JP2011101248A - Image gathering system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain an image gathering system which can automatically create an image by gathering images simultaneously displayed on a plurality of image display devices onto one sheet as arrangement relation of them. <P>SOLUTION: The image gathering system is provided with: electronic paper 10A and 10B which can communicate with each other; and an image forming composite device 50 which has an image data processing means and a printing means, and can communicate with the electronic paper 10A and 10B. The electronic paper 10A has a means for recognizing the arrangement relation with the electronic paper 10B. The image forming composite device 50 acquires, from the electronic paper 10A, the arrangement relation between the electronic paper 10A and 10B, and the image data displayed on the electronic paper 10A, acquires, from the electronic paper 10B, the image data displayed on the electronic paper 10B, and gathers the acquired image data onto one sheet so as to match the acquired arrangement relation. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image aggregating system, and more particularly to an image aggregating system including an image forming composite apparatus equipped with not only a printing function but also a function of communicating with a plurality of terminals.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, image forming apparatuses such as copying machines have become multifunctional machines by installing a communication function with a terminal or server connected to a network. It is also possible to aggregate a plurality of image data and output it as one printed matter (also referred to as 2-in-1 etc.).

  By the way, when a plurality of originals are collected into one sheet, the layout is performed by the user manually arranging the originals or by the user specifying one of the preset layouts. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 describes that a plurality of image data is adjusted in position on a screen on an image processing apparatus to generate an aggregate image.

  However, the conventional image aggregation method requires a user to manually set the arrangement of a plurality of images, which is complicated. Further, when the layout is preset, it is necessary to specify each one and the layout is also limited. When you are doing some work or presentation by displaying images on each of multiple image display devices such as electronic paper, multiple images that are actually displayed are automatically arranged as a single image without changing the positional relationship. Aggregation has not been realized in the past.

JP 2008-227484 A

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an image aggregation system capable of automatically creating an image in which images simultaneously displayed on a plurality of image display devices are aggregated into one sheet while maintaining their arrangement relationship.

In order to achieve the above object, an image aggregation system according to an aspect of the present invention includes:
A plurality of image display devices capable of communicating with each other;
An image forming composite apparatus having image data processing means and means for outputting image data on paper, and capable of communicating with at least one of the plurality of image display devices;
With
At least one image display device among the plurality of image display devices has means for recognizing an arrangement relationship of each image display device,
The image forming composite apparatus obtains the arrangement relation and display image data of each image display device from the at least one image display device, and the display image data obtained so as to coincide with the obtained arrangement relation. Having means to aggregate,
It is characterized by.

  In the image aggregation system, when images are respectively displayed on a plurality of image display devices, a signal for aggregating the plurality of images by a user is used as a trigger to display the arrangement relationship and display image data of each image display device. Is input to the image forming composite apparatus. The image forming composite apparatus aggregates the acquired display image data into one sheet so as to match the acquired arrangement relationship.

  As the arrangement relationship of the display image data, the respective image display devices may overlap each other. In this case, it is natural to preferentially aggregate the images that are overlaid (the images that are overlaid are erased), but it may be possible to select which is to be prioritized.

  The image data displayed on each image display device may be transmitted directly from the respective image display device to the image forming composite apparatus, or from each image display device via one image display device. May be sent to.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to automatically create an image in which images displayed simultaneously on a plurality of image display devices are combined into one sheet while maintaining their arrangement relationship.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the whole schematic structure of an image aggregation system. It is explanatory drawing which shows the various forms of image aggregation. It is a block diagram which shows each control part of an image forming composite apparatus and electronic paper. It is explanatory drawing of the means to recognize the arrangement | positioning relationship between electronic paper. It is explanatory drawing which shows the operation | movement of a system in Example 1, and an aggregation screen. It is a flowchart figure which shows the control procedure in Example 1. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the operation | movement of a system in Example 2, and an aggregation screen. It is a flowchart figure which shows the control procedure in Example 2. FIG. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a system operation and an aggregation screen according to a third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a control procedure in the third embodiment. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a system operation and an aggregation screen according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a control procedure in Embodiment 4.

