JP2002169680A - Image control apparatus, image output system, medium and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image control apparatus and image output system capable of preventing reduction in image quality in reprinting. SOLUTION: A printing system is composed with connections of a scanner 12 inputting image data, a server 14, more than one printer 16 and more than one client 18 to a network 10. The image data loaded by the scanner 12 is stored into database 24, so that the data can be reprinted by designating the image data to reprint from, for instance, the client 18. When changing the setting of the reprinting, the client 18 does not display special functions which should not be basically set in reprinting and functions which are impossible to be set on a setting screen to set functions of the reprinting not to be selected.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image management apparatus, an image output system, a medium, and a program, and more particularly, to a plurality of printers connected to a network, a scanner for reading an image of a document, and a printer server. The present invention relates to an image output system, an image management device of the image output system, a medium storing an execution program thereof, and a program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional copying machine, an image of a document placed on a document table is read by a CCD, a latent image is recorded on a photosensitive drum using a semiconductor laser, and the latent image is recorded on the photosensitive drum using an electrophotographic process. The latent image is developed and transferred onto a sheet to output an image. This copier is provided with a small display panel having a configuration in which a touch panel is superimposed on a display panel formed of a liquid crystal display panel as a user interface. Therefore, the amount of information that can be simultaneously displayed on the display panel and the density of information that can be set are limited.

[0003]

On the other hand, in the case of configuring a network printer in which a plurality of printers are connected to a network so that each printer can output an image, a scanner as a reading device for reading an original, a scanner It is supposed that the printer is configured by a printer server which appropriately processes image data received from the printer and transmits the processed image data to a designated printer. This scanner is usually connected to a single network and has the same function as the image reading function of a copier used alone. In order to output efficiently, the scanner is provided in the copier. It is conceivable that a display panel similar to a display panel as a user interface is provided so that a printer for outputting an image from the display panel and an output format can be specified.

[0004] In such a system, an image read by a scanner is held in a printer server.
It is also possible to configure so that an image held later can be designated and reprinted.

However, for example, when a scanned image read for a color printer is printed by a black-and-white printer at the time of reprinting, the image quality deteriorates due to conversion from a multi-valued image to a binary image. If you reprint each with multiple different printers,
If the image quality differs, or if image data read for a black-and-white printer is enlarged or reduced at the time of reprinting, moire or the like may occur and the image may be disturbed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and has as its object to provide an image management apparatus, an image output system, a medium, and a program which can prevent deterioration of image quality when reprinting. I do.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing apparatus, comprising: a memory for storing image data input by an image input device and outputting the image data to an image output device via a network; Storage device for storing image data input by the image input device and information relating to the output format of the image, and information relating to the image data to be output and the output format of the image. And control means for controlling the specification of the information on the output format of the image to be output based on the information on the output format of the image stored in the storage means. .

According to the present invention, when outputting the image data stored in the storage means, the control means, based on the information on the output format of the image stored in the storage means,
Control is performed to limit the specification of information on the output format of the image to be output. As a result, it is possible to prevent an output format that cannot be specified originally from being set by mistake.

[0009] The above image management device is a computer which stores a computer for storing image data input by an image input device and information relating to an output format of an image, and designating image data to be output and information relating to an output format of an image. Based on the information on the output format of the image stored in the storage means, based on a program for functioning as control means for controlling to specify the information on the output format of the image to be output,
The above processing can be performed. This program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium.

More specifically, the functions executed by the image management apparatus can be carried on a next medium so that a program for executing the processing functions can be carried, and the program stored on the medium can be executed by a computer. By doing so, it is possible to easily carry out any computer. Specifically, as described in claim 5, an image applied to an image output system capable of storing image data input by an image input device and outputting the image data to an image output device via a network. What is claimed is: 1. A storage medium storing an image management program to be executed by a management device, wherein image data input by the image input device and information on an output format of an image are stored, and output image data and an output format of the image are output. It is characterized by receiving designation of the information on the output format of the stored image based on the stored information on the output format of the image.

Further, by executing the following program on a computer, the processing functions can be easily implemented. Specifically, as described in claim 6, an image applied to an image output system capable of storing image data input by an image input device and outputting the image data to the image output device via a network. An image management program to be executed by a management device, the image management program storing information on image data and an output format of an image input by the image input device, and specifying image data to be output and information on an output format of an image. In addition to this, it is controlled such that designation of information on the output format of the output image is restricted based on the stored information on the output format of the image.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there are provided a plurality of image output devices each connected to a network and outputting an image based on image data transmitted through the network and information on an output format of the image. A storage unit that is connected to the network and stores information on image data and an output format of an image input by an image data input device connected to the network,
An operation screen generated based on a signal for generating an operation screen is displayed, and information specifying an image output device that outputs an image from the displayed operation screen, information on an output format of the image, and storage in the storage unit A display input device for inputting the image data to be re-output from the information on the output format of the image and the information on the output format of the image, and a display input device connected to the network and input from the display input device. And a transmission device for transmitting the generated information via the network, and receiving a signal for generating the operation screen via the network, the image management device used in an image output system, And the attribute information of each of the plurality of image output devices and the re-output stored in the storage means. Based on the information about the output format of the image, generate a signal for generating an operation screen related to the operation of re-outputting, transmit the signal to the transmitting device, and specify information about the output format of the image transmitted from the transmitting device and re-output designation The transmitted image data is transmitted to a designated image output device.

