JP2008099118A - Image reading apparatus, image processing system and image processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simplify operations by registering image read conditions executable by combining both of the throughput of an image reading apparatus and the throughput of a transfer destination device for read images. <P>SOLUTION: A job template registration tool 80 extracts read conditions to a read original 6 in the capacity information 221 of a PC 200 and the capacity information 121 of a scanner 100, and registers a job template 3 wherein processing instructions to the scanner 100 and the PC 200 are recorded by the selected results of the read conditions by a user to the scanner 100. The scanner 100 executes the processing instruction of the scanner recorded in the job template 3 by an image read instruction by the selection of the job template 3, attaches a job template 3c for transfer wherein the processing instruction to be executed in the PC 200 is attached to a transfer image file 4 and transmits it to the PC 200. The PC 200 executes the processing instruction of the job template 3c for the transfer and creates a final image file 5. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus, an image processing system, and an image processing method. In particular, both of the processing capability of an image reading apparatus and the image processing capability of an apparatus that is a transfer destination of an image read by the image reading apparatus. The present invention relates to a technique for registering processing conditions that can be processed in combination, and executing an image reading process by executing processing instructions for both the image reading apparatus and the image processing apparatus only by selecting the registered reading conditions.

  As a conventional technique related to an image reading apparatus, an image processing system, and an image processing method, an “image processing apparatus, method, and image processing system” disclosed in Patent Document 1 is disclosed.

  The invention of Patent Document 1 is an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, and an image processing system that are intended to reduce the time required for copy processing and to reduce the load on the computer. The image data obtained by performing the pre-scan at the low resolution is transferred to the computer, and the computer outputs the result of the gamma correction processing performed based on a plurality of gamma correction tables prepared in advance to the monitor. The operator refers to the correction result for each nuclear gamma correction table displayed on the monitor, determines the optimum gamma correction table, and transfers the determined gamma correction table to the color image reading apparatus. The color image reading apparatus performs a main scan with high resolution, performs gamma correction processing based on the gamma correction table transferred from the computer, and outputs the processing result from the color image output unit.

  As a technique related to image reading processing, an “image reading method and system” described in Patent Document 2 is disclosed.

The invention of this Patent Document 2 aims to reduce the load on the network and the server, and to easily perform a standard process for the read image, and to read the image reading conditions and read by the multi-function device that performs the image reading process. Based on the job template that describes the image processing procedure for the image in a predetermined language, the image is read, and the read image data and job template are sent to the image transfer destination specified by the job template. Then, the apparatus that has received the image data and the job template performs image processing based on the processing command described in the job template.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 09-252413. JP 2000-270148 A.

  The present invention is not limited to the processing capability of image reading processing that can be performed on the image reading device side, and is the capability of image reading processing possessed by the image reading device and the capability of image processing possessed by the device that is the transfer destination of the scanned image. For the image reading device that is necessary to acquire the final image under the selected scanning conditions simply by registering the scanning conditions that can be set according to the combination of these and performing the operation of selecting the registered scanning conditions. An object of the present invention is to provide an image reading apparatus, an image processing system, and an image processing method capable of executing a processing instruction and a processing instruction for a read image transfer destination apparatus.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the invention of claim 1 includes a receiving unit that receives an image reading processing condition, a reading processing unit that performs an image reading process based on the reading processing condition received by the receiving unit, and a reading processing unit. An image reading apparatus comprising: transfer means for transferring the image information read-processed in step 1 to a transfer destination included in the read-processing conditions.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the invention according to claim 1, wherein the reading processing conditions include a first processing condition that can be processed by the own apparatus and a second processing condition that can be processed by another apparatus at the transfer destination. And the reading processing means performs image reading processing based on the first processing condition, and the other device performs processing on the image information transferred by the transfer means based on the second processing condition. To do.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, the transfer means attaches a second processing condition to the image information and transfers the image information to another device. An image reading apparatus that performs processing on image information transferred by a transfer unit based on processing conditions.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the second or third aspect of the present invention, the information processing apparatus further includes a determination unit that determines the first processing condition from the read processing condition received by the reception unit. An image reading device that performs an image reading process based on a determined first processing condition.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the second to fourth aspects of the present invention, the invention further includes a selection unit that selects a desired reading process condition from the reading process condition received by the receiving unit. An image reading apparatus that performs an image reading process based on a reading process condition determined by a selection unit.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image reading apparatus that performs an image reading process, and an image processing apparatus connected to the image reading apparatus by communication means. A receiving unit that receives an image reading processing condition including a first processing condition that can be processed and a second processing condition that can be processed by the image processing apparatus; and a first process of the reading processing conditions received by the receiving unit A reading processing unit configured to read an image based on a condition; and a transfer unit configured to transfer image information read by the reading processing unit to the image processing apparatus. The image processing apparatus is configured to set a reading processing condition. Means, a transmission means for transmitting the reading process condition set by the setting means to the image reading apparatus, and an image processing means for processing the image information transferred by the transfer means based on the second processing condition. Image processing System.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the image processing apparatus includes a first processing condition that can be processed by the image reading apparatus connected to the image processing apparatus by communication means, and a second process that can be processed by the image processing apparatus. The image reading processing conditions including the conditions are set by the setting means, the reading processing conditions set by the setting means are transmitted to the image reading apparatus by the transmitting means, and the image reading apparatus is transmitted from the image reading apparatus by the transmitting means. The reading processing condition is received by the receiving means, the image reading process is performed by the reading processing means based on the first processing condition of the reading processing conditions received by the receiving means, and the image information read by the reading processing means is obtained. An image processing method in which the image processing apparatus transfers the image information transferred by the transfer unit based on the second processing condition.

  According to the image reading device, the image processing system, and the image processing method of the present invention, the image reading processing capability of the image reading device is not limited to the processing capability of the image reading processing that can be performed on the image reading device side, It is possible to collectively register reading conditions that can be set according to a combination of image processing capabilities of a device that is a transfer destination of a read image.

  When performing an image reading operation, simply perform an operation to select the registered reading conditions. Processing instructions for the image reading device and transfer of the read image necessary to obtain a final image under the registered reading conditions. Since the processing command for the destination device can be executed, it is possible to eliminate the trouble of giving an operation instruction to each of the image reading device and the transfer destination device of the read image, and to improve the operability of the image reading processing.

