JPH11234493A - Image storage device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To store image data from a host computer in a memory box without troubling the user even when the memory box provided in a copying machine is fully occupied. SOLUTION: A large capacity hard disk 306 is provided in a copying machine 200 connecting to a host computer 501 via a network. The hard disk 306 has a memory box area having pluralities of memory boxes. A control section 100 of the copying machine transfers image data stored in a memory box to the host computer 501 and deletes image data corresponding to the transferred image data from the memory box. Furthermore, depending on a space capacity of the memory box, the image data transferred to the host computer 501 are returned so as to be again stored in the memory box.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an image storage device having storage means for storing image data, and more particularly to an image storage device connected to an external device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a large-capacity hard disk (HD)
There is a digital copier equipped with. This large-capacity hard disk is mainly used for performing an electronic sort function.

The electronic sort function is to read out images of all originals to be copied, store the image data on a hard disk, and repeatedly print out the image data in a page order. This makes it possible to discharge copy sheets in a sorted state without having a sorter device having a plurality of bins.
PDL (page description language) from the host computer
The digital copier receives the data via the network, develops the data from the PDL into a bitmap image, temporarily stores the data in the hard disk in the same manner as described above, reads out the image from the memory, and prints out the image.

More recently, it has been proposed to divide the storage area of the hard disk into individuals, store the image received from the host computer in an area (memory box) designated by the host computer, and print the image from the memory box. Have been.

In the memory box, there are a large number of resident image data in addition to the image data temporarily stored for printing. Therefore, unless the image data in the memory box is erased, the hard disk becomes full and the memory becomes full. Tend to be full. However, since the image data in the memory box does not remain after being erased, if the user dislikes it and sets a mode in which erasure is not possible, the memory becomes full.

Therefore, image data in the memory box is transferred to the host computer, and the transferred image data is deleted from the memory box, so that new image data can be stored even when the memory becomes full.

[0007]

However, if there is image data in the memory box, printing is possible immediately. However, since the image data transferred to the host computer has been deleted from the memory box, the transferred image data is printed immediately. It is impossible. Further, when storing the image data transferred to the host computer in the memory box again, the user must confirm the free space of the memory box and return the image data from the host computer based on the confirmed result.

[0008]

In order to solve the above problems,
According to the present invention, image data to be transferred to an external device having a second storage means is selected from first storage means for storing input image data and image data stored in the first storage means. Selecting means, transferring means for transferring the image data selected by the selecting means to the external device via a network, and image data stored in the first storage means corresponding to the image data transferred by the transferring means Erasing means for erasing the image data, and control means for returning the image data transferred to the external device via the network so as to be stored again in the first storage means according to the free space of the first storage means. And an image storage device characterized by having:

[0009]

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a control block diagram of a copying apparatus 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The control unit 100 performs IP control for overall control and image processing.
A copy unit 101 includes a DCON unit 103 that performs a mechanical control and a process control for forming an image on a recording sheet, and is connected to the operation unit 1000 of the copying apparatus. IP unit 101
Is controlled by the CPU 102, and the DCON unit 103
It is controlled by the PU 104. The feeder unit 105 and the sorter unit 106 are controlled by the DCON unit 103.

A facsimile unit 107 is controlled by the CPU 102 and converts image data read by the scanner unit 119 into a facsimile.
X transmission or reception of image data transmitted via a telephone line.

The PDL unit 108 includes a hard disk 502
The PDL output from the external host computer 501 having the above is developed into a bitmap image and output to the corep unit 112 as image data. PDL unit 1
08 has a function as a network interface for exchanging information with an external device via a network.

The image server section 110 transmits image data from the host computer 501 to the corep section 11.
2 and is controlled by the CPU 111. Also, the image server unit 110 has a COR
Connected to the IP unit 101 via the EIP unit 112,
Access for image input / output is performed. The image server unit 110 has a hard disk 306.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a copying apparatus 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The first movable body 203 includes an exposure lamp 201 and a first mirror 202. The first movable body is reciprocated in a predetermined direction by a motor (not shown), and the reflected light from the original on the platen glass 260 is reflected by the first, second, and third mirrors 202, 204, 205, and the lens 20.
7, an image is formed on the CCD line sensor 208. Second
The movable body 206 is composed of a second mirror and a third mirror, and operates at half the speed of the scanning of the first movable body 203.

