JP2004266470A - Apparatus and method for processing image - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To shorten time required for a processing and facilitate documentation management by a user in an image processing apparatus for processing data stored in an external device. <P>SOLUTION: The image processing apparatus manages data by a plurality of groups for storing, generates image data from data transmitted from a Web browser of an external device or data acquired from specified identification information, and stores the image data in a specified group. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image processing device that processes data stored in an external device, an image processing method performed by the image processing device, or a program for controlling the image processing method.
[0002]
[Prior art]
An image forming apparatus typified by a page printer or an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) usually performs printing based on PDL (Page Description Language) data generated by a printer driver.
[0003]
On the other hand, with the widespread use of the WWW (World Wide Web) system, various types of data have been exchanged on networks. The data exchanged in the WWW system is not limited to PDL data, but also includes data described in HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language), image files such as GIF format and JPEG format, PDF (Portable Document Format) and SVG (Scalable Graphical Video). ), As well as data files specific to application programs on the host computer.
[0004]
Therefore, a pull print system has been devised in which an image forming apparatus downloads document data indicated by a specified URL (Uniform Resource Locator) via a network and performs printing based on the acquired document data (for example, a pull print system). Patent Documents 1 to 3).
[0005]
In addition, a web browser print system in which a web browser transmits document data to an image forming apparatus using Internet Printing Protocol (IPP) or HTTP, and the image forming apparatus interprets the document data and prints the document data has been devised. .
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-11-134125
[Patent Document 2]
JP 2002-278719 A
[Patent Document 3]
JP 2000-066864 A
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the pull print system, when a user desires printing based on the same document data, the image forming apparatus must obtain the document data again from the specified URL. Further, in the web browser print system, the user must retransmit the document data using the web browser. Therefore, when the communication speed in the network is low, it takes time for the image forming apparatus to acquire the document data, and the time required for printing becomes long. Therefore, it is desirable that the number of times that the image forming apparatus reacquires the document data is reduced.
[0008]
On the other hand, when a plurality of users share the image forming apparatus, or when one user inputs a plurality of URLs to the image forming apparatus, the document data or the image data corresponding to the plurality of URLs is an image. It will be stored in the forming device. Then, the user does not know what the desired document data was.
[0009]
Further, the user must separately manage the document data acquired by the URL, the image data read by the scanner, and the PDL data generated by the printer driver, and the document management is not easy. Therefore, it is desirable that documents based on these data can be managed together.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
Therefore, an image processing apparatus according to the present invention is an image processing apparatus capable of communicating with an external device that stores data, a storage unit that can manage and store data in a plurality of groups, and a web browser of the external device. Receiving means for receiving data transmitted from the image forming apparatus, image generating means for generating image data from the data received by the receiving means, and storing the image data generated by the image generating means in a designated group And control means for performing the control.
[0011]
Alternatively, the image processing apparatus is capable of communicating with an external device that stores data, and inputs storage information capable of managing and storing data in a plurality of groups and identification information indicating data stored in the external device. Inputting means, obtaining means for obtaining data corresponding to the identification information input by the inputting means from the external device, image forming means for generating image data from the data obtained by the obtaining means, and Control means for controlling the image data generated by the forming means to be stored in a designated group.
[0012]
Alternatively, an image processing device capable of communicating with an external device that stores data, and manages image data generated based on print data received from the outside or image data read from a document in a plurality of groups. Storage means capable of storing data stored therein, input means for inputting identification information indicating data stored in the external device, and obtaining means for obtaining data corresponding to the identification information input by the input means from the external device And image control means for generating image data from the data obtained by the obtaining means, and control means for controlling the image data generated by the image forming means to be stored in a designated group. It is characterized by the following.
[0013]
Alternatively, an image processing device capable of communicating with an external device that stores data, and print data received from outside, or image data generated based on the print data, or data read from a document. Storage means that can be managed and stored in groups, input means for inputting identification information indicating data stored in the external device, and data corresponding to the identification information input by the input means from the external device Acquiring means for acquiring, image forming means for generating image data from data acquired by the acquiring means, data acquired by the acquiring means, or image data produced by the image forming means, Control means for controlling the data to be stored in the group.
[0014]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0015]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the overall configuration of the image processing system. The image forming apparatus 100 includes a scanner unit 2070 as an image input device, a printer unit 2095 as an image output device, a controller unit (control unit) 2000, and an operation unit 2012 as a user interface. The scanner unit 2070, the printer unit 2095, and the operation unit 2012 are respectively connected to a controller unit 2000, and the controller unit 2000 is connected to a network transmission unit such as the LAN 110.
[0016]
Further, other image forming apparatuses 120 and 130 having the same device configuration as the image forming apparatus 100 are connected to the LAN 110. The image forming apparatuses 120 and 130 have scanner units 2270 and 2370, printer units 2295 and 2395, and operation units 2212 and 2312, respectively, and these are connected to the controller units 2200 and 2300.
[0017]
Further, an information processing device 140 such as a PC, a workstation, or a portable information terminal is connected to the LAN 110. This information processing apparatus can operate as a Web client, and can communicate with a web server of the image forming apparatus.
