JP2008022336A - Image forming apparatus, image forming method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve operability of selection of image data when desired image data are output from many image data recorded in a portable recording medium. <P>SOLUTION: The apparatus includes a scanner 50 which inputs image data; a liquid crystal display 31 with predetermined operation setting and a display function; and a portable recording medium connection means is readably connected to which a portable recording medium 75 is detachable to the apparatus, which records a plurality of image data. When the image data recorded in the portable recording medium 75 are composed and output with image data input from an image input means, the apparatus includes an image data selection means which rearranges the image data of the portable recording medium 75 on the liquid crystal display 31, and selects the image data of output objects. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus capable of outputting from a removable portable recording medium, an image forming method, and a program.

  In recent years, the use of technologies and systems for digitizing documents and the like has become widespread. From such a technical background, image data is often carried by a portable recording medium. Therefore, conventionally, a copying apparatus has been disclosed in which image data held in a removable storage medium and image data of a copyable manuscript are combined to create a new image image (for example, Patent Documents). 1).

  In addition, due to recent technological innovation, the recording capacity of portable recording media has increased, and it has become possible to store a large amount of image data.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-139832

  However, the conventional techniques as described above have a problem in that it is impossible to quickly specify desired image data from many image data recorded on a portable recording medium, and it takes time to extract the image data. was there.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and aims to improve the operability of narrowing down image data when outputting desired image data from a large amount of image data recorded on a portable recording medium. With the goal.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the invention according to claim 1 is an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording sheet, and includes an image input means for inputting image data, and a predetermined operation setting. And an operation display means having a display function, and a portable recording medium connecting means in which a plurality of image data is recorded, and a removable portable recording medium connected to the apparatus is readable. The image data recorded on the portable recording medium is combined with the image data input from the image input means and output, and the image data of the portable recording medium is arranged on the operation display means. Instead, image data narrowing means for narrowing down image data to be output is provided.

  According to the present invention, when the image data recorded on the portable recording medium is combined with the image data input from the image input means and output, the image data on the portable recording medium is displayed on the operation display means. By providing image data narrowing means that rearranges and narrows down image data to be output, it becomes possible to improve the operability of narrowing down the image data of the portable recording medium.

  The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the image data narrowing means sorts and filters the attributes of the images stored in the portable recording medium in accordance with the function of the apparatus.

  According to the present invention, in claim 1, the functions of the apparatus and the desired functions are used by sorting and filtering the attributes of the images stored in the portable recording medium in accordance with the functions of the apparatus. In this case, it is possible to improve the operability of narrowing down the image data of the portable recording medium.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the image data narrowing means sorts and filters the attributes of the images stored in the portable recording medium in accordance with the attributes of the original to be combined and inserted. Features.

  According to the present invention, in claim 1, by sorting and filtering the attributes of the image stored in the portable recording medium in accordance with the attributes of the composition and insertion destination document, an image with no missing image is generated. Data can be narrowed down.

  The invention according to claim 4 is characterized in that the image data narrowing means performs sorting and filtering according to the image format of the portable recording medium.

  According to the present invention, according to the first aspect, by sorting and filtering according to the image format of the portable recording medium, it is possible to narrow down image data that does not cause image loss even in an image format that does not have an image size. Become.

  The invention according to claim 5 is characterized in that the image data narrowing means displays a plurality of images stored in the portable recording medium on the operation display means as one page image.

  According to the present invention, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the plurality of images stored in the portable recording medium are displayed on the operation display unit as one page image. A plurality of image data can be displayed on the screen.

  The invention according to claim 6 further includes image data storage means for storing image data inside the apparatus, and the image data storage means includes the image data storage means when performing program printing using the image data of the portable recording medium. Image data is stored, and the image data used in the program printing is erased from the image data storage means.

  According to the present invention, by storing the image data in the image data storage means in the image forming apparatus, the operation of connecting the portable recording medium is not required every time the program is called, and program printing is performed. By erasing the image data used in the above from the image data storage means, the shortage of memory capacity is resolved.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, an image is formed by inputting image data, recording a plurality of image data, and reading out an image from a portable recording medium that is detachable and portable with respect to the apparatus. In the forming method, when the image data recorded on the portable recording medium is combined with the image data input from the image input means and output, the image data on the portable recording medium is rearranged. An image data to be output is displayed and an image data narrowing step for narrowing is included.

  According to the present invention, when the image data recorded on the portable recording medium is combined with the image data input from the image input means and output, the image data on the portable recording medium is displayed on the operation display means. By rearranging and narrowing down the image data to be output, it becomes possible to improve the operability of narrowing down the image data of the portable recording medium.

  The invention according to claim 8 is characterized in that the image data narrowing step sorts and filters the attributes of the images stored in the portable recording medium in accordance with the function of the apparatus.

  According to the present invention, in claim 7, the functions of the apparatus and desired functions are used by sorting and filtering the attributes of the images stored in the portable recording medium in accordance with the functions of the apparatus. In this case, it is possible to improve the operability of narrowing down the image data of the portable recording medium.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the image data narrowing-down step, the attribute of the image stored in the portable recording medium is sorted and filtered in accordance with the attribute of the original to be combined and inserted. Features.