  Embodiments of an image reading apparatus, an image processing system, and an image processing method according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a basic configuration diagram of an image processing system including an image reading apparatus (hereinafter, a scanner in the embodiment) and an image processing apparatus (hereinafter, a PC in the embodiment) of the present invention. .

  The image processing system of FIG. 1 is configured by a scanner 100 that is connected to a PC 200 via a network 7 and reads an image of a read original 6 and transfers it to the PC 200.

  Here, the reading conditions of the image of the read original 6 by the scanner 100 and the processing conditions for performing image processing on the transfer image by the PC 200 (hereinafter, these two conditions are collectively referred to as reading conditions) are provided in the scanner 100. The registered job template registration tool 80 can perform batch registration.

  The job template registration tool 80 sets various reading conditions that can be set based on the image reading processing capability 121 of the scanner 100 and the capability of the image processing 221 that can be executed on the PC 200 side by inquiring the PC 200. Extracted and displayed on the selection screen, the reading conditions that can be implemented by the scanner 100 based on the selection result of the user, the reading conditions that can be realized by the PC 200 side, and further, the image read by the scanner is transferred to the PC 200 In this case, the job template 3 in which various setting information related to the transfer processing is recorded in a file is created and registered in the scanner 100.

  The scanner 100 adds the transfer image file 4 generated by the reading process of the read document 6 by executing the processing instruction described in the registered job template 3 to the processing information part 33 of the job template 3 selected by the user, on the PC 200 side. Attach the transfer job template 3c recorded with the processing instructions that can be executed in step S1 to the designated folder of the PC 200 set in the job template 3.

  The PC 200 detects that the transfer image file 4 to which the transfer job template 3c is attached has been transferred from the scanner 100, and executes the processing instruction assigned to the own apparatus recorded in the transferred transfer job template 3c. Then, the final image file 5 is created by performing image processing on the transfer image file 4, and the final image file 5 is stored in the designated storage location of the final image file 5 designated by the transfer job template 3c.

  The image processing system shown in FIG. 1 shows an example in which the registration operation of the job template 3 and the image reading operation are both operated from the scanner 100 side. Both the registration operation and the image reading operation by selecting the registered job template 3 are operated from the PC 200 side, or the registration operation of the job template 3 and the operation of image reading processing by selecting the registered job template 3 are performed by the scanner 100. It is also possible to operate from either of the PC 200 and the PC 200.

  Next, registration examples of the job template 3 shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, the job template 3 includes a fixed information unit 32 and a processing information unit 33.

  The fixed information unit 32 includes a job template name and job template ID for identifying the registered job template 3, reading device identification information for identifying and specifying a scanner that performs image reading processing based on the job template, Transfer destination apparatus identification information for identifying the PC 200 that is a transfer destination of the read image by the scanner, a file name given to the image file processed based on the read condition, and the transfer image file 4 processed based on the read condition The folder name (path name) of the storage location indicating the storage location, the transfer method indicating the transfer protocol when transmitting the transfer image file 4 to the transfer destination device, and the format of the processing information section 33 when registering the job template 3 are shown. Setting information including the format type is recorded.

  The processing information unit 33 can select and register the following two types of registration formats according to the registration pattern of the job template 3 shown below.

  The registration format of the processing information unit 33 includes a first format shown in FIG. 2B and a second format shown in FIGS. 2C and 2D.

  In the first format, a processing instruction and a processing NO indicating the processing order of the processing instructions are recorded. In the second format, the type of the apparatus that executes the processing instruction (scanner, PC) is further recorded in the first format. Is done.

The registration method of the job template 3 has the following three registration patterns.

  The first registration pattern of the job template 3 by the job template registration tool 80 is to create a job template 3 in which processing instructions executed on the scanner 100 side and processing instructions executed on the PC 200 side are individually described in the processing information section 33. Then, the job template 3 describing the processing instruction executed by each device is registered in the device responsible for the processing.

  The processing information unit 33 when created with the registered pattern 1 of the job template 3 determines a processing command for obtaining an image of the reading condition selected by the user and its execution order, and the processing assigned to the scanner 100 and the PC 200, respectively. Job templates 3 (33a and 33b in FIG. 2B) in which instructions are recorded in the execution order are individually created and registered in apparatuses that execute processing instructions.

  The second registration pattern of the job template 3 by the job template registration tool 80 records the processing instructions extracted based on the reading conditions in the order of processing execution, and also includes identification information indicating a device that executes the recorded processing instructions. The job template 3 recorded and registered for each command is registered in the scanner 100 that performs image reading processing and the PC 200 that transfers the read image and performs image processing.

  The processing information section 33 when created with the registration pattern 2 of the job template 3 is created with the registration format 2, and the processing instruction is recorded for each processing NO indicating the execution order of the processing instructions in the image reading process, and the processing instruction is executed. The device type to be recorded is recorded (35 in FIG. 2).

  The third registration pattern of the job template 3 by the job template registration tool 80 is the same registration format as the registration pattern 2 in the items recorded in the processing information part 33 of the job template 3 (registration format), but the scanner Depending on the reading conditions extracted by the combination of the processing conditions of the PC 100 and the PC 200, the same image processing function can be provided that can obtain an image of the reading conditions selected by the user regardless of whether the PC 200 or the scanner is used. This is a registration pattern when there is a processing instruction.

  When the job template 3 is registered with the registration pattern 3, the processing information unit 33 creates a processing command in a description language that can be analyzed by each device, and sets each processing command that can provide the same image processing function. On the other hand, the same processing NO is given and recorded in the processing information section 33 (37 in FIG. 2).

  In this case, when the transfer image file 4 is transferred from the scanner 100 to the PC 200, the process progress information 38 is used as a method for notifying whether the scanner 100 has executed a processing command that can provide the same image processing function. Is attached to the transfer image file 4 and sent to the transfer destination apparatus.