[0018]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a software configuration of the image forming apparatus. Reference numeral 201 denotes a UI module, which manages a user interface for a user and is a module that mediates with an apparatus when an operator performs various operations and settings of the image forming apparatus. This module transfers input information to other various modules to request processing or sets data according to the operation of the operator (user).
[0019]
Reference numeral 202 denotes an address-book module, which is a database module that manages data transmission destinations, communication destinations, and the like. The data of the Address-Book module 202 is added, deleted, and acquired by an operation from the UI 201, and is sent to another module as communication destination information by an operation of an operator.
[0020]
Reference numeral 203 denotes a Web Server (Web server), which notifies management information of the image forming apparatus in response to a request from a Web client (for example, a Web browser) not shown.
[0021]
Reference numeral 204 denotes a Universal-Send module, which manages data distribution. The Universal-Send module distributes the data specified by the operator in the UI module 201 to the specified communication (output) destination. When the operator instructs to generate data using the scanner function of the image forming apparatus, the device is operated via a control-API module 219 described later to generate data.
[0022]
Reference numeral 205 denotes a P550 module, which is executed when a printer is specified as an output destination in the Universal-Send module 204. Reference numeral 206 denotes a module that is executed when the Universal-Send module 204 specifies an e-mail address as a communication destination. A module 207 is executed when a database is designated as an output destination in the Universal-Send module 204. Reference numeral 208 denotes a module that is executed when another image forming apparatus is designated as an output destination in the Universal-Send module 204.
[0023]
A PDL module 209 controls a printing operation of PDL (Page Description Language) data transmitted from outside the image forming apparatus by using a print function of the image forming apparatus. Further, the printing operation is controlled based on the document data retrieved from the external web server using the HTTP module 212.
[0024]
A copy module 210 controls a copy operation based on an instruction from the UI module 201 using a printer function and a scanner function of the image forming apparatus.
[0025]
A box (box) module 211 stores scan image data input by a scan function or raster image data generated from PDL data in a box. The box function is a function of managing a plurality of data in group units, and a plurality of boxes are constructed on the HDD 2004. The image data is stored in a box designated by the user among a plurality of boxes. Then, printing of the stored data by the printer function, transmission by the Universal-Send function, and deletion of the data stored in the HDD are controlled. It also provides management functions such as grouping data (storage in individual boxes), moving data between boxes, and copying data between boxes.
[0026]
Reference numeral 212 denotes a module used when the image forming apparatus performs communication by HTTP, and provides a communication function to the above-described PDL module 209 by using a TCP / IP 216 module described later.
[0027]
An Ipr module 213 provides a communication function to the P550 module 205 in the Universal-Send module 204 using a TCP / IP module 217 described later.
[0028]
An SMTP module 214 provides a communication function to the E-mail module 206 in the Universal-Send module 204 by using a TCP / IP module 217 described later.
[0029]
Reference numeral 215 denotes an SLM (Salutation-Manager), which provides a communication function to the database module 217 and the DP module 218 in the above-described Universal-Send module 204 by using a TCP / IP module 217 described later.
[0030]
An LPD module 216 provides a communication function to the PDL module 209 by using a TCP / IP module 217 described later.
[0031]
A TCP / IP module 217 provides a network communication function to the above-described various modules using a Network-Driver described later.
[0032]
A network driver 218 controls a part physically connected to the network. Reference numeral 219 denotes a Control-API module which provides an interface to lower modules such as a Job-Manager 220 described later for higher modules such as the Universal-Send module 204, the PDL module 209, the Copy module 210, and the Box module 211. . As a result, the dependency between the upper module and the lower module is reduced, and the applicability of each module is improved.
[0033]
Reference numeral 220 denotes a Job-Manager, which interprets a designated process passed from the various modules via the Control-API module 219 and gives a command to each module described later. The Job-Manager 220 manages hardware-based processes executed in the image forming apparatus in a unified manner.
[0034]
Reference numeral 221 denotes a CODEC-Manager, which manages and controls various types of data compression / decompression in the processing specified by the Job-Manager 220.
[0035]
Reference numeral 222 denotes an FBE-Encoder that compresses data read in a scan process performed by the Job-Manager 220 and the Scan-Manager 225 in the FBE format.
[0036]
A JPEG-CODEC module 223 performs a JPEG compression process of read data and a JPEG expansion process of print data in a scan process executed by the Job-Manager 220 and the Scan-Manager 225 and a print process executed by the Print-Manager 226. Is what you do.
[0037]
Reference numeral 224 denotes an MMR-CODEC module, which performs MMR compression of read data and MMR decompression of print data in scan processing executed by the Job-Manager 220 and Scan-Manager 225 and print processing executed by the Print-Manager 226. Is what you do.
[0038]
Reference numeral 225 denotes a Scan-Manager, which manages and controls the scanning process specified by the Job-Manager 220. A Scanner I / F 228 provides an interface between the Scan-Manager 224 and the scanner unit.
