When performing a remote operation, the external terminal 1
14 transmits a command corresponding to the remote operation to the image forming apparatus 100. The image forming apparatus 100 analyzes the received command, determines whether or not the command is accepted, and transmits a response to the command to the external terminal 114. The response is composed of a result of the received command, a service ID for identifying the command, and the like. After sending the response, the image processing apparatus 10 according to the received command.
0 starts various controls such as communication and recording.

After completion of various controls (including error termination), termination processing designated in advance by a command is performed, and a termination message is transmitted to the external terminal 114. The end message includes the service ID, the processing result (end /
Error code).

In this embodiment, queuing control of commands for performing various remote operations is possible. The queuing control is a control that enables the image processing apparatus 100 to accept a next command during or before executing a control for a certain command. In the queuing control in the present embodiment, when a command is received from the external terminal 114, the command is analyzed, and control is reserved for various control queues such as a communication queue and a recording queue depending on the type of the command. .

The execution of various controls is performed by sequentially controlling commands reserved in the control queue.
When the priority of the command is set, it is possible to perform control with priority according to the priority. By queuing control and priority control,
It is possible to perform an interrupt process for executing a specific control with priority.

Further, by performing the queuing control, it becomes possible to receive a plurality of commands and simultaneously execute various controls such as communication control and recording control, so that the image processing apparatus 100 can operate more efficiently. It becomes possible. In addition, since the service ID is issued at the time of receiving a command, the result executed by the image processing apparatus 100 can be notified to the external terminal 114 even when the execution order of each control queue is rotated. is there.

Next, some of the functions of the image processing apparatus 100 of the present embodiment will be listed. 1. Download function A function for storing image data transferred by the external terminal 114 in the image memory 104 of the image processing apparatus. 2. Host print function This function prints out image data transferred by the external terminal 114. 3. File print function (FIG. 5) This function prints out image data stored in the image processing apparatus 100. 4. Host transmission function This function transmits image data transferred by the external terminal 114.

5. File transmission function This is a function for transmitting image data stored in the image processing apparatus 100. 6. Document transmission function This is a function of transmitting image data scanned by the image processing apparatus 100. 7. File upload function This function transfers image data stored in the image processing apparatus 100 to the external terminal 114 in file units. 8. Page upload function A function of transferring image data in the image processing apparatus 100 to the external terminal 114 in page units.

9. Scan data transfer function This is a function of transferring image data scanned by the image processing apparatus 100 to the external terminal 114. 10. Scan data storage function This function stores image data scanned by the image processing apparatus 100 in an image memory in the image processing apparatus 100. 11. Reception function This function sets the reception mode of the image processing apparatus 100 and acquires the reception status. 12. Bowling reception function This is a function to issue a boring call instruction and obtain the result.

13. Communication management function A function for acquiring communication management information in the image processing apparatus 100. 14． File management function A function for acquiring file information and page information relating to image data in the image processing apparatus 100, and deleting a file. 15. System memory management function This function refers to and registers dial data. 16. Voice data management function This function downloads / uploads voice data and voice management information managed by the answer phone control unit 109. 17． Host dial function This function executes a call based on a request from the external terminal 114 and executes a line control process related to the call.

Next, an outline of the operation of the image processing apparatus 100 will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating processing of the image processing apparatus 100 and the external terminal 114 at the time of facsimile reception (at the time of image data reception).

In step S1, the image processing device 10
It is determined whether 0 has been received by facsimile. The determination is made by the external terminal 114 based on whether or not the notification of the received file ID sent to the external terminal 114 by the image processing apparatus 100 has occurred in the image processing apparatus 100. Is constantly monitoring this. If the image processing apparatus 100 has received the facsimile, the process proceeds to step S2, and if not, step S1 is repeated. The received file will be described later.

In step S2, the image processing apparatus 100
First notifies the external terminal 114 of a file ID for identifying data to be stored from the reception. After the notification, the data to be received is transmitted to the external terminal 114.
The external terminal 114 transitions the state of the image processing apparatus 100 to a state where the page upload function can be used so that the user can upload using the page upload function.

The received data is taken in from the communication control unit 108 and is once decoded by the code decoding processing unit 111. Then, the decoded data is stored in the image memory 10.
4 is again encoded by the encoding / decoding processing unit 111 and finally written into the image memory 104.
Since these image processes are performed in a fixed unit,
This is repeated until the end of the page of the received data and the end of the received data.

Next, a file having a file ID and management information in the data format shown in FIG.
00 uploads to the external terminal 114. afterwards,
Proceed to step S3. In step S3, the external terminal 114 determines whether or not the print output method of the received data is set to a mode in which the user can confirm. If it has been set, the process proceeds to step S4. If it has not been set, the process proceeds to step S12.

In step S 4, it is determined whether or not a part or all of the image of the received data is to be displayed on the display device 120 of the external terminal 114 in addition to the menu for printing and outputting the image data as shown in FIG. The terminal 114 determines. Whether or not to display this image can be set in advance by the user. When displaying an image, the process proceeds to step S5, and when not displaying, the process proceeds to step S6.

In step S5, an image relating to the received data is transmitted from the image processing apparatus 100 to the external terminal 114 (information processing apparatus) by using the upload function described later.
Upload to. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S6. In step S <b> 6, based on the received file information uploaded from the image processing apparatus 100, the external terminal 114 notifies the user that the facsimile has been received, and indicates the print output conditions to the user via the display device 120. At this time, when the display of the image is selected in step S4,
Part or all of the image can be displayed together. The received information and the data information may be notified by voice.

The user confirms the conditions for print output based on the display on the display device 120. FIG. 4 shows an example of a menu to be confirmed. FIG. 4 shows the display device 120.
Is a dialog box for confirming the print output condition displayed in FIG. The hatched portion indicates the current setting condition. The display device 120 displays what facsimile has been received. For example, a caller number and a caller name are displayed as caller information, processing methods such as color / monochrome, JPEG, CIFF, etc., a file size and a resolution are displayed as file information, and an attached output setting value is displayed. The type of the ink head or toner that is present, the type of paper that has been set, and the output correction data can also be displayed. Also, the time required for printing and outputting with the current setting may be displayed. Further, communication management information such as a reception time may be displayed. The above information can be displayed on one screen. afterwards,
Proceed to step S7.

In step S7, the user operates the display device 12
It is determined whether or not the output under the condition displayed as 0 has been approved. If approved, the process proceeds to step S8; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S9 after the user changes the print output condition setting. . In step S8, the image related to the image data received by the image processing apparatus 100 is printed out under the conditions displayed on the display device 120, and the process ends.

In step S9, it is determined whether or not the user has changed the setting to a desired print output condition. If the setting has been changed, the process proceeds to step S8, and printout is performed based on the changed condition. If the setting has not been changed, the process proceeds to step S10. Step S
At 10, a preset time is counted, and it is determined whether or not the setting change by the user has been made within the time.
That is, it is determined whether a print condition command has been received within a predetermined time. Step S if the setting is changed within the time
Returning to step 9, if the setting has not been changed within the time, the process proceeds to step S11.