According to the present invention, the image output device is connected to a network such as a LAN, and outputs an image based on image data transmitted through the network and information on the output format of the image. Information on the output format of the image includes, for example, the paper size, the number of output copies,
There are image types (color or monochrome). The image output device is, for example, a network printer connectable to a network, and prints an image based on image data transmitted via the network on a recording sheet in a sheet size or the number of output copies specified by information on an output format of the image. Is done.
Note that the image here includes a document image including only characters, and an image including characters, photographs, pictures, and the like.

The storage means is connected to the network and stores image data input by the image data input device connected to the network and information on the output format of the image.

The image data input device is for inputting image data, for example, a scanner or facsimile for reading an original using a reading sensor such as a CCD, or for reading image data stored in an external storage device. Computer or the like can be used.

The display input device displays an operation screen generated based on a signal for generating an operation screen. Then, information specifying an image output device that outputs an image from the displayed operation screen, information regarding an output format of the image output from the specified image output device, and image data and an output format of the image stored in the storage unit , The image data to be re-output and the information on the output format of the image can be input.

The transmitting device is connected to the network and is information input from the display input device, that is, information specifying an image output device to output an image and information relating to an output format of an image output from the specified image output device. ,
Then, the image data input from the image data input device is transmitted via the network. Also, a signal for generating an operation screen is received via the network. The display input device generates and displays the operation screen based on the received signal for generating the operation screen.

The image management device is connected to a network, and performs an operation related to a re-output operation based on attribute information of each of the plurality of image output devices and information on an output format of an image to be re-output stored in the storage unit. A signal for generating a screen is generated and transmitted to the transmitting device. Attribute information includes
Information indicating whether it is for black and white printing or color printing, information indicating whether or not there is a double-sided printing function, information indicating whether or not there is a finisher (function to stop with a stapler),
Information such as floors and offices installed in one building, offices installed in different buildings, etc.), information indicating whether the resolution is high, information indicating the size of printable paper, and the like. .

The attribute information and the information on the output format of the re-output image stored in the storage means,
By using the information on the output format at the time of the first output, it is possible to generate an operation screen related to the re-output operation, for example, an operation screen that allows only the functions that can be set only at the time of re-output to be selected.

As a result, the operation screen relating to the re-output operation is displayed on the display / input device, and the information relating to the output format of the image set by the user's operation is transmitted to the image management device by the transmission device. And in the image management device,
The information on the image output format and the re-output designated image data stored in the storage means are transmitted to the designated image output device.

As described above, at the time of re-outputting, an operation screen dedicated to the re-outputting is generated, so that the setting of a function effective only at the time of re-outputting can be performed.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, an operation screen generated by a signal for generating an operation screen relating to a re-output operation makes it impossible to change information regarding an image output format with respect to specific attribute information. You may do so. That is, certain output formats that must not be changed when re-outputting (for example, image types such as color or black and white) and functions that cannot be set (for example, image reading density) should not be displayed on the operation screen. , Make it unselectable. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the setting from being changed at the time of re-output, and to prevent the image quality from deteriorating.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there are provided a plurality of images each connected to a network and outputting an image based on image data transmitted through the network and information on an output format of the image. An output device connected to the network, storage means for storing image data input by an image data input device connected to the network, and information on an output format of the image, and a signal for generating an operation screen. The generated operation screen is displayed, and information for specifying an image output device that outputs an image from the displayed operation screen, information on the output format of the image, and image data and image output stored in the storage unit Display for inputting image data to be re-output from information on format and information on output format of image And a transmission device connected to the network and transmitting information input from the display input device via the network, and receiving a signal for generating the operation screen via the network, Connected to the network,
Based on the attribute information of each of the plurality of image output devices and the information on the output format of the image to be re-output stored in the storage unit, generate a signal for generating an operation screen related to a re-output operation, and send the signal to the transmitting device. An image management system for transmitting and transmitting information on the output format of the image transmitted from the transmitting device and the re-designated image data to the designated image output device. It is possible to prevent the image quality from deteriorating at the time.

[0024]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG.
The embodiment will be described in detail. As shown in FIG.
The print system of the form is Internet or LAN.
Input image data to the network 10 composed of
12, a server as an image data input device
14. Printer 16 as a plurality of image output devices ₁, 1
6_Two, ... 16_nAnd multiple clients 18₁, 1
8_Two, ... 18_nAre connected. This image
The data is, for example, TIFF Tagged Image File Forma
t) format. In addition, network 10
Is a print function, scanner function, and facsimile machine
A multifunction device 30 having functions is connected.

As shown in FIG. 2, the scanner 12 displays a scanner unit 12A having a CCD for reading an image recorded on a document, a printing operation screen having a plurality of icons, and A display panel 12B such as a touch panel that functions as a user interface for inputting data such as a print format (output format) of the printer by contact, and a controller 12 that controls the entire scanner.
C, a memory 12D for storing image data and the like read by the scanner unit 12A, and an input / output port 12E for inputting and outputting data.
2A, the display panel 12B, the controller 12C, the memory 12D, and the input / output port 12E are interconnected via a bus. The input / output port 12E is connected to the network 10 via a communication control unit 12F that communicates with a device connected to the network via the network.

