JPH11205558A - Image formation device, image formation method, image processing system and image processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device capable of surely recording and outputting image information for the required number of copies while keeping excellent image quality by a simple operation without the need of a special detection sheet and without the need of detaching a staple by recording retrieval information corresponding to the image information to be recorded on the first sheet of paper at the time, of recording the image information. SOLUTION: The control means of a CPU 100 transfers the image information prepared in a personal computer or the read image information of the electronic copying machine 1 or the image information inside a document server through a LAN to one of the respective electronic copying machines 1 and makes it be recorded on the sheet of copy paper. Along with that, the control means makes the retrieval information corresponding to the image information of a recording object be recorded on the first sheet of the copy paper. The retrieval information is composed of the equipment number of the document server and the file name of the image information, converted to a bar code by a bar code conversion means 121 and recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a scanner function,
Printer function, fax transmission / reception function, image processing function,
The present invention relates to a composite image forming apparatus having a network connection function and the like, an image forming method, an image processing system, and an image processing method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An image forming apparatus such as an electronic copying machine optically reads an image of an object to be read set on a document table, and
The read image is recorded on the required number of sheets. For example,
A copy job is performed to prepare the meeting materials, and if the required number of copies increases afterwards due to changes in the number of participants, the person in charge resets the document on the platen and repeats the same copy job Will be.

In recent years, originals have evolved from paper information to electronic information such that a document (image information) is electronically created by a personal computer or the like and recorded and output by a printer. However, even in this case, it is general that a document of electronic information is once recorded and output by a printer, and the required number of copies are copied by a copying machine using the recording paper as a document.

[0004] Although the operation is the same simple operation as copying, the original electronic document is converted into paper information and output instead of copying, and file identification information for identifying a file of the electronic document is embedded. There is an example in which a sheet is read by the same operation as copying, an electronic document file is identified and searched for from embedded file identification information, and an original electronic document is output.

[0005]

When a document output by a printer is copied by a copying machine, there is a problem that the image quality of the copy output is lower than that of the document. If the required number of copies are printed when the electronic information document is output by the printer, the image quality does not deteriorate due to copying, but the required number of documents is often unclear when output by the printer.

The operation of copying is simpler than the operation of printing with a printer. Therefore, even if the number of required copies of a document is clear, it is not a print output from electronic information but a copy. In many cases, copying is performed by a copying machine based on a document output from a printer, resulting in a problem of image quality.

In addition, documents used in conferences and the like are often stapled, and when the number of copies suddenly runs short and copying is required, it is necessary to remove the staples of the originals before copying.

In order to avoid the trouble of removing the staples, prepare at least the required number of copies of the document in advance, or prepare a stapled document and a non-stapled document for the copy original.
It is necessary to prepare the kind.

[0009] In an example in which a document is retrieved and output using a special retrieval sheet, the user must always carry the retrieval sheet, which is inconvenient. The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances and aims at a simple operation of setting only one recorded document without requiring a special search sheet and without removing staples. Another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of reliably recording and outputting the required number of copies of original image information while maintaining good image quality.

Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to set the original image information of good image quality by a simple operation of setting only one recorded document without requiring a special search sheet and without removing the staple. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming method capable of reliably recording and outputting the required number of copies as it is.

Further, the present invention provides a simple operation of setting only one recorded document without requiring a special search sheet and without removing staples.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an image processing system capable of reliably recording and outputting the required number of copies of original image information with good image quality.

Further, according to the present invention, original image information of good image quality can be obtained by a simple operation of setting only one recorded document without requiring a special search sheet and without having to remove staples. An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing method capable of reliably recording and outputting a required number of copies as it is.

Further, the present invention provides a simple operation of setting only one recorded document without the need for a special search sheet and without having to remove staples.
Provided is an image processing system capable of reliably recording and outputting the required number of copies of original image information with good image quality and capable of recording and outputting not only a specific device but also all devices connected to a network. The purpose is to:

[0014]