The CCD line sensor 208 performs photoelectric conversion on a line-by-line basis based on the formed reflected light. The photoelectrically converted signal is PWM-modulated by a signal processing unit (not shown) and output.

The exposure control section 210 irradiates a light beam on the surface of the photosensitive member 240 based on the PWM-modulated image signal. At this time, the light beam is scanned in parallel with the axial direction of the drum-shaped photoconductor 240. The exposure control unit 210 is cooled by the cooling fan 209.

Before irradiating the photosensitive member 240 with a light beam, residual charges on the drum are eliminated by a pre-exposure lamp (not shown), and the drum is uniformly charged by a primary charger 228. The photoconductor 240 receives the light beam while rotating,
An electrostatic latent image is formed on the drum surface. The developing device 211 is
The electrostatic latent image on the drum surface is visualized with a predetermined color developer (toner).

The lift-ups 225 and 226 are controlled so as to lift the recording paper stacked and stored in the recording paper stacking sections 223 and 224 to the position of the feeding rollers 229 and 232. Further, the feed rollers 229 and 232 are driven by a motor (not shown), and the recording sheet
The recording paper is controlled to be fed from either one of 3, 224.

The recording paper fed from the recording paper stacking section 223 is supplied to the registration rollers 23 via feeding rollers 230 and 235.
8 is fed to the registration roller 238 via the feed rollers 233, 234, and 235.

When a recording paper stacking section is further provided below the recording paper stacking section 224, the recording paper is fed by the feeding roller 231. The feed roller 236 feeds the recording paper to the registration roller 238 when the manual feed tray 237 is opened as shown in FIG.

The registration roller 238 feeds the recording paper in synchronism with the image formed on the photosensitive member 240 and the timing of the leading edge of the image. The transfer charger 239 transfers the toner image developed on the photoconductor 240 to recording paper. After the transfer, the toner remaining on the photoconductor 240 is removed by the cleaner 227. Further, a voltage is applied to the static elimination needle 244 and the photosensitive member 240
By reducing the attraction force between the photoconductor 240 and the recording paper,
From the recording paper.

The recording paper separated from the photoreceptor 240 is sent to fixing units 212 and 213 via a conveyor belt 241, where it is fixed. The fixing unit 212 includes a ceramic heater, a film, and two rollers. Cooling roller 2
Reference numeral 14 radiates heat from the fixing roller 213. Feed roller 2
Reference numeral 15 includes one large roller and two small rollers, corrects the curl of the recording paper, and feeds the recording paper.

In the case of one-sided printing, the directional flapper 222 is switched in the direction of the paper discharge port, and the recording paper is stacked and discharged on the paper discharge tray 242 via the paper discharge roller 216. In the case of double-sided printing, the direction flapper 222 is switched so that the recording paper can be fed to the feed roller 217.

The feed roller 217 has the same configuration as the feed roller 215, corrects the curl of the recording paper, and feeds the recording paper to the intermediate tray 243.

In order to detect an error such as a paper jam and to measure the timing of the operation of each part, a paper detection sensor (not shown) is arranged in the recording paper feeding path. The first sensor is located before the feed roller 235 and the second sensor is located at the registration roller 2.
38, the third sensor is before the feed roller 215, the fourth sensor is between the feed roller 216 and the discharge port, the fifth sensor is immediately after the feed roller 217, and the sixth sensor is separated. It is arranged before the lever 220.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing that the host computer 501 is connected to the copying apparatus 200 via the LAN cable 500. The LAN cable 500 is connected to the PDL unit 108 in the copying machine. The host computer 501 has a hard disk 502 for storing image data.

The host computer 501 reads out image data stored in the hard disk 502, and
The image data is sent to the copying apparatus 200 via the N cable 501.