The user interface for inputting data from the printing operation screen includes a user interface component which is an element of screen information such as an icon, a button, a scroll bar, and a frame, and a printer 1 represented by text data.
6, the icon information is stored in the memory 12D of the scanner, and the attribute information of the printer 16 is stored in the server 14 as described later. The screen information is, for example, HTML (Hypertext Makeup Language).
e) can be created.

As described above, the user interface is separated into the user interface parts and the attribute information, and the data constituting the user interface is transmitted from the server 14 to the scanner 12 by being stored separately in the scanner 12 and the server 14. In this case, the amount of data transmitted from the server 14 to the scanner 12 can be reduced, thereby promptly displaying the user interface on the display panel 1.
2B. Note that the memory 12D also stores a program for a processing routine described later.

It should be noted that the user interface for displaying the printing operation screen may be such that all information is generated by the server 14 and transmitted to the controller 12C of the scanner 12, without being separately stored.

In place of the scanner 12, FDD,
Computerized image data recorded on a storage medium such as a CD-ROM may be read and input, or image data may be input from a facsimile or a database using a personal computer. The image data may be input using mail software installed in the software.

The printer _{16 1, 16 2, ··· 16} n is,
Since they have substantially the same configuration and differ only in the attributes, one printer will be described with reference to FIG. 3 and the description of the other printers will be omitted. In the following, in the case where each printer is described without particular distinction, the suffix at the end of the reference numeral is omitted, and the printer is referred to as a printer 16.

As shown in FIG. 3, the printer 16 records an electrostatic latent image on a photosensitive member, develops the electrostatic latent image using monochrome toner or color toner, and records the developed image on a recording medium. A printer unit 16A for transferring and outputting to paper;
A display panel 16B such as a touch panel for displaying the operation screen and operating the printer 16 by touching icons on the displayed operation screen, a controller 16C for controlling the entire printer 16, received image data and output format data A memory 16D in which programs for processing routines to be described later are stored in advance, and an input / output port 16E for inputting / outputting data. These printer unit 16A, display panel 16B,
The controller 16C, the memory 16D, and the input / output port 16E are mutually connected via a bus. The input / output port 16E is connected to the network 10 via a communication control unit 16F that communicates with a device connected to the network via the network.

The server 14 has an FD as an external storage device.
A driver 2 that can also write and read data recorded on a D, CD-ROM, CD-RW, or the like
0, a facsimile machine 22, and a database 24 storing attribute information and the like of all printers 16 connected to the network.

As shown in FIG. 4, the server 14 includes a controller 14A for controlling the entire server, a mailer for storing received data, a mailer for transmitting and receiving mail, and a program for controlling transmission and reception of the facsimile machine, and a program to be described later. A memory 14B preliminarily storing a processing routine program and the like, a driver 2 composed of a CD-ROM writer, etc.
0, an interface 14C, a drive 14D for driving the facsimile machine 22, a file system 14E connected to the database 24, and an input / output port 14F for inputting / outputting data. The memory 14B, the interface 14C, the driving device 14D, the file system 14E, and the input / output port 14F are mutually connected via a bus. The input / output port 14F is connected to the network 10 via a communication control unit 14G that communicates with a device connected to the network via the network.

The database 24 may be provided with a database server connected to a network separately from the server 14, and connected to this database server.

The clients 18 ₁ , 18 ₂ ,... 18 _n
Is composed of, for example, personal computers 18 each having a communication control unit for performing communication with a device connected to the network via the network, as shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 8, the personal computer 18 includes a CPU 18A for controlling the entire personal computer 18, a RAM 18B, a ROM 18C in which programs for processing routines to be described later are stored in advance, a display 18D, a CD-ROM drive 18E, and a hard disk 18F. , A keyboard 18G, a mouse 18H, an input / output port 18J, and these CPU 18A, RAM 18B, RO
M18C, interface 18I, input / output port 18J
Is connected to the network 10 via a communication control unit 18K which communicates with a device connected to the network via the network.

A processing routine executed by each controller of the scanner, server, and printer according to the present embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. This processing routine is divided into respective routines of attribute information registration processing, operation screen display processing, print instruction processing, and print processing.

[Attribute Information Registration Process] The attribute information registration process is a process of registering the attribute information of the printer 16 connected to the network in the database connected to the server 14.

When the printer 16 is connected to the network 10, an operation panel (not shown) provided on the server 14 or a client 18 connected to the server 14 via the network from a management tool software provided on the server 14 Is operated, attribute information registration processing for registering attribute information of the printer 16 in the server 14 is performed. That is, in the server 14, if it is determined in step 108 shown in FIG. 6 that the attribute information registration processing request is made in accordance with the instruction to the management tool software, the server 14 registers the printer attribute information in the printer 16 in step 109. Is transmitted.

In the printer 16, in step 100 of FIG.
It is determined whether or not the registration processing request signal has been received. When the registration processing request signal is received, the attribute information of the printer 16 is transmitted from the printer 16 to the server 14 in step 102.

The server 14 determines whether or not the attribute information transmitted from the printer 16 has been received in step 110, and when the attribute information has been received, in step 112,
By controlling the file system 14E, the attribute information of the printer 16 is registered in the database 24.