  Embodiments of an image aggregation system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, in each figure, the code | symbol which shows the same member and part is used in common.

(Image aggregation system, see FIGS. 1-4)
As shown in FIG. 1, the image aggregation system includes a plurality of image display devices (specifically, electronic paper) 10A and 10B that can communicate with each other, image data processing means, and means for outputting image data on a sheet. And an image forming composite apparatus (hereinafter referred to as MFP) 50 capable of communicating with the electronic papers 10A and 10B.

  The electronic papers 10A and 10B include, for example, a known liquid crystal display panel 11 and an operation panel 12, and can communicate with each other. The MFP 50 has a function as a copying machine that forms an image on a sheet by a known electrophotographic method, and can communicate with each of the electronic papers 10A and 10B. Further, the MFP 50 can acquire image data from a server, a computer, or the like via a network, and transfers these image data to the electronic papers 10A and 10B. The electronic papers 10A and 10B display the transferred image data on the liquid crystal display panel 11.

  The electronic paper 10A has means for recognizing an arrangement relationship with another electronic paper 10B (described below with reference to FIG. 4). The MFP 50 acquires the arrangement relationship and display image data of the electronic papers 10A and 10B from the electronic paper 10A (when acquiring the electronic paper 10A including the image data of the electronic paper 10B directly from the electronic papers 10A and 10B, respectively. Sometimes). The display image data also includes image size information. Then, the MFP 50 aggregates the acquired display image data into one sheet so as to match the acquired arrangement relationship. The aggregated image data is printed on paper by the MFP 50 or transferred to another computer or the like through a network.

  The images aggregated as described above are, for example, images as shown in FIGS. 2A to 2D, in which (A) is an image of the electronic paper 10A and (B) is an image of the electronic paper 10B. These will be described below as Examples 1 and 2. A case where three images (A), (B), and (C) are aggregated as shown in FIG. A case where images (A) and (B) overlap as shown in FIG. 2 (f) will be described below as a fourth embodiment.

  Note that, when a plurality of images are aggregated into one sheet, the size may not fit in one sheet depending on the size and arrangement relationship of each image. In such a case, the image size is appropriately reduced to fit in one sheet.

  Next, the control unit will be described with reference to FIG. The control unit of the MFP 50 includes an operation unit 62, a memory 63, a communication unit 64, a storage unit 65, a document image capturing unit 66, an image processing unit 67, and an electrophotographic image forming unit 68 centering on the system controller 61. It is configured. The control unit of the electronic paper 10 </ b> A, 10 </ b> B includes an operation unit 22, a display unit 23, a communication unit 24, and a storage unit 25 with the system controller 21 as a center. Further, the electronic paper 10A has a measurement unit 26A for arrangement recognition, and the electronic paper 10B has a measured part 26B measured by the measurement unit 26A.

  As the arrangement recognizing means, for example, the measuring unit 26A is a reader / writer of an RFID system, and the measured unit 26B is a wireless IC tag that reacts to the reader / writer. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the reader / writer 26A is installed at an arbitrary position of the electronic paper 10A, and measures the distance and the inclination angle with respect to the wireless IC tags 26B installed at three positions of the electronic paper 10B. By measuring these three locations, the relative positional relationship between the electronic papers 10A and 10B can be recognized. The MFP 50 aggregates the images (A) and (B) as one image with the arrangement relationship recognized in this way.

(See Example 1, FIGS. 5 and 6)
In the first embodiment, the electronic paper 10 </ b> A outputs the arrangement relationship between the electronic paper 10 </ b> A and the electronic paper 10 </ b> B and the image data displayed by the electronic paper 10 </ b> B to the MFP 50 and the image data displayed on the electronic paper 10 </ b> B to the MFP 50. Instruct to output.

  Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, first, the user instructs the output of image aggregation by the output instruction means (included in the operation unit 22) of the electronic paper 10A (step S1). At this time, the electronic paper 10A acquires the arrangement relationship with the electronic paper 10B by the measurement unit 26A, and acquires the identification information from the electronic paper 10B by the communication unit 24 (step S2).