The details of the image server unit 110 will be described with reference to FIG. The image server unit 110 has image memories 300 and 301, which are controlled by memory controllers 303 and 304, respectively.
It has the capacity to capture image data of the size.

The memory controllers 303 and 304 are connected to the image server CPU 111 via the control bus 307, and are controlled by the image server CPU 111. The image server CPU 111 has a clock function for recognizing the current time.

The image memories 300 and 301 are connected to the core section 112 via a video bus 302 and input and output image data. Also, the image memory 30
0 and 301 are also connected to the hard disk 306, and the image data stored in the image memories 300 and 301 is finally stored in the hard disk 306.

Since the image server unit 110 has two image memories, double buffer processing can be performed. That is, while the image in one of the image memories is being written to the hard disk 306, the image data from the core part 112 is received using the other image memory.

When the image size exceeds A4, both image memories are used as a cascade buffer which is used continuously (as one memory).

The internal configuration of the hard disk 306 will be described with reference to FIG. The hard disk 306 has a temporary area 306a and a memory box area 306b. The temporary area 306a is an area for temporarily storing image data for electronic sort processing and the like, and the image data is deleted after the job is completed. The memory box area 306b is an area for registering image data.

In this embodiment, the memory box area 306b
, There are 100 memory boxes, each of which has a box number corresponding to the memory box.
The hatched portion in FIG. 5 indicates the ratio of using the memory box area 306b.

The capacity (distribution) of the temporary area 306a and the memory box area 306b can be arbitrarily changed by the user. For example, in the case of a 1 GB hard disk, 300 MB is allocated to the temporary areas 306a, 700
The MB is divided and used for the memory box area 306b.

FIG. 6 shows a state in which 100 memory boxes are present in the memory box area 306b of the hard disk 306. Each memory box is registered in advance by a user.

In the figure, a user A registers an arbitrary name and a password in the memory box of box number 3 and obtains ownership of the box. Similarly, user B has acquired ownership of the memory box with box number 1. Registration is performed from the operation unit 1000 of the copying apparatus.

FIG. 7 shows a state in which image data is stored in a memory box designated by the host computer 501. The figure shows that the image data Y is stored in the memory box 1 and the image data X is stored in the memory box 3. When storing image data in the memory box,
Various information added to image data (stored date, time, file name, number of pages, data amount of image data, etc.)
Is also stored.

The operation when printing the image data stored in the memory box will be described with reference to FIG. The image data is printed according to the memory box number and the password corresponding to the memory box input by the user on the operation unit 1000 of the copying apparatus, and the file name of the image data. Note that the password is different for each memory box.

Since the image data stored in the memory box is not printed unless a password corresponding to the memory box is input, the image data is not printed from the copying apparatus without permission. Therefore, there is no need to worry that the image data is printed together with the image data printed by another person or that the data can be viewed by another person.

A process for storing image data in the memory box corresponding to the user in the hard disk 306 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This process is performed by the CPU 111 of the image server unit, and is performed every time image data is sent from the host computer 501. Since the memory box is assigned to each user, the CPU 111 performs processing for each memory box individually.

First, various information (box number corresponding to memory box, file name of image data, image size, number of pages, etc.) necessary for storing image data composed of a plurality of pages is received (step S1).

Based on the processing in step S1, parameters for storing image data in the memory box are set (step S2). The storage of the image data for one page is started (step S3). It is checked whether the storage of the image data for one page is completed (step S4). When the storage of the image data for one page is completed, it is checked whether or not the image data for all pages has been stored in the memory box (step S).
5). If all pages have been stored in the memory box, the process ends.

If it is determined in step S4 that the storage of one page of image data has not been completed, it is checked whether the memory of the memory box is full (step S6). If the memory box is not full, the process returns to step S4. If the memory box is full, an image data transfer task is started (step S7). When the image data transfer task ends, the process proceeds to step S3.

The image data transfer task transfers the image data in the memory box to the host computer 501 because the memory in the memory box is full, and deletes the image data corresponding to the transferred image data from the memory box. belongs to.

The image data transfer task will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, based on various information added to the image data, the image data stored in the memory box and searched for the oldest image data stored in the memory box is searched from among the image data stored in the memory box (step S11). ).