When the printer 16 is connected to the network 10, the attribute information may be automatically transmitted from the printer 16 to the server 14, and the attribute information may be automatically registered in the database 24. 14, the attribute information of the printer 16 may be detected, and the detected attribute information may be registered in the database. Also,
By operating the display panel 16 </ b> B provided on the printer 16, the attribute information of the printer 16 can be registered in the server 14. Thus, the attribute information of all the printers 16 connected to the network 10 is registered in the database 24 connected to the server 14.

The attribute information of the printer 16 includes information indicating whether the printer 16 is for black-and-white printing or color printing, information indicating whether or not there is a double-sided printing function, and a finisher (such as a stapling function and a punching function). Information indicating whether or not there is, information indicating whether the resolution is high or low, information indicating the size of paper that can be printed, information on the type of fonts provided in each printer, and color maps and color adjustment information specific to color printers Information on output formats such as color characteristic information, information on the installation location of each printer (floor, department, etc. installed in one building, offices installed in different buildings, etc.), IP There is information for identifying the printer, such as network setting information such as an address, and printer name information. There is registered in the database as the attribute information.

[Operation Screen Display Processing] When the scanner 12 is activated, an initial screen is first displayed on the display panel 12B of the scanner 12, and then a menu screen for selecting a service is displayed.

When the image data is input from an external storage device in which the image data is stored in advance, the above-described image reading process is unnecessary, and the image data read from the external storage device using a reading device (not shown) is used. May be stored in the memory 12D.

Then, the scanner 12 is operated by the operator.
When print is selected from the menu displayed on the display panel 12B, it is determined in step 154 in FIG. 7 that a print operation screen display instruction has been issued, and in step 156, a print operation screen is generated from the scanner 12 to the server 14. Is transmitted. Also,
Only the information indicating that the group of the printer 16 has been selected may be transmitted from the scanner 12 to the server 14.

In the server 14, step 11 in FIG.
If it is determined in step 2 that the screen generation request signal transmitted from the scanner 12 has been received, it is determined in step 113 whether reprint file information has been received. That is, it is determined whether or not reprinting has been instructed by the scanner 12. If the reprint file information has been received, the process proceeds to step 114, and if the reprint file information has not been received, the process proceeds to step 117. The reprinting process will be described later.

In step 117, the status of the printer 16 connected to the network 10 is confirmed, and the specified print operation screen of the printer 16 is displayed based on the screen generation request signal and the registered attribute information of the printer 16. Generate attribute information to generate, step 118
Transmits the generated attribute information to the scanner 12.
As the screen generation request signal, all the attribute information of the printers 16 connected to the network 10 are displayed, only the attribute information of the printers 16 having the color printing function is displayed, and only the printers 16 of the group designated in advance are displayed. A signal for displaying attribute information or the like can be transmitted.

At this time, if there is a printer 16 that is down due to an error such as power-off, paper jam, or no paper stored in the tray due to confirmation of the status of the designated printer 16, , Server 14
Generates attribute information for generating a printing operation screen so that the attribute information of the down printer 16 is not displayed. At this time, the down printer 1
With respect to No. 6, information for displaying a print operation screen for displaying error information indicating that the printer is down may be generated.

When the attribute information is transmitted from the server 14 to the scanner 12 and it is determined in step 158 in FIG. 7 that the attribute information has been received from the server 14, the scanner 1
2 combines the attribute information represented by the text data for generating the received print operation screen with the user interface component indicating the image information such as the button stored in the memory 12D to create the print operation screen. Generate, step 160
Is displayed on the display panel 12B as a user interface.

When the operator operates the displayed print operation screen and issues a screen change instruction of the print operation screen, the operation shown in FIG.
From step 162 to steps 164 and 166, and from step 114 to steps 120 and 12 in FIG.
Proceeding to 2, the screen change process is performed. In this screen change process, a new screen generation request signal is transmitted to the server 14 in response to the operation of the display panel 12B of the scanner 12, as described in steps 156 to 160 of FIG. 7 and steps 114 to 118 of FIG. Then, the server 14 generates attribute information for generating a new print operation screen, and transmits the generated attribute information. Therefore, the display of the printing operation screen is changed according to the operation using the printing operation screen on the display panel 12B of the scanner 12.

The screen change process will be described in more detail. A group of printers 16 is selected by operating the print operation screen on the display panel 12B of the scanner 12, a printer 16 belonging to the group is designated, and the designated group is designated. When an operation screen generation request signal for setting an output instruction to the belonging printer is transmitted, the logical product of the attribute information of the printers 16 belonging to the group is calculated in the server 14, and the attribute information common to each group is selected and shared. The attribute information is transmitted to the scanner 12. As a result, a printing operation screen for displaying the group of the printers 16 and the attribute information common to this group is newly generated and displayed. When registering a plurality of printers 16 as one group, the operator selects attribute information indicating a function to be grouped, and the printer 16 having the attribute information is selected.
Is transmitted to the server 14, all the printers 16 having the selected attribute are displayed, and the operator can select the printers 16 to be grouped.
Is selected from the screen and a grouping instruction is issued to the server 14 to perform grouping.

When an individual printer 16 is selected,
The attribute information of the printer 16 selected by the server 14 is selected and transmitted to the scanner 12, and a print operation screen for displaying the attribute information of the selected printer 16 is generated and displayed on the display panel 12B of the scanner 12.