  According to the present invention, in claim 7, the image attributes stored in the portable recording medium are sorted and filtered in accordance with the attributes of the synthesized and inserted document, so that the image is not missing. Data can be narrowed down.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, the image forming method according to any one of the seventh to ninth aspects is executed by a computer.

  According to the present invention, the image forming method according to any one of claims 7 to 9 can be executed by a computer.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention (Claim 1), when combining the image data recorded on the portable recording medium with the image data inputted from the image input means and outputting it, Since image data is narrowed down on the operation display means to narrow down the image data to be output, it is possible to output desired image data from many image data recorded on a portable recording medium. There is an effect that it is possible to improve the operability in narrowing down the image data of the portable recording medium.

  An image forming apparatus according to the present invention (Claim 2) is characterized in that, according to Claim 1, the attributes of the images stored in the portable recording medium are sorted and filtered in accordance with the function of the apparatus. There is an effect that it is possible to improve the operability of narrowing down the image data of the portable recording medium when the functions of the apparatus and the desired functions are used.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the attributes of the images stored in the portable recording medium are sorted and filtered in accordance with the attributes of the original to be combined and inserted. By doing so, there is an effect that it is possible to narrow down image data that does not cause missing images.

  In addition, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention (Claim 4) is characterized in that, by performing sorting and filtering in accordance with the image format of the portable recording medium according to Claim 1, the image missing even in an image format having no image size. There is an effect that it is possible to narrow down the image data in which no occurrence occurs.

  An image forming apparatus according to the present invention (Claim 5) is the operation display unit according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the plurality of images stored in the portable recording medium are displayed as one page image. By displaying on the screen, a plurality of image data can be displayed on the screen of the operation display means.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention connects the portable recording medium every time the program is called by storing the image data in the image data storing means in the image forming apparatus. This eliminates the need to perform the operation, and erases the image data used in the program printing from the image data storage means, thereby achieving an effect of eliminating the memory capacity shortage.

  The image forming method according to the present invention (Claim 7) is a portable recording method in which the image data recorded on the portable recording medium is combined with the image data input from the image input means and output. When outputting desired image data from a lot of image data recorded on a portable recording medium by rearranging the image data of the medium on the operation display means and narrowing down the image data to be output, the portable recording medium It is possible to improve the operability of narrowing down the image data.

  According to the image forming method of the present invention (claim 8), the image attributes stored in the portable recording medium according to claim 7 are sorted and filtered in accordance with the function of the device. There is an effect that it is possible to improve the operability of narrowing down the image data of the portable recording medium when the functions of the apparatus and the desired functions are used.

  The image forming method according to the present invention (Claim 9) is characterized in that, in claim 7, the attributes of the images stored in the portable recording medium are sorted and filtered in accordance with the attributes of the original to be combined and inserted. By doing so, there is an effect that it is possible to narrow down image data that does not cause missing images.

  In addition, the program according to the present invention (Claim 10) exhibits an effect that the image forming method according to any one of Claims 7 to 9 can be executed by a computer.

  Exemplary embodiments of an image forming apparatus, an image forming method, and a program according to the present invention are explained in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(Embodiment)
First, an outline of the present invention will be described. When copying, when using a function for inserting or combining images stored in a memory card (portable recording medium), selection of images on the memory card is simplified. Functions include insertion of front and back covers, insertion of pages such as chapter breaks, and composition of watermarks (digital watermarks) and stamps.

  In addition, it is assumed that the memory card is cheaper and has a larger capacity, so that images that are normally used are not stored in a copier, but are carried with a large amount of images in one memory card. In order to select a desired image from among them, sorting and filtering are performed on the file display screen using the characteristics of the function used.

  That is, the invention relates to a method for sorting and filtering files. It extends the conventional sorting and filtering by date and extension. The feature of the present invention is to sort and filter the attributes of images stored in the memory card in accordance with the functional aspects and the attributes of the original of the composition / insertion destination.

  Here, the functional aspect will be described. If a cover is inserted, the cover tray can be physically set, so there is a high possibility that the same size image will be used (for example, A4 cover and B5 cover are separately provided). If the cover is inserted, there is a high possibility of inserting one image. If it is a chapter break, there is a high possibility of a document having one or more than the number of chapters.

  Next, document attributes will be described. In the case of format composition, there is a high possibility of using an original or an image that matches the size of the paper tray. If it is a stamp or watermark, there is a high possibility of using an original or an image smaller than the size of the paper tray. That is, a small image can be used as it is, but a large image is deteriorated by reduction.

  In addition to the above, since there are various formats for the image of the memory card, there are various attributes, and in the case of a format having no size such as JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group), the number of pixels of the image It is also possible to determine the attribute from the resolution at the time of printing.

