JP2008136120A - Image processor and image processing program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processor and an image processing program wherein storage resources are effectively utilized. <P>SOLUTION: An MFP comprises: a job accepting unit 151 for accepting a job containing image data and processing information defining processing to be executed; an image processing unit for performing the image processing defined by the processing information on image data upon the acceptance of the job; an input mode analysis unit 155 for determining whether a thumbnail can be generated on the basis of the image data contained in the accepted job or not based on the processing information; a thumbnail generation unit 158 for generating a thumbnail; an HDD for storing the image data contained in the accepted job; and a box management unit 160 for associating the generated thumbnail with the stored image data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and an image processing program, and more particularly to an image processing apparatus and an image processing program that display images as thumbnails.

  In recent years, multifunction devices called MFPs (Multi Function Peripherals) having functions of a scanner device, a printer device, a copy device, and a facsimile device have appeared. The MFP includes a large-capacity storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD) in addition to executing a scanner function, a printer function, a copy function, and a facsimile function, and can store image data. If image data is stored in the HDD, it can be conveniently printed later or transmitted.

  As a technique for facilitating a user's operation to specify image data to be processed in order to execute processing on image data stored in an HDD, a technique for displaying thumbnails obtained by reducing image data on a display is known. (For example, Patent Document 1). Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-203702 (Patent Document 2) discloses an image in which thumbnails of pages that can be selected on the display screen are generated in advance in addition to thumbnails displayed on the display screen, and the thumbnails are displayed at high speed. A forming apparatus is described.

However, the conventional image forming apparatus can reduce the time until display by generating thumbnails in advance, but it is necessary to generate thumbnails of all image data. There is a problem that thumbnails that are not displayed on the HDD are stored, and storage resources are wasted. Also, if the process of generating thumbnails and the process of converting image data into print data, for example, are executed in parallel, the load for processing the image increases and the process of converting into print data ends. There is a problem that becomes slow.
JP-A-11-53520 JP 2006-203702 A

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and one of the objects of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus and an image processing program that effectively use storage resources.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus and an image processing program capable of generating thumbnails without delaying processing for executing a job.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, according to one aspect of the present invention, an image processing apparatus receives a job including image data and processing information defining a process to be executed, and a job receiving unit In response, the image processing means for executing the image processing defined by the processing information on the image data, and whether to generate thumbnails based on the image data included in the accepted job based on the processing information A generation determination unit that generates the thumbnail, a thumbnail generation unit that generates a thumbnail based on the image data included in the received job when the generation is determined by the generation determination unit, and included in the received job A storage means for storing image data, and a function for associating the generated thumbnail with the image data stored in the storage means. It includes a biasing means.

  According to this aspect, the image data included in the accepted job is stored, whether to generate a thumbnail is determined based on the image data included in the job, based on the processing information included in the job, and the generated thumbnail is Associated with stored image data. Since it is determined whether or not to generate a thumbnail based on the processing information included in the job, it is possible to generate a thumbnail only for image data stored so as to be usable by the user. For this reason, since unnecessary thumbnails are not stored, an image processing apparatus that effectively uses storage resources can be provided.

  Preferably, the storage means has a plurality of storage areas, and the generation possibility determination means has one storage for storing image data included in a job received from the plurality of storage areas based on the processing information. It includes a storage area determination means for determining an area, and determines that a thumbnail is generated when the determined storage area is an area accessible by the user.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, an image processing apparatus includes a job including an image processing unit that executes at least one of a plurality of types of image processing, and image data and processing information that defines processing to be executed. Job accepting means for accepting, input control means for causing the image processing means to execute the first processing defined by the processing information for the image data in response to accepting the job, and the first processing by the image processing means. Temporary storage means for temporarily storing the executed image data, output control means for causing the image processing means to execute a second process defined by the processing information for the image data stored in the temporary storage means, and image processing Generating thumbnails for causing the image processing means to execute processing for generating thumbnails based on the image data temporarily stored in the temporary storage means after execution of the second processing by the means Comprising stage and a storage means for storing the image data included in the accepted job, and associating means for associating the image data stored the generated thumbnail, a.

  According to this aspect, the first processing is executed on the image data by the image processing means in response to the acceptance of the job, and the image data on which the first processing has been executed is temporarily stored. Further, the second processing is executed on the stored image data by the image processing means, and after execution of the second processing, a thumbnail is generated based on the temporarily stored image data. Since the process for generating the thumbnail is not executed in parallel with the first process and the second process, it is possible to avoid an increase in the load on the image processing means. As a result, it is possible to provide an image processing apparatus capable of generating thumbnails without delaying the job execution process.