Means for Solving the Problems First Invention (Claim 1)
The image forming apparatus includes: a reading unit that reads an image of an object to be read; a recording unit that records image information on a sheet; a storage unit that stores read image information of the reading unit; A first control unit for recording the image information in the storage unit on a sheet by the recording unit and recording search information corresponding to the image information to be recorded on the first sheet of the sheet; A recognizing means for recognizing the search information from the read image information when the image is read by the means; a reading means for retrieving and reading image information from the storage means based on the search information recognized by the recognizing means; And second control means for causing the recording means to record the image information read by the reading means on a sheet.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus, wherein: reading means for reading an image of an object to be read; recording means for recording image information on a sheet; and image information read by the reading means. Storage means, read image information of the reading means or image information in the storage means, in the recording means,
First control means for recording on a sheet and recording search information corresponding to the image information to be recorded on the first sheet of the sheet, operation means for designating a search for image information, and this operation means A recognition unit that recognizes the search information from the read image information of the reading unit when a search instruction is issued; a reading unit that searches and reads image information from the storage unit based on the search information recognized by the recognition unit; And second control means for causing the recording means to record the image information read by the reading means on a sheet.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the search information is a barcode. An image forming apparatus according to a fourth invention (claim 4) is the image forming apparatus according to the first or second invention, wherein the first control means comprises:
The image information and the search information are recorded on the surface of the first sheet.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the first control means includes:
The image information is reduced and recorded on the surface of the first sheet,
The retrieval information is recorded outside the image information recording area on the surface of the sheet.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the recording unit includes a sheet reversing unit. Further, after the first control means records the image information on the front surface of the first sheet, the sheet reversing means reverses the sheet and records the search information on the back surface of the sheet.

In an image forming method according to a seventh aspect of the present invention, an image of an object to be read is read by a reading means, the read image information is stored in a storage means, and the read image information or the data from the storage means is read. The read image information is recorded on a sheet, search information corresponding to the image information to be recorded is recorded on the first sheet of the sheet, and the image information is read from the read image information when the image information is read by the reading means. The information is recognized, the image information is retrieved and read from the storage means based on the recognized search information, and the read image information is recorded on a sheet.

An image processing system according to an eighth aspect of the present invention includes a creating unit for creating image information, a reading unit for reading an image of an object to be read, a recording unit for recording the image information on a sheet, A storage unit that stores the image information created by the creation unit or the read image information of the reading unit, and the image information created by the creation unit, or the read image information of the reading unit, or the image information in the storage unit, A first control unit for recording on a sheet by the recording unit and recording search information corresponding to image information to be recorded on the first sheet of the sheet; Recognition means for recognizing the search information from the read image information, reading means for retrieving and reading image information from the storage means based on the search information recognized by the recognition means, The image information and a second control means allowed to record on paper at the recording means.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing system comprising: a creation unit for creating image information; a reading unit for reading an image of an object to be read; a recording unit for recording image information on a sheet; A storage unit that stores the image information created by the creation unit or the read image information of the reading unit, and the image information created by the creation unit, or the read image information of the reading unit, or the image information in the storage unit, First control means for causing the recording means to record on a sheet and recording search information corresponding to the image information to be recorded on the first sheet of the sheet; and operating means for designating a search for the image information Recognizing means for recognizing the search information from the read image information of the reading means when a search instruction is given by the operating means; and an image from the storage means based on the search information recognized by the recognizing means. And reading reading means and search for information,
And second control means for causing the recording means to record the image information read by the reading means on a sheet.

[0022] In the image processing system according to a tenth aspect (claim 10), in the eighth or ninth aspect, the search information is a barcode. An image processing system according to an eleventh aspect (claim 11) is the image processing system according to the eighth or ninth aspect,
The first control means records the image information and the search information on the surface of the first sheet.

In an image processing system according to a twelfth aspect (claim 12), in the eighth or ninth aspect, the first control means causes the image information to be reduced and recorded on the surface of the first sheet. The retrieval information is recorded outside the image information recording area on the surface of the sheet.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing system according to the eighth or ninth aspect, the recording means includes a sheet reversing means. Further, after the first control means records the image information on the surface of the first sheet,
The paper is reversed by the paper reversing means, and the search information is recorded on the back surface of the paper.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing method, wherein image information is created by creating means, or an image of an object to be read is read by reading means, and the created image information or read image information is stored in the storing means. And the created image information or the read image information or the read image information from the storage means is recorded on a sheet, and on the first sheet, search information corresponding to the image information to be recorded is recorded, When the image information is read by the reading means, the search information is recognized from the read image information, the image information is searched and read from the storage means based on the recognized search information, and the read image information is recorded on a sheet. .