  Hereinafter, a specific example for realizing the above contents will be described. FIG. 1 shows a configuration of an image forming apparatus 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. When the start key 34 on the operation unit 30 is pressed, the original bundle placed on the original table 2 with the image surface of the original in the automatic document feeder (hereinafter referred to as ADF) 1 is the first. A lower document is fed to a predetermined position on the contact glass 6 by a feeding roller 3 and a feeding belt 4. It has a counting function for counting up the number of originals upon completion of feeding one original. After the fed original is read by the reading unit 50 on the image data of the original on the contact glass 6, the original that has been read is discharged by the feeding belt 4 and the discharge roller 5.

  The transfer papers stacked on the first tray 8, the second tray 9, and the third tray 10 are fed by the first paper feeding device 11, the second paper feeding device 12, and the third paper feeding device 13, respectively, and are conveyed vertically. The unit 14 is transported to a position where it abuts on the photoreceptor 15. The image data read by the reading unit 50 is written on the photoconductor 15 by the laser from the writing unit 57 and passes through the developing unit 27 to form a toner image. Then, the toner image on the photoconductor 15 is transferred while the transfer paper is conveyed by the conveyance belt 16 at the same speed as the rotation of the photoconductor 15. Thereafter, the image is fixed by the fixing unit 17 and discharged to the paper discharge tray 19 by the paper discharge unit 18.

  When forming an image on both sides of the transfer paper, the transfer paper fed from each of the paper feed trays 8 to 10 and formed on the transfer paper is not guided to the discharge tray 19 side, but is transported to the double-sided paper feed transport path 113. Then, the switchback is reversed by the reversing unit 112 and sent to the duplex conveying unit 111.

  The sheet sent to the duplex conveyance unit is sent again to the vertical conveyance unit 14 and is printed after an image is printed on the back side.

  When the transfer paper is reversed and discharged, the paper switchback reversed by the reversing unit 112 is sent to the reverse discharge conveyance path 114 without being sent to the duplex unit and discharged.

  The photoreceptor 15, the transport belt 16, the fixing unit 17, the paper discharge unit 18, and the development unit 27 are driven by a main motor 25, and the paper feeding devices 11 to 13 drive the main motor 25 by paper feeding clutches 22 to 24, respectively. Driven by transmission. The vertical conveyance unit 14 is driven to transmit the drive of the main motor 25 by the intermediate clutch 21.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 1, the image reading means in the present invention and the operation until the latent image is formed on the recording surface will be described. A latent image is a potential distribution generated by converting an image into light information and irradiating it on the surface of the photoreceptor 15.

  The reading unit 50 includes a contact glass 6 on which an original is placed and an optical scanning system. The optical scanning system includes an exposure lamp 51, a first mirror 52, a lens 53, a CCD image sensor 54, and the like. Yes. The exposure lamp 51 and the first mirror 52 are fixed on a first carriage (not shown), and the second mirror 55 and the third mirror 56 are fixed on a first carriage (not shown). When reading a document image, the first carriage and the second carriage are mechanically scanned at a relative speed of 2: 1 so that the optical path length does not change. This optical scanning system is driven by a scanner drive motor (not shown). The document image is read by the CCD image sensor 54, converted into an electrical signal, and processed. The image magnification is changed by moving the lens 53 and the CCD image sensor 54 in the left-right direction in FIG. That is, the positions of the lens 53 and the CCD image sensor 54 are set in the left-right direction corresponding to the designated magnification.

  The writing unit 57 includes a laser output unit 58, an imaging lens 59, and a mirror 60. Inside the laser output unit 58, a rotating polygon mirror (polygon mirror) that rotates at a high speed at a high speed by a laser diode as a laser light source and a motor. ). Laser light emitted from the laser output unit 58 is polarized by a polygon mirror that rotates at a constant speed, passes through an imaging lens 59, is folded by a mirror 60, and is focused on the surface of the photoconductor 15 to form an image.

  FIG. 2 illustrates a control device with a main controller as a center. The main controller 20 controls the entire image forming apparatus. The main controller 20 includes image processing for performing display for an operator, an operation unit 30 for performing function setting input control from the operator, control for a scanner, control for writing a document image into an image memory, control for image formation from the image memory, and the like. A distributed control device such as a unit (IPU) 49 and an automatic document feeder (ADF) 1 is connected.

  Each distributed controller and the main controller 20 exchange machine status and operation commands as necessary. A main motor 25 and various clutches 21 to 24 necessary for paper conveyance are also connected.

  Returning to FIG. 1, a process from reading an original of the image forming apparatus to writing an image will be described. The reading unit 50 includes a contact glass 6 on which an original is placed and an optical scanning system. The optical scanning system includes an exposure lamp 51, a first mirror 52, a lens 53, a CCD image sensor 54, and the like. Yes. The exposure lamp 51 and the first mirror 52 are fixed on a first carriage (not shown), and the second mirror 55 and the third mirror 56 are fixed on a first carriage (not shown). When reading a document image, the first carriage and the second carriage are mechanically operated at a relative speed of 2: 1 so that the optical path length does not change. This optical scanning system is driven by a scanner drive motor (not shown). The document image is read by the CCD image sensor 54, converted into an electrical signal, and processed.

  The writing unit 57 includes a laser output unit 58, an imaging lens 59, and a mirror 60. Inside the laser output unit 58, a polygon mirror (polygon mirror) that rotates at a high speed at a high speed by a laser diode that is a laser light source and a motor. ).