  Preferably, the image forming apparatus further includes a generation possibility determination unit that determines whether or not a thumbnail can be generated based on the processing information, and the thumbnail generation unit generates a thumbnail when it is determined to be generated by the generation determination unit.

  According to this aspect, since it is determined whether or not thumbnails can be generated based on the processing information, it is possible to generate thumbnails only for image data stored so as to be usable by the user. For this reason, since an unnecessary thumbnail is not stored, an image processing apparatus that effectively uses storage resources can be provided.

  Preferably, the storage means has a plurality of storage areas, and the generation possibility determination means has one storage for writing image data temporarily stored in the temporary storage means from among the plurality of storage areas based on the processing information. It includes a storage area determination means for determining an area, and determines that a thumbnail is generated when the determined storage area is an area accessible by the user.

  Preferably, the thumbnail generation unit does not cause the image processing unit to execute a process of generating a thumbnail while the image processing unit is executing the first process or the second process.

  According to still another aspect of the present invention, an image processing program receives a job including image data and processing information defining processing to be executed, and converts the image data into image data in response to the job being received. The image processing is performed by a step of executing image processing defined by the processing information, a step of determining whether to generate a thumbnail based on the image data included in the accepted job based on the processing information, and a generation determination step. A step of generating a thumbnail based on the image data included in the received job, a step of storing the image data included in the received job, and the generated thumbnail And causing the computer to execute the step of associating with the image data.

  According to this aspect, since an unnecessary thumbnail is not stored, an image processing program capable of effectively using storage resources can be provided.

  According to still another aspect of the present invention, the image processing program is an image processing program executed by the image processing device, and the image processing device executes at least one of a plurality of types of image processing. And a storage means for storing the image data, wherein the image processing program accepts a job including the image data and processing information defining a process to be executed, and the job is accepted A step of causing the image processing means to execute the first processing defined by the processing information on the image data, a step of temporarily storing the image data on which the first processing has been executed by the image processing means, and a temporary storage A step of causing the image processing means to execute a second process defined by the processing information on the obtained image data, and an execution of the second process by the image processing means. Later, a step of causing the image processing means to execute a process of generating a thumbnail based on the temporarily stored image data, a step of storing the image data included in the accepted job in the storage means, and a storage of the generated thumbnail And causing the image processing apparatus to execute the step of associating with the image data stored in the means.

  According to this aspect, it is possible to provide an image processing program capable of generating a thumbnail without delaying the process of executing a job by the image processing apparatus.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall outline of an image processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, an image processing system 1 includes multifunction peripherals (hereinafter referred to as “MFPs”) 100, 100A, 100B, and 100C and personal computers (hereinafter referred to as “PCs”) as image processing apparatuses connected to a network 2 respectively. 200). The PC 200 is a general computer.

  In the present embodiment, MFPs (Multi Function Peripherals) 100, 100A, 100B, and 100C will be described as an example of an image processing apparatus, but a function of processing an image instead of the MFPs 100, 100A, 100B, and 100C. For example, a scanner, a printer, a facsimile, a personal computer, or the like may be used. The network 2 is a local area network (LAN), and the connection form may be wired or wireless. The network 2 is not limited to a LAN, and may be a wide area network (WAN), a public switched telephone network (PSTN), the Internet, or the like.

  Although the functions of MFPs 100, 100A, 100B, and 100C may be different, the configuration of MFP 100 will be described here assuming that MFP 100 has all the functions.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the MFP. Referring to FIG. 2, MFP 100 includes an automatic document feeder (ADF) 10, an image reading unit 20, an image forming unit 40, and a paper feeding unit 50. The ADF 10 handles a plurality of documents mounted on the document table, and sequentially conveys them to the image reading unit 20 one by one. The image reading unit 20 optically reads image information such as photographs, characters, pictures, and the like from a document and acquires image data. When the image data is input, the image forming unit 40 forms an image on a sheet based on the image data. The image forming unit 40 forms an image using part or all of toners of four colors of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. The paper feed unit 50 stores paper and supplies the stored paper to the image forming unit 40 one by one. MFP 100 includes an operation panel 9 on the upper surface thereof.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the MFP. Referring to FIG. 3, MFP 100 includes main circuit 101, facsimile unit 60, communication control unit 61, ADF 10, image reading unit 20, image processing unit 30, image forming unit 40, and paper feeding unit. 50. The main circuit 101 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 111, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 112 used as a work area of the CPU 111, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 113 for storing programs executed by the CPU 111, and the like. A display unit 114, an operation unit 115, a hard disk drive (HDD) 116 as a mass storage device, and a data communication control unit 117. The CPU 111 is connected to the display unit 114, the operation unit 115, the HDD 116, and the data communication control unit 117, and controls the entire main circuit 101. The CPU 111 is connected to the facsimile unit 60, the communication control unit 61, the ADF 10, the image reading unit 20, the image processing unit 30, the image forming unit 40, and the paper feeding unit 50, and controls the entire MFP 100.