In step S11, one of the following processes is executed and the process ends. First, image data is stored in the image processing apparatus 100. Second, the image data is uploaded and stored in the external terminal 114. Third, an image related to image data is printed out according to a default condition (a preset condition) in the image processing apparatus 100. Fourth, it is necessary to wait until there is an input from the user. Any of these processes is selected by setting in advance.

Next, a case where the mode in which the user can confirm the printout method of the received data in step S3 will be described. Step S1
In step S2, it is determined whether the received data is a monochrome facsimile.
The process proceeds to step S13, and if not a monochrome facsimile, the process proceeds to step S14. In step S13, the image related to the received data is printed out by a known print output method.

In step S14, it is determined whether or not the received data is a color facsimile. If the data is a color facsimile, the process proceeds to step S15. If not, the process proceeds to step S18. In step S15, it is determined whether the current setting of the recording control unit 112 of the image processing apparatus 100 is capable of color output. If color output is possible, the process proceeds to step S16. If color output is not possible, the process proceeds to step S17. .

In step S16, the image processing apparatus 100
In step (2), an image related to the received data is printed out with the currently set ink or toner / paper / image processing, and the processing ends. In step S17, the received data is uploaded to the external terminal 114 assuming that the file cannot be processed and printed out by the image processing apparatus 100. That is, it is a process of determining whether or not image data can be printed according to a condition according to a command from the external terminal 114, and transferring the image data to the external terminal 114 when determining that printing is not possible.

In step S18, the fact that the color facsimile has been received is notified to the user via the display device 120, and the user is prompted to change the setting to one corresponding to color printing.
The user can set the recording medium, the recording material, and the like from the external terminal 114 by using the above-described command. If the setting is changed, color printing is performed. If not, the process proceeds to step S19. In step 19, the received data is once uploaded to the external terminal 114, converted into a monochrome image, and returned to the image processing apparatus 100 by selection based on the setting made in advance.
The image is printed out as a monochrome image (step S16).
If printing of a monochrome image has not been selected, or after printing and outputting as a monochrome image, the process ends. The conversion to the monochrome image is performed by the external terminal 11.
4 may be performed on the color facsimile side (the image processing apparatus 100 side).

Next, among the functions of the image processing apparatus 100, the main functions will be described in detail.

3. File Print Function FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the control operation of the file print function in the present embodiment.

The file print function is provided by the image processing apparatus 1
This is a function for sequentially printing out image files stored in the image memory 104 of the image processing apparatus. In the present embodiment, the analysis of the file print command and the reception control of the image data are performed by the interface control program.

Hereinafter, the file print function will be described with reference to FIG. The analysis and control of the file print command are controlled by the interface control program of the ROM 102, and monitor the reception of the print command from the external terminal 114 and the recording control end notification from the recording control program of the ROM 102, and perform each control. Things.

In step S51, it is determined whether or not a file print instruction has been issued from the external terminal 114. Specifically, the image processing apparatus 100 monitors command reception from the external terminal 114, and when receiving a file print instruction command, proceeds to step S52 to start file print control, and receives the file print command. If not, the flow advances to step S55 to monitor the end of the file print recording control.

In step S52, the state of the recording control unit 112 and the state of the designated image file are detected, and it is determined whether a file print command can be accepted. In the case where it is impossible to accept the error, if the recording control unit 112 is in an error state other than the no recording paper state or the recording paper jam state, the error cannot be immediately canceled, and thus cannot be accepted. Also, if a file that does not exist in the image memory or a file that is under recording control is specified, it cannot be accepted. If the request cannot be accepted, the process proceeds to step S59, where an error response is sent to the external terminal 114, and the host print control ends. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S55.

If it is determined in step S52 that the recording control can be started, the flow advances to step S53 to input a recording control job for executing the received file print command in the recording control queue. The recording control jobs entered into the recording control queue are sequentially subjected to storage control according to the priority set by the command by the recording control program in the ROM 102. Also,
When a job is submitted, information such as a recording control end processing condition and a recording control error processing condition set by a host command, and information such as an ID for distinguishing individual recording controls are queued at the same time. . Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S54.

In step S54, the image processing apparatus 100
Sends a response to the external terminal 114. Specifically, it notifies the external terminal 114 of the completion of reception of the file print command and the service ID for the command. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S55. Step S5
In 5, it is determined whether or not there is a recording control end notification from the recording control program for the received command. If the recording control end notification is received, the process proceeds to step S56, and the external terminal 114 is notified of the end of the file print command service, the result of the recording control, and the service ID for the command. If there is no recording control end notification, the process proceeds to step S57 without doing anything.

In the step S57, it is determined whether or not there is a recording result request command from the external terminal 114. If there is a recording result request command, the process proceeds to step S58, where the current recording state is determined, and the current recording result such as recording end, recording control, recording error end, etc. is sent to the external terminal 114. Thereafter, the process returns to step S51. If there is no recording result request command, the process returns to step S51 without doing anything. Thus, the processing related to the file print function ends.

7. File upload function This file upload function is used for the image processing apparatus 100.
The data (encoded data / PDL / character, etc.) stored in the image memory 104 in the
The file format is converted into a requested data format and transferred to the external terminal 114 in units of files managed by 0.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the control operation of the file upload function. In this embodiment, the encoded data and data such as PDL stored in the image memory 104 of the image processing apparatus 100 are transferred to the image processing apparatus. The external terminal 114 for each file managed by 100
9 is a flowchart showing an operation of uploading a file to be transferred.

The file upload process is executed when a file upload is requested by a command sent from the external terminal 114 via the I / F control unit 113. It is assumed that the contradiction between the command and the parameter level has been eliminated in advance when analyzing the command. In addition, since this command immediately executes the transfer process in response to the request, no service ID is returned for the file upload request.

In step S101, it is determined whether the file ID is valid, that is, whether the file specified by the file ID exists in the image memory 104. The external terminal 114 can acquire a file ID in advance by using a function of acquiring a reception result and a file management. If it is determined that the file ID is valid, the process proceeds to step S102. If it is not determined that the file ID is valid, the process proceeds to step S109.

In step S102, the data format of the specified file is determined. If the data format of the designated file is encoded data, step S103
The process proceeds to step S104 if it is PDL, and proceeds to step S105 if it is not.

In step S103, a process of generating image data of the requested encoding method and resolution from the image data of the file is performed, and the flow advances to step S105.
The details of this process will be described later. Step S10
In step 4, data in the requested format is prepared from the PDL data of the file, and the process proceeds to step S105. The details of this process will be described later.

In step S105, the external terminal 114
If the data format of the file specified by (1) is coded data or PDL,
03 or the data prepared in step S104, and if the data format of the specified file is other than that, the data stored in the file is
The data is transferred to the external terminal 114 via the / F control unit 113. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S106.

In step S106, it is determined whether or not there is a request to delete the transferred file as a command termination condition. If there is a request for file deletion, the process proceeds to step S107, and otherwise, the file upload process ends.

In step S107, a job to use the file is registered in a transmission queue or the like, and it is determined whether the job is in a waiting state or in execution. If there is no job to be used, step S1
08, otherwise to step S109.
In step S108, the file is deleted, and the file upload process ends.