[0039]
Reference numeral 226 denotes a Print-Manager, which manages and controls print processing specified by the Job-Manager 219. An engine-I / F 229 provides an interface between the print manager 226 and the printer unit.
[0040]
Reference numeral 227 denotes a PDL interpreter, which interprets PDL data or data in an electronic document format according to an instruction from the Job-Manager 220 to generate a display playlist. The display list has a common expression format regardless of the type of PDL data or electronic document data.
[0041]
Reference numeral 230 denotes a Render, which renders the display list generated by the PDL Interpreter 227 into raster image data on a raster image memory using an image processor in accordance with an instruction from the Print-Manager 220.
[0042]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus. The Controller Unit 2000 is connected to a scanner 2070 as an image input device and a printer 2095 as an image output device, and is connected to a LAN 110 or a public line (WAN) 2051 to input and output image information and device information. It is a controller.
[0043]
A CPU 2001 is a controller that controls the entire system. A RAM 2002 is a system work memory for the operation of the CPU 2002, and is also an image memory for temporarily storing image data. The ROM 2003 is a boot ROM, and stores a system boot program. An HDD 2004 is a hard disk drive that stores system software and image data.
[0044]
An operation unit I / F 2006 is an operation unit (UI) 2012 and an interface unit, and outputs image data to be displayed on the operation unit 2012 to the operation unit 2012. In addition, it plays a role of transmitting information input by the user from the operation unit 2012 to the CPU 2001.
[0045]
The network 2010 is connected to the LAN 110 and inputs and outputs information. The Modem 2050 connects to the public line 2051 and inputs and outputs information.
[0046]
The above devices are arranged on the system bus 2007. An image bus I / F 2005 is a bus bridge that connects the system bus 2007 to an image bus 2008 that transfers image data at high speed, and converts a data structure. The image bus 2008 is configured by a PCI bus or IEEE1394. The following devices are arranged on the image bus 2008.
[0047]
An image processor (RIP) 2060 expands the display list into raster image data. The device I / F unit 2020 connects the scanner 2070 or printer 2095, which is an image input / output device, to the controller 2000, and performs synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data.
[0048]
The scanner image processing unit 2080 performs correction, processing, and editing on input image data. The printer image processing unit 2090 performs printer correction, resolution conversion, halftoning, and the like on the print output image data.
[0049]
The image rotation unit 2030 rotates image data. The image compression unit 2040 performs JPEG compression on multi-valued image data and JBIG, MMR, and MH on binary image data. A card reader I / F 2015 is an interface of a card reader 2016 which is a magnetic card reader.
[0050]
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of the image forming apparatus. A scanner unit 2070, which is an image input device, illuminates an image on paper serving as a document and scans a CCD line sensor (not shown) to generate an electric signal as raster image data 2071.
[0051]
The manuscript paper is set on a tray 2073 of a manuscript feeder 2072, and when a user issues a reading start instruction from the operation unit 2012, the controller CPU 2001 gives an instruction to the scanner 2070 (2071), and the feeder 2072 feeds the manuscript paper one by one. An operation of reading a document image is performed.
[0052]
A printer unit 2095, which is an image output device, converts raster image data 2096 into an image on paper. The method is an electrophotographic method using a photosensitive drum or a photosensitive belt, and ink is ejected from a minute nozzle array. There is an ink jet system for printing an image directly on a sheet, and the like, but any system may be used. Activation of the printing operation is started by an instruction 2096 from the controller CPU 2001. The printer unit 2095 has a plurality of paper feed stages so that different paper sizes or different paper orientations can be selected, and includes paper cassettes 2101, 2102, and 2103 corresponding thereto. The paper discharge tray 2111 receives printed paper.
[0053]
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the operation unit 2012. The LCD display unit 2013 has a touch panel sheet 2019 affixed on the LCD, displays an operation screen and soft keys of the system, and transmits the position information to the controller CPU 2001 when a displayed key is pressed.
[0054]
A start key 2014 is used to start a reading operation of a document image. A two-color LED 2018 of green and red is provided at the center of the start key 2014, and the color indicates whether the start key 2014 is in a usable state. A stop key 2015 functions to stop an operation in operation. An ID key 2016 is used to input a user ID of a user. A reset key 2017 is used to initialize settings from the operation unit.
[0055]
FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the operation unit of the image forming apparatus. In the image forming apparatus, the CPU 2001 comprehensively controls access to various devices connected to the system bus 2007 based on a control program or the like stored in the program ROM 2003 and the HDD 2004, and via the image input unit interface 2071. The input information is read from the connected scanner 2070, and an image signal is output as output information to the connected printer 2095 via the printing unit interface 2096. Reference numeral 2002 denotes a RAM that functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like of the CPU 2001.
[0056]
In addition, the CPU 2001 acquires the operation content input by the user from the touch panel 2019 or the hard keys 2014 to 2017 via the operation input unit I / F 20061. The CPU 2001 generates display screen data based on the acquired operation content and the above-described control program, and an output device controller 20062 for controlling a screen output device outputs a screen output such as an LCD or CRT based on the display image data. It causes the device 2013 to output a display screen.
