JP2002290749A - Image processing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing apparatus capable of reducing the amount of communication information which is less important for transmission. SOLUTION: When a user receives image data with characters AB described thereon by a multi function product(MFP 3) from MFP 2, and adds a green character C to the image data for transmission to the MFP 2, upon reading of an image G5 with the character C added thereon by MFP 3, associated code embedded in the image G5 is read, received image data corresponding to the associated code is referred to, and a C portion of differential image is extracted. When transmitting the image G5 read by MFP 3 to MFP 2, color image portions other than the added character C are converted to black (black and white conversion) before transmission. With this, information of less importance held by the MFP 2 is converted to black for transmission, thus making it possible to transmit reduced communication information amount.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus which is communicably connected to another image processing apparatus via, for example, a network.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An image reading function, a function of forming a read image on a sheet and printing the image, a function of printing image information received via a network, a function of transmitting a read image, and a function of transmitting an image from another device. 2. Description of the Related Art Digital multifunction peripherals, which are image processing apparatuses that also have a receiving function, have become widespread in recent years. In addition, many digital MFPs have a storage unit such as a hard disk for storing read or received image information, and the information output on paper and the information that can be stored as electronic information have become available. An environment that can be used effectively is being prepared.

Further, in a digital multifunction peripheral, when a document image is read, a difference image portion is extracted by comparing it with previously received image data, the difference image portion is decomposed into a plurality of pieces, and transmitted together with respective position information. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-148613 discloses a technique for reducing the amount of communication information.

[0004]

However, in the above-described digital multi-function peripheral, even when information such as a color image having a large amount of image information is added and transmitted and received repeatedly, the destination information is already included in the transmission information. All data is transmitted as it is despite the presence of existing information. Therefore, since the low-priority information held by the transmission destination and the added high-priority information are transmitted together, there is a problem that the communication information amount increases more than necessary.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to provide an image processing apparatus capable of transmitting information of low importance with a reduced amount of communication information.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing apparatus communicably connected to another image processing apparatus. Storage means for storing received image information received from the device,
(b) input means for inputting transmission image information to be transmitted to the other image processing apparatus, and (c) extraction means for extracting correlation image information as a portion corresponding to the reception image information from the transmission image information, (d) a reducing unit that performs predetermined processing on the correlation image information to generate reduced information with a reduced information amount; and (e) a transmitting unit that transmits the reduced information.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the image processing apparatus according to the first aspect further comprises (f) an image forming means for forming an image on a paper medium, wherein the image forming means comprises:
At the time of image formation, identification information relating to the received image information is embedded.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the first or second aspect, (g) means for extracting difference information relating to the transmission image information and the reception image information, (h) further comprising storage control means for storing the difference information in the storage means.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention, the image processing apparatus further comprises: (i) a combining means for combining the reduction information and the difference information.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, (j) a determining means for determining whether the image information is color information, And (d-1) when the correlation image information is color information, the reduction means generates the reduction information by performing monochrome conversion on the correlation image information.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in the received image information received, correlation-related information in a transmission image is provided for each pixel.

[0012]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS <Main Configuration of Multi-Function Product> FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an appearance of a multi-function product 1 which is a digital multi-function peripheral according to an embodiment of the present invention.

A multi-function product (hereinafter referred to as “MFP”) 1 has a substantially box-like outer shape.
It functions as an image processing device.

The MFP 1 has a paper discharge tray 11 for discharging printed paper on its side, and an image reading unit 12 on its upper part.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing functional blocks of the MFP 1.

The MFP 1 includes an image forming unit 13 electrically connected to the image reading unit 12, a storage unit 14 and a network interface (I / F) unit 15 electrically connected to the image forming unit 13. ing.

The image reading section 12 is a section for reading a document image as digital information. This image reading unit 12
Means that if the original image is color, the image is read as color information.

The image forming section 13 prints out a document image or the like read as digital information by the image reading section 12 on paper and discharges it to the paper discharge tray 11.

The network I / F unit 15 is an interface for transmitting and receiving image information and control information to and from another MFP via the network 9.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control circuit of MFP 1.

The MFP 1 is an apparatus having a multi-chip configuration in which an image reading section 12 scans a document image and forms a copy image on paper.

The image reading section 12 reads a document image and converts it into digital information, a CPU 121 for storing the firmware, a FlushROM 122 for storing its firmware, an S-RAM 123 serving as a working memory, and a battery backup for storing various set values. And an NV-RAM 124.