In step S109, step S101
In step S107, if the file ID is invalid, or if an event that attempts to use the file is registered in the transmission queue or the like in step S107, and the event is in a waiting state or being executed, the process is executed. It notifies the external terminal 114 via the / F control unit 113 and abnormally ends the file upload process.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing in detail the Pix file data generation processing performed in step S103 described above. In step S111, a variable P representing a page number is initialized to 1, and thereafter, the process proceeds to step S112. In step S112, it is determined whether the page P exists in the designated file.
However, it is assumed that there is no file having no pages. If the page P exists, the process proceeds to step S113, and if not, the process ends.

In step S113, a process for generating image data of the encoding method and resolution required for each page from the image data of the designated page is performed, and the flow advances to step S114. The details of this process will be described later. In step S114, a variable P representing the page number
Is set to P + 1, and the process returns to step S112. With the above processing, for all pages constituting the designated file, the image data of the required encoding system and resolution is prepared for each page.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing in detail the PD file data generation processing performed in step S105 described above. In step S121, a variable P representing a page number is initialized to 1, and thereafter, the process proceeds to step S122. In step S122, it is determined whether or not the page P exists in the specified file. However, it is assumed that there is no file having no pages. If page P exists, step S
Go to 123. If not, the process of generating the PDL file data ends.

In step S123, a process of generating data of the requested format for each page from the PDL data of the specified page is performed, and thereafter, the process proceeds to step S124. The details of the processing will be described later. Step S124
Then, the variable P representing the page number is set to P + 1, and the process returns to step S1022. With the above processing, data of a requested format is prepared for each page for all pages constituting the designated file.

According to the above-described processing, in file upload, data such as encoded data and PDL stored in the image processing apparatus 100 is converted into a requested data format in file units managed by the image processing apparatus 100. The data is converted and transferred to the external terminal 114.

In the above-described processing, data of the requested format is generated for each page of all the pages constituting the specified file. If the request is made in common to all pages constituting the file instead of the file, the configuration of the command for the external terminal 114 to instruct the file upload can be simplified.

Further, after generating data in a requested format for all pages constituting the designated file, the data is transferred to the external terminal 114 via the I / F control unit 113. However, if the data in the requested format is sequentially transferred to the external terminal 114 via the I / F control unit 113 while generating the data in the requested format, the capacity of the buffer memory for temporarily storing the data in the requested format is reduced. It is possible to reduce the number and reduce the cost.

Further, if the purpose is to allow the operator to check what image is received by facsimile on the display device 120 of the external terminal 114, transfer only data having a resolution sufficient for display. Can also.

8. Page Upload Function This page upload function is used to externally store data (encoded data / PDL / characters, etc.) stored in the image memory 104 in the image processing apparatus 100 on a page basis in a file managed by the image processing apparatus 100. Terminal 114
To be forwarded to. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the control operation of the page upload. The page upload process is executed when a page upload is requested by a command sent from the external terminal 114 via the I / F control unit 113.

It is assumed that inconsistencies between command and parameter levels have been eliminated in advance during command analysis. Also, since the command is immediately transferred and executed in response to the request, the service ID for the page upload request is
Does not return.

In the step S131, it is determined whether or not the file ID is valid. That is, it is determined whether or not the file specified by the file ID exists in the image memory 104. Note that the external terminal 114 uses a function of acquiring a reception result or a file management in advance to store a file ID.
Can be obtained. When it is determined that the file ID is valid, the process proceeds to step S132, and when it is determined that the file ID is not valid, the process proceeds to step S140.

In step S132, it is determined whether or not the page specified by the page number exists in the file. Note that the external terminal 114 can acquire the total number of pages of each file in advance by using a function of acquiring a reception result and managing files. If it is determined that the page number is valid, the process proceeds to step S133. If it is determined that the page number is not valid, the process proceeds to step S140.

In step S133, the data format of the specified file is determined. If the data format of the specified file is encoded data, step S13
If it is PDL, the process proceeds to step S135; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S140. In step S134, a process of generating image data of the requested encoding method and resolution from the image data of the designated page is performed, and then the process proceeds to step S136. In addition,
Details of the processing will be described later.

In step S135, data of the requested format is prepared from the PDL data of the designated page, and thereafter, the flow advances to step S136. The details of the processing will be described later. In step S136, step S134
Alternatively, the data prepared in step S135 is transferred to the external terminal 114 via the I / F control unit 113, and the process proceeds to step S137.

In step S137, it is determined whether or not there is a request to delete the page whose transfer has been completed as a command termination condition. If deletion of the page has been requested, the process proceeds to step S138; otherwise, the page upload process ends. In step S138, a job that intends to use the file is registered in a transmission queue or the like, and it is determined whether the job is in a waiting state or is being executed. If there is no job to be used, the process proceeds to step S139; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S140.

In step S139, only the page is deleted from the file. As a result, if the pages constituting the file no longer exist, the file is also deleted, and the page upload process ends. Step S
At 140, the content of the error is notified to the external terminal 114 via the I / F control unit 113, and the page upload process ends abnormally.

Next, FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing step S in FIG.
10 is a flowchart showing in detail a Pix page data generation process performed in step S113 of FIG. 9 or FIG. In step S141, it is determined whether or not the resolution Rsrc of the designated page is equal to the required resolution Rdst. If both resolutions are different, the process proceeds to step S142, and if both resolutions are equal, the process proceeds to step S146.

In step S142, the code decoding processing section 111 is controlled to decode the image data of the designated page, and thereafter, the flow proceeds to step S143. Step S
In 143, the data output from the encoding / decoding processing unit 111 by the processing in step S142 is passed to the resolution conversion processing unit 110, and the resolution conversion processing unit 110 is controlled so that the requested resolution Rdst is obtained. Data is generated, and the process proceeds to step S144.

In step S144, it is determined whether the requested data format is raw data. If the request is not raw data, the process proceeds to step S145. If the request is raw data, it is specified that the data output from the resolution conversion processing unit 110 can be used as it is, and the process of generating Pix page data is terminated.

In step S145, step S143
The data output from the resolution conversion processing unit 110 is passed to the encoding / decoding processing unit 111 by the above processing, and the encoding / decoding processing unit 11 outputs the data to the requested encoding system Cdst.
1 is generated to generate data of the coding system of Cdst, and the process of generating Pix page data ends.

Next, in step S146, it is determined whether or not the coding method Csrc of the designated page is equal to the requested coding method Cdst. If the two encoding methods are different, the process proceeds to step S147. If the two encoding methods are the same, the fact that the data of the designated page can be used as it is is specified, and the processing of generating Pix page data ends. I do. In step S147,
By controlling the encoding / decoding processing unit 111, the image data of the designated page is decoded, and the process proceeds to step S144 to execute the processing described above. Through the above processing, the image data of the encoding method and the resolution based on the request is generated from the image data of the designated page.

Next, FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing step S123 in FIG.
Alternatively, the PDL performed in step S135 of FIG.
It is the flowchart which showed the page data generation processing in detail. In step S151, it is determined whether the requested data format is PDL. If the requested data format is not PDL, that is, if encoded data or raw data is requested, step S15
The process proceeds to step S2, and in the case of PDL, the process of generating the PDL page data is ended by clearly indicating that the data of the designated page can be used as it is.