[0057]
As shown in FIG. 2, a Web Server 203 operates inside the image forming apparatus. This enables the image forming apparatus to perform communication using HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol). The Web Server 203 can operate a CGI (Common Gateway Interface) program in accordance with a request from a Web client.
[0058]
A resource file group and a web page template file group are stored in the HDD 2004 in FIG. These are used in the remote UI. The resource file is an HTML (Hyper Text Makeup Language) file or an image file used for page display. The template file is a file referred to by the CGI program and used to create a page.
[0059]
In order to access the image forming apparatus, a user inputs a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) or a URI (Uniform Resource Identifier) directly into a web browser, or selects a link in which the URL or the URI is embedded. Hereinafter, a URL will be described as an example.
[0060]
The web browser sends an HTTP command specifying the URL input by the user. The Web Server 203 receives the HTTP command, analyzes the HTTP command, and performs an operation corresponding to the HTTP command.
[0061]
If the request from the web browser is not a request for starting the CGI program, the resource specified in the resource file group is transmitted to the web browser, and the process is terminated.
[0062]
If the request from the web browser is a CGI program, the corresponding CGI program is started. The CGI program can receive a query parameter at the time of startup, and is passed the value specified by the user in the web browser. The CGI program requests other modules for operations such as acquisition and setting of device information and print output in response to the request.
[0063]
The CGI program creates a web page to be transmitted using a template file corresponding to the web page. In the template file, there is a portion whose description is changed by the obtained information, and thereby, it is possible to create a web page whose content changes by the obtained information.
[0064]
The web browser indicates a web page returned from the image forming apparatus to the user. By accessing the image forming apparatus using a web browser, the user can obtain and set the function, status, and holding information of the image forming apparatus from outside the image forming apparatus, and remotely operate the image forming apparatus. It becomes possible. This function is called a remote UI.
[0065]
The information that can be obtained and set by the remote UI includes, for example, device information indicating a usable paper size and the remaining amount of paper, information of an input job, document data and image data stored in a storage device, and E-mail. And FAX address information, network setting information, and the like.
[0066]
The operations that can be performed by the remote UI include printing and transmission of document data and image data held in the image forming apparatus, PDL data transmitted from a web browser and attached to form data, and electronic data. For example, printing of document data.
[0067]
FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a process performed between the information processing apparatus and the image forming apparatus. This flowchart shows what processing is performed by transmitting an HTTP command from the web browser to the WebServer 203.
[0068]
First, the web browser running on the information processing apparatus determines whether a URL has been input by the user (step S701). If the URL has been input, the web browser transmits an HTTP command including the input URL to the image forming apparatus (step S702).
[0069]
Next, it waits for a response from the image forming apparatus, and determines whether a response has been received (step S703). When a response is received, the content of the received response is displayed. For example, when data described in HTML (HTML data) is received, the HTML data is analyzed and a display based on the HTML data is performed.
[0070]
On the other hand, in the image forming apparatus, the Web Server 203 of the image forming apparatus determines whether an HTTP command has been received (step S711). If an HTTP command has been received, it is determined whether the HTTP command is a CGI activation request (step S712).
[0071]
If it is a CGI activation request, the CGI parameters are analyzed (step S713), and the CGI program is activated (step S714). If a response to the web browser is required by the processing of the CGI program, the necessary data is transmitted as a response to the information processing apparatus (step S715). In many web pages, the display content changes according to the state at that time. Therefore, the activated CGI program obtains information on the image forming apparatus, generates HTML data by combining the obtained information with the template file, and returns the HTML data as a response.
[0072]
On the other hand, if the request is not a CGI activation request, the resource specified by the HTTP command is transmitted as a response (step S716). If the specified resource is HTML data, the specified HTML data is returned without processing the HTML data.
[0073]
Next, a printing process performed between the information processing apparatus and the image forming apparatus will be described. 8 and 9 are flowcharts of the print processing.
[0074]
First, when the user inputs a URL indicating the top page of the remote UI in the web browser, the web browser transmits an HTTP command including the URL to the image forming apparatus (step S801). Then, the Web Server 203 transmits the HTML data of the top page of the remote UI to the information processing device (Step S811). The web browser receives the top page HTML data and displays the top page based on the HTML data (step S802).
[0075]
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a top page of the remote UI. The screen is composed of two frames, an index area 1001 and a main area 1002. A main site map is displayed in the index area, and when a button on the map is pressed, a corresponding screen is displayed in the main area.
[0076]
The top page of the remote UI is a default page displayed when the IP (Internet Protocol) address of the image forming apparatus is designated as a URL by a web browser. The top page displays general information of the image forming apparatus. When each of the buttons (device button 1004, job status button 1005, box button 1006, direct print button 1007, user mode button 1008) arranged in the index area is pressed, a device information page, a job status page, a box page, A direct print page, a user mode page, and the like are displayed. When a button 1003 for returning to the top page is pressed, the top page is displayed.
[0077]
When the user selects the direct print button 1008 on the top page, the web browser transmits an HTTP command including a URL indicating the direct print page to the image forming apparatus (step S803). Then, the Web Server 203 transmits the HTML data of the direct print page to the information processing device (Step S812). The web browser receives the HTML data of the direct print page, and displays the direct print page based on the HTML data (step S804).