The image forming section 13 has a CPU for overall control.
131 and FlushROM 13 for storing the firmware
2, an S-RAM 133 serving as a working memory, and a battery-backed NV-RAM 13 for storing various set values.
4 is provided.

The image forming section 13 includes the image reading section 1.
It has an S-RAM 135 for transmitting and receiving image information and various control information to and from the network I / F unit 15 and an operation panel 136 for receiving a user's operation input.

The operation panel 136 is provided with an image information deletion key. By inputting the image information deletion key, the image information stored in the storage unit 14 is deleted as described later, and the information related to the deleted image information is transmitted to another MFP via the network 9. The information to delete is transmitted.

The storage unit 14 is a hard disk that stores image data and code information related to the image data.
(HDD) 141.

The network I / F unit 15 functions as a CPU 151 for controlling data transmission between the image reading unit 12 and the image forming unit 13 and the outside of the MFP 1, a FlushROM 152 for storing its firmware, and a working memory.
An S-RAM 153 and a battery-backed NV-RAM 154 for storing various set values are provided.

<Operation of MFP 1> First, an outline of the operation of the MFP 1 having the above configuration will be described below.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the flow of information between the MFPs.
A specific example in which an image is additionally written in FP2 and transmitted to the MFP 3 is shown.

The MFP 2 and the MFP 3 are the same as the MFPs described above.
It has the same configuration as P1 and can communicate with each other via the network 9.

In the MFP 1, when the user
Is read as image data G1 by the scanner of the image reading unit 12 of the MFP1 and is transmitted to the MFP2, the MFP1 stores the read image A in the HDD 141, and stores “A” as identification information for managing the image A. An associated code H1 "MFP1 record 1" is stored.

This related code "MFP1 record 1"
Is composed of two pieces of information, namely, an apparatus address block “MFP1” and a type block “Record 1”. The device address block is the network 9
The address for specifying the above device is described.
The type block is a code that is newly created automatically each time an original image is generated.

Then, the image data G1 of the read original and the associated code H
1 is transmitted to the MFP 2.

In MFP 2, character A is transmitted from MFP 1.
Is received in the storage unit 14, the received image data G1 and the related code H1 are stored in the storage unit 14, and the received image G1 in which the character A is described is stored in the output tray 11.
Print out to

Thereafter, when the user additionally writes the blue character B on the paper A described by the MFP 2 and transmits this additional image G2 from the MFP 2 to the MFP 3, the image of the character AB read by the MFP 2 G2 and MFP
Then, pattern matching is performed with the image G1 of the character A received from No. 1 and the character B, which is the difference information, is extracted.

Then, the difference image B is stored as the image data G3 of the storage unit 14, and “MFP2 record 1” is stored as a related code corresponding to the stored image. Also, for the received image G1, the image data G
3 embed with an electronic watermark. After that, the read image data G2 and the related code H2 are transmitted to the MFP3.

When the MFP 3 receives the image data G2 and the related code H2 from the MFP 2, the character AB is printed out based on the image data G2,
The received related code H2 and the character AB in the electronic watermark mode
Is stored in the storage unit 14.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the flow of information between MFPs. FIG. 5 is based on the flow of information between MFPs shown in FIG. That is, MFP1 →
This shows the flow of information after image information is transmitted in the order of MFP2 → MFP3.
This is a specific example of a pattern in which an image is transmitted to FP2, and information is additionally written by MFP2 and transmitted to MFP1.
Here, only the additional information added to the image is transmitted in color.

When the user receives and prints the image data in which the character AB is described from the MFP 2 in the MFP 3 and prints the image data, and then transmits the green character C to the MFP 2, the image G 5 in which the character C is added is added. Is read by the MFP 3, the related code H2 embedded in the image G5 is extracted, and the image data G4 (FIG. 4) in the storage unit related to the extracted code is compared with the AB portion corresponding to the correlation image information. , And extract a C portion corresponding to the difference image information. Next, the image data G6 obtained by synthesizing the difference image C with the image data AB in the electronic watermark mode is stored in the storage unit 14, and the related code H3 to which the newly created "MFP3 record 1" is added is stored. Then, in the read image data G5,
The color image other than the additionally written character C (that is, the character AB that is not a correlation image) is converted to monochrome and transmitted to the MFP 2 together with the related code H3.

In the case where the MFP 3 reads, for example, a sheet in which the character G is entered on a sheet not related to the received image G4, there is no correlation with the received image G4. Record 2 "is added.