  The laser beam output from the writing unit 57 is applied to the image forming photoconductor 15. Although not shown, a beam sensor for generating a main scanning synchronization signal is disposed at a position where a laser beam near one end of the photoconductor 15 is irradiated.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the image processing unit (IPU) 49. The reflection of light emitted from the exposure lamp 51 is photoelectrically converted by the CCD image sensor 54 and converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 61. The image signal converted into the digital signal is subjected to shading correction 62 and then subjected to MTF correction, γ correction and the like in the image processing unit 63. The image signal that has passed through the scaling unit 72 is enlarged / reduced in accordance with the scaling factor and flows to the selector 64. In the selector 64, the destination of the image signal is switched to the writing γ correction unit 71 or the image memory controller 65. The image signal that has passed through the write gamma correction unit 71 has its write gamma corrected in accordance with the image forming conditions, and is sent to the write unit 57.

  Between the image memory controller 65 and the selector 64, an image signal can be input and output bidirectionally. Further, a CPU 68 for setting the image memory controller 65 and the like and controlling the reading unit 50 and the writing unit 57, and a ROM 69 and a RAM 70 for storing programs and data thereof are provided. Further, the CPU 68 can write and read data in the image memory 66 via the memory controller 65.

  The image sent to the image memory controller 65 as a document image is sent to the image memory 66 after the image data is compressed by an image compression device in the image memory controller. The reason for compressing the image is that data of 256 gradations corresponding to the maximum image size can be written in the image memory 66 as it is, but the image memory is very much used for one original image. By performing image compression, an image memory with limited image can be used effectively. In addition, since a large amount of original image data can be stored at one time, the stored original image data can be output in page order as a sorting function. In this case, when the image is output, the data in the image memory 66 is output while being sequentially expanded by the expansion device in the memory controller 65. Such a function is generally called “electronic sort”.

  Further, by using the function of the image memory, it is possible to sequentially read a plurality of document images into an area obtained by dividing the area of one transfer sheet of the image memory. For example, four original images are sequentially written in a four-divided area of one transfer paper in the image memory, whereby the four originals are combined into one transfer paper image to obtain a consolidated copy output. It becomes possible. Such a function is generally called “aggregate copy”.

  The image stored in the image memory 66 can be accessed from the CPU 68. For this reason, the contents of the image memory can be processed, and for example, image thinning processing, image clipping processing, and the like can be performed. For processing, the image memory can be processed by writing data to the register of the memory controller 65. The processed image is held in the image memory 66 again.

  The image memory 66 is divided into a plurality of areas according to the size of the image data to be processed, and the image data can be input / output simultaneously. In order to make it possible to execute input and output of image data in parallel in each divided area, the interface with the memory controller is connected by two sets of address and data lines for reading and writing. As a result, an operation of outputting (reading) an image from the area 2 while inputting (writing) the image to the area 1 becomes possible.

  Further, the CPU 68 can read the contents of the image memory 66 and transfer it to the operation unit 30 as image data 73 via the I / O port 67. Generally, since the screen display resolution of the operation unit 30 is low, the original image in the image memory 66 is subjected to image thinning and sent to the operation unit 30.

  The image memory 66 may use a hard disk to store a large amount of image data. By using a hard disk, there is a feature that an external power source is unnecessary and an image can be held permanently.

  In order to read and hold a plurality of standard documents (format documents) with a scanner, this hard disk is generally used.

  The portable recording medium connection unit 74 detects the attachment / detachment of the portable recording medium 75, and when the portable recording medium 75 is connected, the CPU 68 can read and write data. The image data of the portable recording medium can be written to and read from the image memory 66 via the memory controller 65. The portable recording medium 75 uses, for example, a commercially available memory card such as a small flash memory or a USB memory, and the portable recording medium connecting unit 74 naturally conforms to the interface standard of the card. Is used.

  The NV-RAM 75 is a non-volatile memory and stores information on the entire system. Further, even in program registration for storing setting conditions that are frequently used, the setting conditions are stored in the NV-RAM 75.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. This figure shows functional blocks of the present invention on the premise of the configuration of the image forming apparatus 200 described above. The portable recording medium 75 stores file images (image data) as will be described later and is detachable from the apparatus. The image data recorded on the portable recording medium 75 and the image data from the scanner 50 or the image data in the image memory 66 are combined and output as necessary. At this time, narrowing-down setting of image data recorded on the portable recording medium 75 is performed via the liquid crystal display 31 of the operation unit 30. For example, input settings such as display settings on the liquid crystal display 31, user stamp printing, format composition, file selection, and image selection are performed. This display setting screen is shown in FIGS. After setting the addition of the image data recorded on the portable recording medium 75 to the input image data, the IPU 49 performs predetermined image processing according to the setting. The image data subjected to the image processing is irradiated with light onto the photosensitive member 15 of the engine 120 as shown in FIG. 1 by the writing unit 57 to form an image.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of the operation unit 30. The operation unit 30 includes a liquid crystal touch panel 31, a numeric keypad 32, a clear / stop key 33, a print key 34, a preheat key 35, a reset key 36, and an interrupt key 37. The liquid crystal touch panel 31 includes a function key 41, the number of copies, and A message indicating the state of the image forming apparatus is displayed.