[0078]
FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 are diagrams showing a direct print page. FIG. 12 shows a continuation of the screen of FIG. When the page is scrolled on the screen of FIG. 11, the screen of FIG. 12 is displayed.
[0079]
The file name selection radio button 1102 and the URL selection radio button 1103 are constituted by toggle buttons, and one of them is selected. When the file name selection radio button 1103 is selected, the document data indicated by the file path name input in the file path name input field 1104 is to be printed. When the URL selection radio button 1103 is selected, the document data indicated by the URL input in the URL input field 1105 is to be printed. The only protocol that can be entered in the URL entry field 1105 is HTTP.
[0080]
If the document data indicated by the URL is managed by a web server that requires authentication, the user inputs a user name and a password in the user name input field 1106 and the password input field 1107.
[0081]
A start button 1101 is a button for instructing printing based on document data to be printed.
[0082]
In the document password input field 1108, when the document data to be printed is encrypted, a document password required for decrypting the document data is input.
[0083]
The all page designation radio button 1109 and the range designation radio button 1110 are constituted by toggle buttons. By selecting either one, the user can specify whether to print all pages of the document data to be printed or only specific pages. When the range designation radio button is selected, the pages from the page designated by the print start page designation field 1111 to the page designated by the print end page designation field 1112 are printed.
[0084]
When the user presses the color mode setting pull-down 1113, a pull-down menu having two selectors, auto color and monochrome, is displayed, and the user can select one of them. When auto color is selected, color output or monochrome output is performed according to the content of the document data.When monochrome is selected, chromatic colors are used regardless of the content of the document data. Also performs monochrome output.
[0085]
The number of prints is input in the number of prints designation field 1114. When the user presses the page size designation pull-down 1201, a pull-down menu including automatic page size and various standard paper sizes as selectors is displayed, and the user can select any print paper size. When automatic page size is selected, print paper is selected according to the size of each page specified in the document data.
[0086]
When the user presses the paper type designation pull-down 1202, a pull-down menu including various paper types as selectors is displayed, and the user can select any print paper type. When the manual feed check box 1203 is checked, manual feed is performed, and when the page size fit check box 1204 is checked, each page in the document data is adjusted to the paper size specified by the paper size specification pull-down. Printed.
[0087]
Note that checking the check box for a certain function by the user means that the user has specified the function.
[0088]
The two-sided off radio button 1205 and the two-sided on radio button 1206 are constituted by toggle buttons, and the user can designate either one of the two-sided printing On / Off by selecting one of them. If the double-sided on radio button 1205 is selected, a double-sided type pull-down 1207 can be used to specify the double-sided opening direction.
[0089]
When the user presses the finishing type designation pull-down 1208, a pull-down menu having various finishing designations as selectors is displayed, and the user can select any finishing. When the rotation sort designation check box 1209 is checked, the rotation sort is performed.
[0090]
When the annotation print check box is checked, the annotation included in the document data is printed.
[0091]
If the box save designation check box 1211 is checked, the image forming apparatus expands the acquired document data to generate raster image data, and prints the raster image data on the HDD without performing printing based on the raster image data. In the box. The raster image data is stored in the box designated by the box number designation pull-down 1212.
[0092]
When the user presses the print start button 1101, the web browser transmits an HTTP command including information input or selected on the direct print page to the image forming apparatus (step S805). If the file name selection radio button 1102 is selected, the document data indicated by the file path name input in the file path name input field is multipart-encoded and transmitted to the image forming apparatus.
[0093]
On the other hand, the image forming apparatus starts the direct print CGI program in response to the HTTP command (step S813). Then, the direct print CGI program determines which of the file name selection radio button 1102 and the URL selection radio button 1103 has been selected (step S911). If the URL selection radio button 1103 has been selected, the document data indicated by the URL input in the URL input field 1105 is obtained from an external device (for example, a database or another web server device) via the network (step S1). S912).
[0094]
Then, the document data transmitted in step S805 or the document data acquired in step S912 and the information set in the direct print page are transmitted to the PDL Interpreter 227 via the Control API 219 or JobManager 220, and the PDL Interpreter 227 transmits the document data. To generate raster image data (step S913).
[0095]
Next, it is determined whether the box storage designation check box 1211 is checked (step S914). If the box save designation check box is checked, the generated raster image data is saved in the box designated by the box number designation pull-down 1212 (step S915).
[0096]
If the box save designation check box 1211 is not checked, the printer 2095 prints an image based on the raster image data on paper (step S916).
[0097]
Next, a printing process based on image data stored in a box, performed between the information processing apparatus and the image forming apparatus will be described. FIG. 13 is a flowchart of the print processing.
[0098]
When the user presses the box button 1006, the web browser transmits an HTTP command including a URL indicating a box page to the image forming apparatus (step S1301). Then, the Web Server 203 transmits the HTML data of the box page to the information processing device (Step S1311). The web browser receives the HTML data of the box page and displays the box page based on the HTML data (step S1302).