It is checked whether or not the image data searched in step S11 is protected image data (step S12). The protection is an attribute attached to the image data stored in the memory box, and is set by the user.

Even if the memory box becomes full, protected image data is not erased from the memory box unless it is directly instructed by the user, and is not transferred to the host computer 501.

If the image data checked in step S12 is protected image data, it is checked whether all image data stored in the memory box have been searched (step S13).

If all image data stored in the memory box has been searched in step S13,
The operation unit 1000 of the copying apparatus is notified that the memory is full (step S14). Then, the process ends.

If the image data checked in step S12 is image data for which protection is not set, a request for transferring the image data in the memory box is issued to the host computer 501 (step S15). In step S15, the hard disk 5 of the host computer is
02 is a step for checking whether or not there is a free space in the host computer 02 or for checking whether or not the host computer is busy and cannot be used.

The response data from the host computer 501 for step S15 is received, and it is determined whether or not to transfer the image data based on the received response data (step S16). By the processing in step S16, the image data in the memory box is transferred
01 prevents the memory of the hard disk 502 of the host computer from becoming full.

When the image data is not transferred, the operation unit 1
000 is notified that the memory box is full (step S14). Then, the process ends. When the image data is to be transferred, the unprotected image data processed in step S12 is transferred to the host computer 501 (step S17).

The image data transferred in step S17 is P
The DL unit 108 is transferred to the host computer 501 via the LAN 500 and stored in the hard disk 502 of the host computer.

Although the LAN is used as the transfer path of the image data, the image data may be transferred to the host computer 501 via, for example, SCSI or Vicentro. Also, the type of LAN is not limited, and Ethernet or token link may be used. The image data may be transferred using a telephone line as long as the image data has a FAX function.

The image data transfer information corresponding to the transferred image data is stored, and an image data information table is created (step S18). In step S18, information on the transferred image data is stored in association with the image data, and an image data information table is created based on the information.

The operation unit 1000 is notified that the image data has been transferred to the host computer 501 based on the image data transfer information stored in step S18.
000 displays it. (Step S19). The hard disk 3 stores the image data corresponding to the transferred image data.
Erase from step 06 (step S20). Step S20
When the process is completed, the process returns to step S3 of the process described above.

The processing described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 10 is performed by the CPU 111 of the image server unit. Note that the processing in step S12 may be performed before the processing in step S11. In this case, from among the image data stored in the memory box, the image data that is not protected is selected, and the image data that has been stored in the memory box the longest time has elapsed among the selected image data. To the host computer 501.

When the memory of the memory box becomes full by the processing described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 9 and 10, the image data in the memory box is transferred to the host computer 501, and the image corresponding to the transferred image data is transferred. Since data is deleted from the hard disk 306, the free space of the memory box is increased. Therefore, even if the memory box becomes full, the host computer 50
1 can be stored in the memory box.

The image data transfer task may be started based on the processing described below. This will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, various information (box number corresponding to memory box, file name of image data, image size, number of pages, etc.) necessary for storing image data composed of a plurality of pages is received (step S31).

Based on the information received in step S1,
The data amount of the image data composed of a plurality of pages is calculated (step S32). Next, the free space of the memory box is checked (step S33). Based on the processing in steps S1 and S2, it is checked whether image data composed of a plurality of pages can be stored in the memory box (step S2).
34).

If image data consisting of a plurality of pages cannot be stored in the memory box, an image data transfer task is started (step S39). The image data transfer task is started, the image data in the memory box is transferred to the host computer 501, and the image data corresponding to the transferred image data is deleted from the memory box.
Return to 34.

If image data consisting of a plurality of pages can be stored in the memory box, parameters for storing the image data in the memory box are set (step S3).
5).

The storage of one page of image data is started (step S36). It is checked whether the storage of the image data for one page is completed (step S37). This step 37 is repeated until storage of image data for one page is completed.

When the storage of the image data for one page is completed,
It is checked whether image data for all pages has been stored in the memory box (step S38). When the image data for all pages has been stored in the memory box, the process ends. If all pages are not stored in the memory box, step S
Return to 36.