When the scanner 100 preferentially executes a processing command that provides the same image processing function, for example, in the case of 37 in FIG. 2, the scanner 100 sets processing NO6 in the processing progress information 38, and conversely. When the process instruction of process NO6 is executed on the PC 200 side, the scanner 100 sets process NO5 in the process progress information 38 and notifies the PC 200 of it.

  As a result, when the image processing system performs an image reading process by selecting a job template 3 having a processing command for providing the same image processing function to which the same processing NO is assigned, the PC 200 performs image processing on the scanner 100 side. The processing instruction of the next processing NO following the notified processing NO can be specified as the first processing instruction to be executed by the own device without considering whether the processing has been executed.

  As another implementation method of the image reading process by selecting the job template 3 registered with the registration pattern 3 of the job template 3, the scanner 100 records only an unprocessed processing command executed on the PC 200 side in the processing information unit 33. The transfer job template 3c is created, attached to the transfer image file 4 and sent to the transfer destination apparatus, and the PC 200 sequentially issues processing instructions from the top of the processing information section 33 recorded in the received transfer job template 3c. You may make it perform.

Further, when sending the transfer job template 3c, when the scanner 100 executes a processing command for providing the same image processing function on the scanner 100 side, the processing command assigned to the PC 200 in the same processing NO. When the processing command for the next and subsequent processing is created and sent to the PC 200 by creating the transfer job template 3c recorded in the processing information section 33, the same processing is performed when the processing command for providing the same image processing function is not executed on the scanner 100 side. In NO, a transfer job template 3c in which an unexecuted processing instruction including a processing instruction assigned to the PC 200 is described in the processing information unit 33 is created and sent to the transfer destination apparatus.

Next, the scanner 100 transfers to the PC 200 according to the registration pattern of the job template 3 registered by the job template registration tool 80 and the registration status of the job template 3 to the PC 200 designated as the transfer destination of the read image file. Examples of processing for transferring the image file 4 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5 respectively. Note that the transfer image file 4 that can specify the job template ID by the file name of the transfer image file 4 or the transfer image file The transfer image file 4 whose job template ID can be specified at the storage location will be illustrated and described as a transfer image file 4a.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing pattern examples of transfer processing of the transfer image file 4 when the job template 3 is registered with the registration format 1 and the registration pattern 1 shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 3A, the job template 3 in which the processing instruction 33a executed on the scanner 100 side is recorded in the processing information section 33 of the job template 3 is registered in the scanner 100, and the processing instruction 33b executed on the PC 200 side is recorded. This is an example of transfer processing of the transfer image file 4 when the job template 3 is registered in the PC 200, and the scanner 100 attaches the job template ID 31 selected by the user to the transfer image file 4 and transmits it to the PC 200.

  3B and 3C show the job template ID 31 of the job template 3 selected by the user by the file name of the transfer image file 4 or the identification information of the storage area of the transfer image file 4, etc. This is an example of transfer processing in the case where it is possible to discriminate and specify, and the scanner 100 transfers the transfer image file 4 a created with the transfer file name set in the fixed information section 32 of the job template 3. (FIG. 3B), or the transfer image file 4 is transferred to the transfer destination folder designated by the PC 200 (FIG. 3C).

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a second example of transfer processing of the transfer image file 4.

  FIG. 4 shows a case where the job template 3 in which both the processing instruction 33a executed by the scanner 100 and the processing instruction 33b executed by the PC 200 are described is registered in the processing information part 33 of the registered job template 3. This is an example of a transfer processing image of the transfer image file 4, and the job template 3 is registered in the scanner 100 and the PC 200.

  4A, the scanner 100 attaches the job template ID 31 to the transfer image file 4 and transmits it to the PC 200, and the PC 200 transmits the job template 3 registered in the own apparatus based on the job template ID 31. Then, the processing instruction assigned to the own device is specified and executed.

  4B, the transfer image file 4a to which the file name indicated by the job template ID 31 is assigned is transferred to the PC 200. The PC 200 identifies the job template ID 31 from the file name of the transfer image file 4a and registers it in its own apparatus. The processing instruction assigned to the own apparatus is specified from the job template 3 and executed.

  FIG. 4C is a transfer processing image of the transfer image file 4 when the job template 3 is not registered on the PC 200 side. The scanner 100 processes the transfer image file 4 processed on the scanner 100 side. The transfer job template 3c in which only the processing command to be executed on the PC 200 side excluding is transferred is transmitted to the PC 200, and the PC 200 reads and executes the processing command recorded in the transfer job template 3c received from the scanner 100. .

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of transfer processing of the transfer image file 4 when image reading processing is performed by selecting the job template 3 registered with the registration format 2 and the registration pattern 3.

  The processing information section 33 of the registered job template 3 records a processing command that provides the same image processing function that can be implemented by either the scanner 100 or the PC 200.

  FIG. 5A is a diagram showing an example of transfer processing of the transfer image file 4 when the job template 3 selected by the user is not registered on the PC 200 side.

  The scanner 100 transfers to the PC 200 the transfer job file 3 together with the transfer image file 4, in which only the unexecuted processing instructions excluding the processing instructions for which the processing instructions have been executed by the own apparatus are recorded in the processing information section 33. Then, the PC 200 performs the image processing on the transfer image file 4 by sequentially executing the processing instructions of the received transfer job template 3c.

  FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating an example of transfer processing of the transfer image file 4 when the job template 3 registered in the scanner 100 is distributed and registered to the PC 200 side.

  The scanner 100 attaches to the transfer image file 4 the process progress information 38 in which the job template ID 31 and the process instruction of the process command executed last by the scanner 100 are recorded, and transmits it to the PC 200. The PC 200 registers with the own apparatus. The specified job template 3 is read by the job template ID 31 attached to the transfer image file 4 and the first processing command executed by the own apparatus based on the processing NO recorded in the processing progress information 38 Identify and execute.

  FIG. 5C is a diagram showing an example of a transfer process in which the job template ID 31 is notified by the file name of the transfer image file 4c, and the process progress information 38 is attached to the transfer image file 4a and transmitted to the PC 200. .

  The PC 200 identifies the job template ID 31 from the file name of the received transfer image file 4a and, based on the processing progress information 38 attached to the transfer image file 4a, out of the unexecuted processing commands executed by the own apparatus. The head process NO is specified in the ascending order of NO, and image processing is performed on the transfer image file 4a.