  The display unit 114 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an organic ELD (Electro Luminescence Display), and displays an instruction menu for the user, information about acquired image data, and the like. The operation unit 115 includes a plurality of keys, and accepts input of various instructions, data such as characters and numbers by user operations corresponding to the keys. The operation unit 115 includes a touch panel provided on the display unit 114. The display unit 114 and the operation unit 115 constitute the operation panel 9.

  The data communication control unit 117 includes a LAN terminal 118 that is an interface for communicating with a communication protocol such as TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) or FTP (File Transfer Protocol), and a serial communication interface terminal 119 for serial communication. . The data communication control unit 117 transmits / receives data to / from an external device connected to the LAN terminal 118 or the serial communication interface terminal 119 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 111.

  When a LAN cable for connecting to the network 2 is connected to the LAN terminal 118, the data communication control unit 117 is another MFP 100A, 100B, 100C, scanner, printer, or computer connected via the LAN terminal 118. Communicate with 200. When a device is connected to the serial communication interface terminal 119, the data communication control unit 117 communicates with a device connected to the serial communication interface terminal 119, for example, a digital camera, a digital video camera, or a portable information terminal. Input and output image data. The serial communication interface terminal 119 can be connected to a memory card 119A incorporating a flash memory. The CPU 111 controls the data communication control unit 117 to read a program to be executed by the CPU 111 or the image processing unit 30 from the memory card 119A, and stores the read program in the RAM 112 and executes it.

  A recording medium for storing a program to be executed by the CPU 111 or the image processing unit 30 is not limited to the memory card 119A, but a flexible disk, a cassette tape, an optical disk (CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory) / MO). (Magnetic Optical Disc / MD (Mini Disc) / DVD (Digital Versatile Disc)), IC card (including memory card), optical card, mask ROM, EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), EEPROM (Electrical ROM, etc.) Further, the CPU 111 may be programmed from a computer connected to the Internet. The program is downloaded and stored in the HDD 116, or the computer connected to the Internet writes the image data storage program in the HDD 116, and the program stored in the HDD 116 is loaded into the RAM 112 and the CPU 111 or the image processing unit 30. The program here includes not only a program that can be directly executed by the CPU 111 or the image processing unit 30, but also a source program, a compressed program, an encrypted program, and the like.

  The communication control unit 61 is a modem for connecting the CPU 111 to the PSTN 7. The MFP 100 is assigned a telephone number in the PSTN 7 in advance. When a call is made from the facsimile apparatus connected to the PSTN 7 to the telephone number assigned to the MFP 100, the communication control unit 61 detects the call. When the communication control unit 61 detects a call, the communication control unit 61 establishes a call and causes the facsimile unit 60 to communicate.

  The facsimile unit 60 is connected to the PSTN 7 and transmits facsimile data to the PSTN 7 or receives facsimile data from the PSTN 7. The facsimile unit 60 outputs the received facsimile data to the CPU 111. The facsimile unit 60 converts the received facsimile data into print data that can be printed by the image forming unit 40 and outputs the print data to the image forming unit 40. As a result, the image forming unit 40 prints the facsimile data received by the facsimile unit 60 on a recording sheet. The facsimile unit 60 converts the image data stored in the HDD 116 into facsimile data, and outputs the facsimile data to a facsimile machine connected to the PSTN 7 or another MFP. As a result, the data stored in HDD 116 can be output to a facsimile machine or another MFP. The facsimile data is included in the image data. As described above, the MFP 100 has a facsimile transmission / reception function.

  The MFP 100 has a scanner function, and image data that the image reading unit 20 reads and outputs a document is temporarily stored in the RAM 112. The image forming unit 40 forms an image on a recording sheet such as paper based on image data output by the image reading unit 20 reading a document. Therefore, the MFP 100 has a copy function. Further, the data communication control unit 117 receives image data received from any one of the other PCs 3, 3A, 3B, 3C connected to the network 2, or a digital camera, digital video connected to the serial communication interface terminal 119. Image data received from either the camera or the portable information terminal is temporarily stored in the RAM 112. Then, an image is formed on a recording sheet such as paper based on the image data temporarily stored in the RAM 112. Therefore, MFP 100 has a print function.