Then, when the attribute information of the printer 16 to be output, that is, the output condition is specified and the display (best fit) of the printer 16 that is most suitable for the condition is selected, the server 14 selects the group selected as the output destination. The logical sum of the attribute information of the printer 16 to which it belongs is calculated, the attribute information of the printer 16 based on the calculation result is transmitted to the scanner 12, and the scanner 12 generates a printing operation screen and displays it on the display panel 12B. This screen allows the operator to list all attribute information that can be selected.

[Print instruction processing] After confirming the attribute information of the printer 16 on the print operation screen, the operator
An output parameter indicating an image data output format such as a paper size and a scaling ratio is set from the printing operation screen, and a print instruction is issued. As a result, it is determined in step 162 in FIG. 7 that there is a print instruction, and in step 168, a print enable confirmation signal for confirming whether or not printing by the designated printer 16 is possible is transmitted to the server.

When a printable confirmation signal is transmitted from the scanner 12 to the server 14 and it is determined in step 124 in FIG. 6 that the printable confirmation signal has been received (a print instruction has been issued),
In step 126, the status of the designated printer 16 is confirmed. If it is determined in step 128 that printing is possible, a print enable signal is transmitted to the scanner 12 in step 131. On the other hand, when it is determined in step 128 that printing is not possible, a printing disable signal is transmitted to the scanner 12 in step 130.

In the scanner 12, step 170 in FIG.
In, it is determined whether a print enable signal has been received,
If a print enable signal is received, the next step 17
In step 4, it is determined whether or not an image reading (scan start) has been instructed by, for example, pressing a start button by the operator. If it is determined in step 174 that an image reading instruction has been issued, in step 176, the scanner unit 12A is controlled to read the image recorded on the set original document by one operation, that is, a series of image data is output to the common image data. And stored in the memory 12D of the scanner as digitized image data. Then, in step 178, the output format input from the operation screen and the image data read from the scanner unit 12A are transmitted to the server 14.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step 170 that the print disable signal has been input, step 172
When the operator instructs the operator to re-designate the printer 16 and the operator operates the display panel 12B to re-designate the printer 16, the process proceeds from step 162 to step 168 in the same manner as described above, and the server 14
A print enable confirmation signal for confirming whether or not printing is possible is transmitted to the original in step 176. If the print enable signal is received in step 170 and it is determined in step 174 that the image reading is instructed, the process proceeds to step 176. The recorded image data is read, and the output format and the image data are transmitted to the server 14 in step 178.

As the designation of the printer 16, one printer 16 can be designated, or one group can be designated and the printers 16 belonging to the designated group can simultaneously output a print.

A plurality of printers 16 having different functions as attributes are set in advance so as to belong to the same group, and a printer 16 having a color output function and a monochrome output function are provided based on the same image data. The printer 16 may output a print. In this case, by specifying output such as one copy output from the printer 16 having the color output function and the remaining copy output from the printer 16 having the black-and-white output function, it is possible to compare the output in the case of outputting all colors. Cost can be reduced.

The number of output copies may be specified according to the size (for example, one copy for A4 and the remaining number for B4), or the number of output copies may be specified according to the recording surface (for example, for both sides). The number of output copies may be specified according to the presence or absence of a finisher (for example, 1 copy, the number of copies remaining on one side) (for example, 1 copy with a stapler, and the remaining copy without a stapler).

When an instruction to execute one job on a plurality of printers 16 is given, the jobs for each printer 16 are independently located below one job, and the operations (start, stop, Restart, change, delete, etc.), the job in the upper layer and all the jobs in the lower layer can be similarly executed. The lower-layer jobs may be operated independently to be executed independently.

[Printing Process] In step 132 of FIG. 6, it is determined whether or not reprinting has been instructed from the client 18. If reprinting has been instructed, the process proceeds to step 133 (details will be described later). If reprinting has not been instructed, that is, if printing of an image read by the scanner 12 has been instructed, it is determined in step 135 whether the output format and image data from the scanner 12 have been received by the server 14. Is determined.

When it is determined that the output format and the image data from the scanner 12 have been received by the server 14, the status of the printer 16 designated to execute the job is confirmed in step 136, and the process proceeds to step 138.
It is determined whether or not printing is possible based on the status confirmed in step. If an error occurs in the printer 16 designated for printing and printing is not possible, a print disable signal is transmitted to the scanner 12 in step 130. The scanner 12 determines in step 180 that the print disable signal has been received after the output format and image data has been transmitted, whereby the scanner 12 determines that the print disable signal has been input in step 170, as described above. In step 172, the operator is instructed on the operation screen to re-designate the printer 16, and when the operator operates the display panel 12B to re-designate the printer 16 to be output, a print enable signal is received and scanning is started. Is designated, the image is read, and the output format and the image data are transmitted to the server 14 again. Until it is determined in step 182 that the predetermined time has elapsed, the flow returns to step 180 to repeatedly determine whether or not a print disable signal has been received.