  Next, the control configurations of the scanner 100 and the PC 200 shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG.

  The scanner 100 will be described as a network scanner capable of reading a color original with multi-value data.

  The registration operation of the job template 3 by the job template registration tool 80 and the image reading operation by selecting the registered job template 3 will be described on the premise that the operation can be performed from both the scanner 100 and the PC 200. .

  The scanner control unit 110 executes a control program recorded in the scanner storage unit 120 and controls the entire scanner.

  The scanner storage unit 120 records each control program and control information of the scanner 100, and stores a job template registration tool 80, scanner capability information 121, job template management information 123, and transfer device management information 122.

  The scanner capability information 121 records image reading processing in the apparatus itself and image processing capability for the read image data.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the job template management information 123 includes a job template ID 31 (1221) indicating identification information of the job template 3 registered by the job template registration tool 80, and a job template in which the contents of the registered job template 3 are recorded. Storage location (1222) of file 1226, reading condition storage location (1223) indicating the storage location of reading condition file 1227 in which the reading conditions extracted at the time of job template registration and the reading conditions specified by the user are recorded, registered job template The registration format information 1224 indicating the registration format of the processing information unit 33 of No. 3 and the registration device 1225 in which information related to the device indicating the information of the device that registered the job template 3 is recorded and managed.

  The transfer device management information 123 is information for transferring a read image file and registering and managing a device that can perform image reading processing using the job template 3. The registered device name, device identification information, Operating status, network information, and capability information are recorded.

  Here, the capability information of the PC 200 recorded in the transfer device management information 123 is information necessary when the job template registration process is performed by the scanner 100, and the capability information of each PC 200 is an image provided in the PC 200. The identification information of the program for executing the processing or the identification information indicating the function necessary for the image reading processing is acquired by the job template registration tool 80 provided in the scanner being read from the storage unit 220 of the PC 200 via the network. Information.

  The image reading unit 140 reads the image of the read document 6 at a predetermined resolution and generates multivalued image data.

  The image processing unit 130 performs color correction, gradation correction processing, resolution conversion, scaling processing, and the like on the image data generated by the image reading unit 140.

  The external interface 160 is a network for the scanner 100 to perform data communication control with the PC 200 such as the job template 3 or the job template ID 31, the processing progress information 38, and the transfer image file 4. Interface.

  The operation display unit 150 displays the various operation screens including the registration operation of the job template 3 and the image reading operation by selecting the job template 3, and the user enters the operation screen displayed on the display device. And an input device for performing an output operation.

  In the PC 200, the PC control unit 210 executes the control program stored in the PC storage unit 220 and controls the PC 200 as a whole.

  The PC storage unit 220 controls the scanner 100 connected via the network 7 to perform image reading processing, and inquires about the capability information to the scanner 100 connected via the network 7 to obtain the capability information of the scanner. A scanner driver to be acquired, various image processing programs for performing various image processing on an image read by the scanner, and PC capability information 221 in which processing capability relating to image reading processing in the own apparatus is recorded as control information, via the network 7 Scanner management information 222 for managing the scanner 100 that can be connected in this way, job template management information 223 for registering and managing the job template 3 registered by the user, and the transfer image file 4 transferred from the scanner 100, Recorded in job template 3 A final image created by executing processing instructions, recording an image processing program for performing image processing such as tilt correction, automatic erecting, and file conversion, and executing all processing instructions recorded in the job template 3 The final image file storage area 225 for storing the file 5, the transfer image file 4 transferred from the scanner 100 by the image reading process by the selection of the job template 3, and the transfer job template 3 c sent along with the transfer image file 4. The data storage area 224 temporarily stores transfer data including the job template ID 31 for a predetermined period.

  The PC control unit 210 registers terminal information (device name, device identification information, network address, operation status, capability information) of the scanner 100 that can be connected via the external interface 250 in the scanner management information 222 and manages it.

  Information relating to the reading processing capability of the scanner 100 is obtained by analyzing a list of various parameters recorded in the scanner storage unit 120 by the scanner driver of the PC 200 from the scanner 100 via the network 7 and analyzing the acquired various parameters. To do.

  The display unit 240 is a display device that outputs an operation screen for the job template registration tool 80 and an operation screen for performing an image reading process by selecting the job template 3, and the operation unit 230 selects a parameter in the job template registration operation. This is an input device for performing an operation for instructing start of image reading processing by operation, data input operation, and selection of job template 3.

  The image processing unit 260 executes the processing instructions recorded in the job template 3, performs tilt correction for the transfer image file 4 transferred from the scanner 100, image processing including automatic erecting, and file format for the transfer image file 4. Perform the conversion process.

  When the external interface 250 performs image reading processing with the scanner 100 connected via the network 7, control data for notifying the scanner 100 of the job template ID 31 and performing image reading start control. Or a data communication control for receiving data including the transfer image file 4, the job template 3, and the job template ID 31 from the scanner 100.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a job template registration operation is performed on the PC 200 in a configuration in which the PC 200 is connected to the scanner A (100a) and the scanner B (100b) and can perform image reading processing. is there.

  In FIG. 8, the PC 200 has a processing capability capable of performing image processing that performs tilt correction and automatic erecting only on an image file in PDF format.

  On the other hand, the scanner A (100a) and the scanner B (100b) can perform image reading processing with a reading resolution of 200 dpi or 300 dpi.

  The scanner A (100a) can read a monochrome image, and the scanner B (100b) can read a monochrome image and a color image.

  As a file format for transferring the read image to the PC 200, the scanner A (100a) can transfer the file in the PDF format (15 in FIG. 8), and the scanner B (100b) can transfer the image in the TIFF format. The file 4 can be transferred (16 in FIG. 8).

  The PC 200 individually extracts the capability information of its own apparatus and image reading conditions that can be realized in combination with each of the connectable scanner A (100a) and scanner B (100b) for each scanner.

  For example, as shown in 11 of FIG. 8 and 12 of FIG. 8, a selection screen for a reading condition that can be selected by the user is displayed for each connectable scanner.