  The image processing unit 30 is controlled by the CPU 111 and performs image processing on the image data. When the MFP 100 activates the scanner function or the copy function, the image processing unit 30 performs image processing on image data output by the image reading unit 20 reading a document. Further, when MFP 100 activates the facsimile function, image processing unit 30 performs image processing on facsimile data (image data) received by facsimile unit 60. Further, in the image processing unit 30, the data communication control unit 117 is connected to the image data received from any of the other PCs 200, scanners, MFPs 100 </ b> A, 100 </ b> B, 100 </ b> C connected to the network 2, or the serial communication interface terminal 119. The image data received from any one of the digital camera, digital video camera, and portable information terminal is subjected to image processing. Image processing unit 30 executes the process defined by the process information defining the process input together with the image data on the image data input to MFP 100.

  FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of functions of the CPU. Referring to FIG. 4, the CPU 111 receives a job reception unit 151 that receives a job, a first processing unit 153 that causes the image processing unit 30 to execute a first process, and an input mode analysis unit 155 that analyzes an input mode of image data. A second processing unit 157 that causes the image processing unit 30 to execute the second processing, a thumbnail generation unit 158 that causes the image processing unit 30 to generate a thumbnail, and a box management unit for managing the image data stored in the HDD 116 160.

  The job reception unit 151 receives a job. The job includes image data and processing information. The process information defines a process for the image processing unit 30 to execute. The job reception unit 151 receives job processing information and outputs the processing information to the first processing unit 153, the input mode analysis unit 155, and the second processing unit 157. When the user operates the operation unit 115 and inputs processing information for each of a scan job, a copy job, a FAX transmission job, and a data transmission job, the processing information input thereto is received from the operation unit 115. The data transmission job includes a plurality of types of jobs having different transmission methods (protocols). Here, the data transmission job includes an FTP transmission job that transmits data by FTP, an SMB transmission job that transmits data by SMB (Server Message Block), an email transmission job that transmits data by attaching data to an email, and including.

  Further, when the data communication control unit 117 receives a print job from a personal computer connected via the LAN terminal 118, the job reception unit 151 receives print job processing information from the data communication control unit 117. Furthermore, when the facsimile unit 60 receives facsimile data from an external facsimile apparatus, the job reception unit 151 receives processing information of a facsimile reception job. The processing information of the facsimile reception job may be determined in advance and stored in the HDD 116, or may be received together with the facsimile data.

  Furthermore, the job reception unit 151 receives a job generated by the CPU 111. For example, when a facsimile transmission job for facsimile transmission is executed and the facsimile transmission fails, the CPU 111 generates a facsimile transmission failure job. This facsimile transmission failure job is a job for notifying the user that facsimile transmission has failed.

  The job reception unit 151 acquires image data and outputs the image data to the first processing unit 153. The job receiving unit 151 controls the image reading unit 20 when receiving processing information of a scan job or a copy job, or when receiving processing information including document reading processing in a FAX transmission job or a data transmission job. Then, the image reading unit 20 is caused to read a document, and image data output by the image reading unit 20 is acquired. Further, when the job reception unit 151 receives a print job from the data communication control unit 117, the job reception unit 151 acquires print data received by the data communication control unit 117 as image data. When the job reception unit 151 receives a facsimile reception job, the facsimile unit 60 Received facsimile data is acquired as image data. When a facsimile transmission failure job is generated, the job reception unit 151 acquires and records facsimile data stored in the HDD 116 as image data by the facsimile transmission job.

  The first processing unit 153 outputs the image data input from the job reception unit 151 to the image processing unit 30, and controls the image processing unit 30 to execute the first process. The first processing unit 153 receives processed image data output after the image processing unit 30 executes the first processing, stores the image data after the first processing in the RAM 112, and performs input mode analysis. Output to the unit 155. The first process is a part of the process defined by the process information input from the job reception unit 151. Depending on the job, the first process may not exist, and conversely, the entire process defined by the process information may be the first process.

  The input mode analysis unit 155 determines one of a plurality of boxes included in the HDD 116 based on the processing information input from the job reception unit 151, and stores image data in the determined box. A box is a storage area of the HDD 116. The HDD 116 has a plurality of boxes, and each of the plurality of boxes is associated with a job type in advance.

  Here, a plurality of boxes included in the HDD 116 will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a box included in the HDD. Referring to FIG. 5, HDD 116 has a public box and a private box. The public box is a box that can be accessed by the user of the MFP 100. The user can browse the image data stored in the public box. The private box is a box that the user of MFP 100 cannot access. The image data stored in the non-public box can be accessed only by the CPU 111 of the MFP 100, and the user who uses the MFP 100 cannot view it.

  The non-public box includes a FAX memory transmission box, an automatic transfer box, and a confirmation print box. The FAX memory transmission box is a box for temporarily storing facsimile data to be transmitted by the facsimile unit 60, and is associated with the job attribute of the facsimile transmission job. The automatic transfer box is a box for temporarily storing facsimile data received by the facsimile unit 60, and is associated with the job attribute of the facsimile reception job. The automatic transfer box is effective when the received facsimile data is set to be transferred to a predetermined device such as the PC 200. The confirmation print box is a box for storing print data for confirmation print received from the PC 200, and is associated with the attribute of the confirmation print job. The confirmation print is a process in which the user prints image data in order to confirm the print state, and means a process in which at least a part of the image data is printed.