In step S152, the data conversion unit 10
5 to analyze the PDL data of the designated page and rasterize (develop it into raw image data). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S153. In step S153,
The data output from the data conversion unit 105 by the processing in step S152 is passed to the resolution conversion processing unit 110,
The resolution conversion processing unit 110 is controlled so as to generate data of the requested resolution. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S154.

In step S154, it is determined whether the requested data format is raw data. If the request is not raw data, the process proceeds to step S155, and if the request is raw data, it indicates that the data output from the resolution conversion processing unit 110 can be used as it is, and ends the PDL page data generation processing.

In step S155, step S153
The data output from the resolution conversion processing unit 110 is passed to the encoding / decoding processing unit 111 by the processing of (1), and the encoding / decoding processing unit 111 is controlled to generate the data of the requested encoding system. The process ends. Through the above processing, data in a format based on the request is generated from the PDL data of the designated page.

As described above, in the image processing apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, in the page upload processing, data such as encoded data and PDL stored in the image processing apparatus 100 is managed by the image processing apparatus 100. The data is converted into a requested data format in page units of the file and transferred to the external terminal 114. By the above processing,
The image processing device 100 executes a page upload function.

9. Scan Data Transfer Function This scan data transfer function is a function for transferring data read by the read control unit 106 of the image processing apparatus 100 to the external terminal 114.
To be forwarded to. FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing the control operation of scan data transfer. The scan data transfer process is executed when the scan data transfer is requested by a command sent from the external terminal 114 via the I / F control unit 113. It is assumed that the contradiction between the command and the parameter level has been eliminated in advance when analyzing the command. In addition, since the command is immediately transferred in response to the request, no service ID is returned for the scan data transfer request.

In step S341, the received command is analyzed, and it is determined whether there is a parameter error or the like. If it is determined that there is no abnormality, step S34
Proceeding to step S2, if it is determined that there is an abnormality, step S34
Go to 9.

In step S342, it is determined whether there is any data which has been read in the past and has not been transferred to the external terminal 114. If there is an untransferred one, the process proceeds to step S348; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S343.
In step S343, it is determined whether the state of the reading control unit 106 is in a scanable state. If the scan is possible, the process proceeds to step S344; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S349. In step S344, the reading control unit 106 reads a document or the like. The read image data can be temporarily stored in the RAM 103 or the image memory 104. In step S345, it is determined whether the reading in step S344 has been completed normally. If the operation has been completed normally, step S3
Proceed to 46, and if not terminated normally, step S3
Go to 49.

In step S346, the resolution of the read image data is converted. In step S347, the read image data is encoded. In step S348, the read image data is transferred to the external terminal 114, and the process ends. Step S349 is executed when an abnormality occurs in each of the above processes, outputs the error content to the external terminal 114 via the I / F control unit 113, and abnormally ends the scan data transfer process. As described above, the processing related to the scan data transfer function ends.

(11) Reception function This reception function switches the image processing apparatus 100 to a reception mode designated by an external terminal,
At the time of reception by the receiver, the reception operation according to the reception mode is executed. FIG. 12 shows that the I / O
9 is a flowchart illustrating a process (reception function) such as reception mode setting instruction reception executed via the F control unit 113 and the like.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a reception process (reception control) executed by the image processing apparatus 100 in response to a command from the external terminal 114.

The image processing apparatus 100 has an external terminal 114
The receiving mode is set by a command from The types of reception modes include “memory reception”, “memory reception + printout”, and “normal reception”.

In the "memory reception" mode, a received document is stored in the image memory 104 of the image processing apparatus 100,
Information such as a file ID of the received document, a service ID for identifying the receiving operation, and a UUI (user / user information) transmitted by a well-known digital line service;
Further, it notifies the external terminal 114 of the file information of the color facsimile communication recommended by the ITU-T. The data information of the color facsimile may be obtained from a procedure such as DCS or NSF, or may be obtained from a data header. In the present embodiment, such information is abbreviated as “received file ID” information for simplicity. Since a plurality of documents may be received in one communication in reception by the G4 protocol or the like, a different file ID is passed to the external terminal 114 every time one document starts receiving. In addition, even when a request for the history of the received file ID is made from the external terminal 114 side, an appropriate response is notified each time.

In the “memory reception + print output” mode, the received document is printed out using the recording control unit 112 in parallel with the above-described memory reception operation. here,
The two modes of the “memory reception + print output” mode and the above-mentioned “memory reception” mode are particularly defined as “remote reception”. In the “normal reception” mode, the operation returns to the normal reception operation of the image processing apparatus 100 alone.

In the image processing apparatus 100, the external terminal 1
The control as shown in FIG. 12 is performed in order to realize the multi-operation with. In step S161, it is constantly monitored whether or not a reception mode is specified from the external terminal 114. When the reception mode is specified, the process proceeds to step S162, and when the reception mode is not specified, the process proceeds to step S164. In step S162,
The receiving mode of the image processing apparatus 100 is set to the requested receiving mode.

In step S163, a response for notifying that the reception mode designation has been normally received is transmitted. In step S164, the notification of the received file ID to be transmitted to the external terminal 114 is transmitted to the image processing apparatus 100.
It always monitors whether it is occurring in the inside. External terminal 1
If the notification of the received file ID to be transmitted to the external device 114 has been generated in the image processing apparatus 100, the process proceeds to step S165, and the message of the received file ID is transmitted to the external terminal 114 according to the notification. If not, the process proceeds to step S166.

In step S166, the external terminal 114
It always monitors whether there is an active request for the received file ID from the side. File I received from external terminal 114
If there is a D notification request, the process proceeds to step S167,
Only when there is a notification of the received file ID to be sent to the external terminal 114 in the image processing apparatus 100, the message of the received file ID is sent. Then, step S16
Return to 1. If there is no request, step S161
Return to In the image processing apparatus 100, the switching to the set new reception mode becomes effective from the next reception operation excluding the reception operation being executed.

Next, according to the flowchart of FIG.
A processing procedure at the time of reception in each reception mode of the image processing apparatus 100 will be described. Step S171 indicates that there is an incoming call. In step S172, “remote reception”
Check if the mode is "normal reception". If so, the process proceeds to step S173; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S188.

In the step S173, it is determined whether the mode is the "memory reception" mode or the "memory reception + printout" mode.
In the case of the “memory reception” mode, the process proceeds to step S182, and in the case of the “memory reception + print output” mode, the process proceeds to step S174. In step S182, the external terminal 114 is notified of a reception file ID for identifying a document to be stored by the reception. After the notification, the state of the image processing apparatus 100 is shifted to a state where the page upload function is usable so that the external terminal 114 can upload a document to be received from now on by the page upload function.

In step S183, the received document is fetched from the communication control unit 108, and is temporarily
Decrypt with 1. In step S184, the decoded data is encoded by the encoding / decoding processing unit 111 again to be stored in the image memory 104, and is finally written in the image memory 104. Since the image processing in steps S183 and S184 is performed in a predetermined unit, it is repeated until the end of the page (step S185) and the end of one document (step S186).

Note that, in this flowchart, the case where the received document is image data encoded by well-known MMR or MH is described, but other data, for example, character data such as ASCII data,
If it is determined by a communication procedure that the document is a PDL (printer description language), raw data, or a control document in G4 communication, the document is stored in the image memory 104 without passing through the encoding / decoding processing unit 111. Also,
At this time, depending on the settings of the image processing apparatus 100 itself and the settings from the external terminal 114, the data conversion unit 115 performs CG expansion of character data, converts PDL data to image data, and performs code decoding. Processing unit 1
11 to the image memory 104.