FIG. 12 is an image data information table created in step S11 of the processing described above. This table is stored in the form of a code in the RAM 208 in the above-described image server unit, and is rewritten whenever the image data is transferred to the host computer 501.

The RAM 208 stores information for each image data such as image data information 1 and image data information 2. As the image data information, for example, the address of the transfer destination that transferred the image data, the time when the image data was transferred,
The capacity of the image data and the attribute information (the size of the image data in the X and Y directions, the file name, the number of pages, the magnification, etc.) corresponding to the transferred image data are stored.

A screen 600 shown in FIG. 13 includes information (image, date, time, document name, page number,
This is a memory box basic screen for displaying whether or not printing has been performed. This screen is displayed on the operation unit 1000. The screen 600 is a touch panel, and the function is executed by touching the frame of the function to be displayed.

The information related to the image data displayed in the upper portion of the frame 601 has not passed since it was stored in the memory box. In the figure, the image data with the file name of the material 6 is the newest image data among the image data stored in this memory box.

The figure shows that the image data with the file name of the material 6 was stored at 20:31 on November 21. Here, "printed" at the right end indicates that the document has been printed at least once since it was stored in the personal box. Material 6 is displayed in italic letters, which means that this file is currently selected on the operation unit.

An asterisk (*) displayed on the left side of the document 1 means that the image data is protected. Therefore, the image data is not transferred to the host computer 501 and the hard disk 30
6 is not deleted.

Reference numerals 604 and 605 denote up and down scroll keys. By pressing these keys, the screen can be scrolled, and information on image data not displayed on the screen can be viewed. A delete key 603 is used when the user deletes the selected image data. When erasing protected image data, a password input is required. A detailed information key 602 is a button used when the user wants to know information on image data in detail.

Using the screens of FIGS. 14, 15 and 16,
Processing performed by the CPU 111 of the image server unit when the memory box is full and the memory is full will be described.

If image data having a file name of material 7 is to be stored in the memory box, materials 1, 2, 3,
Image data having file names of 4, 5, and 6 have already been stored, and the memory is full. Then, the host computer 50 is selected from the image data of the materials 1 to 6.
1, and selects the image data to be deleted from the memory box after the transfer.

Since the image data for which protection is not set is the materials 2 to 6, the material 2 which is stored in the memory box and which has passed the time is selected from the materials. At this time, image data transfer information is stored in association with the selected image data, and an image data information table is created.
Then, the material 2 is transferred to the host computer 501,
After the transfer, the document 2 is deleted from the memory box.

By erasing the material 2, the material 7 can be stored in the memory box and can be printed. In order to notify the user of this, save / delete is displayed on the screen 600a of FIG. 14 as information of the material 2 and print OK is displayed as information of the material 7.

The detailed information key 602 is a button used when the user wants to know more detailed information. For example,
When the user wants to know the information of the material 2 in detail, the user can press the detailed information key 602 to see the screen 610 in FIG.

Further, the data amount of the material 7 is large,
If the document 7 cannot be stored in the memory box only by deleting the data, the image data is transferred to the host computer 501 from other image data stored in the memory box, and the image data to be deleted from the memory box is selected. A screen 600 shown in FIG.
2 and 3 are transferred to the host computer 501 and are deleted from the memory box.

Using the screens of FIGS. 17 and 18, the CPU
The processing performed by 111 will be described. Screen 60 in FIG.
0 indicates that the image data in the memory box is not transferred to the host computer 501 even if the memory box is full.

For example, in order to store the material 7, the user selects the image data to be transferred from the memory box and requests the host computer 501 to transfer the image data. If there is no host computer 501,
Do not transfer image data to On the screen, memory full NG is displayed to notify the user of the fact.

Therefore, the transfer of the image data in the memory box to the host computer 501 does not cause the hard disk 502 of the host computer to become full and the memory to become full on the host computer side.