Even if the printer 16 is re-designated after the output format and the image data are transmitted from the scanner 12 to the server 14, the output format and the image data are normally not changed because the output format and the image data are not normally changed. The output format and the image data already transmitted to the server 14 may be used without being transmitted to the server 14. If the output format has to be changed due to re-designation of the printer 16, only the output format may be transmitted and changed.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step 138 that printing is possible, the image data output format signal indicating the paper size, the number of copies, and the like, and the input from the scanner 12 are input to the printer 16 designated for printing by the server 14 in step 140. The transmitted image data is transmitted via the network 10. When it is determined in step 104 of FIG. 5 that the output format and the image data transmitted from the server 14 have been received, the printer 16 prints the image based on the image data in the output format designated in step 106 on a recording paper. And the recording paper on which the image is formed is output.

In step 142, the scanner 12
It is determined whether a save instruction has been issued together with the print instruction. If the save instruction has been issued, step 144
By controlling the file system 14E, the image data and the output format received in step S1 are stored in the database 24 as a reprint file.

[Reprinting Process] As described above, the scanner 1
By storing the image read in step 2 and the output format in the database 24, it is possible to recall and reprint at any time later. Here, the client 18
A case where a file to be reprinted is designated and reprinting will be described.

FIG. 9 shows a control routine executed by the client (personal computer) 18. The control routine executed by the personal computer 18 includes:
Basically, it is the same as the control routine executed by the scanner 12 shown in FIG. 7 described above, and therefore, the same processes are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

After the operator confirms the attribute information of the printer 16 on the printing operation screen and designates the printer 16 to which printing is to be performed, and issues a print instruction, the print instruction is determined in step 162 of FIG. A print enable confirmation signal for confirming whether or not printing by the printer 16 designated at 168 is possible is transmitted to the server.

On the other hand, if there is no print instruction, the operator operates the displayed print operation screen in step 164, and it is determined whether or not a screen change instruction for the print operation screen has been issued. If not, the process returns to step 162.

If the screen change instruction has been issued, it is determined whether or not a reprint file has been designated in step 200, that is, the operator selects reprint from the menu displayed on the display 18D and changes the reprint file. It is determined whether it has been specified.

The specification of the reprint file is performed, for example, by referring to FIG.
Is displayed on the display 18D, and a reprint file is designated using an input device such as the keyboard 18 and the mouse 18H. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, a folder is selected (clicked) from the folder icons 32 displayed on the left side of the screen 30, and a reprint file () to be reprinted from the selected folder is selected. Recopying file) is selected, and the OK button 34 on the upper right is clicked with the mouse 18H to set the recopying file.

When the reprint file is set in this way, in step 202, the reprint file information, for example, information indicating the storage location of the reprint file such as the file name of the reprint file is transmitted via the network 10. Server 1
Send to 4. Accordingly, the server 14 determines in step 113 that the reprint file has been received, and reads the output format of the reprint file specified in step 114.

At step 115, attribute information for generating a reprint operation screen is generated based on the registered attribute information of the printer 16, and at step 116
Transmits the generated attribute information and the read output format to the client 18 as a signal for generating an operation screen.

Thus, the client 18 determines in step 204 that the attribute information and the output format have been received, and returns to step 162.

If the client 18 instructs, for example, to change the reprint output format, an operation screen change process is performed in step 166. Thereby, for example, a re-copy setting change screen 36 as shown in FIG. 11 is displayed on the display 18D. At this time, the client 18 generates and displays an operation screen on the basis of the received attribute information and the output format such that the setting of the predetermined unchangeable function cannot be changed.

That is, as shown in FIG. 11, when the setting screen 36 displayed when a new copy is made includes basic copy, advanced copy, image quality adjustment, and job edit items, the basic copy item If black and white is selected for the color mode selection box 37 in the output format in, a setting screen 38 as shown in FIG. 12 is generated at the time of recopying. That is, a box for selecting the color mode is not displayed, and the monochrome mode is fixed. In the printer selection area 40, only monochrome printers are displayed. As a result, the image printed in black and white is reprinted by the black and white printer even at the time of recopying, so that it is possible to prevent deterioration in image quality.

Further, as shown in FIG. 11, when a black-and-white image is newly copied, even if a magnification selection box 42 for reducing or enlarging the image is provided, the image is not copied when re-copying. As shown in FIG. 12, the magnification selection box 42 is not displayed. As a result, enlargement / reduction processing at the time of recopying can be prohibited.

As described above, the function that can be set at the time of a new copy and cannot be set at the time of a recopy is “collectively one sheet (N-up)” in the application copy item shown in FIG.
and so on.

Further, with respect to the functions performed at the time of scanning, it is necessary to read the original document again.
Some functions cannot be set by re-copying. For example, FIG.
These are functions such as background removal and copy density in the image quality adjustment items shown in FIG. As for such a function, FIG.
As shown in (1), it cannot be set during re-copying.

On the other hand, there are the following functions as functions whose settings can be changed at the time of recopying. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, the items of basic copy include the number of output copies, paper selection, single-sided / double-sided selection, finishing / staple / punch, and copy position / margin.

As shown in FIG. 15, the job editing items include proof copy, job event notification,
There are automatic recovery, job priority, output reservation, job discard reservation, and the like.

Further, as shown in FIG. 16, in the item of the change of the output method, there are functions such as no designation of division, equal output, designation of the same number, best fit, designation of the number of individual copies, and the like.

As described above, specific functions that cannot be changed during recopying and functions that cannot be set are not displayed on the setting screen 38 and cannot be selected.