  When the interrupt key 37 is pressed, the mode is shifted to the interrupt pressing mode. The interrupt mode is a mode in which copying is performed by temporarily interrupting a copy operation during execution of a copy operation and during operation. By setting this mode, the previous copy mode and the progress information in the middle of copying are stored in the nonvolatile RAM, the mode is shifted to the interrupt mode, and the mode is initialized. When the interrupt mode is canceled after the copy operation is executed, the mode and information stored in the nonvolatile RAM are restored, the state before the interrupt mode setting is restored, and the mode before the interrupt can be continued by restarting.

  By pressing the initial setting key 38, the initial state of the machine can be arbitrarily customized. The paper size stored in the machine can be set, or the state set when the copy function mode clear key is pressed can be arbitrarily set. Also, select applications that will be preferentially selected when there is no operation for a certain period of time, set the transition time to low power according to the International Energy Star plan, or switch to auto-off / sleep mode It is possible to set the time.

  When the preheating key 35 is pressed, the machine shifts from a standby state to a power reduction state, lowers the fixing temperature, or turns off the display of the operation unit 30. The preheating state means a low power state as referred to in the International Energy Star Program. In order to cancel the preheating state, the off state / sleep state, and shift to the standby state, the preheating key is pressed again.

  The new reservation key 39 is used when making a reservation copy. When the job list key 40 is pressed, a list of active copy jobs is displayed. By pressing the program key 41, frequently used setting conditions can be stored (registered), recalled, and deleted. In this case, a program mode screen (see FIG. 8) is displayed.

  FIG. 6 is a view showing an example of display on the liquid crystal touch panel 31 of the operation unit 30. When the operator touches a key displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 31, the key indicating the selected function is inverted in black. In addition, when it is necessary to specify the details of the function (for example, when the magnification is changed, the variable value is displayed), the detailed function setting screen is displayed by touching the key. Thus, since the liquid crystal touch panel 31 uses a dot display, it is possible to graphically perform an optimal display at that time.

  FIG. 7 shows a case where the portable recording medium (memory card) 75 is not set or is not set correctly when predetermined printing is performed using the image data of the portable recording medium (memory card) 75. It is an example of a display screen. 8 to 10 show examples of operation screens for instructing image data output from the portable recording medium 75. FIG.

  FIG. 8 is a cover mode setting screen. The front cover and back cover can be set, and a copy button for placing an image on the cover and a non-copy button for placing no image on the cover can be selected. Here, when the copy button is pressed, a document button and a file selection button are displayed. When the document button is selected, the mode setting is made so that the document image is output on the cover. The document image includes a read document image and a document image read from the image memory.

  When the file selection button is pressed, a file selection screen (see FIG. 11) is opened and image data to be placed on the cover can be selected.

  FIG. 9 is a user stamp setting screen. In the user stamp, a user stamp registered in the device is displayed as an option. There is a file selection button for indicating a stamp other than those registered in the device. When the file selection button is pressed, a file selection screen (see FIG. 11) is opened, and user stamp image data can be selected.

  FIG. 10 is a format composition setting screen. The format composition includes a document format button and an image format button for selecting the format type. The document format is a mode setting in which a read document image is used as a format, or a document image read from an image memory is used as a format to be combined. The image format is a mode setting in which a registered image registered in the device is used as a format, or image data of a portable recording medium 75 is used as a format, and composition is performed.

  When the image format button is pressed, a registration format button and a file selection button for selecting an image format are displayed. When the file selection button is pressed, a file selection screen (see FIG. 11) is opened and image data for format synthesis can be selected.

  11 and 12 show examples of the file selection screen on the operation unit 30. FIG. Here, the names of files existing on the portable recording medium 75, the user ID of the file creator, the file creation / update date and time, the number of pages, the file type, and the like are displayed in a list. By pressing the file selection button 80, a file can be selected and graphic display of button inversion is performed. Further, when the highlighted file button is pressed again, the highlighted display is canceled and the file selection is also canceled.

  Since there is a limit to the number of files that can be displayed on the operation screen, there are page turning buttons 81 to 82, and it is possible to check all the files by operating these buttons. When a detail button 83 is pressed while a file is selected, a detail display screen (not shown) is opened, and information that cannot be displayed in the list, such as file capacity and image size, can be displayed.

  There are a search button 84 and a sort button 85 for narrowing down files. When the search button is pressed, a search condition screen (not shown) is opened, and what is searched for under the input condition is displayed on the file selection screen. The sort button has a file name, a user ID, a date and time, and the like. The buttons are displayed in ascending / descending order when the button is pressed. The ascending / descending order of the sort is expressed by an upward / downward arrow.

  This is a button for switching the list display button, thumbnail display button 86, and file selection button 80 to list display (see FIG. 11) or thumbnail display (see FIG. 12). In the thumbnail display, the thumbnail of the first image of the file is displayed on the button.