An image processing system according to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention (claim 15) has a plurality of devices having a creating device for creating image information, reading means for reading an image of an object to be read, and recording means for recording the image information on paper. An input / output device, and a plurality of storage devices for storing image information created by the creation device or read image information of each of the input / output devices, connecting each device to a network, and transferring image information between the devices. In the image processing system, the image information created by the creation device, the read image information of the input / output devices, or the image information in the storage devices is transferred to any of the input / output devices. First control means for recording on a sheet and recording search information corresponding to the image information to be recorded on the first sheet of the sheet; An operation means for designating a search line; a recognition means for recognizing the search information from read image information of an input / output device provided with the operated operation means when a search instruction is given by the operation means; Reading means for retrieving and reading image information from any of the storage means based on the search information recognized by the recognizing means, and transferring the image information read by the reading means to the operated input / output device to form And second control means for recording the information in

[0027] In an image processing system according to a sixteenth invention (claim 16), in the fifteenth invention, the search information is a barcode. In an image processing system according to a seventeenth aspect (claim 17), based on the fifteenth aspect, the first control means records the image information and the search information on the surface of the first sheet.

An image processing system according to an eighteenth aspect (claim 18) is the image processing system according to the fifteenth aspect, wherein the first control means comprises
The image information is reduced and recorded on the surface of the sheet, and the search information is recorded outside the image information recording area on the surface of the sheet.

According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing system according to the fifteenth aspect, the recording means of the input / output device includes a sheet reversing means. Further, after the first control means records the image information on the front surface of the first sheet, the sheet reversing means reverses the sheet and records the search information on the back surface of the sheet.

[0030]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 schematically shows the overall configuration of an image forming apparatus, for example, a composite electronic copying machine.
An electronic copying machine (input / output device) 1 includes a scanner 2 as reading means for reading an image of an object to be read, and a printer 3 as recording means output means for recording image information on paper. (ADF) 4.

The automatic document feeder 4 has a rear end edge of a cover body 21 as a housing, which is attached to a rear end edge of an upper surface of the apparatus main body via a hinge device (not shown) so as to be openable and closable. Thus, the entire automatic document feeder 4 can be opened and closed to open the document table 5. A document table 22 capable of holding a plurality of documents at a time is provided on the upper surface of the cover body 21 and slightly to the right.

At one end of the apparatus, there is provided a feeding means 23 for sequentially taking out the originals to be read one by one and supplying the originals to one end (left end in the figure) of the original table 5. The feeding means 23 is provided with a pickup roller 2 for taking out a document.
7, a weight plate 28 for pressing a document against a pickup roller, an empty sensor 29 as a document detection sensor for detecting a setting state of the document on the document feeder board 22, and the like. A paper feed roller 32 is disposed in the direction in which the pickup roller 27 takes out the document, and the document is reliably fed one by one.

On the upper surface of the document table 5, a document conveying belt 37 for covering the document table 5 is stretched. The original conveying belt 37 is a wide endless belt having a white outer surface stretched over a pair of belt rollers 40, 40, and is configured to be able to run in the forward and reverse directions by a belt driving mechanism (not shown).
A plurality of belt pressing rollers 41 for pressing the belt surface against the document table 5 and a set switch (not shown) for detecting the open / close state of the automatic document feeder are provided on the back side of the inner peripheral portion of the document conveying belt 37. Is provided. Then, the document fed by the feeding means 23 is transported from one end (left end) of the document table 5 to the other end (right end).

A paper discharging means 38 is provided at the right side of the apparatus. The paper discharging means 38 includes a transport roller 44, a pinch roller 45 for pressing the document against the transport roller 44, and a paper discharge sensor 46 as a document detecting means for detecting the rear end of the document sent in the paper discharging direction. A discharge roller 48 is provided on the downstream side of the document discharge path. A gate 82 is provided in the document discharge path to guide the document upside down to the document table 5 so that the document can be copied on both sides.

The scanner 2 includes a certification lamp 6 as a light source, a first carriage 7 provided with a mirror 15, a second carriage 9 provided with mirrors 8a and 8b for bending optical paths, a lens 10, and a CCD sensor 11 for receiving reflected light. ,
A drive system (not shown) for changing the positions of these parts,
And an A / D converter (not shown) for converting the output of the CCD sensor 11, that is, image data from analog data to digital data.