In the inclination correction and automatic erecting of the reading condition indicated by 11 in FIG. 8, the output format of the transfer image file 4 when it is transferred to the PC 200 by the scanner A (100a) is the PDF format (15 in FIG. 8). When the scanner A (100a) is selected as the image reading apparatus, tilt correction and automatic erect image processing can be selected.

  On the other hand, since the output format of the transfer image file 4 when transferred to the PC 200 by the scanner B (100b) is the TIFF format (16 in FIG. 8), the PC 200 is transferred to the PC 200 by the scanner B (100b). The image file 4 cannot be subjected to tilt correction or automatic erect image processing.

  Accordingly, when the scanner A (100a) is designated as the image reading apparatus in the job template registration process, the image processing function is displayed as an image processing function that allows selection of tilt correction and automatic erecting image processing, and the scanner B (100b). ) Is specified, it is displayed as an item for which the image processing function for tilt correction and automatic erecting cannot be selected.

  Further, when the job template 3 is registered based on the user selection results shown in 11 of FIG. 8 and 12 of FIG. 8, the job template 3 distributed and registered to the scanner A (100a) is executed on the scanner 200 side. The job template 3 (17 in FIG. 8) in which the processing command to be recorded is registered, and for one PC 200, the job template 3 (14 in FIG. 8) in which only the processing command on the PC 200 side is recorded is registered. The

  On the other hand, when the user selects the scanner B (100b) and registers the job template, the job template 3 in which only the processing command executed by the scanner B (100b) is recorded for the scanner B (100b). (18 in FIG. 8) is registered. On the other hand, since there is no image processing function that satisfies the selected reading condition for the PC 200, the job template 3 (FIG. 8) in which only the fixed information portion 32 of the job template 3 is recorded. 8) 13) is registered.

  Next, as a second example of job template registration processing, an example in which job template registration processing is performed by the scanner 100 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 9 illustrates an example in which the job template 3 created in the registration format 2 is registered in each of the scanner 100 and the PC 200.

  In FIG. 9, the scanner 100 performs image reading processing by selecting the job template 3 with a configuration in which the scanner 100 is connected to each of the PC-A (200 a) and the PC-B (200 b) via the network 7.

  The scanner 100 can select either 200 dpi or 300 dpi as the image reading resolution, can select either color or monochrome as the color mode during image reading, and transfers the read image to the transfer destination. The file format to be output to the apparatus is the PDF format, and has a processing capability for performing tilt correction on the PDF format image file as an image processing function other than the image reading process.

  On the other hand, as a function of image processing that the PC 200 has, the PC-A (200a) has a processing capability capable of performing tilt correction and automatic erecting on an image file in PDF format or TIFF format (FIG. 9). 26), one PC-B (200b) does not have the processing capability of tilt correction and automatic erecting (25 in FIG. 9).

  Therefore, the output images of the reading conditions that can be selected by the user, which are extracted based on the combination of the processing capability of the PC 200 and the processing capability of each scanner, have the contents shown in 27 of FIG. 9 and 28 of FIG. 9, for example. .

  When the PC-A (200a) is selected as the transfer destination device of the read image (27 in FIG. 9), it is possible to select either 200 dpi or 300 dpi as the image reading resolution. As the reading color mode at the time of reading, either monochrome or color can be selected as the reading condition, and the transfer format of the read image file is the PDF format.

  Further, for the transferred transfer image file 4, it is possible to select an image processing function for tilt correction and automatic erecting.

  On the other hand, the reading condition (28 in FIG. 9) when PC-B (200b) is selected as the transfer destination device of the transfer image file 4 can select either 200 dpi or 300 dpi as the reading resolution. In the color mode, either color or monochrome can be selected, and the output format of the read image file is created in the PDF format.

  When the user selects PC-B (200b) as the transfer destination of the image file, the PC-B (200b) does not have an image processing function for performing tilt correction on the transfer image file 4 transferred from the scanner 100. Since the scanner 100 has an image processing function for tilt correction that the apparatus 100 has after performing the image reading process, the tilt correction is displayed as a processing function that can be selected by the user.

  When the job template 3 for the PC-A (200a) is registered under the user-selected reading condition shown in 27 of FIG. 9, processing performed on the scanner 100 side as shown in 21, 22, and 23 of FIG. Processing command (22 in FIG. 9) that can be processed by any of the command (21 in FIG. 9), the scanner 100, and the PC-A (200a) (22 in FIG. 9), processing performed on the PC 200 side It is created with three types of processing instructions (23 in FIG. 9), and is registered and recorded in both the PC-A (200a) and the scanner 100.

  On the other hand, the job template 3 when the PC-B (200b) is selected as the transfer destination apparatus is created as a processing command that can be corrected by the scanner 100 in the job template indicated by 24 in FIG.

  Next, in the image processing system shown in FIG. 1, an example of an image reading process for sending a job image ID 31 attached to the transfer image file 4 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation example of image reading processing when an image reading operation is performed on the PC 200 side.

  In the sequence diagram of FIG. 10, when the PC 200 detects a selection operation of the job template 3 by the user (S101), the job template ID 31 of the job template 3 selected by the user is specified by analyzing the input operation on the image reading operation screen. Then, control data for notifying the scanner 100 set in the fixed information section 33 of the job template 3 corresponding to the specified job template ID 31 of the job template ID 31 and instructing the start of image reading processing (FIG. 10). 61) is transmitted to the scanner 100 (S102).

  The scanner 100 reads and identifies the job template ID 31 notified by the control data instructed to start image reading received from the PC 200, and reads the job template 3 of the identified job template ID 31 (S103).

  The processing instructions described in the processing information section 33 of the job template 3 are sequentially executed in ascending order of the processing NO, and the image reading process of the read document 6 and the read image processing are executed, and the fixed information of the job template 3 Based on the image file name and output file format recorded in the unit 32, the transfer image file 4 to be transferred to the PC 200 is created (S104).