  Next, the electronic paper 10A instructs the electronic paper 10B to output the image data displayed at that time to the MFP 50 through the communication unit 24 (step S3). At the same time, the electronic paper 10A transmits the image data and the size displayed by the electronic paper 10A, the identification information of the electronic paper 10B, and the arrangement relationship to the MFP 50 (step S4). On the other hand, the electronic paper 10B transmits its identification information, the displayed image data, and the size thereof to the MFP 50 (step S5).

  The MFP 50 receives the various data and information by the communication unit 64, and automatically creates an image consolidated into one sheet with the arrangement relationship of the electronic papers 10A and 10B in accordance with an instruction from the system controller 61 (step S6). Such image aggregation is executed by the image processing unit 67, for example.

(See Example 2, FIGS. 7 and 8)
In the second embodiment, the electronic paper 10A acquires the image data displayed by the electronic paper 10B, the arrangement relationship with the electronic paper 10B, the image data displayed by the electronic paper 10B, and the image data acquired from the electronic paper 10B are acquired. Output to the MFP 50.

  Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, first, the user instructs the output of image aggregation by the output instruction means (included in the operation unit 22) of the electronic paper 10A (step S11). At this time, the electronic paper 10A acquires the arrangement relationship with the electronic paper 10B by the measurement unit 26A, and acquires the identification information from the electronic paper 10B by the communication unit 24 (step S12). At the same time, the electronic paper 10A acquires the image data and the size displayed at that time from the electronic paper 10B by the communication unit 24 (step S13).

  Next, the electronic paper 10A transmits the image data and its size displayed by itself, the identification information of the electronic paper 10B, the arrangement relationship, and the image data and size of the electronic paper 10B to the MFP 50 (step S14). .

  The MFP 50 receives the various data and information by the communication unit 64, and automatically creates an image consolidated into one sheet with the arrangement relationship of the electronic papers 10A and 10B in accordance with an instruction from the system controller 61 (step S15). Such image aggregation is executed by the image processing unit 67, for example.

(See Example 3, FIGS. 9 and 10)
The third embodiment is provided with three electronic papers 10A, 10B, and 10C, and the basic operation is the same as that of the first embodiment. In this case, the measurement unit 26A is also installed in the electronic paper 10B, and the non-measurement unit 26B is installed in three places in the electronic paper 10C.

  Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, first, the user instructs the output of image aggregation by the output instruction means (included in the operation unit 22) of the electronic paper 10A (step S21). The electronic paper 10A instructs the electronic paper 10B to output the currently displayed image data to the MFP 50 through the communication unit 24 (step S22). Then, the electronic paper 10B instructs the electronic paper 10C to output the image data displayed at that time to the MFP 50 through the communication unit 24 (step S23).

  At the same time, the electronic paper 10B acquires the arrangement relationship with the electronic paper 10C by the measurement unit 26A, and acquires the identification information from the electronic paper 10C by the communication unit 24 (step S24). In addition, the electronic paper 10A acquires the arrangement relationship with the electronic paper 10B by the measurement unit 26A, and acquires the identification information from the electronic paper 10B by the communication unit 24 (step S25). Furthermore, the electronic paper 10A acquires the arrangement relationship with the electronic paper 10C acquired by the electronic paper 10B and its identification information, and aggregates the arrangement relationship of the three parties (step S26).

  Next, the electronic paper 10A transmits to the MFP 50 the image data displayed by the communication unit 24 and the size thereof, the identification information and arrangement relationship of the electronic paper 10B, and the identification information and arrangement relationship of the electronic paper 10C (Step). S27). On the other hand, the electronic paper 10B transmits its own identification information, the displayed image data, and the size thereof to the MFP 50 (step S28). Also, the electronic paper 10C transmits its own identification information, the displayed image data, and the size thereof to the MFP 50 (step S29).

  The MFP 50 receives the various data and information by the communication unit 64, and automatically creates an image consolidated into one sheet with the arrangement relationship of the electronic papers 10A, 10B, and 10C in accordance with an instruction from the system controller 61 (step S30). ). Such image aggregation is executed by the image processing unit 67, for example.