The first and second carriages 7 and 9 are connected to each other by a timing belt (not shown), and the second carriage 9 moves in the same direction at half the speed of the first carriage 7. Thereby, scanning is performed so that the optical path length to the lens 10 is constant. The lens 10 has a fixed focal length and is moved in the optical axis direction during zooming.

In the CCD 11 sensor, one pixel of a document is CC
This corresponds to one image of the D sensor. This CCD sensor 1
1 is output to the A / D converter. The first and second carriages 7, 9 and the mirrors 12a, 12b are respectively moved by stepping motors (not shown).
The first and second carriages 7, 9 respond to the operation of a timing belt (not shown) stretched between a drive pulley (not shown) and an idle pulley (not shown) connected to the rotation shaft of the stepping motor. Move.
The spiral shaft (not shown) of the lens 10 is rotated by a corresponding stepping motor (not shown), and moves in the optical axis direction by the movement of the spiral.

Reference numeral 60 denotes a laser diode, corresponding to which a collimating lens 62, a polygon mirror (polygonal reflecting mirror) 64, a lens 66, reflecting mirrors 68 and 70, and a lens 7
2 is disposed, and irradiates the photosensitive drum 50 with laser light from the exposure device 52.

The printer 3 combines, for example, a laser optical system and an electrophotographic system capable of forming an image on transfer paper. That is, the printer 3 has a photosensitive drum 50 rotatably supported at a substantially central portion in the apparatus, and an exposing device 52, a developing device 54, a transfer charger 55, and a peeling charger around the photosensitive drum 50. 56, a PCC charger 57, a static elimination lamp 58, and a charging charger 59 are sequentially arranged.

The photosensitive drum 50 includes a charging charger 59.
Is charged uniformly. By outputting a laser beam from the scanner 2, an image of a document is formed on the photosensitive drum 50.

The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 50 is developed by the developing device 54, and is fed from a paper feed cassette 30 as a paper feeding means to be described later via a paper feeding roller 20 and an aligning roller 25. The transfer image is transferred by the transfer charger 55 onto the copy paper P to be transferred. The copy paper P after the transfer by the transfer charger 55 is separated by the separation charger 56 by the AC corona discharge.
The copy sheet P on which the developed image is fused and fixed by the fixing device 71 is conveyed to the fixing device 71 via the conveyance belt, and is discharged by the discharge roller pair 73 to the unit 74 having the discharge tray 74a. The unit 74 is a discharge roller 73
And a stapler 74c for stapling one copy at a time in the staple sort mode above the unit 74.

On the other hand, transfer of the developed image to copy paper P
The developer remaining on the photoconductive drum 50 after peeling is PCC
The cleaning is performed by the charger 57, and the potential of the photosensitive drum 50 to the power of 50 is reduced to a certain level or less by the charge removing charger 58, thereby enabling the next copy operation.

In the case of double-sided copying in which printing is performed on both sides of the copy sheet P, the copy sheet P on which the developed image is fused and fixed by the fixing unit 71 is conveyed through the conveyance path 75a and then accumulated on the tray 75b. You. The single-sided printed copy paper P stored in the tray 75b is transferred to the transport path 75c.
Is transferred to the transfer charger 55 described above, and the developed image is transferred to the other surface on which no printing is performed. Also,
A light reflection type paper sensor 75d is provided below the tray 75b, and detects the presence or absence of sheets stacked on the tray 75b.

The transfer path 75a, the tray 75b, the transfer path 75c, and the paper sensor 75d make the copy paper P
A paper reversing device (ADD) 75 for performing the reversal is formed.

In the drawing, reference numeral 30 denotes a paper feeding cassette which is a paper feeding means mounted on a plurality of upper and lower stages so as to be detachable from the front side of the apparatus main body 1. The paper feed cassette 30 is composed of a cassette case 31 which is a housing in which copy paper P is stored, and has a configuration in which a take-out end of the cassette case 31 is inclined in a paper take-out direction. The copy paper P stored in the cassette case 31 is picked up by the pickup roller 81 from the uppermost layer and taken out.

The copy sheet P taken out by the pickup roller 81 and sent to the take-out end of the cassette case 31 is fed to a paper feed roller 84 and a separation roller (also provided above the inside of the take-out end of the cassette case 31). The sheet is separated one by one by a sheet separation unit including a separation pad (85), and is conveyed to the printer 3.

FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the control system, which has various functions such as a scanner, a printer, a facsimile, and a network. In FIG. 2, a CPU 10 for controlling the entire apparatus is provided.
0, the ROM 101, the RAM 1 via the control bus B1.
02, a control panel 103, a scanner unit (reading unit) 104, a printer unit (recording unit) 105, a mechanical unit control CPU 106, an image processing unit 107, a bus controller 108, and a barcode conversion unit 121.

The ROM 101 stores a control program for causing the CPU 100 to operate. RAM 102
Temporarily stores a control program and control information used by the CPU 100. Barcode conversion means 121
Converts the search information described later into barcode data.
The printer unit 105 has the sheet reversing device 75.

The control bus B2 is provided to the bus controller 108.
, The hard disk drive 110, the facsimile transmission / reception unit 111, the page memory 112, and the network interface 114 are connected. CPU 100
Via the bus controller 108 and the control bus B2,
The hard disk drive 110, facsimile transmission / reception unit 111, page memory 112, and network interface 114 are controlled.

The hard disk drive 110 functions as a large-capacity storage device for temporarily storing image information transferred from another device connected to a LAN described later via the network interface 114.

Printer unit 105 and image processing unit 107
Facsimile transmission / reception unit 111 and page memory 1
12, the image bus B3 for transferring image data is connected. It should be noted that image data can also be transferred on the control bus B2.

As shown in FIG. 3, the control panel 103 has a copy start key 91 and a document search key 92 near the copy start key 91. The document search key 92 functions as an operation unit for instructing a search for image information.

As shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of electronic copying machines 1 having such a configuration are prepared, and are connected to the network via the network interface 114. For example, a LAN (local area network) is used as the network.

In this LAN, one electronic copier 1
A plurality of personal computers PC1a to PC1n are connected as creation devices for creating an electronic document (= image information + control information), and one document server DS1 is used as a storage device for storing image information. Connected. The image information created by the personal computers PC1a to PC1n is stored in the corresponding document server DS1.

Similarly, a plurality of personal computers PC2a to PC2n and one document server DS2 are connected to another electronic copying machine 1. Image information created by the personal computers PC2a to PC2n is stored in the document server DS2.

Similarly, a plurality of personal computers PCNa to PCNn and one document server DSN are connected to another electronic copying machine 1. Image information created by the personal computers PCNa to PCNn is stored in the document server DSN.

These devices connected to the LAN include L
Device identification information for identifying each device is assigned on the AN, and each device can transfer image information and control signals to and from any device based on the device identification information.

In the figure, the numerical value “133.115” assigned to each device is a network number. “0
“1” is model-specific information of the document server, “02” is model-specific information of the personal computer, and “03” is model-type information of the electronic copying machine 1. Following the model-type information is a device number (code). The three types of codes constitute the device identification information.

On the other hand, the CPU 100 includes the following [1] to [4] as main functional means together with a corresponding personal computer. [1] The image information created by the personal computer, the read image information of the electronic copying machine 1, or the image information in the document server is transferred to any one of the electronic copying machines 1 via the LAN, and the copy paper P Control means for recording the search information corresponding to the image information to be recorded on the first sheet of the copy paper P. The search information includes a device number of the document server and a file name of image information, and is converted into a barcode by the barcode conversion unit 121 and recorded.

[2] When any one of the document search keys 92 of each electronic copying machine 1 is operated, the search information is obtained from the read image information of the electronic copying machine 1 provided with the operated document search key 92. Recognition means for extracting and recognizing (barcode).

[3] Reading means for searching and reading image information from any of the document servers based on the search information recognized by the recognition means. [4] Control means for transferring the image information read by the reading means to the electronic copying machine 1 provided with the operated document search key 92 and recording it on the copy paper P.

Documents are created by word processing software of a personal computer. By issuing a document storage command from the word processing software, the documents are stored in an area defined by a document server corresponding to each personal computer via a LAN. Is done.

FIG. 5 shows a file format of a document transferred by the LAN and stored in the document server. That is, the file format of the document is roughly classified into control information and image information.

The control information includes a document server name, a personal computer name, a file directory name, a file name, a page size, an image size, an image attribute, an output attribute, a command,
It consists of output destination information and search management information.