(Operation example 1-1)
The file display process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, file reference is performed (step S11), and it is confirmed whether the file exists (step S12). If it is determined that the file exists, display filter conditions are set (step S13), and it is determined whether or not a predetermined condition is met (step S14). If the conditions match, the file is acquired and the acquired file information is stored in the screen display data (step S15). Subsequently, it is determined whether or not file acquisition sufficient to display the screen on the operation panel has been completed (step S16), and if it has been completed, the display of the file selection screen is updated (step S17).

  Note that the print settings and bibliographic information of the image data of the portable recording medium 75 are applied as the file display filter conditions. However, when printing a document stored in the image memory, the image data is specified in advance. Therefore, the bibliographic information of the image data of the stored document is also applicable.

  In this way, the image data of the portable storage medium is compared with the print settings of the image forming apparatus and the image data of the image forming apparatus, and only the image data of the portable storage medium that satisfies the conditions is displayed, so that the portable data is displayed. The operability of narrowing down image data in the storage medium can be improved.

(Operation example 1-2)
The case where the file display filter condition is the image size will be described. Here, conditions for comparing the print setting and the image size of the image data of the portable recording medium 75 are set. In the cover mode, it is desirable to select image data having an image size that matches the paper size selected on the cover tray. Further, from the viewpoint of preventing image missing, it is only necessary to select image data having an image size smaller than the paper size selected in the cover tray. For the user stamp, it is sufficient if image data having an image size smaller than the designated document size or the paper size of the selected tray can be selected. In the format composition, it is only necessary to select image data having an image size that matches the designated document size or the paper size of the selected tray. Further, when printing a stored document in the image memory, the image size of the image data of the stored document is compared with the image size of the image data of the portable recording medium 75 regardless of each mode. These comparison conditions are shown in FIG.

  In this way, by setting the image size of the image data in the portable storage medium as a condition, it is possible to narrow down the image data that does not cause image loss.

(Operation example 1-3)
A case where the display filter condition of the file is resolution will be described. Here, the condition setting for comparing the print setting and the resolution of the image data of the portable recording medium is performed. Since some image data of the portable recording medium 75 does not have an image size, a comparison is made by converting the resolution of the image data to the resolution of the printing conditions (for example, 600 dpi in the case of copying). And In the cover mode, it is desirable to select image data having a resolution corresponding to the image size that matches the paper size selected on the cover tray. Further, from the viewpoint of preventing image missing, it is only necessary to select image data having a resolution corresponding to an image size smaller than the paper size selected in the cover tray. In the user stamp, it is only necessary to select image data corresponding to a specified document size or an image size smaller than the paper size of the selected tray. In the format composition, it is only necessary to select image data corresponding to the designated document size or the image size that matches the paper size of the selected tray. Also, when printing a stored document in the image memory, the image size of the image data of the stored document is compared with the resolution of the image data of the portable recording medium 75 regardless of each mode. These comparison conditions are shown in FIG.

  As described above, by setting the resolution of the image data of the portable storage medium as a condition, it is possible to narrow down the image data that does not cause image loss even in an image format that does not have an image size.

(Operation example 1-4)
The case where the file display filter condition is the number of pages will be described. Here, the condition setting for comparing the print setting and the number of pages of the image data of the portable recording medium 75 is performed. In the cover mode, it is only necessary to select one page of image data. If double-sided copy setting is performed even in the cover mode, two pages of image data may be selected in accordance with the text. In the user stamp and format composition, it is only necessary to select one page of image data. These determination conditions are shown in FIG.

  Thus, by setting the number of pages of image data in the portable storage medium as a condition, it is possible to narrow down the number of pages of image data necessary for print settings.

(Operation Example 1-5)
FIG. 13 shows an example of an image selection screen. The configuration and functions of the screen are almost the same as the file selection screen of FIG. 11 or FIG. In FIG. 12, the image data file displayed with one selection button is assigned to the selection button for each image data in FIG.

  Thus, by displaying an image data file consisting of a plurality of pages for each page, it is possible to improve the operability of image data discrimination and designation.

  Next, the program mode will be described. When the registration key 43 is pressed on the program mode screen (see FIG. 18) and then the program number selection key 45 is pressed, the setting conditions are stored in the NV-RAM 75. If the program number selection key 45 is pressed after the call key 42 is pressed, the setting conditions stored in the NV-RAM 75 are called. When the program number selection key 45 is pressed after the delete key 44 is pressed, the setting conditions stored in the NV-RAM 75 are deleted. The setting conditions are stored separately for each program number.

  Next, the image data printing mode will be described. The image data printing mode is a mode for selecting an image stored in the portable recording medium 75 or the image forming apparatus 200 and printing the image. For example, a cover function (see Fig. 8) that selects an image for the cover and prints any image on the cover, or a user stamp that selects an image such as a company logo and prints it with the original image There is a printing function (see FIG. 9).