When the MFP 2 receives the image information from the MFP 3, the monochrome character AB and the color character C are printed out. Here, the related code H3 is stored, and the character C added by the MFP 3 to the previously created image data G3 (see FIG. 4).
Is stored as an electronic watermark.

When the user of MFP 2 adds brown D to the paper on which the image received from MFP 3 has been printed and reads it by MFP 2 to transmit to MFP 1, the stored image data is referred to. Then, the difference image D is extracted, and the image data G8 obtained by adding the difference image D to the image data in the storage unit is stored. In this storage, the “MFP2 record 1” is left as it is without changing the related code. In addition,
Even if B and D are stored as separate images and a related code is newly created, the effects of the present invention can be achieved.

After storing the image data G8 and the related code H3, and transmitting the read image G7 to the MFP 1,
The character A stored as image data in the MFP 1 is transmitted in monochrome, the character BCD is transmitted in color, and the related code H3 is transmitted. Here, character B is replaced with the original color information stored in MFP 2 and transmitted. That is, B in the image received by MFP 2 from MFP 3 is monochrome, but is transmitted in blue when transmitted.

The recognition by the MFP 2 that the image of the MFP 1 is only the image data A is realized by the following method.

The determination is made based on the position and contents of the related code embedded in the image data G3 in FIG. That is, since the related code “MFP1 record 1” is embedded in association with the position of the image information A, the related code “MFP1 record 1” is obtained from the image data G3 stored in the MFP2.
Is read, it can be recognized that only the image information A is an image of the MFP 1. The method of embedding information in association with the position of an image can be realized by using a method of dividing an image area into a plurality of pieces and embedding information as a digital watermark for each block. The size and area of division are determined in association with the position of the image information A, and all block areas obtained by dividing the related code “MFP1” are the last block of the image information A (the last block is the first block). Is counted from the upper left to the right, it can be realized by embedding it in the lower right block corresponding to the position of the image information A). A technique for embedding information as a digital watermark for each block is disclosed in JP-A-2000-2
78533, and will not be described in detail here.

By the above-described operation of the MFP, important information added to the transmission destination can be reliably transmitted. In addition, by transmitting past reception information having low importance in monochrome as reference information, image quality is degraded, but communication load can be reduced, and toner consumption when printing at the transmission destination can be suppressed.

Next, the MFP performs the above-described series of operations.
Two methods for erasing the information stored in 1-3 will be described below.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example in which stored information is sequentially deleted for each MPF.

For example, when the user performs an input to delete information on “record 1” in MFP 3, MFP 3
3, the related code H3 including “Record 1” is deleted, and the image data G6 associated with the related code H3 is deleted. Then, the erasure instruction information of “Record 1” is transmitted to MFP 2.

Upon receiving the “record 1” erasure instruction information transmitted from MFP 3, MFP 2 receives
2, the related code H3 including “Record 1” is deleted, and the image data G8 associated with the related code H3 is deleted. Then, the MFP 1 transmits the deletion instruction information of “Record 1” to the MFP 1.

Upon receiving the “record 1” erasure instruction information transmitted from MFP 2, MFP 1
1, the related code H3 including “Record 1” is deleted, and the image data G9 associated with the related code H3 is deleted.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining an example in which stored information is simultaneously erased by the MPF.

For example, when the user performs an input to delete information on “record 1” in MFP 3,
3, the related code H3 including “Record 1” is deleted, and the image data G6 associated with the related code H3 is deleted. And MFP1 and MFP2
To send the “record 1” erasure instruction information.

In MFP 1 and MFP 2, MF
Upon receiving the “record 1” erasure instruction information transmitted from P3, related code H3 including “record 1” is erased in MFP1 and MFP2, and image data G8 and G9 associated with related code H3 are erased. Is done.

By the above erasing operation, 1
Since a series of image information stored in another MFP can be erased by a single erase input, convenience is improved and unnecessary information can be erased reliably.

Next, a specific operation of the MFP 1 will be described.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the basic operation of MFP 1. Hereinafter, description will be made based on this flowchart.

First, when the power is turned on, the CPU 131
Performs an initial setting for controlling the MFP 1.