The document server name is the device number of the document server that stores the document. The PC name is the device number of the personal computer that created the document. Page size is the total number of pages in the document file. The image size is the image size of the document, and is indicated by the number of pixels in the X and Y directions. This image size corresponds to the image size of the page indicated by the page size.

The image attribute is a format of an image stored in the image information, for example, an image composed of a bit map,
Or to specify that the bitmap image is compressed in some way.

The output attribute defines an output method when a document is output by an arbitrary electronic copying machine 1. For example, the output attribute is to record on both sides of copy paper P,
This is for designating that a two-page document is reduced and recorded on one copy sheet P.

The command is management information for the document such as saving the document or printing the document. In response to this command, the document server performs control such as saving the document in the designated area and outputting the document to the designated electronic copying machine 1.

The output destination information is used to specify which electronic copying machine 1 is to record and output a document, and has a device number of the electronic copying machine 1. The search management information is for specifying whether to add search information (barcode) to a document to be recorded and output.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS.
This will be described with reference to FIG. If the document created by the personal computer is new or the content of the document has been updated (YES in step 201), the personal computer adds control information to the image information of the new or updated document and transmits it to the network. Send it out (step 202).

The document (control information + image information) sent over the network is stored in the document server specified by the control information (step 203). If it is desired to record and output (print) a document already existing in the document server (YES in step 204), the personal computer does not add image information,
Only control information is transmitted on the network. The document server is specified by the transmitted control information,
Image information is read from the designated document server based on the control information. The read image information is
The control information is sent out onto the network with the control information added (step 206).

The image information transmitted on the network is
It is taken into the electronic copying machine 1 specified by the output destination information in the control information added thereto, and is recorded on the copy sheet P based on the output attribute in the control information.

The operation of the electronic copying machine 1 when recording image information will be described in detail. The image information transmitted on the network is taken in via the network interface 114 of the electronic copying machine 1 and is temporarily stored on the hard disk 110 via the control bus B2.

The CPU 100 reads out image information from the hard disk 110 in page units,
Expand to 2. Next, the CPU 100 sets the printer unit 105
By outputting a print command to the printer unit 1
From 05, a synchronization signal is output to the page memory 112.
The page memory 112 outputs image information in the page memory 112 to the printer unit 105 in synchronization with the synchronization signal.

If the output attribute in the control information indicates double-sided printing, the image information corresponding to the back side of the sheet is read out in the above procedure, and is recorded on the copy sheet P. The recorded copy sheet P is sent to the sheet reversing device 75 and turned over, and is held in the sheet reversing device 75 as it is.

At the stage where the recording of the image information corresponding to the back side of the sheet is completed, the image information corresponding to the front side of the sheet is read out, and is recorded on the copy sheet P held in the sheet reversing device 75. .

At the time of such recording output by the printer unit 105, search information is appropriately recorded on the copy sheet P. The search information includes a device number of the document server and a file name of image information.
The data is converted into a barcode by 21 and recorded.

However, whether to record the search information is specified by the search management information in the control information. When the designation by the search management information is “do not add” (Step 207
NO), only the image information is recorded on the surface of the copy sheet P (step 210).

When the content of the search management information is "add" (YES in step 207) and when the paper reversing device 75 is provided (YES in step 208), the output attribute in the control information is double-sided recording. Is not instructed (YES in step 209), the required number of image information is recorded on the front surface of the copy sheet P, but the image information of the first copy sheet P is reduced. The barcode B of the search information is recorded at a specific location outside the image information area of the first copy sheet P as shown in FIG. 7 (step 211).

If the content of the search management information is "add" (YES in step 207), and if the paper reversing device 75 is not provided (NO in step 208), regardless of the output attribute, The bar code B is recorded as shown in FIG. 7 (step 211).

When the content of the search management information is "add" (YES in step 207) and when the sheet reversing device 75 is provided (YES in step 208), the output attribute in the control information is double-sided. When the recording is instructed (NO in step 209), the required number of image information is recorded on the surface of the copy paper P, and the first copy paper P is printed after the image information is recorded. The reversal by the reversing device 75 is performed, and a bar code B of the search information is provided at a specific position on the back surface of the reversed copy sheet P as shown in FIG.
Is recorded (step 212).