(Operation example 2-1)
When a program registered to print image data stored in a removable portable storage medium in the image data printing mode is called, it is necessary to connect a portable storage medium storing the image data. Each time it is necessary to connect a portable storage medium, the operation procedure increases. Further, if the portable storage medium is lost or a file containing image data is deleted, printing cannot be performed. Therefore, according to the present invention, when registering the composition function as a program, the image data is stored in the storage medium in the image forming apparatus so that the portable storage medium need not be connected each time the program is called.

When the image data printing mode is selected at the time of program registration, the following processing is sequentially performed.
[1] An image set as an image to be printed in the image data printing mode is copied from the portable recording medium 75 to the image memory (HDD) 66 with a unique file ID added.
[2] The fact that the image data is in the image data print mode of the file ID from the image memory (HDD) 66 is stored in the setting condition corresponding to the number registered in the program. When image data printing is stored as the calling number setting condition when the program is called, the image of the file ID stored in the calling number setting condition is transferred from the image memory (HDD) 66 in the image data printing mode. Set as an image to print.

(Operation example 2-2)
When deleting the registered program by selecting the image data printing mode in the image forming apparatus described above, the image data stored in the storage medium in the image forming apparatus must be erased unless the image data stored in the storage medium in the image forming apparatus is deleted. It will run out of capacity. Therefore, in the present invention, when the program in which the mode for combining the image data of the portable storage medium is registered is deleted, the above-mentioned problem is avoided by deleting the image data stored in the storage medium in the image forming apparatus.

At the time of program erasure, if image data printing is stored in the setting condition of the number to be erased, the following processing is performed sequentially.
[1] The image of the file ID stored in the setting condition of the number to be deleted is deleted.
[2] Delete the image data printing mode from the setting condition corresponding to the number to be deleted.

(Operation example 2-3)
In the above-described image forming apparatus, since image data is stored in a storage medium in the image forming apparatus, image data that is not desired to be disclosed to other users is also stored, resulting in a security problem. In addition, when the image data stored in the removable portable storage medium is called in the image data printing mode and the registered program is called, the image data is printed from the portable storage medium. It is necessary to retrieve a file to be stored from a portable storage medium. However, even if file information such as a file name is searched for as a keyword, there is a possibility that an incorrect file is searched if the user has changed the file name. Therefore, in the present invention, when the image data printing mode for printing the image data of the portable storage medium is registered as a program, the portable storage medium stores the image data to which the bibliographic information for specifying the image data is added, thereby forming the image. The bibliographic information is stored in a storage medium in the apparatus. Further, when the program is called, an image that matches the bibliographic information stored in the storage medium in the image forming apparatus is printed from the portable storage medium, thereby making it possible to avoid the above two problems.

When the image data printing mode is selected at the time of program registration, the following processing is sequentially performed.
[1] An image set as an image to be printed in the image data print mode is copied from the portable recording medium 75 to the portable recording medium 75 with a unique file ID added.
[2] The fact that the mode is the image data print mode of the file ID from the portable recording medium 75 is stored in the setting condition corresponding to the number to be registered in the program. When image data printing is stored in the calling number setting condition when the program is called, the image of the file ID stored in the calling number setting condition is printed from the portable recording medium 75 in the image data printing mode. Set as an image.

(Operation example 2-4)
In the above-described image forming apparatus, when a portable storage medium is write-protected at the time of program registration, or when image data to which bibliographic information for specifying image data is added cannot be stored due to insufficient capacity or the like. A warning message is displayed to inform the user that the program could not be registered.

The program registration process when the image data printing mode described in the operation example 2-3 is selected is changed as follows.
[1] It is checked whether the portable recording medium 75 is write-protected. If write-protected, a warning (see FIG. 19) that the write-protection is performed is displayed, and the program registration process is stopped.
[2] An image set as an image to be printed in the image data print mode is copied by adding a unique file ID from the portable recording medium 75 to the portable recording medium. If copying fails due to the lack of capacity of the portable recording medium 75, a warning (see FIG. 20) that copying to the portable recording medium 75 could not be performed is displayed, and the program registration process is stopped.
[3] The fact that the mode is the image data print mode of the file ID from the portable recording medium 75 is stored in the setting condition corresponding to the number to be registered in the program.

(Operation example 2-5)
In the above-described image forming apparatus, when the image data print mode for printing the image data of the portable storage medium is called, the bibliographic information of the image data of the portable storage medium stored in the storage medium in the image forming apparatus is matched. When there is no image data to be displayed, the user's operability is improved by displaying a warning.

The program calling process when the image data printing mode described in the operation example 2-3 is selected is changed as follows.
[1] It is checked whether the portable recording medium 75 is inserted into the portable recording medium connection unit 74. If not, a warning that the portable recording medium 75 is not inserted is displayed (see FIG. 21). To do. When the portable recording medium 75 is inserted into the portable recording medium connecting unit 74, the process proceeds to [2]. When the “CANCEL” key is pressed, the program call processing is stopped.
[2] Search the portable recording medium 75 for the image of the file ID stored in the setting condition of the number to be called. If the search is successful, the process transits to [3]. If the search is not successful, a warning (see FIG. 22) indicating that the search was not possible is displayed. When the portable recording medium 75 is newly inserted into the portable recording medium connecting unit 74, the process moves to the top of [2] and the search is performed again. When the “CANCEL” key is pressed, the program call processing is stopped.
[3] The image of the file retrieved in the process [2] is set as an image to be printed in the image data print mode.