In step S2, image forming conditions and copy processing according to the conditions are performed. The image forming condition is a process that collectively indicates a receiving process for various input signals. The input signal includes, for example, a key switch group on the operation panel 136 of the image forming unit 13, the image forming unit 13.
The input signal from the sensor group in each place in the above, the print job transmitted from the network I / F unit 15 and the like correspond to the input signal. The copy processing is an operation that collectively refers to processing necessary for an image forming operation and the like. For example, control of various operation units such as paper feed control, operation control, photosensitive drum control, development device control, or network I This is processing such as a print job from the / F unit 15.

In step S3, it is determined whether the reading of the document image by the image reading section 12 is completed. Specifically, the read image data is stored in the S-RAM 135, and completion information indicating that the reading has been completed is stored in the S-RAM 135.
Set to. By judging the presence or absence of the completion information in the S-RAM 135, it can be determined whether the reading of the document image has been completed. If the reading has been completed, the process proceeds to step S4. If the reading has not been completed, the process proceeds to step S5.

In step S4, the read image data in the S-RAM 135 is compared with the image data stored in the storage unit 14. If a part of the read image data exists, the read image data is read. Extract the new part (difference part) of
A process to be stored in the storage unit 14 is performed. Details of this operation will be described later.

In step S5, it is determined whether image information has been received from another MFP via network 9. Specifically, the network I / F unit 15
Is converted into a form that can be processed by the MFP 1, the converted image data is stored in the S-RAM 135, and the conversion completion information is set in the S-RAM 135. The image forming unit 13 can determine the presence or absence of reception by determining the presence or absence of the conversion completion information. Here, if the MFP 1 has received the image information, the process proceeds to step S6; otherwise, the process returns to step S2.

In step S6, the received image is processed, that is, the received image is stored in the storage unit 14 of the MFP 1 and printed. Details of this operation will be described later.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the read image processing corresponding to the above step S4. This process starts from the timing when the reading of the document image is completed by the image reading unit 12 in step S3 and the image data is stored in the S-RAM 135, that is, the reading of the document image is completed.

In step S11, a related code embedded as a digital watermark in the read document image is extracted.

In step S12, it is determined whether the related code extracted in step S11 exists in the HDD 141 of the storage unit 14. This is because the related code is HDD 141
Is an image previously received from another MFP via the network 9 and the subsequent processing differs depending on the presence or absence of a received image related to the read image. Here, if the related code exists in the HDD 141, the process proceeds to step S13, and if not, the process proceeds to step S16.

In step S13, the image stored in the storage unit 14 with the same code as the related code extracted in step S11 is compared with the image read by the image reading unit 12, and the difference is extracted.

In this comparison method, comparison is made for each dot of the image data. Specifically, A4 size 600 * 600
In the case of a DPI color image, 600 * 210/25.
4 * 600 * 297 / 25.4 = 34802529 (rounded down below the decimal point) Dots are compared. Here, each dot is composed of red, green, blue and discrimination information (hereinafter, information of each dot is indicated by (R, G, B, discrimination information)). As for each parameter value, R is set in an integer range in which R is 0 to 255, G is 0 to 255, B is 0 to 255, and the discrimination information is 0 or 1. For example, if the dot is white, (R, G, B, discrimination information)
= (0,0,0, discrimination information).

Further, transmission / reception-related information indicating an identification number, such as a product serial number of a source MFP and a destination MFP, an IP address, and the like, may be included in the determination information. For example, the transmission / reception-related information may be included in the one-dot determination information, or the transmission / reception-related information may be included by dividing the determination information into continuous or specific-dot plural-dot determination information.

Then, the read image and the HD
After comparing with the received image in D141, the difference is extracted. In this difference extraction method, R, G, B are compared with dot information (R, G, B, discrimination information), and a different portion (dot) is set as difference information to 1 as discrimination information, and newly set. Embed the related code created with a digital watermark
(Step S14). For the relevant code to embed,
The address obtained by combining the address on the network 9 of the MFP that has read the image with the code obtained from the watermark information of the image read as the image-specific code is combined with the same code (see FIG. 4).

In step S15, the difference image data and the newly created related code are stored in the HDD 141 of the storage unit 14.
And the color image portion other than the difference image of the additional recording portion is converted to black and transmitted to the destination MFP. Here, the information other than the additionally written portion among the R, G, and B is determined, and all the information other than white is replaced with black information (information having an image). That is, each dot information is converted from (R, G, B, discrimination information) to (image presence / absence, discrimination information). The parameter of the presence or absence of the image is set to 1 when the replacement with the black information is performed, and set to 0 when the replacement is not performed.
With the reduced information thus monochrome, the amount of information to be transmitted is greatly reduced, and additional, less important information is prevented from being printed in color when printing out at the destination MFP. it can. The information on the presence or absence of an image may be made variable from 0 to 255, which enables gradation expression, instead of the information of 0 or 1.