Then, when the operator makes a setting change with reference to the setting screen 38 shown in FIG. 12 and clicks the start button 44, it is determined in step 162 that the print instruction has been issued.
In step 168, a print enable confirmation signal for confirming whether or not printing by the printer 16 designated is possible is transmitted to the server. Clicking on the cancel button 46 cancels the recopying process, and clicking on the reset button 48 resets the settings.

Then, from the client 18 to the server 14
The print enable confirmation signal is transmitted to step 124 in FIG.
When it is determined that the print enable confirmation signal has been received (there is a print instruction) in step 126, the status of the designated printer 16 is checked in step 126. When it is determined in step 128 that the print is possible from this status, step 131 is executed.
Transmits a print enable signal to the client 18. on the other hand,
If it is determined in step 128 that printing is not possible, a printing disable signal is transmitted to the client 12 in step 130.

In step 170, the client 18 determines whether or not a print enable signal has been received. If the print enable signal has been received, the output form input from the operation screen in step 204 is transmitted to the server 14. Send.

In the server 14, step 13 shown in FIG.
In step 2, it is determined whether or not reprinting has been instructed from the client 18. If reprinting has been instructed, the process proceeds to step 133, where it is determined whether or not an output format has been received. In this case, the image data of the reprint file specified in step 134 is read.

Then, in step 136, the status of the printer 16 designated to execute the job is confirmed.
It is determined from the status confirmed in step 138 whether or not printing is possible. If it is determined that printing is possible, the output format received in step 133 and the output format received in step Image data read by the network 1
0 to the designated printer 16. As a result, a re-copy process is performed in the printer 16.

As described above, specific functions that cannot be changed during recopying and functions that cannot be set are not displayed on the setting screen 38 during recopying.
Since the selection cannot be made, it is possible to prevent the image quality from deteriorating during re-copying.

In the above, the case of re-copying by the client 18 has been described as an example, but it goes without saying that re-copying by the scanner 12 is possible.

When the printer is changed at the time of recopying, image data for recopying may be regenerated according to the changed printer and output to the printer. As a result, it is possible to prevent the image quality from deteriorating due to the difference in the model.

Further, even if the function cannot be changed basically at the time of recopying, the setting may be changed only for a specific administrator.

In the present embodiment, an example has been described in which the scanner generates an operation screen based on the transmitted text data and the like and displays the generated operation screen on the display panel as a user interface.
Providing a user interface on the client or MFP,
It can also be operated from a client or MFP.

For example, when a multifunction device is connected to the print system of the present embodiment, the multifunction device normally operates as a single multifunction device, and when the “network copy mode” is instructed, the multifunction device is connected to the user interface device or It may be configured to operate as an image input device or an image output device.

Normally, the multifunction device operates as a multifunction device that operates independently by displaying a user interface screen unique to the multifunction device on the display panel. Issues a request to the server connected via the network to obtain information for generating a user interface screen, and connects to the display panel of the multifunction device via the network based on the information transmitted from the server. Display a user interface screen that allows the user to specify settings and output formats for other devices. From this screen, select the output destination printer,
After setting the output format and instructing to start network copy, if the document is read by the image reading unit of the multifunction device, the read image and information on the output printer and output format are sent to the server and printed. Processing is also possible.

Further, in this embodiment, after the output parameters are first set so as to operate a normal copying machine, the process from reading the document to printing is automatically performed by simply pressing the start button. Although the configuration is made as described below, the stored image can be printed out by instructing reprinting after reading and storing the image from the scanner by the scan service as described below.

To store the image recorded on the original, select the scan service on the menu screen,
An original is set on the scanner unit 12A and the start button is pressed. As a result, it is determined that there is an image reading instruction,
The scanner unit 12A is controlled to read an image recorded on the document. The read image data is stored in the memory 12D of the scanner as digitized image data. In this case, for example, a printer having a color output function (color printer) and a printer having a monochrome output function (black and white printer) are connected so that image data to be used by a printer having a higher function can be obtained. In such a case, to obtain image data for a color printer,
When a high-resolution printer and a low-resolution printer are connected, it is preferable to read an image so as to obtain image data for a high-resolution printer.

When image data is input from an external storage device in which the image data is stored in advance, the above-described image reading processing is unnecessary, and the image data read from the external storage device using a reading device (not shown) is required. May be stored in the memory 12D as common image data by one operation.

Next, when printing an image stored by the scan service, the reprint service is selected on the menu screen. In the reprint service, a desired image can be re-output from the image stored in the memory 12D of the scanner by performing a process similar to the process described in the above [Print instruction process].

In this embodiment, the image read by the scanner is temporarily stored in the memory 1 of the scanner 12.
The image data is stored in 2D, transmitted from the memory 12D to the server 14 when output to the printer 16, and transmitted to each printer 16. 14 and may be configured to be transmitted to each printer 16 when outputting to the printer 16. Further, the image read by the scanner may be temporarily stored in the memory 12D of the scanner 12, and may be directly transmitted from the memory 12D to the printer at the time of printing without passing through the server 14.

Further, the image read by the scan service is temporarily stored in the memory 12D of the scanner 12, and the information indicating the storage location of the image is transmitted to the server 14 or the printer 16 so that when the image is output from the printer 16, Alternatively, the server 14 or the printer 16 may read out an image based on information indicating a storage location of the image.