  By the way, the processing method (operation) in the embodiments described so far can be programmed, recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and executed on the computer. Further, a part of the processing method can be provided on a network and realized through a communication line.

  That is, the image processing method described in this embodiment is realized by executing a program prepared in advance on a computer (CPU 300) such as a personal computer or a workstation, as shown in FIG. This program is operated by a computer such as a memory 31, a hard disk 304, a flexible disk 307, a CD-ROM (Compact-Disc Read Only Memory) 306, an MO (Magneto Optical), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) by operating the keyboard 305. The program is recorded on a readable recording medium, read from the recording medium by a computer (CPU 300), and displayed on the display device 303 as necessary. In addition, data of this image processing method can be transmitted and received from the communication device 302 to an external device as necessary.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 24, this program can be distributed to devices 401 to 403 such as a personal computer via the recording medium via a network such as the Internet 400.

  That is, this program can be provided in a state of being installed in advance on a hard disk as a recording medium built in the computer, for example. The program can be temporarily or permanently stored in a recording medium, and can be provided as packaged software by being incorporated in a computer as a unit or being used as a removable recording medium.

  As the recording medium, for example, a flexible disk, a CD-ROM, an MO disk, a DVD, a magnetic disk, a semiconductor memory, and the like can be used.

  The program can be transferred from a download site to a computer wired or wirelessly via a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet, and downloaded to a storage device such as a built-in hard disk in the computer. .

  As described above, the image forming apparatus, the image forming method, and the program according to the present invention are useful for an apparatus and a method that can output from a portable recording medium that can be attached to and detached from the apparatus. This is suitable for the case where a plurality of recorded image data and the image data of the apparatus are combined and output.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the image forming apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a control apparatus centering on a main controller. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of an image processing unit (IPU). FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the operation part concerning embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which showed an example of the display of the liquid crystal touch panel of an operation part. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a display screen without a card | curd when using a memory card. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a setting screen of the cover mode concerning embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a user stamp setting screen concerning embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a setting screen of format composition concerning embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example (1) of a file selection screen concerning embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example (2) of a file selection screen concerning embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of an image selection screen concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a graph which shows the comparative example with the image size of the image data in the portable recording medium concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a graph which shows the comparative example with the resolution of the image data in the portable recording medium concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a chart which shows the example of page judgment of the image data in the portable recording medium concerning an embodiment of the invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a program copy mode screen concerning embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a display screen at the time of card writing prohibition concerning embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a display screen at the time of the card writing failure concerning embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a display screen at the time of the card | curd not inserted concerning embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a display screen when there is no image data in the card | curd concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the example which makes a computer perform the processing method concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the example which downloads and performs the processing method concerning embodiment of this invention from a network.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 20 Main controller 30 Operation part 31 Liquid crystal display 50 Scanner 66 Image memory 74 Portable recording medium connection part 75 Portable recording medium 200 Image forming apparatus

Claims (10)

An image forming apparatus for forming an image on recording paper,
Image input means for inputting image data;
Operation display means having a predetermined operation setting and display function;
A portable recording medium connecting means in which a plurality of image data is recorded, and a detachable and portable portable recording medium connected to the image forming apparatus is readable;
With
When the image data recorded on the portable recording medium is combined with the image data input from the image input means and output, the image data of the portable recording medium is rearranged on the operation display means. An image forming apparatus comprising image data narrowing means for narrowing down image data to be output.   2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image data narrowing unit sorts and filters the attributes of the images stored in the portable recording medium in accordance with the function of the apparatus.   2. The image according to claim 1, wherein the image data narrowing means sorts and filters the attributes of the image stored in the portable recording medium in accordance with the attributes of the composition and insertion destination documents. Forming equipment.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image data narrowing unit performs sorting and filtering according to an image format of the portable recording medium.   The image data narrowing-down means displays a plurality of images stored in the portable recording medium as one page image on the operation display means. The image forming apparatus described. Furthermore, an image data storage means for storing image data inside the apparatus is provided,
When performing program printing using image data of the portable recording medium, the image data is stored in the image data storage means, and the image data used in the program printing is erased from the image data storage means The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. An image forming method in which image data is input, a plurality of image data is recorded, an image is read out from a portable recording medium that is detachable and portable with respect to the apparatus, and an image is formed.
When the image data recorded on the portable recording medium is combined with the image data input from the image input means and output, the image data of the portable recording medium is rearranged to output the image data to be output. An image forming method comprising a step of displaying and narrowing down image data.   8. The image forming method according to claim 7, wherein the image data narrowing step sorts and filters the attributes of the images stored in the portable recording medium in accordance with the function of the apparatus.   8. The image according to claim 7, wherein the image data narrowing step sorts and filters the attributes of the image stored in the portable recording medium in accordance with the attributes of the composition and insertion destination documents. Forming method.   A program for causing a computer to execute the image forming method according to claim 7.

Images