  The public box includes a resurrection transmission box, a confidential document box, and a user box. The resurrection transmission box is a box for storing facsimile data when the facsimile unit 60 fails to transmit facsimile data. When the facsimile transmission job is executed, the image data is stored in the above-described FAX memory transmission box. However, if the facsimile transmission job fails to be transmitted, a facsimile transmission failure job is generated and is stored in the FAX memory transmission box. The stored image data is stored in the resurrection transmission box. The resurrection transmission box is associated with the attribute of the job when facsimile transmission fails. The confidential document box is a box for storing print data for confidential printing received from the PC 200, and is associated with the attribute of the confidential print job. The confidential print is a process for printing the print data received from the PC 200 on condition that the password received from the PC 200 is input to the operation unit 115 together with the print data. The user box is a box assigned to the user registered in the MFP 100 and is associated with the attribute of the box storage job.

  Returning to FIG. 4, the input mode analysis unit 155 determines a job attribute from the processing information, and determines a box associated with the job attribute as a box for storing image data. Then, the image data is stored in the determined box. Further, when the determined box is a public box, the input mode analysis unit 155 outputs a thumbnail generation signal for instructing generation of a thumbnail to the thumbnail generation unit 158. The input mode analysis unit 155 does not output a thumbnail generation signal to the thumbnail generation unit 158 when the determined box is a private box. This is because the private box does not require the user to access the image data stored therein, and therefore does not need to generate a thumbnail. By not generating thumbnails for the image data stored in the private box, it is possible to prevent the storage capacity of the HDD 116 from decreasing.

  The second processing unit 157 reads the image data from the RAM 112 and processes the image data according to the processing information to which the processing information is input from the job reception unit 151. The second processing unit 157 outputs the image data to the image processing unit 30 and controls the image processing unit 30 to execute a second process defined by the processing information. The second process is a part of the image process defined by the process information input from the job reception unit 151, and is a process other than the first process. Depending on the job, the second process may not exist, and conversely, the entire process defined by the process information may be the second process. In addition, the second processing unit 157 receives processed image data output from the image processing unit 30 after it executes the second processing, and executes processing other than the image processing defined by the processing information. Other processes include, for example, a process of forming an image in the image forming unit 40, a process of storing in a box, a process of transmitting a facsimile to the facsimile unit 60, and a process of transmitting data to the data communication control unit 117.

  When a thumbnail generation signal is input from the input mode analysis unit 155, the thumbnail generation unit 158 reads image data from the RAM 112, outputs the image data to the image processing unit 30, and controls the image processing unit 30 to perform resolution conversion processing. Is executed. Thereby, a thumbnail obtained by converting the resolution of the image data by the image processing unit 30 is generated. The thumbnail generation unit 158 outputs the thumbnail generated by the image processing unit 30 to the box management unit 160. The thumbnail generation signal may include data identification information for identifying image data stored in the RAM 112. Also, the thumbnail generation unit 158 causes the image processing unit 30 to execute the resolution conversion process on the condition that the image processing unit 30 is not executing the first process or the second process. The load on the image processing unit 30 can be prevented from increasing, and the image processing unit 30 can end the first process or the second process early.

  The box management unit 160 manages data stored in each box of the HDD 116. When a thumbnail is input from the thumbnail generation unit 158, the box management unit 160 associates the thumbnail with the image data stored in the box by the input mode analysis unit 155, and stores the thumbnail in the HDD. Upon receiving an instruction to display image data stored in each box of HDD 116, box management unit 160 reads and displays a thumbnail corresponding to the image data instead of the image data stored in the instructed box. Displayed on the unit 114. Since the thumbnail has already been generated, the thumbnail can be displayed immediately. If the thumbnail corresponding to the image data is not stored in the HDD 116, the box management unit 160 outputs the image data to the thumbnail generation unit 158 to generate a thumbnail. When the thumbnail generated by the thumbnail generation unit 158 is input, the thumbnail is displayed on the display unit 114.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of image data input / output processing. The image data input / output process is a process executed by the CPU 111 when the CPU 111 executes an image data input / output program. Referring to FIG. 6, CPU 111 activates a process for executing input processing (step S01), activates a process for executing output processing (step S02), and finally activates a process for executing thumbnail generation processing. (Step S03). Each process is independently executed by the CPU 111 and processed in parallel.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of input processing. Referring to FIG. 7, it is determined whether a job has been received (step S11). If the job is accepted, the process proceeds to step S12; otherwise, the process returns to the image data input / output process. The job includes image data and processing information. In step S12, input mode analysis processing is executed. Although the details of the input mode analysis processing will be described later, the input mode analysis processing is processing for determining a box for storing image data included in the job based on processing information included in the job received in step S11.