[0099]
FIG. 14 shows a box page. On the box page, a list of boxes currently present in the image forming apparatus is displayed in the main area. For each box, a box number 1401, a box name 1402, and a storage area occupancy 1403 by data in the box are displayed as one record. The storage area occupancy is the proportion of the data in the box occupied in the HDD area allocated for the box.
[0100]
The icon to the left of the box number indicates the state of the box (presence of data and presence / absence of password setting). An icon 1407 indicates that there is data in the box and no password has been set. An icon 1408 indicates that data is present in the box and a password has been set. An icon 1409 indicates that there is no data in the box and a password has been set.
[0101]
The box number 3501 is a link text. When the user selects the link text on the web browser, the web browser transmits an HTTP command including a URL or a box number corresponding to the link text to the image forming apparatus (step S1303). Then, the Web Server 203 transmits the HTML data of the box content list page corresponding to the specified box number and the HTML data of the box content list page indicated by the specified URL to the information processing device (step S1312). The web browser receives the HTML data of the box content list page, and displays the box content list page based on the HTML data (step S1304).
[0102]
When the link text of the box number in which the password is set is selected, a dialog box (not shown) for prompting the input of the password is displayed on the web browser. The box content list page is displayed only when the password is entered and authentication is performed in this dialog box.
[0103]
When the user inputs a box number in the text input field 1404 and presses a button 1405, a box content list page is displayed. Also in this case, if a box in which a password is set is selected, authentication using the password is required.
[0104]
FIG. 15 shows a box content list page. On the box content list page, a list of document images existing in the designated box is displayed in the main area. A document image is a set of raster image data for a plurality of pages. Usually, a plurality of scan image data read from a scanner in a batch and a plurality of raster image data generated from document data and PDL data are stored. It becomes one document image. However, there may be a document image composed of one page of image data.
[0105]
A selection check box 1501, a document image bitmap 1502, a document image name 1503, a document image size 1504, a document image orientation icon 1505, a document image page number 1506, and a document image creation date and time 1507 are displayed as one record for each document image. You.
[0106]
When a print button 1508 is pressed, a print setting page is displayed, and the user can instruct printing. When a move button 1509 is pressed, a document move page is displayed, and the user can instruct a document move between boxes. When the delete button 1410 is pressed, the selected document image is deleted from the box. For printing, moving, and erasing, the document image checked by the selection check box is the instruction target. When the setting button 1511 is pressed, a box setting / registration page (not shown) is displayed. The user can set a box name, a password, and an automatic deletion time of a document image (a function of automatically deleting a document image after the lapse of this time) on a setting / registration page of a user box.
[0107]
When the user presses the print button 1508, the web browser transmits an HTTP command for requesting a print setting page to the image forming apparatus (step S1305). Then, the Web Server 203 transmits the HTML data of the print setting page to the information processing device (Step S1313). The web browser receives the HTML data of the print setting page, and displays the print setting page based on the HTML data (step S1306).
[0108]
FIG. 16 shows a print setting page. When the user presses the color mode setting pull-down 1601, a pull-down menu including two options of auto color and monochrome is displayed, and the user can select one of the color modes. The auto color is for automatically determining whether image data is color image data and printing, and the monochrome is for monochrome output regardless of whether the image data itself is monochrome or color.
[0109]
The user inputs the number of copies in the number-of-prints setting input field 1602. When the user presses a detail setting button 1603, a detail setting page (not shown) is displayed, and the user can make detailed settings such as double-sided printing and finishing.
[0110]
If the delete after printing check box 1604 is checked, the document image is deleted after printing is completed. In addition, the user can specify the print order of a plurality of document images in the print order specification list 1605. When the cancel button 1607 is pressed, the setting content of the print setting page is invalidated, and the box content list page is displayed again.
[0111]
When the user presses the print start button 1606, the web browser transmits the content set on the print setting page to the image forming apparatus (step S1307). Then, the Web Server 203 activates the CGI program for box printing (step S1314). The box print instruction command, box number, and document image ID are transmitted from the CGI program for box print to the PrintManager 228 via the Control API 219 and the JobManager 220. The printer age 228 retrieves the image data of the designated document image from the HDD 2004, and the printer 2095 prints an image based on the image data on a sheet (step S1315).
[0112]
By storing the raster image data in the box once, the transfer of the document data and the process of expanding the document data become unnecessary, so that the time required for printing can be reduced.
[0113]
In particular, when document data is downloaded from a specified URL and printed, there is a possibility that the transfer of the document data takes a long time or the transfer of the document data fails depending on the communication speed and congestion of the network. . However, once the raster image data is stored in the box, the subsequent print processing is performed without delay.
[0114]
Further, since raster image data based on the document data indicated by the designated URL, raster image data generated from PDL data, and scan image data can be stored in the same box, the user can easily manage documents. For example, the user can quickly obtain the copied document and the document obtained via the network.
[0115]
Next, the flow of processing from generating raster image data from document data, storing the generated raster image data in a box, and printing based on the raster image data stored in the box will be described. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing the flow of the processing. Here, a process in a case where the document data is PDF (Portable Document Format) data will be described.