In the operation of step S15, when the additional information image is transmitted, if the dot information whose discrimination information is set to 1 is black, the dot is converted to white and output.
This is because, when a color-printed portion of a color image of a sheet on which a received image is output is to be transmitted in black, the M
In the FP, since the color portion is converted to black, it becomes impossible to discriminate between the additional black portion and the black portion due to the monochrome conversion. Therefore, if the surroundings of the additional recording portion become black due to the monochrome conversion, the additional recording portion is printed in white.

With respect to this processing, a method of determining difference information (added portion) will be specifically described with reference to the image information shown in FIG. 10 as an example. FIG. 10B is an image in which an additional portion AD is added to the received image shown in FIG. Note that the hatched parallel portions in the figure indicate color information.

The images shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B are color images of A4 size.
The image is read by the PI, separated into R, G, and B colors for each pixel and stored in the S-RAM 135. Here, R is 0 to 2
55, G is in the range of 0 to 255, and B is in the range of 0 to 255. As the pixel value increases, red, green, and blue become darker. Further, as described above, the determination information is added in addition to the RGB color information, and the presence or absence of the additional information is determined.

In the case of FIG. 10A, an image without additional information is shown, and 0 is substituted for the discrimination information of all dots. That is, for each pixel (x, y), (R, G,
B, discrimination information) = (R, G, B, 0).

When the image shown in FIG. 10 (a) is added to the printed paper, for example, as shown in FIG. 10 (b), the part "I will go to the stadium directly because it is late for the set time" is added. When the image is read by the image reading unit 12, since the “due to the set time” portion overlaps the color graphic CR, the color portion (shaded portion) of the image including the graphic CR is converted to monochrome and transmitted to another MFP. , Figure CR and "I am late for the set time"
The part becomes black of the same color, and the additional recording part AD cannot be identified.

Therefore, if each piece of discrimination information of the additional recording portion AD is set to 1 and the surrounding pixel information is not the RGB color information but the presence or absence of an image = 1 (black conversion), “ Convert the "lag" part to white and print. This makes it possible to identify the additional recording part AD.

In addition, in the portion of the postscript AD, “I go directly to the stadium.” Since the surrounding pixel information is 0 (no black conversion), the image is not converted to white and remains black. It will be printed.

Note that if the MFP is capable of printing in an intermediate color, the density of the portion to be additionally written may be changed to enable the determination.

Returning to FIG. 9, the description will be continued.

At step S16, the discrimination information of each dot other than white of the read image is set to 1, and a newly generated related code is embedded as a digital watermark. As for the related code, an address on the network of the MFP that has read the image and a code unique to the image different from the existing code are automatically created as described above.

In step S 17, the read image data and the newly created related code are stored in HDD 1 of storage unit 14.
41, and transmits to the destination MFP.
Specifically, the transmission information is stored in the S-RAM 135, and the transmission preparation is notified to the network I / F unit 15.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the received image processing corresponding to the above step S6.

This operation is described in the network I / F
The unit 15 converts the information received from the network 9 into a form that can be processed by the MFP 1 and converts the converted image data into an S-format.
It is stored in the RAM 135, and is started when the conversion completion information is set in the S-RAM 135.

In step S 21, the received image data and the associated code embedded as digital watermark information are extracted and stored in the HDD 141 of the storage unit 14.

In step S22, the received image is printed out, and 0 is set in the discrimination information of each dot of the image data. At the time of this printing, a related code is embedded as identification information of the received image.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the basic operation of the image reading section 12.

When the power is turned on, the CPU 121 performs initial settings for performing control (step S31).

In step S32, a process of storing the image data obtained by reading the document image by the image reading unit 12 in the S-RAM 135 is performed. Here, the image reading is started by an instruction for inputting an image to the key switches on the operation panel 136 (for example, a facsimile key for reading an image and transmitting it to another device, an instruction for a copy key for reading and printing an image, etc. ), And information is transmitted via the S-RAM 135.

In step S33, whether the reading of the image has been completed, that is, the read image is converted into electronic information and the
It is determined whether the data has been successfully stored in the RAM 135. Here, when the image reading is completed, the process proceeds to step S34, and when the image reading is not completed, the process returns to step S32.