  Next, the transfer destination PC 200 recorded in the fixed information part 32 of the job template 3 specified in the process of step S103 is specified (S105), and the process of step S104 is performed based on the file transfer method of the fixed information part 32. The transfer data (62 in FIG. 10), in which the data for notifying the PC 200 of the job template ID 31 is attached to the transfer image file 4 created in (5), is transmitted to the PC 200 specified in step S105 (S106).

  The PC 200 accumulates the received transfer image file 4 and the job template ID 31 in a folder provided in advance as a storage location of the transfer image file 4, while monitoring the storage status of the file at the storage location of the image file at a predetermined timing. Then, the transfer image file 4 newly transferred and stored and the accumulation of the job template ID 31 attached to the transfer image file 4 are detected (S107), and the job template ID 31 corresponding to the transfer image file 4 whose accumulation is detected is detected. The job template 3 corresponding to the read job template ID 31 is specified by the job template management information 223 and read (S108).

  When processing instructions to be executed on the PC 200 side are described in the processing information part 33 read from the job template 3 by the processing in step S108, the processing instructions are analyzed and executed in ascending order of processing NO, and accumulation is detected. Image processing is performed on the transferred image file 4 (S109).

  When the image processing in step S109 is completed, the final image file 5 obtained by changing the transfer image file 4 having undergone the image processing to the file name read from the fixed information unit 32 is the final image recorded in the job template fixed information unit 32. The final image file 5 is saved in the storage area of the file 5 (S110).

  Next, when the transfer job file 3c is attached to the transfer image file 4 and transferred to the transfer destination PC 200, an image when the image reading operation by selecting the job template 3 is performed on the operation display unit 150 of the scanner 200 is performed. An example of reading operation will be described with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG.

  In FIG. 11, the scanner 100 detects an image reading operation by selecting a job template on the operation display unit 150 (S201), analyzes the detected input operation, and specifies the job template ID 31 of the job template 3 selected by the user. Then, the information recorded in the fixed information portion 32 and the processing information portion 33 of the job template 3 corresponding to the specified job template ID 31 is read (S202).

  The scanner 100 determines the type of device that executes the processing command among the processing commands recorded in the processing information section 33 of the read job template 3, and identifies the processing command that can be executed by the scanner 100 (S203). Then, the transfer image file 4 is generated by performing image reading processing and image processing by executing the processing command specified in ascending order of the processing NO given to the processing command (S204).

  A transfer job template 3c is created in which processing instructions assigned to the PC 200 other than processing instructions assigned to the scanner 100 and executed are recorded in the processing information section 33 (S205). The data (71 in FIG. 11) in which the transfer job template 3c created in the process of step S205 is attached to the transfer image file 4 generated by the process of (5) is transmitted to the PC 200 (S206).

  The PC 200 detects the accumulation of a new file in the temporary data storage area 225 (S207), and reads the transfer job template 3c attached to the transfer image file 4 received from the scanner 100 (S208).

  The processing instructions recorded in the processing information part 33 of the transfer job template 3c in the process of step S208 are sequentially executed in ascending order of the process NO given to each processing instruction, and the accumulation is detected in the process of step S207. Image processing is performed on the transferred image file 4 (S209).

  When the execution of all the processing instructions recorded in the processing information part 33 of the transfer job template 3c is completed, the name of the transfer image file 4 for which the image processing in step 209 has been completed is assigned the fixed information part 32 in the process of step S208. Is changed to the name of the final image file read from step S208, and the final image file 5 is stored in the designated storage location of the final image file 5 read from the fixed information unit 32 in the process of step S208 (S210).

  Next, the registration process of the job template 3 by the job template registration tool 80 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  It should be noted that the scanner 100 reads the image of the read original 6 under the reading conditions recorded in the job template 3 regardless of whether or not the apparatus that performs the registration operation of the job template 3 by the job template registration tool 80 is an image reading apparatus. Will be described on the assumption that the created job template 3 is registered.

  The job template registration tool 80 reads the capability information of the own device recorded in the recording unit of the own device that performs the job template registration operation (S301), and performs image reading processing using the job template 3 connected to the own device. A device as a possible partner (a scanner when the device is a PC, a PC when the device is a scanner) is determined based on terminal management information managed in the storage unit of the device, and processing related to image reading processing The capability is inquired via the network 7, and the capability information of each connectable device is acquired (S302).

  The job template registration tool 80 can be selected and set by the user based on the combination of the processing capability of the own device acquired by the processing of step S301 and the processing capability of the counterpart device acquired by the processing of step 302. The conditions are extracted for each device that can be connected (S303), and an operation screen on which the user can select the extracted reading conditions is output to the display unit (S304).

  When the registration instruction operation of the job template 3 by the selection of the reading condition by the user is detected (S305 YES), the job template registration tool 80 instructs the scanner 100 to obtain an image satisfying the reading condition determined based on the selection result of the user. A processing command for instructing image reading processing, a processing command for instructing the PC 200 to perform image processing, and the execution order of each processing command are determined (S306).

  When a processing command that provides the same image processing function that can be implemented on either the PC 200 side or the scanner 100 side is extracted from the processing commands created in step S306 (307 YES), the job template registration tool 80 A screen that allows the user to select the registration format of the processing information 33 of the job template 3 is output to the display unit of the apparatus that performed the registration operation (S308).

  When the registration in the format 1 is designated by the user (F1 in S309), the job template 3 in which processing instructions are recorded in the format of the processing information section 33 shown in FIG. 2B is created (S310). 2) When registration in format 2 is designated (F2 in S309), the device type for executing the processing instruction is recorded in the processing information section 33 in FIG. 2C or FIG. 2D. The job template 3 is created in the format of the processing information section 33 shown (S311).

The job template registration tool 80 registers the job template 3 created in step S310 or step S311 in the scanner 100 that executes the image reading processing command set in the job template 3 (S312), and further creates it. When the apparatus capable of performing the image reading operation by selecting the job template 3 is configured to be able to operate the apparatus that is the transfer destination of the read image by the scanner 100 registered in step S312, the reading start operation is performed. The job template 3 is also registered for possible transfer destination devices (S313).