[0116]
The PDF interpreter 1701 is a kind of the PDL interpreter 227 shown in FIG. 2 and interprets data described in the PDF format to generate a display list as intermediate language data.
[0117]
The CMS engine 1704 is a module that performs color management, converts an input color into an absolute color space, and generates an output color (CMYK) unique to the printer engine. In the PDF data, various color spaces such as a device color space, a CIE based color space, and a special color space are defined. For input colors specified in the Device color space, color conversion is performed using a specified one of ICC profiles prepared in advance such as an RGB source profile and a CMYK simulation profile. For input colors specified in the CIEBased color space, color conversion is performed according to a conversion table, conversion function, and conversion matrix specified in the color space. Conversion from the absolute color space to the color space unique to the printer engine is performed using an output profile. As for the output profile, a gray compensation profile that prioritizes that the gray scale is expressed by K single color and a normal profile that expresses the gray scale by four colors of CMYK can be selectively used.
[0118]
The color determination unit 1705 checks the CMYK colors, which are output values of the CMS engine, and determines whether the page currently being processed is a color page or a monochrome page. The display list generator 1706 generates a display list as intermediate language data. The display list includes an attribute flag of each object, and identifies whether the object is a graphic, an image, or a character. This attribute flag is used by the subsequent image processor 1703 via the render 1702.
[0119]
The render 1702 interprets the display list, generates CMYK bitmaps each having a bit depth of 8 × 4, and performs most of the processing using the RIP 2060 in FIG. In addition, the render 1702 generates an object attribute map indicating the attribute for each device pixel based on the attribute flag included in the display list as a fifth version. Here, the object attribute map has attribute information of bit depth 2 (graphics 01, image 10, character 11) for each pixel.
[0120]
If storage in the box is instructed, the Print Manager 226 stores the generated CMYK bitmap 3012 and object attribute map 3013 in the designated section of the BOX 3015, and ends the job.
[0121]
When an instruction to print a document in a box is transmitted from the CGI program for box printing to the Print Manager 226 via the Control API 219 or the JobManager 220, the Printer Manager 226 extracts the CMYK bitmap and the object attribute map stored in the box 1710, and performs image processing. Send to processor 1703.
[0122]
The image processor 1703 is controlled by the print manager 226, and performs image processing such as density / color balance adjustment 1707, output gamma correction 1708, and halftoning 1709 on the CMYK bitmap generated by the render 1702.
[0123]
The halftoning 1709 applies different halftoning for each object attribute with reference to the object attribute map. On the other hand, a low-resolution screen with priority on gradation is applied, and error diffusion is applied to an image area having a character attribute.
[0124]
If the color determination unit 1705 determines that the page is a monochrome page, only the K version bitmap of the CMYK bitmaps created by the render 1702 is sent to the image processor 1703, and the K bitmap used in the final output Is generated.
[0125]
If the color determination unit 1705 determines that the page is a color page, the CMYK bitmap generated by the render 1702 is sent to the image processor 1702 as it is, and a CMYK bitmap used for final output is generated.
[0126]
Thus, the CMYK bitmap or the K bitmap generated by the image processor 1703 is transferred to the printer engine via the engine I / F 229 in FIG. 2 and printed out on a desired medium.
[0127]
In the above embodiment, the box stores raster image data generated from PDL data and raster image data generated from document data. As a result, the time from when the start button 1606 on the print setting page is pressed to when printing on paper is shortened. However, when priority is given to saving the storage capacity of the image forming apparatus, PDL data and document data may be stored in the box. As a result, it is possible to save the storage capacity of the image forming apparatus.
[0128]
Further, the data formats of a plurality of data stored in the box may be different from each other.
[0129]
Further, the URL input by the URL selection radio button may be stored in the box. In this case, after the start button 1606 of the print setting page is pressed, the image forming apparatus acquires the document data indicated by the URL stored in the box via the network. Then, raster image data is generated from the acquired document data, and an image based on the raster image data is printed on a sheet. Thus, even when the document data can change with time, the latest contents can be printed. Further, the consumption of storage capacity can be further reduced.
[0130]
Note that the image forming apparatus is an image processing apparatus such as a printer, a copier, a multifunction peripheral, and a facsimile.
[0131]
Further, an object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium (or a recording medium) in which a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is recorded to a system or an apparatus, and to provide a computer (or a CPU or The MPU) implements the functions of the above-described embodiment by the program code itself stored in the storage medium, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. When the computer executes the readout program codes, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an operating system (OS) running on the computer based on the instructions of the program codes. It goes without saying that a part or all of the actual processing is performed and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.
[0132]
Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion card inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the CPU or the like provided in the card or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.
[0133]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, since the image data generated from the data stored in the external device is once stored in the designated group, the data transfer or the data expansion processing becomes unnecessary, so that the time required for the processing is reduced. Can be shortened.
[0134]
Further, when processing is performed by acquiring data from the specified identification information, it may take a long time to transfer data or fail in data transfer depending on the communication speed and the degree of congestion. However, once the acquired data or the image data generated from the data is stored in the designated group, the subsequent processing is performed without delay.