When the document recorded in this manner is used in a meeting or the like, and the number of document copies must be suddenly increased due to an increase in the number of staff members, the person in charge will use one of the already prepared documents. The surface on which the barcode B of the second sheet is recorded is set on the document table 5 of the nearby electronic copying machine 1, and the document search key 92 on the control panel 103 is turned on.

When the document search key 92 is turned on (YES in step 301), the image of the set sheet is read (step 302), and the bar code B is extracted and recognized from the read image information (step 302). 303).

If the device number of the document server included in the recognized barcode B exists on the network (YES in step 304), image information corresponding to the file name included in the barcode B is targeted. It is read from the document server and sent out over the network (step 305).

The image information transmitted on the network is
The document is taken into the electronic copier 1 having the turned on document search key 92 and recorded on the copy sheet P. Therefore, it is possible to reliably record and output the required number of copies of the original image information with good image quality without feeling the inconvenience of carrying a special search sheet as in the related art.

Even if a prepared document is a plurality of stapled sheets, all documents can be output only by reading the first sheet once, so that there is no need to remove the stapling. Moreover, since the first sheet is read only once, the start of another job can be hastened.

The document can be operated from any electronic copying machine 1 on the network, and a document of good image quality can be obtained at a desired place. For example, even when the electronic copying machine 1 to be operated and the electronic copying machine 1 for recording are separated, the user can obtain a necessary document while staying at one place.

Although the barcode B of the search information is recorded on the first copy sheet P in the above embodiment, it may be recorded on all copy sheets P on which image information is recorded. Further, although the barcode B of the search information is recorded on either the front side or the back side of the copy sheet P, it may be recorded on both sides of the copy sheet P. In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0089]

As described above, according to the present invention, when image information is recorded, the search information corresponding to the image information to be recorded is recorded on the first sheet, so that a special search sheet can be used. Image formation that can reliably record and output the required number of copies of original image information while maintaining good image quality with a simple operation of setting only one recorded document without the need to remove staples. Equipment can be provided. Further, it is possible to provide an image forming method, an image processing system, and an image processing method capable of obtaining the same effects.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an internal mechanism according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system of the same embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a main part of the control panel of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a network configuration of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a view showing a file format of a document in the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an exemplary flowchart for explaining recording of search information in the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a view showing the front side of the copy sheet P on which search information is recorded in the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a view showing the back surface of the copy sheet P on which search information is recorded in the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an exemplary flowchart for explaining document retrieval in the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Electronic copying machine 75 ... Paper reversing device 91 ... Copy start key 92 ... Document search key 100 ... CPU 104 ... Scanner unit 105 ... Printer unit 112 ... Page memory 121 ... Bar code conversion means PC1a -... Personal computer DS1 -... Document Server P: Copy paper

Claims (19)