  Then, input processing is executed on the image data (step S13). The input process is a first part of the image process defined by the process information included in the job. Specifically, the image data input in step S11 is input to the image processing unit 30, and the image processing unit 30 is caused to execute the first process. It is determined whether or not the execution of the first process has been completed (step S14), and if completed, the process proceeds to step S15, and if not completed, the process returns to step S13.

  In the next step S <b> 15, the image data after executing the first process is stored in the RAM 112. Then, the image data after the first processing is stored in the box determined in step S12 (step S16).

  Next, it is determined whether or not an output job exists (step S17). If there is an output job, the process proceeds to step S18. If not, the process returns to the image data input / output process. Judgment is made based on whether or not the processing defined by the processing information included in the job has been executed. In step S18, a process for executing the output process is started, and the process returns to the image input / output process.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of input mode analysis processing. The input mode or the ISE process is a process executed in step S12 of FIG. Referring to FIG. 8, a box to be stored is determined based on processing information included in the accepted job (step S21). Here, if the job attribute determined from the processing information is a facsimile transmission job, it is determined to be a FAX memory transmission box, and if it is a facsimile reception job, if automatic transfer is set, it is determined to be an automatic transfer box, and a confirmation print job Is determined as a confirmation print box, a facsimile transmission failure job generated after a facsimile transmission job fails is determined as a resurrection transmission box, and a confidential print job is determined as a confidential document box and stored in the box. In the case of a job, it is determined as a user box.

  Then, it is determined whether the determined box is a public box (step S22). If it is a public box, the process proceeds to step S23, and if it is a private box, the process proceeds to step S24. If the determined box is a resurrection transmission box, a confidential document box or a user box, it is a public box, and if it is a FAX memory transmission box, automatic transfer box or confirmation print box, it is a private box.

  Note that a public flag or a private flag may be set based on processing information included in the job. If the job attribute specified in the processing information is a facsimile transmission failure job, a confidential print job, or a box storage job, the public flag is set. If automatic transfer is set for a facsimile transmission job or a facsimile reception job, or a confirmation print job In the case of, set the private flag.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of output processing. The output process is a process activated in step S02 of FIG. 6 or step S18 of FIG. Referring to FIG. 9, it is determined whether there is an output job to be output (step S31). If an output job exists, the process proceeds to step S32. If not, the process returns to the image data input / output process. Judgment is made based on whether or not the process defined by the process information included in the job is executed together with the image data stored in the RAM 112.

  In step S32, the number of output jobs is set in the variable N. Then, the first image data is read from the RAM 112 (step S33). Next, an output process for the read image data as a processing target is executed (step S34). The output process includes processes other than the input process among the processes defined by the process information included in the job together with the image data. The output process includes a second process that is a part of the image process defined by the process information. The second process is a process other than the first process among the image processes defined by the process information. Specifically, the image data read from the RAM 112 in step S33 is input to the image processing unit 30, and the image processing unit 30 executes the second process. The output processing may include processing other than image processing. For example, image forming processing, data transmission processing, box storage processing, and the like.

  In step S35, it is determined whether or not the output process has been completed. If the output process is completed, the process proceeds to step S36; otherwise, the process returns to step S34. In step S36, variable N is decremented and the process proceeds to step S37. In step S37, it is determined whether or not the variable N exceeds zero. If the variable N exceeds 0, it is determined that there is an unprocessed output job, and the process returns to step S33; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S38.

  In step S38, it is determined whether or not an input job exists. If an input job exists, the process proceeds to step S39; otherwise, the process returns to the image input / output process. In step S39, a process for executing input processing is started. Since the input process has been described with reference to FIG. 7, the description will not be repeated here.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of thumbnail generation processing. The thumbnail generation process is a process activated in step S03 in FIG. 6 and a panel display process (see step S53 in FIG. 11) described later. Referring to FIG. 10, it is determined whether or not image data is stored in RAM 112 (step S41). If the image data is stored in the RAM 112, the image data is set as a processing target, and the process proceeds to step S42. If not, the process returns to the image data input / output process.

  In step S42, it is determined whether or not the generation flag is set to ON for the image data set as the processing target. If the generation flag is set to ON, the process proceeds to step S43. If the generation flag is set to OFF, the process returns to the image data input / output process. The generation flag is set in the input mode analysis process described above.