When the protection is set for all the image data of the materials 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 in the memory box as shown in the screen 600 of FIG.
Since no image data is transferred to the host computer 501, the document 7 is not stored. Also, in order to notify the user to that effect, "Memory full NG" is displayed on the screen.

Therefore, if the user does not want to transfer the image data in the memory box to the host computer 501, the user can set protection for all the stored image data.

Next, the processing for returning the transferred image data to the host computer 501 in accordance with the free space of the memory box and storing it again in the memory box is shown in FIG.
This will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, it is determined whether or not a sequence such as copy, print, facsimile, etc., has been executed and image data has been input / output to / from the memory box (step S41). If image data has not been input / output to / from the memory box, the process returns to step S41.

When image data is input / output to / from the memory box, image data transfer information is read out based on the image data information table shown in FIG. 12 (step S42).

Based on the read image data transfer information, it is checked whether there is image data transferred to the host computer 501 (step S43). If there is no transferred image data, the process ends. If there is the transferred image data, the free space of the hard disk 306 is checked (step S44).

Based on the processing in step S44, it is checked whether or not the memory is full (step S45). If the memory is full, the process ends. If the memory is not full, based on the image data transfer information, the oldest image data that has been transferred (oldest) is selected from the transferred image data (step S46).

The free space of the hard disk 306 checked in the processing of step S44 is compared with the data amount of the image data selected in step S46, and it is determined whether or not the selected image data can be stored in the memory box (step S4).
7).

If the selected image data cannot be stored in the memory box, it is checked whether there is any other image data transferred to the host computer 501 (step S4).
8).

If there is no other image data transferred to the host computer, the process ends. If there is another image data transferred to the host computer, step S
Returning to 46, image data other than the image data searched in step S47 is selected.

If the image data selected in step S47 can be stored in the memory box, the host computer 501 is requested to return the image data (step S47).
49). It is determined whether the image data has been returned from the host computer 501 (step S50).

The image data is stored in the host computer 50.
If not returned from the host computer 501,
There is some trouble on the side, and it is determined that the return of the image data is impossible, and the process shifts to step S48 to select other image data.

When the image data is returned from the host computer 501, it is stored in a memory box (step S51). Then, the fact is notified to the operation unit 1000 (step S52). Upon completion of the process in the step S52, the process returns to the step S43 to check whether there is any other image data that can be stored in the memory box.

These processes are performed by the CPU 111, and are performed for each memory box.

As described above, by the processing performed by the CPU 111, the image data transferred to the host computer 501 can be automatically stored again in the memory box according to the free space of the memory box.

Therefore, the user does not need to check the free space in the memory box and instruct the host computer 501 to return the image data transferred to the host computer 501 to the memory box based on the check result.

The process in step S46 is a process for selecting image data to be returned to the memory box from among the image data that has been transferred to the host computer 501. Other processes include selecting from among the transferred image data. It is also possible to select to return the (newest) image data whose time has not elapsed since transfer.

Further, the user may assign priorities to the transferred image data in advance, and the CPU 111 may select the image data to be returned to the memory box in descending order of priority based on the priorities.

A plurality of procedures for returning image data to the memory box are prepared in advance so that the user can arbitrarily select the procedure.

A screen 600 shown in FIG. 20 contains information (images of stored date, time, document name, number of pages,
This is a memory box basic screen for displaying whether or not printing has been performed. This screen is displayed on the operation unit 1000.

When the transferred image data is returned to the host computer 501 and stored again in the memory box, a status of "R" is added to a position indicating information on the image data.

For example, on this screen 600, “printed R” is displayed as information on material 2. This indicates that the document 2 is image data re-registered in the memory box, and has been printed at least once.

A screen 610 in FIG. 21 is a screen displayed on the operation unit 1000, and is a screen displayed when the user presses the detailed information key 602 in the screen 600.

For example, on this screen 610, detailed information of material 2 which is image data re-registered in the memory box is displayed.
The user is notified that the user has been re-registered in the memory box in three minutes.

(Embodiment 2) In Embodiment 1, as shown in FIG. 3, a case where one host computer is connected to copying apparatus 200 has been described. In Embodiment 2, a plurality of host computers are connected to copying apparatus 200. A case where a computer is connected will be described.