In step S187, it is determined whether the communication has been completed. If another document is received by the same communication, the process returns to step S182 and the same processing is performed. If it is determined that the communication has been completed, the process proceeds to step S181. In step S181, the RAM 1 in which the communication management information is managed
03 is written with the communication result information of the reception. Then, the process ends.

Next, in step S174, as in the "memory reception" mode, the file ID of the document to be received is notified to the external terminal 114, and the state is shifted to the page upload function usable state. Step S17
At 5, the received data is decrypted. In step S177, similarly to the “memory reception” mode, the decoded data is encoded by the encoding / decoding processing unit 111 again to be stored in the image memory 104, and finally,
Write to 4.

In step S176, together with the processing in step S177, the decoded data is sent to the recording control unit 112 via the resolution conversion processing unit 110 for converting the resolution in accordance with the printer. Hereinafter, step S178
The processing of steps S180 to S180 is the same as the processing of steps S185 to S187 described above.

It should be noted that data other than image data, for example, A
The print output processing when receiving the SCII data or the PDL data is not performed, or the image processing apparatus 100
Depending on the setting of the terminal itself or an instruction from the external terminal 114, the data conversion unit 115 can develop ASCII data into CG data, or convert PDL data into image data and print out the data.

Next, in step S188, a normal receiving operation is performed as the image processing apparatus 100 alone. That is, the received document is fetched from the communication control unit 108 and once decoded by the code decoding processing unit 111. In step S189, the resolution is converted by the resolution conversion processing unit 110 to a resolution suitable for the printer device, and then sent to the recording control unit 112. These processes are repeated until the page ends (step S190) and one document ends (step S191).

In step S192, it is determined whether or not the communication has been completed. If the communication has been completed, the process proceeds to step S181. If another document is received by the communication, the process returns to step S188 to perform the same processing. Through the above processing, the image processing apparatus 100 performs the receiving function.

13. Communication Management Function This communication management function is for notifying the external terminal 114 of communication result information managed by the image processing apparatus 100 in response to a request from the external terminal 114. There are roughly two types of notification methods. One is a method of notifying a list of identifiers (service IDs) of individual managed communication results, and the other is an identifier (service ID) specified by an external terminal. This is a method of notifying the communication result corresponding to ()).

Hereinafter, processing of the communication management function in the image processing apparatus 100 will be described in detail. Here, first, the management form of the communication result information in the image processing apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 14, and then the notification procedure of the communication result information will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

The communication result information of the image processing apparatus 100 is shown in FIG.
It is managed by the structure shown in FIG. Image processing device 1
In 00, a service ID for identifying each transmission and reception service is provided. For example, when a transmission instruction from the external terminal 114 is received, a service ID indicating the transmission service is notified to the external terminal 114. The image processing apparatus 100 manages result information for each service ID. That is, the data structure for each service ID is as shown in FIG. 14 (hereinafter, for simplicity, the data structure for each service ID is referred to as a communication management table).

It is assumed that the maximum value of the communication management table that can be managed by the image processing apparatus 100 is 40. When the communication result information exceeds this maximum value, a method is adopted in which new information is overwritten on the communication management table in which the oldest information is described. In addition, one communication management table includes a communication mode name (identification of normal transmission, progress transmission, relay transmission, etc.), a communication start time, a communication end time, a line type (G4 and G3 types), a partner telephone number, a partner subaddress, Other party TID (terminal name), other party abbreviation, number of transmitted / received pages, received BOX number (evolved BOX number at the time of progress reception, etc.), billing information, communication result, file ID (file to be transmitted / identifier of received file) Further, information such as a notified flag is stored.

Various information on each file is separately managed on a file ID basis. When a plurality of files are received by one communication, if the file information corresponding to the file ID is checked, information on the remaining files is obtained. It is possible to follow. The notified flag is a flag for indicating whether or not the communication result information has been notified to the external terminal 114 in the past, and is 1 if the notification has been made once, and 0 if not notified. The communication result information is managed in the RAM 103.

Next, a procedure for notifying communication management information will be described with reference to FIG. In step S201, a communication result information acquisition command is received from the external terminal 114. Here, when this command is received, queuing control of this command request is not performed, and
Performs processing for this command. In step S202, it is determined whether the communication result information acquisition command is “acquisition of result information specifying service ID” or “request for service ID”. If it is “acquisition of service ID designation result information”, the process proceeds to step S203, and if it is “service ID request”, the process proceeds to step S206.

In step S203, the communication result information on the specified service ID is searched from the RAM 103. In step S204, the searched communication result information is sent to the external terminal 114. In step S205,
The notified flag in the communication management table of the service ID is set to 1. Then, the process ends.

Next, in step S206, it is determined whether there is a rewind request. Here, "Service I
The information notified to the external terminal 114 in response to the "D request" is basically the service ID of the result information that has not been notified (the notified flag is 0). The rewind request is for clearing the notified flags of all the communication management tables to 0, and for notifying the service ID from the beginning of management. Therefore, if the result of determination in step S206 is that there is a wind request, the flow proceeds to step S207, where the notified flags of all the communication management tables are cleared to 0, and thereafter, the flow proceeds to step S208, and the head of the managed External terminal 1 with service ID
14.

When there is no rewind request,
Proceeding to step S209, the service ID managed at the head of the notified flag of 0 is transmitted. When a communication result information acquisition command without a wind request is continuously received, the service ID managed next to the service ID notified immediately before is transmitted. Then, the process ends. Through the above processing, the image processing apparatus 100 executes the communication management function.

14. File management function This file management function assigns a file ID to image data stored in the image memory 104 and manages the file as a file. At the request of the external terminal 114, information about the file is notified or the file is deleted. Function.

FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining the outline of file management in this embodiment. In the figure, the file management area stores the image data stored in the image memory 104 for each file with a file ID and file type, which is file-specific information for each file (scanner stored document, monochrome facsimile received document, color facsimile received document, Type of downloaded document, etc.), file attributes (attributes of normal file, progress reception file, polling standby file, etc.), data format (MH, MR, MMR, JB)
IG, JPEG, CIFF, raw image data, ASCI
I, PDL, etc.), number of confirmed pages, box number (number specifying the box when the file attribute is a progress receiving file, polling standby file, etc.),
The in-use flag (indicating whether a print request, output condition confirmation, transmission request, or the like has been received), a location where page management information is stored, and the like are stored in the RAM 103 in association with each other.

This information is stored in the next pointer (next pointer).
ptr), and in the case of the last information, it is terminated by a terminal code such as 0 to indicate the last information.

In the figure, the head file pointer is RA
It is a variable located in M103 and stores the address where the first file information is stored. If there is no file managed here, for example, 0
Are stored. In the figure, an ID list notification is also a variable arranged in the RAM 103, and stores an address indicating a location of file management information for storing information of a file to be notified next time, like the above-mentioned head file pointer. If there is no information to be stored, a termination code such as 0 is stored. This variable is used when a list of file IDs is notified by a file ID list acquisition request command described later.