[0135]
Further, since image data based on data stored in an external device and image data generated from print data or image data read from a document can be managed in the same group, the user can easily manage documents. become. For example, the user can quickly obtain the copied document and the document obtained via the network.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an image processing system.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a software configuration of the image forming apparatus.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of the image forming apparatus.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an operation unit 2012.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an operation unit of the image forming apparatus.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a process performed between the information processing apparatus and the image forming apparatus.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a printing process performed between the information processing apparatus and the image forming apparatus.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a print process performed between the information processing apparatus and the image forming apparatus.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a top page of a remote UI.
FIG. 11 illustrates a direct print page.
FIG. 12 illustrates a direct print page.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a print process performed between the information processing apparatus and the image forming apparatus based on image data stored in a box.
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a box page.
FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a box content list page.
FIG. 16 illustrates a print setting page.
FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a printing process based on document data.
[Explanation of symbols]
100 Image forming apparatus
110 LAN
120 Image forming apparatus
130 Image Forming Apparatus
140 Information processing device

Claims (12)

An image processing device capable of communicating with an external device that stores data,
Storage means for managing and storing data in a plurality of groups;
Receiving means for receiving data transmitted from a web browser of the external device, image generating means for generating image data from data received by the receiving means,
Control means for controlling the image data generated by the image generation means to be stored in a designated group. An image processing device capable of communicating with an external device that stores data,
Storage means for managing and storing data in a plurality of groups;
Input means for inputting identification information indicating data stored in the external device, and obtaining means for obtaining data corresponding to the identification information input by the input means from the external device,
Image forming means for generating image data from the data obtained by the obtaining means,
Control means for controlling the image data generated by the image forming means to be stored in a designated group. The storage means is capable of storing image data generated by the image forming means and image data generated based on print data received from the outside or image data read from a document in the same group. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein Analyzing the print data, having a print data analysis means for generating bitmap image data,
The image forming unit analyzes the data to generate image data in a bitmap format,
The storage unit stores bitmap image data generated by the print data analysis unit or the image forming unit,
4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the control unit controls to store the bitmap image data generated by the image forming unit in a designated group. 5. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a printing unit that performs printing based on image data stored in a designated group among image data stored in the storage unit. Image processing device. A transmission unit that transmits to the information processing apparatus page data for displaying a screen for setting the identification information on a web browser,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the input unit inputs identification information set on the screen. An image processing device capable of communicating with an external device that stores data,
Storage means capable of managing and storing image data generated based on print data received from outside, or image data read from a document in a plurality of groups,
Input means for inputting identification information indicating data stored in the external device, and obtaining means for obtaining data corresponding to the identification information input by the input means from the external device,
Image forming means for generating image data from the data obtained by the obtaining means,
Control means for controlling the image data generated by the image forming means to be stored in a designated group. An image processing device capable of communicating with an external device that stores data,
Storage means capable of managing and storing print data received from outside, or image data generated based on the print data, or data read from a document in a plurality of groups,
Input means for inputting identification information indicating data stored in the external device, and obtaining means for obtaining data corresponding to the identification information input by the input means from the external device,
Image forming means for generating image data from the data obtained by the obtaining means,
An image processing apparatus comprising: a control unit that controls data stored by the obtaining unit or image data generated by the image forming unit to be stored in a specified group. An image processing method performed by an image processing device capable of communicating with an external device that stores data,
A storage step capable of managing and storing data in a plurality of groups;
A receiving step of receiving data transmitted from a web browser of the external device,
An image generating step of generating image data from the data received by the receiving step,
A control step of controlling the image data generated by the image generation step to be stored in a designated group. An image processing method performed by an image processing device capable of communicating with an external device that stores data,
A storage step capable of managing and storing data in a plurality of groups;
An input step of inputting identification information indicating data stored in the external device,
An acquisition step of acquiring data corresponding to the identification information input by the input step from the external device,
An image forming step of generating image data from the data obtained by the obtaining step,
A control step of controlling the image data generated in the image forming step to be stored in a designated group. An image processing method performed by an image processing device capable of communicating with an external device that stores data,
A storage step capable of managing and storing image data generated based on print data received from outside, or image data read from a document in a plurality of groups,
An input step of inputting identification information indicating data stored in the external device,
An acquisition step of acquiring data corresponding to the identification information input by the input step from the external device,
An image forming step of generating image data from the data obtained by the obtaining step,
A control step of controlling the image data generated in the image forming step to be stored in a designated group. An image processing method performed by an image processing device capable of communicating with an external device that stores data,
A storage step capable of managing and storing print data received from outside, or image data generated based on the print data, or data read from a document in a plurality of groups,
An input step of inputting identification information indicating data stored in the external device,
An acquisition step of acquiring data corresponding to the identification information input by the input step from the external device,
An image forming step of generating image data from the data obtained by the obtaining step,
A control step of controlling the data acquired in the acquiring step or the image data generated in the image forming step to be stored in a designated group.

Images