  Returning to the process of step S307 again, processing instructions written in languages corresponding to the scanner and the PC, which provide the same image processing function that can be executed by both the scanner 100 and the PC 200 in the same processing order, are extracted. If the scanning condition is not set (NO in S307), the job template registration tool 80 creates the job template 3 for the scanner 100 having the processing information part 33a in which only the processing command to be executed by the scanner 100 is recorded, and registers the job template 3 in the scanner 100 ( In step S314, the job template 3 for the PC 200 recorded in the processing information unit 33b in which only the processing command executed by the PC 200 as the transfer destination of the read image is recorded is created and registered in the PC 200 (S315).

  In the job template registration process shown in FIG. 12, when a processing command that provides the same image processing function is extracted by both the scanner 100 and the PC 200, an apparatus that executes a processing command by a user's selection operation is provided. The job template 3 may be registered by being assigned to either the scanner 100 or the PC 200.

  Next, image reading processing in the image processing system will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

  Note that the following image reading process will be described on the assumption that an image reading operation can be performed by selecting the job template 3 from any of the scanner 100 and the PC 200 in the image processing system.

  In the image processing system, when the PC 200 detects an image reading process start operation by selecting the job template 3 (YES in S401), the PC 200 displays a selection screen for the job template 3 registered in the PC storage unit 220 as a PC display unit. It is displayed on 240 (S402).

  When detecting an instruction operation to start the image reading process by selecting the job template 3, the PC 200 selects a job selected by the user from the scanner 100 that performs the image reading process set in the job template 3 selected by the user. It is determined whether or not the template 3 is registered (S403).

  When the job template 3 is not registered in the scanner 100 (NO in S403), the job template 3 selected by the user is sent to the scanner 100 to instruct to start image reading (S404).

  When the job template 3 is registered in the scanner 100 (S403: YES), the job template ID 31 selected by the user is notified and an image reading start is instructed (S405).

  On the other hand, when a reading start operation is performed by the scanner 100 (S406 YES), a selection screen for the job template 3 is displayed on the operation display unit 150 of the scanner 100 (S407).

  When the operation display unit 150 of the scanner 100 performs an instruction operation for image reading processing by selecting the job template 3 (YES in S408), the scanner 100 sets the reading condition corresponding to the selected job template 3 as job template management information. The data is read from the reading condition recording file 1227 registered and managed in 123 and output to the operation display unit 150 (S409).

  When the reading condition displayed on the operation display unit 150 is changed by the process of step S409 (YES in S410), the job template registration program is started under the reading condition including the changed content (S411) and changed. A job template based on the read conditions is created and registered, and a detailed display screen showing the read conditions set in the created job template 3 to the user is displayed again (S409).

  Again, in the process of step S410, if there is no change operation on the displayed detailed display screen of the read condition (NO in S410) and the read process start operation is detected, the registration format of the selected job template 3 is changed to the fixed information section. It is determined by reading from 32 (S412).

  If the selected job template 3 has been created in the format 1 (S412 YES), the transfer command file 4 is created by executing the processing instructions recorded in the job template 3 selected by the user (S413).

When the registration format is 2 (NO in S412), the processing instruction assigned to the scanner 100 is specified among the processing instructions described in the processing information section 33 of the job template 3 (S414), and the specified processing instruction is processed as NO. The transfer image file 4 is created in the ascending order (S415).

  It is determined by referring to the job template management information whether or not the job template 3 is registered in the PC 200 of the transfer image file 4 set in the fixed information section 32 of the job template 3 selected by the user (S416).

  When the job template 3 is not registered in the PC 200 (NO in S416), the transfer job file 3c in which only the processing command executed on the PC 200 side is recorded in the processing information unit 33 is attached to the transfer image file 4, and the job template 3 is fixed. It transmits to PC200 set to the information part 32 (S417).

  If the job template 3 is registered in the PC 200 in the determination processing in step S416 (S416 YES), the same processing NO that provides the same image processing function in each of the scanner 100 and the PC 200 is assigned to the job template 3. If there is a processing command written in a language that can be analyzed by the PC 200 and the scanner 100 (YES in S418), the scanner 100 records the processing progress information 38 that records the processing NO of the processing command that was last executed by the own device. Is created (S419).

  The PC 200 determines whether or not it is possible to identify the job template ID 31 selected by the user based on information such as the file name of the transfer image file 4 or the file name of the transfer destination (S420). When the notification is unnecessary (YES in S420), the process progress information 38 is attached to the transfer image file 4, and the transfer image file 4 is transmitted to the designated transfer destination of the PC 200 (S421).

When it is necessary to notify the job template ID 31 to the PC 200 (NO in S420), the transfer image file 4, the job template ID 31, and the processing progress information 38 are transmitted to the PC 200 (S422).

  Returning to the process of step S418 again, if the processing command for providing the same image processing function is not recorded in the job template 3 in both the PC 200 and the scanner 100 (NO in S418), the user only transfers the transfer image file 4. It is determined whether it is possible to notify the selected job template ID 31 to the PC 200 (S423).

  If notification of the job template ID 31 is necessary (NO in S423), the transfer image file 4 and the job template ID 31 are transmitted to the PC 200 (S425).

  On the other hand, when the notification of the job template ID 31 to the PC 200 is not required (S423 YES), the scanner 100 transmits only the transfer image file 4 to the PC 200 (S424).

  In the flowchart shown in FIG. 14, when the PC 200 detects reception of the transfer image file 4 transmitted from the scanner 100 (YES in S426), the PC 200 determines whether or not the transfer job template 3c is attached to the transfer image file 4. Determination is made (S427).

  When the transfer job file 3c is attached to the transfer image file 4 and transferred (YES in S427), the processing command recorded in the processing information part 33 of the received transfer job template 3c is read (S429).

  If there is no transfer of the transfer job template 3c (S427 NO) and only the transfer image file 4 is sent (S428 NO), the job template ID 31 of the job template 3 selected by the user is used as the file name of the transfer image file 4 or transfer. The job template 3 is read based on the identification information of the storage folder of the image file 4 (S431). When the job template ID 31 is sent with the transfer image file 4 attached (YES in S428), the transferred job template The job template 3 corresponding to the ID 31 is read (S430).

  After reading the job template 3 in the processing of step S430 and step S431, it is determined whether or not the processing progress information 38 is attached to the transfer image file 4 (S432).