(See Example 4, FIGS. 11 and 12)
The fourth embodiment is an image aggregation when the electronic papers 10A and 10B are arranged so as to overlap each other, and the images superimposed on each other are preferentially aggregated. The basic operation is the same as that of the first embodiment.

  Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, first, the user instructs the output of image aggregation by the output instruction means (included in the operation unit 22) of the electronic paper 10A (step S31). At this time, the electronic paper 10A acquires the arrangement relationship (including the overlapping vertical relationship) with the electronic paper 10B by the measurement unit 26A, and acquires the identification information from the electronic paper 10B by the communication unit 24 (step S32).

  Next, the electronic paper 10A instructs the electronic paper 10B to output the image data displayed at that time to the MFP 50 through the communication unit 24 (step S33). At the same time, the electronic paper 10A transmits to the MFP 50 the image data and the size displayed by the electronic paper 10A, the identification information of the electronic paper 10B, and the arrangement relationship (step S34). On the other hand, the electronic paper 10B transmits its own identification information, the displayed image data, and the size thereof to the MFP 50 (step S35).

  The MFP 50 receives the various data and information by the communication unit 64, and in accordance with an instruction from the system controller 61, the arrangement relationship of the electronic papers 10A and 10B is maintained, and the upper image is given priority in the area where the images overlap. In other words, the images superimposed on the bottom are deleted, and an image consolidated into one sheet is automatically created (step S36). Such image aggregation is executed by the image processing unit 67, for example.

(Other examples)
The image aggregation system according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be variously modified within the scope of the gist.

  For example, in each of the above-described embodiments, the instruction for image aggregation is performed on the operation unit 22 of the electronic paper 10A. In the fourth embodiment, the overlapping images are preferentially aggregated. However, the operation unit 22 or the operation unit 62 may be provided with means for selecting which image is to be prioritized. . Furthermore, as the plurality of image display devices for displaying images, electronic paper is employed in each of the above embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to this.

  As described above, the present invention is useful for an image aggregating system, and in particular, automatically creates an image in which images simultaneously displayed on a plurality of image display devices are aggregated into one sheet while maintaining their respective arrangement relationships. It is excellent in that it can be done.

10A, 10B, 10C ... electronic paper 24 ... communication unit 26A ... measurement unit (reader / writer)
26B ... measured part (wireless IC tag)
50. Image forming composite apparatus (MFP)
64: Communication unit 67 ... Image processing unit

Claims (8)

A plurality of image display devices capable of communicating with each other;
An image forming composite apparatus having image data processing means and means for outputting image data on paper, and capable of communicating with at least one of the plurality of image display devices;
With
At least one image display device among the plurality of image display devices has means for recognizing an arrangement relationship of each image display device,
The image forming composite apparatus obtains the arrangement relation and display image data of each image display device from the at least one image display device, and the display image data obtained so as to coincide with the obtained arrangement relation. Having means to aggregate,
An image aggregation system characterized by   The image aggregation system according to claim 1, wherein the display image data includes image size information.   The image aggregation system according to claim 1, wherein the information acquired from the at least one image display device by the image forming composite apparatus includes identification information of each image display device.   The image aggregation system according to claim 1, wherein the arrangement relationship of the image display devices includes an upper and lower overlapping relationship of the image display devices.   5. The image aggregating system according to claim 4, wherein the means for aggregating the display image data selects which image is preferentially combined from among the image data superimposed vertically.   The at least one image display device outputs the arrangement relationship between the image display devices and the image data displayed by the image display device to the image forming composite apparatus, and displays it on the other image display devices. 6. The image aggregation system according to claim 1, wherein an instruction is given to output existing image data to the image forming composite apparatus.   The at least one image display device acquires image data displayed by another image display device, and acquires from the arrangement relationship of each image display device and the image data displayed by itself and other image display devices. 6. The image aggregation system according to claim 1, wherein the processed image data is output to the image forming composite apparatus.   The image aggregating system according to claim 1, wherein the image display device includes at least one image display device and a plurality of other image display devices.

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