In the above description, an example in which an image is output to a printer has been described. However, it is also possible to output an image to a multifunction peripheral or a facsimile apparatus other than the printer. Alternatively, the information may be output as e-mail to another device (for example, a mobile phone) connected via a network.

[0105]

As described above, according to the present invention,
This has the effect of preventing deterioration of image quality at the time of re-output.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a print system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a scanner according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of a printer according to the invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of a server according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a control routine executed by the printer.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a control routine executed by the server.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a control routine executed by the scanner.

FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram of a client.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a control routine executed by a client.

FIG. 10 is a screen example when a save destination of a file for re-copying is designated.

FIG. 11 is a screen example of a setting screen of each function at the time of a new copy.

FIG. 12 is a screen example of a setting screen of each function at the time of recopying.

FIG. 13 is a screen example of a setting screen of each function at the time of a new copy.

FIG. 14 is a screen example of a setting screen of each function at the time of a new copy.

FIG. 15 is a screen example of a setting screen of each function at the time of recopying.

FIG. 16 is a screen example of a setting screen of each function at the time of recopying.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 12 scanner (image data input device) 12B display panel (display input device) 12F communication control unit (transmission device) 14 server (image management device) 14E file system (storage means) 16 printer (image output device) 18 client 20 driver 22 Facsimile machine 24 Database 30 MFP

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Kanji Itaki 134F Kobe-cho, Hodogaya-ku, Yokohama-shi, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa 13F Yokohama Business Park East Tower 13F Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. F term (reference) 2C061 AP01 AP03 AP07 AQ06 AR01 AS02 HJ06 HL01 HM07 HN16 HQ03 HR02 2C087 AA03 AA09 AA15 AA18 AB01 AB05 AC08 BA03 BB10 BB15 BC18 BD06 BD52 5B021 AA01 AA19 CC07 EE03 5C062 AA05 AA13 AB02 AB22 AB23 AC39 AF14 BA00

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An image management device applied to an image output system capable of storing image data input by an image input device and outputting the image data to the image output device via a network, wherein the image input device is Storage means for storing the input image data and the information about the output format of the image, and accepting designation of the image data to be output and the information about the output format of the image, and information about the output format of the image stored in the storage means An image management apparatus comprising: a control unit configured to perform control so as to restrict designation of information on an output format of an image to be output based on the information. 2. Each is connected to a network,
A plurality of image output devices that output an image based on the image data and information about the output format of the image transmitted through the network; and an image data input device connected to the network and connected to the network. Storage means for storing input image data and information on the output format of the image, and an image output apparatus for displaying an operation screen generated based on a signal for generating an operation screen and outputting an image from the displayed operation screen For inputting image data to be output again and information relating to the image output format from among information relating to the output format of the image, information relating to the output format of the image, and information relating to the output format of the image stored in the storage means. A display input device, connected to the network, and information input from the display input device. And a transmission device that receives the signal for generating the operation screen via the network, and an image management device used for an image output system, the image management device being connected to the network. And generating a signal for generating an operation screen related to a re-output operation based on attribute information of each of the plurality of image output devices and information on an output format of an image to be re-output stored in the storage unit. An image management device for transmitting to a transmitting device, and transmitting information on an output format of an image transmitted from the transmitting device and re-designated image data to a designated image output device. 3. An operation screen generated by a signal for generating an operation screen related to the re-output operation, wherein information on an output format of the image with respect to specific attribute information cannot be changed. An image management device as described in the above. 4. Each is connected to a network,
A plurality of image output devices that output an image based on the image data and information about the output format of the image transmitted through the network; and an image data input device connected to the network and connected to the network. Storage means for storing input image data and information on the output format of the image, and an image output apparatus for displaying an operation screen generated based on a signal for generating an operation screen and outputting an image from the displayed operation screen For inputting image data to be output again and information relating to the image output format from among information relating to the output format of the image, information relating to the output format of the image, and information relating to the output format of the image stored in the storage means. A display input device, connected to the network, and information input from the display input device. A transmission device that transmits the operation screen via the network and receives a signal for generating the operation screen via the network; and attribute information and the storage of each of the plurality of image output devices connected to the network. On the basis of the information on the output format of the image to be re-output stored in the means, a signal for generating an operation screen for the operation of re-output is generated and transmitted to the transmitting device, and the image of the image transmitted from the transmitting device is generated. An image management device for transmitting information on an output format and image data designated for re-output to a designated image output device. 5. A storage medium storing an image management program of an image output system capable of storing image data input by an image input device and outputting the image data to an image output device via a network, The image data input by the input device and the information about the output format of the image are stored, the designation of the output image data and the information about the output format of the image are received, and based on the information about the stored output format of the image. A storage medium storing an image management program, wherein the control is performed such that designation of information on an output format of an output image is restricted. 6. An image management program for an image output system capable of storing image data input by an image input device and outputting the image data to the image output device via a network, wherein the image management program stores the image data input by the image input device. The image data and the information on the output format of the image are stored, and the designation of the output image data and the information on the output format of the image are accepted, and the image to be output based on the information on the stored output format of the image is stored. An image management program for controlling the specification of information related to the output format of an image.