In step S34, information that the image reading has been completed is stored in the S-RAM 135, and the image forming unit 13 is notified of the completion of the image reading.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a basic operation of the network I / F unit 15.

When the power is turned on, the CPU 151 performs an initial setting for performing control (step S41).

In step S42, a process of storing electronic information of an image obtained by converting image data received from another MFP into a form that can be processed by the image forming unit 13 is stored in the S-RAM 135.

In step S43, it is determined whether the image reception is completed, that is, the image information after the conversion in step S42 is
It is determined whether the data is stored in the RAM 135. Here, when the image reception is completed, the process proceeds to step S44, and when the image reception is not completed, the process returns to step S42.

In step S44, information that the image reception has been completed is stored in the S-RAM 135, and the image forming unit 13 is notified of the completion of the image reception.

By the above-described operation of the MFP 1, the image information of low importance held by the transmission destination is converted to monochrome and transmitted, so that the amount of communication information can be reduced.

<Modifications> In the above embodiment, it is not essential to read the additionally written image document by the image reading unit. For example, an image additionally written by a personal computer may be input to the MFP.

Regarding the correlated image information, it is not essential to reduce the amount of information by monochrome conversion, and the amount of information may be reduced by reducing each gradation of RGB from 255 to 16 for example.

[0100]

As described above, according to the first to fifth aspects of the present invention, the correlation image information for the reception image information is extracted from the transmission image information, and a predetermined process is performed on the correlation image information. The reduction information with the reduced information amount is transmitted. As a result, information of low importance can be transmitted with a reduced amount of communication information.

In particular, in the second aspect of the present invention, since the identification information relating to the received image information is embedded in the paper medium, it is easy to search for the received image information related to the transmitted image information.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the difference information relating to the transmission image information and the reception image information is extracted and stored in the storage means, so that the difference information which is important information can be held.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the reduction information and the difference information are combined, important information and insignificant information can be transmitted in combination.

According to the fifth aspect of the invention, when the correlation image information is color information, the reduction information is generated by converting the correlation image information into monochrome, so that the communication information amount can be effectively reduced. .

According to the invention of claim 6, since the correlation-related information in the transmission image in the received reception image information is added for each pixel, even in a document in which the reception image and the transmission image are mixed, It is possible to manage the received image and the transmitted image in pixel units.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of a multifunction product 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing functional blocks of the MFP 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control circuit of the MFP 1;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a flow of information between MFPs.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a flow of information between MFPs.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example in which stored information is sequentially deleted for each MPF.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example in which stored information is simultaneously erased by an MPF.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a basic operation of the MFP 1;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating read image processing.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a method for determining difference information.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating received image processing.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a basic operation of the image reading unit 12.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a basic operation of the network I / F unit 15;

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 2, 3 Multi-function product (MFP) 12 Image reading unit 13 Image forming unit 14 Storage unit 15 Network interface unit

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04N 1/41 H04N 1/46 C 5C079 F term (Reference) 2C061 AP01 AP07 AR01 HJ06 HK03 HN23 HN26 HP06 HQ12 5B021 AA01 BB01 BB04 CC05 LG07 5B057 CA01 CB02 CC01 CE09 CE10 CE16 5C076 AA03 AA11 AA14 AA26 BA03 BA06 5C078 AA09 CA04 5C079 HA02 HA11 HB01 LA03 LA31 LA39 LA40 MA02 NA09

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An image processing apparatus communicably connected to another image processing apparatus, comprising: (a) storage means for storing received image information received from the other image processing apparatus; Input means for inputting transmission image information to be transmitted to the image processing apparatus; (c) extracting means for extracting correlation image information as a portion corresponding to the reception image information from the transmission image information; An image processing apparatus comprising: a reduction unit that performs predetermined processing on image information to generate reduction information in which the amount of information is reduced; and (e) a transmission unit that transmits the reduction information. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: (f) an image forming unit that forms an image on a paper medium, wherein the image forming unit adds the received image information to the received image information when forming an image. An image processing device characterized by embedding such identification information. 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: (g) means for extracting difference information relating to the transmission image information and the reception image information; An image processing apparatus, further comprising: a storage control unit configured to store data in a storage unit. 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising: (i) combining means for combining the reduction information and the difference information. 5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: (j) a determination unit configured to determine whether the image information is color information. (D-1) when the correlation image information is color information,
Means for generating the reduction information by subjecting the correlation image information to monochrome conversion. 6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the correlation information in the received image information and the correlation information in the transmission image is provided for each pixel.