In FIG. 22, host computers 501, 701, and 801 are connected to the copying apparatus 200, and have hard disks 502, 702, and 801 respectively. Therefore, since there are a plurality of transfer destinations to which the image data in the memory box can be transferred, a task different from the image data transfer task described in the first embodiment is started.

The image data transfer task will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The processing before the image data transfer task is started is the same as the processing described with reference to FIG. 9, and this task is performed in step S7 in FIG.
It corresponds to.

First, based on various information added to the image data, the image data stored in the memory box and searched for the oldest image data stored in the memory box is searched from the image data stored in the memory box. (Step S61).

It is checked whether or not the image data retrieved in step S61 is image data for which protection is set (step S62). The protection is an attribute attached to the image data stored in the memory box, and is set by the user.

Even if the memory box becomes full, the protected image data is not erased from the memory box unless it is directly instructed by the user, and is not transferred to any of the host computers 501, 701 and 801.

If the image data checked in step S62 is protected image data, it is checked whether all image data stored in the memory box have been searched (step S63).

If all the image data stored in the memory box has been searched, the operation unit 1000 of the copying apparatus is notified that the memory is full (step S64). Then, the process ends.

If the image data checked in step S62 is unprotected image data, a request for transferring the image data in the memory box is issued to one of the host computers 501, 701, and 801 ( Step S65).

Step S65 is a step for checking whether or not there is free space in the hard disk of the host computer, and for checking whether or not the host computer is busy and cannot be used.

The response data from the host computer corresponding to the processing in step S65 is received, and it is determined whether or not to transfer the image data based on the received response data (step S66).

If the transfer of the image data is rejected by the host computer, it is checked whether or not another host computer is connected to the copying apparatus 200 (step S67).

The other host computer is the copier 2
00 is not connected to the operation unit 10 of the copying apparatus.
00 is notified that the memory is full (step S
64). Then, the process ends.

If another host computer is connected, the host computer requesting the transfer of image data is selected (step S68). For example, when the transfer of the image data is rejected by the host computer 501, the host computer 701 requests the transfer of the image data to one of the other host computers 701 and 801.

If the image data is to be transferred based on the processing in step S66, the unprotected image data processed in step S62 is transferred to the host computer (step S69). The image data transfer information corresponding to the transferred image data is stored, and an image data information table is created (step S70).

In step S70, information on the transferred image data is stored in association with the image data, and an image data information table is created based on the information. still,
If there are multiple destinations, create a table so that the destinations are clear.

The operation unit 1000 is notified that the image data has been transferred to the host computer based on the image data transfer information stored in step S70 (step S7).
1). The image data corresponding to the transferred image data is deleted from the hard disk 306 (step S72).

When the processing in step S72 ends, the flow returns to step S3 of the processing described in the first embodiment. These processes are performed by the CPU 111 of the image server unit.

As described above, when a plurality of host computers are connected to the copying apparatus 200, a host computer capable of transferring image data is searched for, the image data in the memory box is transferred based on the search result, and the transferred image data is The corresponding image data is deleted from the hard disk 306.

Therefore, even if the memory box becomes full, the effect that image data from the host computer 501 can be stored in the memory box is further enhanced.

The above-described processing in steps S61 and S62 is processing for selecting image data to be transferred to the host computer. Instead of these processings, the user previously performs processing on the image data in the memory box. Priorities are set in advance, and the CPU 111
However, the image data may be selected so as to be transferred in order from the image data having the lowest priority.

The storage means of the memory box or the host computer as the transfer destination is not limited to a hard disk, but may be a magneto-optical disk, a DAT, or the like.

The screen 610a shown in FIG. 24 is a screen displayed on the operation unit 1000. The screen 610a is displayed when the user operates the detailed information key 602 on the basic screen 600 of the memory box.
This is a screen displayed when is pressed.

For example, on the screen 610a in FIG. 24, the material 2 is transferred to the host computer 3 at 22:23 on November 19 as information on the image data of the material 2 in the memory box, and is erased from the hard disk 306. It represents that.