[Claims] A reading unit configured to read an image of an object to be read; a recording unit configured to record image information on a sheet; a storage unit configured to store read image information of the reading unit; First control means for causing the recording means to record the image information in the storage means on a sheet and recording search information corresponding to the image information to be recorded on the first sheet of the sheet; Recognizing means for recognizing the search information from the read image information when the image is read by the retrieving means; reading means for retrieving and reading the image information from the storage means based on the retrieving information recognized by the recognizing means; And a second control unit for causing the recording unit to record the image information read by the unit on a sheet. 2. A reading means for reading an image of an object to be read; a recording means for recording image information on a sheet; a storage means for storing image information read by the reading means; First control means for causing the recording means to record the image information in the storage means on a sheet and recording search information corresponding to the image information to be recorded on the first sheet of the sheet; An operation means for designating a search; a recognition means for recognizing the search information from the read image information of the reading means when a search instruction is given by the operation means; and the storage based on the search information recognized by the recognition means. Means for retrieving and reading image information from the means, and second control means for causing the recording means to record the image information read by the reading means on paper. Forming apparatus. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the search information is a barcode. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first control unit records the image information and the search information on a surface of a first sheet. apparatus. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first control unit reduces the size of the image information on the surface of the first sheet and records the reduced image information on the surface of the first sheet. An image forming apparatus characterized in that search information is recorded outside an information recording area. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording unit includes a sheet reversing unit, and the first control unit records image information on a surface of a first sheet. An image forming apparatus characterized in that the sheet reversing means reverses the sheet and records the search information on the back side of the sheet. 7. An image of an object to be read is read by a reading unit, the read image information is stored in a storage unit, and the read image information or the image information read from the storage unit is recorded on a sheet. On a sheet, search information corresponding to the image information to be recorded is recorded, and when the image information is read by the reading unit, the search information is recognized from the read image information, and the storage is performed based on the recognized search information. An image forming method comprising: retrieving and reading image information from a means; and recording the read image information on a sheet. 8. A creating unit for creating image information, a reading unit for reading an image of an object to be read, a recording unit for recording image information on a sheet, and reading the image information created by the creating unit or the reading unit. Storage means for storing image information, image information created by the creation means, or read image information of the reading means, or image information in the storage means,
A first control unit for causing the recording unit to record on a sheet and recording search information corresponding to image information to be recorded on the first sheet of the sheet; Recognition means for recognizing the search information from the read image information; read means for searching for and reading image information from the storage means based on the search information recognized by the recognition means; An image processing system, comprising: second control means for recording on a sheet by a recording means. 9. A creating unit for creating image information, a reading unit for reading an image of an object to be read, a recording unit for recording image information on a sheet, and reading the image information created by the creating unit or the reading unit. Storage means for storing image information, image information created by the creation means, or read image information of the reading means, or image information in the storage means,
First control means for causing the recording means to record on a sheet and recording search information corresponding to the image information to be recorded on the first sheet of the sheet; and operating means for designating a search for the image information A recognizing means for recognizing the search information from the read image information of the reading means when a search instruction is issued by the operation means; and retrieving image information from the storage means based on the search information recognized by the recognizing means. An image processing system comprising: reading means for reading; and second control means for causing the recording means to record image information read by the reading means on a sheet. 10. The image processing system according to claim 8, wherein the search information is a barcode. 11. The image processing system according to claim 8, wherein the first control means records the image information and the search information on the surface of a first sheet. system. 12. The image processing system according to claim 8, wherein said first control means reduces and records image information on a surface of a first sheet, and outputs an image on the surface of the sheet. An image processing system for recording search information outside an information recording area. 13. The image processing system according to claim 8, wherein the recording unit includes a sheet reversing unit, and the first control unit records image information on a surface of a first sheet. An image processing system for reversing the paper by the paper reversing means and recording the search information on the back surface of the paper after the reversing. 14. Image information is created by a creating means, or an image of an object to be read is read by a reading means, the created image information or the read image information is stored in a storage means, and the created image information or the read image information or The image information read from the storage unit is recorded on a sheet, and search information corresponding to the image information to be recorded is recorded on the first sheet of the sheet.
When the image information is read by the reading means, the search information is recognized from the read image information, the image information is searched and read from the storage means based on the recognized search information, and the read image information is recorded on a sheet. An image processing method comprising: 15. A creating device for creating image information, a plurality of input / output devices having a reading unit for reading an image of an object to be read and a recording unit for recording image information on a sheet, and image information created by the creating device. Alternatively, in an image processing system comprising a plurality of storage devices for storing read image information of each of the input / output devices, wherein each device can be connected to a network and image information can be transferred between the devices, The transferred image information, the read image information of each of the input / output devices, or the image information in each of the storage devices is transferred to any of the input / output devices and recorded on a sheet. First control means for recording search information corresponding to image information to be recorded; operating means provided in each of the input / output devices for designating a search for image information; When a search is instructed in a stage, a recognition means for recognizing the search information from read image information of an input / output device provided with the operated operation means, and the storage means based on the search information recognized by the recognition means. Reading means for retrieving and reading image information from any of the means, and second control means for transferring the image information read by the reading means to the operated input / output device and recording it on paper. An image processing system, characterized in that: 16. The image processing system according to claim 15, wherein the search information is a barcode. 17. The image processing system according to claim 15, wherein the first control unit records the image information and the search information on a surface of a first sheet. 18. The image processing system according to claim 15, wherein the first control means reduces the size of the image information on the surface of the first sheet and records the image information outside the image information recording area on the surface of the sheet. An image processing system characterized in that search information is recorded in a computer. 19. The image processing system according to claim 15, wherein the recording unit of the input / output device includes a sheet reversing unit, and the first control unit records image information on a surface of a first sheet. An image processing system for reversing the paper by the paper reversing means and recording the search information on the back surface of the paper after the reversing.