  In step S43, it is determined whether or not the output process shown in FIG. 9 is being performed on the image data set as the processing target. The output process here does not have to be the entire output process, and image processing is sufficient. In other words, it is determined whether or not image processing (second processing) is completed among the processing defined by the processing information. The process waits until the second process is completed, waits until the second process is completed (NO in step S43), and if the second process is completed, the process proceeds to step S44. Since the thumbnail is not generated until after the second process is completed, the process for generating the thumbnail and the second process are not simultaneously processed in parallel by the image processing unit 30. For this reason, it is possible to avoid the load on the image processing unit 30 from increasing, and the image processing unit can complete the second processing early.

  In step S44, it is determined whether the image processing unit 30 is processing. If the image processing unit 30 is processing, the standby state is set (YES in step S44), and if not, the process proceeds to step S44. The image processing unit 30 may execute the first process or the second process with other image data as a processing target. In this case, the thumbnail generation process is not executed by the image processing unit 30 to avoid an increase in the load on the image processing unit 30. Accordingly, the image processing unit 30 can complete the first process or the second process for other image data at an early stage.

  In step S45, the image data set as the processing target is read from the RAM 112. Then, the read image data is output to the image processing unit 30, and the image processing unit 30 is caused to execute a resolution conversion process, thereby causing the image processing unit 30 to generate a thumbnail of the image data (step S46). Then, the thumbnail generated by the image processing unit 30 is stored in a predetermined area of the HDD 116 (step S47).

  Next, the image data that generated the thumbnail is deleted from the RAM 112 (step S48). Thereby, the memory area of the RAM 112 can be used effectively. Also, a plurality of the same thumbnails are not generated for one image data.

  Then, box management data is generated, and the process returns to the image data input / output process. The box management data is data that associates image data with its thumbnail, and includes, for example, the file name of the image data and the file name of the thumbnail.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of panel display processing. The panel display process is a process executed by the CPU 111 when the CPU 111 executes a panel display program. The panel display process is a process executed by CPU 111 when a box browsing request is input to MFP 100. Referring to FIG. 11, CPU 111 reads a thumbnail image from HDD 116. The browsing request includes information for designating a box, and a thumbnail of image data stored in the designated box is read out. Then, it is determined whether the thumbnail has been successfully read. Reading is successful if the thumbnail of the image data is stored in the HDD 116, but reading fails if it is not stored. If the thumbnail has been successfully read, the process proceeds to step S54. If the thumbnail has failed, the process proceeds to step S53. Note that it may be determined whether or not box management data corresponding to the image data exists. If box management data exists, the thumbnail associated with the image data is read with the box management data, and the process proceeds to step S54. If box management data does not exist, the process proceeds to step S53.

  In step S53, the thumbnail generation process shown in FIG. 10 is executed, and the process returns to step S51. Since the thumbnail generation processing has been described, description thereof will not be repeated here. Since a thumbnail corresponding to the image data has not yet been generated, a thumbnail is generated by executing the thumbnail generation process and stored in the HDD 116. Therefore, when step S52 is executed next, thumbnails associated with all image data are stored in the HDD 116. In step S54, a panel display screen including thumbnails related to image data is displayed on display unit 114, and the process ends. FIG. 12 shows an example of the panel display screen.

  As described above, MFP 100 according to the present embodiment stores image data included in a received job in a box, but generates a thumbnail based on image data included in the job based on processing information included in the job. Decide whether or not to do. When it is determined to generate, a thumbnail is generated based on the image data, and is associated with the image data previously stored in the box by the box management data. The image data is stored in the FAX memory transmission box when the job attribute is a facsimile transmission job, and is stored in the automatic transfer box when the automatic transfer mode is set for the facsimile reception job. Stored in a box. Further, the image data is stored in the recovery transmission box when the job attribute is a job when facsimile transmission fails, stored in the confidential document box when the job is a confidential print job, and stored in the user box when the job is a box storage job.

  Since the user cannot access the image data stored in the FAX memory transmission box, automatic transfer box, or confirmation print box, no thumbnail is generated when the image data is stored in the box. On the other hand, since the user can access the image data stored in the resurrection transmission box, the confidential document box, or the user box, a thumbnail is generated when the image data is stored in them. For this reason, unnecessary thumbnails are not stored.

  Further, in response to accepting the job, the image processing unit 30 is caused to execute the first process on the image data, and the image data on which the first process has been executed is temporarily stored in the RAM 112. Further, the image processing unit 30 is caused to execute the second process on the image data stored in the RAM 112, and after executing the second process, a thumbnail is stored in the image processing unit 30 based on the image data stored in the RAM 112. Generate. Since the image processing unit 30 does not execute the process of generating thumbnails in parallel with the first process and the second process, it is possible to avoid an increase in the load on the image processing unit 30, and the first process and the first process. Processing of 2 can be made early.