[0130]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the input image data is stored in the first storage means, and the input image data is stored in the first storage means. Selecting image data to be transferred to the external device having the second storage means, transferring the selected image data to the external device via the network, and storing the image stored in the first storage means corresponding to the transferred image data; By erasing the data, the free space of the first storage means increases. Therefore, the first
Image data from an external device can be stored in the first storage means even if the storage means is full. Further, by returning the image data that has been transferred to the external device via the network so as to be stored again in the first storage unit according to the free space of the first storage unit, the user can perform the first operation.
The free space of the storage means is checked, and based on the result of the check, the image data transferred to the external apparatus is sent to the first storage means via the network without being instructed by the external apparatus to return to the first storage means. Since the image data can be returned to the storage means, the user does not have to always manage the first storage means.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a control block diagram of a copying apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the copying apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing that a host computer is connected to the copying apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing details of an image server unit.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of a hard disk.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a memory box.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a memory box.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a memory box.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a flowchart of processing of image data.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a flowchart of processing of image data.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart of processing of image data.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an image data information table.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a screen of an operation unit.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a screen of an operation unit.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a screen of an operation unit.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a screen of an operation unit.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a screen of an operation unit.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a screen of an operation unit.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a flowchart of processing of image data.

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a screen of an operation unit.

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a screen of an operation unit.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing that a plurality of host computers are connected to the copying apparatus.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a flowchart of processing of image data.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a screen of an operation unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 control unit 108 PDL unit 110 image server unit 111 CPU 112 corei unit 306 hard disk 501 host computer 1000 operation unit

Claims (12)

[Claims] A first storage unit for storing input image data; and image data to be transferred to an external device having a second storage unit selected from the image data stored in the first storage unit. A transfer unit that transfers the image data selected by the selection unit to the external device via a network; and an image stored in the first storage unit corresponding to the image data transferred by the transfer unit. Erasing means for erasing data; and control means for returning image data transferred to the external device via a network so as to be stored again in the first storage means according to the free space of the first storage means. An image storage device comprising: 2. The image processing device according to claim 1, wherein the selection unit is configured to, when the data amount of the image data stored in the first storage unit reaches a predetermined value, store the image data stored in the first storage unit. 2. The image storage device according to claim 1, wherein image data to be transferred to the external device is selected from data. 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the selection unit selects one or a plurality of image data to be transferred to the external device from the image data stored in the first storage unit according to a data amount of the image data to be input. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein
The image storage device according to claim 1. 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transfer unit controls whether or not to transfer the image data selected by the selection unit to the external device according to a free space of the second storage unit. 2. The image storage device according to 1. 5. The image storage device is connectable to a plurality of external devices via a network, and the transfer unit transfers the image data selected by the selection unit to one of the plurality of external devices via a network. 2. The image storage device according to claim 1, wherein the image data is transferred. 6. The image storage device according to claim 5, wherein the transfer unit stores information on image data corresponding to the image data transferred to the external device. 7. The image storage device according to claim 6, wherein the information on the image data is an address of a transfer destination of the image data, a time of the transfer of the image data, and a data amount of the transferred image data. . 8. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit causes the external device to return the image data that has been transferred to the external device at a predetermined timing based on the information about the image data stored by the transfer unit. 7. The image storage device according to 6. 9. The image storage device according to claim 1, wherein the image storage device includes an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet based on image data stored in the first storage unit.
The image storage device according to claim 1. 10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the external device is a host computer having a hard disk.
The image storage device according to claim 1. 11. An image according to claim 1, wherein said selection means selects image data to be transferred to an external device having said second storage means based on a priority set in advance by a user. Storage device. 12. An image data processing method for an image storage device connected to an external device via a network, wherein the input image data is stored in a first storage device, and the input image data is stored in the first storage device. Selecting image data to be transferred to the external device having the second storage means from the selected image data; transferring the selected image data to the external device via a network; Erasing the image data stored in the first storage means, and transferring the image data transferred to the external device to the first storage means again according to the free space of the first storage means. Returning the data via a network to be stored.