Further, the page management information manages the page information of each file for each page. The management information is stored in the RAM 103 in association with the page number, resolution, image size (A4, B4, etc.), data storage address in the image memory 104, and data size.

The information described above is created simultaneously when image data and the like are stored in the image memory, for example, when receiving, downloading, and storing scan data.

Next, processing when a file management command is received from the external terminal 114 will be described with reference to FIG. The processing of the file management function is started when a file management command is received from the external terminal 114. The file management command includes a file information acquisition command for acquiring information about a specific file, a page information acquisition command for acquiring information about a specific page of a specific file, and a file ID list request command for acquiring a list of file IDs. There is.

In the step S221, the received command is analyzed. The analyzed command is [Get File Information].
If so, the process proceeds to step S222; if "page information acquisition", the process proceeds to step S226; if "file ID list", the process proceeds to step S230; if there is an error in a command such as a parameter error, the process proceeds to step S234.

Step S222 is processing to be performed when the command is [acquire file information]. In the file information acquisition command, a file ID of a file whose file information is to be acquired is received as a parameter. In this process, the file ID is searched from the file management information in order from the first file.

In step S223, step S222
As a result of the search, it is determined whether the target file is found. If found, the process proceeds to step S224. If not, the process proceeds to step S234.

In the step S224, the target file information is copied to the transfer buffer memory of the I / F control unit 113. In step S225, the copied file information is transferred to the external terminal 114. Then, the process ends.

Next, step S226 is processing to be performed when the command is "get page information". In the page information acquisition command, the file ID and page number of the page for which page information is to be acquired are received as parameters. In this processing, a target page is searched from the page management information by the file ID and the page number.

In step S227, step S226 is executed.
As a result of the search, if the target page is found, the process proceeds to step S228; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S23.
Proceed to 4. In step S228, the target page information is
Copy to the transfer buffer of the / F control unit 113. In step S229, the copied page information is stored in the external terminal 11.
Transfer to 4. Then, the process ends.

Next, step S230 is processing to be performed when the command is [file ID list]. The file ID list command receives, as a parameter, a switch indicating whether to start from the beginning or to continue, and returns only one file ID. In this processing, it is determined whether or not the switch of the parameter is from the head.
The process proceeds to step S232 if continued.

In the step S231, the I shown in FIG.
The first file information address stored in the first file pointer is stored in the D list pointer. Step S
In 232, the file ID of the file information pointed to by the ID list pointer shown in FIG.
And stores the address of the next file information in the ID list pointer. In step S233, the copied file ID is transferred to the external terminal 114. Then, the process ends. In step S234, an error is notified to the external terminal 114. Then, the process ends.

Next, a process for deleting a file will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 18 is a flowchart for explaining the file deletion process.
4 is started when a file deletion request command is received from the C.4. The file deletion request command includes a file ID of a file to be deleted as a parameter.

In the step S241, the received command is analyzed to determine whether there is any abnormality such as a parameter error. If it is determined that there is no abnormality, step S24
Proceeding to step S2, if it is determined that there is an abnormality, step S24
Proceed to 7.

In the step S242, a target file specified by the parameter is searched. In step S243, it is determined whether the target file has been searched. If the target file is found, the process proceeds to step S244, and if not, the process proceeds to step S247.

In the step S244, it is determined whether or not the file found by the search is in use. If it is in use, the process proceeds to step S247. If it is not used, the process proceeds to step S245. By the process of step S244, it is possible to prevent a file or the like for which transmission is reserved from being erased.

In the step S245, the file is deleted. Specifically, the actual data, page information, and file information of the target file are deleted. First, the real data area on the image memory is released and the page information is released. After this release process is performed for all pages of the target file, the file information is released. At this time, if the first file pointer points to the deleted file, the next file pointer is copied to the first file pointer.
If the ID list pointer points to the deleted file, the next pointer is copied in the same manner.

In the step S246, the external terminal 114
To notify that the file deletion process has been completed. Then, the process ends. In step S247, an error is notified to the external terminal 114. Then, the process ends. According to the above file management function, the external terminal 11
4 makes it possible to obtain file information on the image memory 104 and delete files.

15. System memory management function This system memory management function includes dial data used for transmission in the image processing apparatus 100, user data such as own phone number and own abbreviation, signal transmission level, and control parameters of communication protocol. It inquires and registers various data managed in the RAM 103 of the image processing apparatus 100, such as service data.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the control operation of the system memory management. In this system memory management function, the external terminal 11 is controlled via the I / F control unit 113.
If the system memory management is requested by the command sent from 4, the system memory management process is executed. It is assumed that the contradiction between the command and the parameter level has been eliminated in advance when analyzing the command.

In the step S251, the external terminal 114
Is a registration request for adding or changing various data or a reference request for inquiring various data. If it is a registration request, the process proceeds to step S252, and if it is a reference request, the process proceeds to step S253.

In step S252, registration processing such as addition or change of dial data, user data, or service data is performed in response to the request, and the system memory management processing ends. The details will be described later.

In step S253, in response to the request, reference processing such as transferring part or all of dial data, user data, or service data to the external terminal 114 via the I / F control unit 113 is performed. The memory management processing ends. The details will be described later.

Next, FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing the operation of step S25 in FIG.
3 is a flowchart showing the registration processing performed in Step 2 in detail. In step S261, the type of data to be registered such as addition or change is determined. If the data type is dial data, the process proceeds to step S262. If the data type is user data, the process proceeds to step S263. If the data type is service data, the process proceeds to step S264.

In step S262, processing such as addition or change of dial data used for transmission or the like is performed, and the registration processing ends. The details will be described later. Step S2
At 63, processing such as addition and change of user data such as own telephone number and own apparatus abbreviation is performed, and the registration processing is completed.
The details will be described later. In step S264, processing such as addition and change of service data such as a signal transmission level and a control parameter of a communication protocol is performed, and the registration processing ends. The details will be described in detail.

Next, FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing step S25 in FIG.
3 is a flowchart showing the reference processing performed in Step 3 in detail. In step S271, the type of data to be referred to is determined. If the data type is dial data, the process proceeds to step S272. If the data type is user data, the process proceeds to step S273. If the data type is service data, the process proceeds to step S274. If the data type is capability data, the process proceeds to step S275. In step S272, an inquiry process for dial data used for transmission or the like is performed, and the reference process ends. The details will be described later.

In step S273, an inquiry process for user data such as the own telephone number and the own device abbreviation is performed, and the reference process ends. The details will be described later. Step S2
At 74, an inquiry process of service data such as a signal transmission level and a control parameter of a communication protocol is performed.
The reference processing ends. The details will be described later.

In step S 275, among the functions of the image processing apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, such as transmission, reception, printing, and scanning, information on functions (capabilities) that can be used by the external terminal 114 and the manufacturer name I / F control unit 1 stores information for identifying an individual, such as device, ROM version, and serial number, in a character data format.
The reference process is transferred to the external terminal 114 via the terminal 13 and the reference process is terminated.

Next, FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing step S26 in FIG.
3 is a flowchart showing the dial data registration processing performed in Step 2 in detail. In step S281, it is determined whether the user ID sent from the external terminal 114 is valid. If the user having the user ID has been registered in the apparatus in advance, the process proceeds to step S282, and if not, the process proceeds to step S286.