  When the process progress information 38 has been sent (S432 YES), the scanner 100 specifies a process command recorded after the notified process NO (S434).

  If the processing progress information 38 has not been sent (NO at S432), the scanner 100 specifies a processing command assigned to the own apparatus in the processing information section 33 of the read job template 3 (S433).

  The scanner 100 executes the processing commands specified in the processing of step S429, step S433, and step S434 in the order of processing NO (S435), creates the final image file 5, and stores it in the storage location specified in the job template 3. The final image file 5 is saved (S436).

  When the scanner 100 receives control data for instructing the start of the image reading process from the notification of the job template ID 31 from the PC 200 (YES in S437), the scanner 100 includes the job template ID 31 and the user in the control data for instructing the start of the image reading process. The received control data is analyzed to determine which data of the selected job template 3 is included.

  If the data for notifying the job template ID 31 is included in the control data instructing the start of the image reading process (YES in S438), the job template 3 registered in the own apparatus is read from the notified job template ID 31, and step S412 is performed. The process is executed (S439).

  On the other hand, when the job template 3 selected by the user is included in the control data instructing the start of the image reading process (S438 NO, S440 YES), the job template 3 is read from the control data and the process of step S412 is executed ( S442).

  When the control data received from the PC 200 for instructing the start of the image reading process does not include any data of the job template ID 31 and the job template 3 (NO in step S440), the scanner 100 sends the job template 3 to the PC 200. Is returned, a request event for starting the image reading process is discarded, and the process ends (S441).

  The image reading apparatus, the image processing system, and the image reading processing method of the present invention can be used for image reading processing in which an image read by the image reading apparatus is transferred to the image processing apparatus and further image processing is performed.

1 is a basic configuration diagram of an image processing system including an image reading device of the present invention. The figure which showed the content recorded on a job template according to the registration pattern. The figure which shows the outline | summary of the transfer process of the image file in the registration pattern 1 (registration format 1) of the job template shown in FIG. The figure which shows the outline | summary of the transfer process of the image file in the registration pattern 2 (registration format 2) of the job template shown in FIG. The figure which shows the outline | summary of the transfer process of the image file in the registration pattern 3 (registration format 2) of the job template shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating control configurations of a scanner and a PC in the image processing system illustrated in FIG. 1. The figure which shows the example of job template management information. The figure which shows the 1st example of a job template registration process. The figure which shows the 2nd example of a job template registration process. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram illustrating a first example of image reading processing. The sequence diagram which shows the 2nd example of an image reading process. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of job template registration processing. 6 is a flowchart (part 1) illustrating an operation of image reading processing in the image processing system. 7 is a flowchart (part 2) illustrating an operation of image reading processing in the image processing system.

Explanation of symbols

3 Job template 3c Job template for transfer 31 Job template ID
32 Fixed information section 33 Processing information section 33a Processing information section 33b Processing information section 35 Device type 38 Processing progress information 100 Scanner 100a Scanner A
100b Scanner B
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 110 Scanner control part 120 Scanner memory | storage part 122 Transfer destination apparatus management information 123 Job template management information 121 Scanner capability information 130 Image processing part 140 Image reading part 150 Operation display part 160 External interface 200 PC
200a PC-A
200b PC-B
210 PC control unit 220 PC storage unit 221 PC capability information 222 Scanner management information 223 Job template management information 224 Image file storage area 230 Operation unit 240 Display unit 250 External interface 260 Image processing unit 4, 4a Transfer image file 6 Read original 5 Final Image file 7 Network 80 Job template registration tool

Claims (7)

Receiving means for receiving image reading processing conditions;
Reading processing means for performing image reading processing based on the reading processing conditions received by the receiving means;
An image reading apparatus comprising: transfer means for transferring image information read by the reading processing means to a transfer destination included in the reading processing conditions. The reading processing conditions are:
Including a first processing condition that can be processed by the own device and a second processing condition that can be processed by another device of the transfer destination,
The reading processing means includes
An image reading process is performed based on the first processing condition,
The other device is
The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image information transferred by the transfer unit is processed based on the second processing condition. The transfer means includes
Attaching the second processing condition to the image information and transferring the image information to the other device;
The other device is
The image reading apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image information transferred by the transfer unit is processed based on the second processing condition. A determination unit for determining the first processing condition from the reading processing condition received by the receiving unit;
The reading processing means includes
The image reading apparatus according to claim 2, wherein an image reading process is performed based on the first processing condition determined by the determining unit. Selecting means for selecting desired reading processing conditions from the reading processing conditions received by the receiving means;
The reading processing means includes
The image reading apparatus according to claim 2, wherein an image reading process is performed based on a reading process condition determined by the selection unit. An image reading apparatus that performs image reading processing;
An image processing apparatus connected to the image reading apparatus by communication means,
The image reading device includes:
Receiving means for receiving an image reading processing condition including a first processing condition that can be processed by the image processing apparatus and a second processing condition that can be processed by the image processing apparatus;
Reading processing means for performing image reading processing based on the first processing condition among the reading processing conditions received by the receiving means;
Transfer means for transferring image information read by the reading processing means to the image processing apparatus,
The image processing apparatus includes:
Setting means for setting the reading processing conditions;
Transmitting means for transmitting the reading processing conditions set by the setting means to the image reading apparatus;
An image processing system comprising: an image processing unit that processes the image information transferred by the transfer unit based on the second processing condition. The image processing apparatus reads an image including a first processing condition that can be processed by the image reading apparatus connected to the image processing apparatus by communication means and a second processing condition that can be processed by the image processing apparatus. Set the conditions with the setting means,
The reading processing conditions set by the setting means are transmitted to the image reading apparatus by a transmitting means,
The image reading apparatus accepts the reading processing condition transmitted from the image reading apparatus by the transmitting means by an accepting means,
An image reading process is performed by the reading processing unit based on the first processing condition among the reading processing conditions received by the receiving unit,
The image information read and processed by the reading processing means is transferred to the image processing apparatus by a transfer means,
The image processing apparatus is an image processing method for performing processing on the image information transferred by the transfer unit based on the second processing condition.

Images