  In the present embodiment, MFP 100 has been described as an example of an image processing apparatus. However, the present invention is understood as an image processing method and an image processing program for causing MFP 100 to execute the processes illustrated in FIGS. Needless to say, you can.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

1 is a diagram showing an overall outline of an image processing system in an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of an MFP. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an MFP. FIG. It is a functional block diagram which shows an example of the function of CPU. It is a figure which shows an example of the box which HDD has. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of an image data input / output process. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of an input process. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of an input mode analysis process. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of an output process. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of a thumbnail production | generation process. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of a panel display process. It is a figure which shows an example of a panel display screen.

Explanation of symbols

  1 image processing system, 2 network, 10 ADF, 20 image reading unit, 30 image processing unit, 40 image forming unit, 50 paper feeding unit, 60 facsimile unit, 61 communication control unit, 100, 100A, 100B, 100C MFP, 101 Main circuit, 111 CPU, 112 RAM, 113 ROM, 114 display unit, 115 operation unit, 116 HDD, 117 data communication control unit, 118 LAN terminal, 119 serial communication interface terminal, 119A memory card, 151 job reception unit, 153 1 processing unit, 155 input mode analysis unit, 157 second processing unit, 158 thumbnail generation unit, 160 box management unit, 200 computer.

Claims (8)

Job accepting means for accepting a job including image data and processing information defining processing to be executed;
Image processing means for executing image processing defined by the processing information on the image data in response to acceptance of the job;
Based on the processing information, generation possibility determination means for determining whether thumbnails can be generated based on image data included in the accepted job;
Thumbnail generation means for generating a thumbnail based on image data included in the accepted job when it is determined to be generated by the generation permission determination means;
Storage means for storing image data included in the accepted job;
An image processing apparatus comprising: association means for associating the generated thumbnail with image data stored in the storage means. The storage means has a plurality of storage areas,
The generation possibility determination unit includes a storage area determination unit that determines one storage area for storing image data included in the accepted job from the plurality of storage areas based on the processing information,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the thumbnail is determined to be generated when the determined storage area is an area accessible by a user. Image processing means for executing at least one of a plurality of types of image processing;
Job accepting means for accepting a job including image data and processing information defining processing to be executed;
Input control means for causing the image processing means to execute a first process defined by the processing information for the image data in response to the acceptance of the job;
Temporary storage means for temporarily storing image data on which the first processing has been executed by the image processing means;
Output control means for causing the image processing means to execute a second process defined by the processing information for the image data stored in the temporary storage means;
Thumbnail generation means for causing the image processing means to execute processing for generating a thumbnail based on the image data temporarily stored in the temporary storage means after the execution of the second processing by the image processing means;
Storage means for storing the image data included in the accepted job;
An image processing apparatus comprising: association means for associating the generated thumbnail with the stored image data. Further comprising generation possibility determination means for determining whether the thumbnail can be generated based on the processing information;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the thumbnail generation unit generates a thumbnail when it is determined to be generated by the generation permission determination unit. The storage means has a plurality of storage areas,
The generation possibility determination means is a storage area determination means for determining one storage area for storing the image data temporarily stored in the temporary storage means from the plurality of storage areas based on the processing information. Including
The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the thumbnail is determined to be generated when the determined storage area is an area accessible by a user.   4. The thumbnail generation unit according to claim 3, wherein the thumbnail generation unit does not cause the image processing unit to execute the process of generating the thumbnail while the image processing unit is executing the first process or the second process. Image processing apparatus. Receiving a job including image data and processing information defining processing to be executed;
Executing image processing defined by the processing information on the image data in response to accepting the job;
Determining whether to generate thumbnails based on image data included in the accepted job based on the processing information;
A step of generating a thumbnail based on image data included in the accepted job when it is determined to generate in the generation permission determination step;
Storing image data included in the accepted job;
An image processing program for causing a computer to execute the step of associating the generated thumbnail with the stored image data. An image processing program executed by the image processing apparatus,
The image processing apparatus includes image processing means for executing at least one of a plurality of types of image processing;
Storage means for storing the image data,
The image processing program includes:
Receiving a job including image data and processing information defining processing to be executed;
Causing the image processing means to execute a first process defined by the processing information for the image data in response to the job being accepted;
Temporarily storing image data on which the first processing has been executed by the image processing means;
Causing the image processing means to execute a second process defined by the process information for the temporarily stored image data;
Causing the image processing means to execute a process of generating a thumbnail based on the temporarily stored image data after the execution of the second process by the image processing means;
Storing the image data included in the accepted job in the storage means;
An image processing program for causing the image processing apparatus to execute the step of associating the generated thumbnail with the image data stored in the storage unit;

Images