In the step S282, the external terminal 114
It is determined whether the password sent from is valid. If the password corresponding to the user ID has not been registered in the device in advance, or if the password corresponding to the user ID has been registered in the device in advance and the password matches the designated password, step S
Proceed to 283. Conversely, if the password corresponding to the user ID has been registered in the device in advance, and the password does not match the designated password, step S
Proceed to 286.

In step S283, the transmission queue and the like
A job that attempts to use the dial data specified by the user ID and the index number is registered, and it is determined whether the job is in a waiting state or in execution. If there is no job to be used, step S285
Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S284. In step S284, it is determined whether or not it is required to compulsorily register as a command error processing condition. If the forced registration has been requested, the process proceeds to step S285; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S286.

In step S285, data such as the destination telephone number, destination abbreviation, and parameters required for facsimile communication sent from the external terminal 114 are stored in the area on the RAM 103 designated by the user ID and the index number. Register By this operation, if the area specified by the user ID and the index number is unregistered, it is added; if it is already registered, it is changed.
If the data sent from No. 4 is invalid, a deletion process is executed, and the dial data registration process ends.

In the step S286, the external terminal 114
This is executed when the user ID or password sent from is invalid, or when there is already a job using the dial data to be registered and there is no request for forced registration. The data is output to the external terminal 114 via the / F control unit 113, and the dial data registration processing ends abnormally.

Next, FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing step S26 in FIG.
6 is a flowchart showing the user data registration process performed in Step 3 in detail. In step S291, I /
It is determined whether or not the request sent from the external terminal 114 via the F control unit 113 relates to a password change. If the password has not been changed, the process proceeds to step S292. If the password has been changed, the process proceeds to step S295.

In the step S292, the external terminal 114
It is determined whether or not the user ID sent from is the one of the system administrator. If the user ID belongs to the system administrator, the process proceeds to step S293; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S298.

In the step S293, the external terminal 114
It is determined whether the password sent from is valid. If the password of the system administrator is not registered in the device in advance, or if the password of the system administrator is registered in the device in advance and the password matches the designated password, the process proceeds to step S294. Conversely, if the password of the system administrator is registered in the apparatus in advance, and the password does not match the designated password, the process proceeds to step S298.

In step S294, for the item designated by the external terminal 114 or all items such as the own telephone number, own device abbreviation, or information on user management, the area on the RAM 103 corresponding to each item is stored in the area.
The information sent from the external terminal 114 is registered. By this operation, for example, when registering information related to user management, if the user ID to be registered is not registered, the user is added. If the user ID is already registered, the user is changed. The deletion process is executed, and the user data registration process ends.

Next, in step S295, it is determined whether the user ID sent from the external terminal 114 is valid. If the user having the user ID has been registered in the apparatus in advance, the process proceeds to step S296, and if not, the process proceeds to step S298.

In the step S296, the external terminal 114
It is determined whether the password sent from is valid. If the password corresponding to the user ID is not registered in the device in advance, or if the password corresponding to the user ID is registered in the device in advance and the password matches the designated password, the process proceeds to step S297. move on. Conversely, if the password corresponding to the user ID has been registered in the device in advance, and the password does not match the designated password, the process proceeds to step S298.

In step S297, the new password transmitted from the external terminal 114 is registered in the user's password area on the RAM 103 specified by the user ID, and the user data registration processing ends. Step S
298 is the external terminal 114 in step S292.
The user ID sent from is not the one of the system administrator, or steps S293 and S29
5. This is executed when the user ID or password is invalid in any of the steps S296, outputs the contents of the error to the external terminal 114 via the I / F control unit 113, and abnormally ends the user data registration processing. I do.

Next, FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing step S26 in FIG.
4 is a flowchart showing a service data registration process performed in Step 4 in detail. In step S301, it is determined whether the user ID sent from the external terminal 114 belongs to the system administrator. If the user ID belongs to the system administrator, the process proceeds to step S302; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S304.

In step S302, the external terminal 114
It is determined whether the password sent from is valid. If the password of the system administrator is not registered in the device in advance, or if the password of the system administrator is registered in the device in advance and the password matches the designated password, the process proceeds to step S303. Conversely, if the password of the system administrator is registered in the apparatus in advance and the password does not match the designated password, the process proceeds to step S304.

In step S303, for the items designated by the external terminal 114 or all items, such as the signal transmission level and the control parameters of the communication protocol, the external terminal 114 stores the items in the RAM 103 corresponding to each item. The transmitted information is registered, and the service data registration process ends.

Step S304 is executed when the user ID or password sent from the external terminal 114 is invalid, and the contents of the error are transmitted to the I / F control unit 113.
To the external terminal 114, and the service data registration process ends abnormally.

Next, FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing step S27 in FIG.
3 is a flowchart showing in detail a dial data reference process performed in FIG. In step S311, it is determined whether the user ID sent from the external terminal 114 is valid. If the user having the user ID has been registered in the apparatus in advance, the process proceeds to step S312, and if not, the process proceeds to step S314.

In step S312, the external terminal 114
It is determined whether the password sent from is valid. If the password registered in the user ID is not registered in the device in advance, or if the password corresponding to the user ID is registered in the device in advance and the password matches the designated password, go to step S313. move on. Conversely, if the password corresponding to the user ID has been registered in the device in advance, and the password does not match the designated password, the process proceeds to step S314.

In step S313, the destination telephone number in the area on the RAM 103 specified by the user ID and the index number, or the area on the RAM 103 corresponding to all index numbers of the specified user ID,
The abbreviation of the destination and data such as parameters necessary for facsimile communication are output to the external terminal 114 via the I / F control unit 113, and the dial data reference processing ends.

Step S314 is executed when the user ID or password sent from the external terminal 114 is invalid, and the contents of the error are determined by the I / F control unit 113.
To the external terminal 114, and abnormally terminates the dial data reference processing.

Next, FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing step S27 in FIG.
6 is a flowchart showing the user data reference processing performed in Step 3 in detail. In step S321, it is determined whether the user ID sent from the external terminal 114 is valid. If the user having the user ID has been registered in the apparatus in advance, the process proceeds to step S322, and if not, the process proceeds to step S324.

In step S322, the external terminal 114
It is determined whether the password sent from is valid. If the password corresponding to the user ID is not registered in the device in advance, or if the password corresponding to the user ID is registered in the device in advance and the password matches the designated password, the process proceeds to step S323. move on. Conversely, if the password corresponding to the user ID has been registered in the apparatus in advance, and the password does not match the designated password, the process proceeds to step S324.

In step S323, the items designated by the external terminal 114 or all items such as the own telephone number, the abbreviated abbreviation, or information on user management are registered in the area on the RAM 103 corresponding to each item. The output data is output to the external terminal 114, and the user data reference processing ends.

Step S324 is executed when the user ID or password sent from the external terminal 114 is invalid, and the contents of the error are transmitted to the I / F control unit 113.
To the external terminal 114, and the user data reference processing ends abnormally.

Next, FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing the operation in step S27 of FIG.
6 is a flowchart showing a service data reference process performed in Step 4 in detail. In step S331, it is determined whether the user ID sent from the external terminal 114 belongs to the system administrator. If the user ID belongs to the system administrator, the process proceeds to step S332; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S334.

In the step S332, the external terminal 114
It is determined whether the password sent from is valid. If the password of the system administrator is not registered in the device in advance, or if the password of the system administrator is registered in the device in advance and the password matches the designated password, the process proceeds to step S333. Conversely, if the password of the system administrator is registered in the apparatus in advance and the password does not match the designated password, the process proceeds to step S334.

In step S333, for the items specified by the external terminal 114 or all items, such as the signal transmission level and the control parameters of the communication protocol, the data registered in the area on the RAM 103 corresponding to each item is read. The data is output to the external terminal 114, and the service data reference processing ends. Step S334 is executed when the user ID or password sent from the external terminal 114 is invalid, and the content of the error is
Output to the external terminal 114 via the F control unit 113,
Abnormally terminates service data reference processing.

As described above, the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described. However, the image processing apparatus of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and can take various forms within the scope of the present invention.

The present invention can be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), and can be applied to a single device (for example, a copying machine, a facsimile). etc)
May be applied.

Further, an object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium storing a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or an apparatus, and to provide a computer (or CPU) of the system or apparatus.
And MPU) read and execute the program code stored in the storage medium.

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

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

When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. ) May perform some or all of the actual processing, and the processing may realize the functions of the above-described embodiments.

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

When the present invention is applied to the storage medium, the storage medium stores program codes corresponding to the above-described flowcharts. To briefly explain, for example, the flowchart shown in FIG. Is stored in the storage medium.

[0204]

As described above, according to the present invention,
This can be printed out under optimum conditions corresponding to the image data.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a configuration of an image processing apparatus 100 according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a communication sequence between an external terminal 114 and an I / F control unit 113.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing processing of the image processing apparatus 100 and the external terminal 114 at the time of facsimile reception.

FIG. 4 is a dialog box displayed on the display device 120 for confirming print output conditions.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating processing related to a file print function of the image processing apparatus 100.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a process related to a file upload function of the image processing apparatus 100.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a Pix file data generation process.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a data generation process of a PD file.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating processing related to a page upload function of the image processing apparatus 100.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating Pix page data generation processing.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a PDL page data generation process.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating processing related to a reception function of the image processing apparatus 100.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating processing related to a reception function of the image processing apparatus 100.

14 is a diagram showing a management form of communication result information in the image processing apparatus 100. FIG.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating processing related to a communication management function of the image processing apparatus 100.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an outline of file management.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating processing related to a file management function of the image processing apparatus 100.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating processing related to a file management function of the image processing apparatus 100.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating processing related to a system memory management function of the image processing apparatus 100.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a registration process in FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a reference process in FIG. 19;

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing dial data registration processing in FIG.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing a user data registration process in FIG.

24 is a flowchart showing a service data registration process in FIG.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing dial data reference processing in FIG. 21.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing a user data reference process of FIG. 21.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing service data reference processing of FIG. 21;

FIG. 28 is a flowchart illustrating processing related to a scan data transfer function of the image processing apparatus 100.

[Explanation of symbols]

 101 CPU 102 ROM 103 RAM 104 Image memory 105 Data conversion unit 106 Reading control unit 107 Operation unit 108 Communication control unit 109 Answering machine control unit 110 Resolution conversion processing unit 111 Code decoding processing unit 112 Recording control unit 113 I / F control unit 114 External terminal 115 Telephone 116 PSTN line 117 ISDN line 120 Display device

Claims (21)

[Claims] An image processing apparatus capable of controlling printing of image data by an external terminal connected via an interface, comprising: communication means for receiving color image data via a line; An image processing apparatus comprising: printing means for printing under conditions selected from a plurality of conditions; and selecting means for selecting printing conditions for the color image data in accordance with an instruction from the external terminal. 2. The image communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the condition includes a type of quality of a recording medium and / or a type of quality of a recording agent. 3. A means for determining whether or not the image data can be printed in accordance with a condition according to a command from the external terminal, and transferring the image data to the external terminal when it is determined that the image data cannot be printed. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a notifying unit for notifying the external terminal device when the image data is received. 5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the notifying unit transmits at least a part of the content of the received image data to the external terminal. 6. A means for judging whether or not a command of a printing condition has been received from the external terminal device within a certain time after the notification by the notifying means, and a case where no command has been received within the certain time. The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the selection unit automatically selects a preset condition. 7. A means for judging whether or not a command for a printing condition has been received from the external terminal device within a predetermined time after the notification by the notification means, and a case where no command has been received within the predetermined time period. The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising: a storage unit configured to store the image data. 8. A means for judging whether or not a command of a printing condition has been received from the external terminal device within a certain time after the notification by the notifying means, and a case where no command has been received within the certain time. The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising: a unit configured to transfer the image data to the external terminal. 9. An external terminal device comprising: communication means for receiving color image data; and printing means for printing the received color image data under conditions selected from a plurality of conditions. A storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to function as the external terminal device having a selection unit for selecting conditions for printing the image data in order to control an image processing apparatus controllable by the computer. 10. The recording medium according to claim 10, wherein the condition is:
The storage medium according to claim 9, wherein the storage medium includes a type of quality of the recording agent. 11. A program for causing a computer to receive the image data when the image processing device determines that the image data cannot be printed according to a condition according to a command from the external terminal. Item 11. The storage medium according to Item 9 or 10. 12. The storage according to claim 9, further comprising a program that, when said image processing apparatus receives image data, causes a computer as said external terminal to receive a notification to that effect. Medium. 13. The storage medium according to claim 12, wherein the computer receives at least a part of the content of the image data received by the image processing device. 14. The image processing apparatus further comprises: means for determining whether a command for a printing condition has been received from the external terminal device within a predetermined time after the notification by the notification means, and 14. The storage medium according to claim 12, wherein when no command is received within the predetermined time, the selection unit automatically selects a preset condition. 15. A means for determining whether or not a command for a printing condition has been received from the external terminal device within a predetermined time after the notification by the notification means, the command being issued within the predetermined time. 14. The storage medium according to claim 12, further comprising a storage unit that stores the image data when the image data does not come. 16. A means for determining whether or not a command for a printing condition has been received from the external terminal device within a certain time after the notification by the notification means, the command being issued within the certain time. 14. The storage medium according to claim 12, further comprising: a unit that transfers the image data to the external terminal when the image data does not arrive. 17. An image processing apparatus capable of controlling printing of image data by an external terminal connected via an interface, comprising: communication means for receiving color image data through a line; Printing means for printing under conditions selected from a plurality of conditions, and, when a predetermined mode is set in the external terminal, corresponding to reception of image data by the communication means, An image processing apparatus, wherein the printing condition is output to the external terminal so that the printing condition of the printing unit is displayed on a display unit of the external terminal. 18. The image processing apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the display unit displays printing conditions currently set in the printing unit. 19. The image processing apparatus according to claim 18, wherein a printing condition selectable by the printing unit is further displayed on the display unit. 20. The image processing apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the display unit further displays a time required for printing according to a currently set print condition. 21. The image processing apparatus according to claim 20, wherein at least a part of the received image is displayed on the display unit.