JP2000293349A - Image processor, image processing system, image processing method and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain an image processor, an image processing system, an image processing method and a storage medium capable of composing optional accessible image data as a background image with print data to output it and describing a path to the background image data to be used in a URL format when optional image data is used as background image data. SOLUTION: A host computer 10 has a print window which can designate image data on the Internet 40 as background image data in a URL format. This image processor 20 has an external interface 25 which performs print data input from the computer 10 and image data input from a designated destination and a CPU 21 which synthesizes the inputted image data as background image data with the print data. Then, an image output device 30 has an image forming part 320 that outputs image data onto recording paper.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, an image processing system, and an image processing apparatus for processing a print job received from a host computer connected to a network and outputting the print job from an image output device to a recording medium such as recording paper. More particularly, the present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, an image processing system, an image processing method, and a storage medium that can use arbitrary image data as a background image of a print job.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art At present, application software capable of setting the same background image on all pages in order to create materials used for presentations (convincing explanation techniques in sales, meetings, etc.) and the like. There is. However, when image data created using such an application is printed by a printer connected to the host computer, the set background image is sent from the host computer as print data for each page, When large-capacity image data such as bitmap data is used for the background image, there is a problem that it takes a very long time to print.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, there has recently been provided an image processing apparatus capable of registering arbitrary image data as background image data. There is also proposed an image processing apparatus that can reduce the printing time by creating only a background image and printing it using a registered background image.

[0004]

However, the above-mentioned prior art has the following problems. That is, in the conventional system, it is necessary to register arbitrary image data to be used as a background in the image processing apparatus, and the number of background image data that can be registered is limited due to the limitation of the capacity of a storage medium for saving. did. For example, in order to use image data on the Internet as background image data, it is necessary to first download the image data from the Internet and register it as background image data. Further, when the background image data is used only once, it is necessary to delete the registered background image data after printing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above points. When using arbitrary image data as background image data, the present invention combines arbitrary accessible image data with print data as a background image and outputs it. And a URL to the background image data to be used.
(Uniform Resource Locato
An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus, an image processing system, an image processing method, and a storage medium that can be described in r) format.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing apparatus for outputting image data processed based on print data transmitted from a host device to an image output device. And a synthesizing unit for synthesizing the image data input from the designated destination as the background image data with the print data transmitted from the higher-level device.

In order to achieve the above object, according to a second aspect of the present invention, first input means for inputting the print data transmitted from the higher-level device, and inputting the image data from the designated destination And a second input unit, wherein the synthesizing unit receives the image data input from the designated destination by the second input unit as background image data and inputs the image data from the higher-level device by the first input unit. It is characterized by combining with print data.

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, the print data input from the higher-level device by the first input means and the print data input from the designated destination by the second input means are provided. When the size of the image data is different,
The image processing apparatus further includes a scaling unit that scales up or down the image data input by the second input unit in accordance with the size of the print data input by the first input unit.

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, there is provided a host apparatus, an image processing apparatus for performing image processing of print data transmitted from the host apparatus, and an image processing apparatus for transmitting image data from the image processing apparatus. An image output device that outputs an image on a recording medium such as recording paper based on the image data, wherein the image processing device uses the image data input from a designated destination as background image data as the higher-level device. And synthesizing means for synthesizing the print data transmitted from the printer.

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention as set forth in claim 5, the higher-level device stores a file (URL) of the external device in a URL (Uniform Resource Lo).
The image processing apparatus includes a first input unit that inputs the print data transmitted from the higher-level device, and an image data from an external device that is specified by the specification unit. Having a second input means for inputting, wherein the synthesizing means of the image processing apparatus, the image data input from the external device by the second input means as the background image data in the first input means The print data is combined with the print data input from the host device.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the image output device includes an image reading unit that reads an image from a document, and the designation unit of the higher-level device includes the image output device. A path to the image reading means of the apparatus can be designated in the URL format.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus, the print data input from the higher-level device by the first input means and the print data input by the second input means are provided. When the size of the image data input from the external device is different, the image data input by the second input unit is expanded or reduced according to the size of the print data input by the first input unit. It is characterized by having reducing means.

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, in the present invention, the designation means of the higher-level device designates image data held by an external device on the Internet as background image data in the URL format. It is characterized by the following.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing apparatus configured to perform image processing of print data transmitted from a host apparatus, and an image processing apparatus configured to transmit print data transmitted from the host apparatus. An image processing method applied to an image processing system having an image output device that outputs an image on a recording medium such as recording paper based on image data, wherein the image processing device converts image data input from a designated destination. A synthesizing step of synthesizing the print data transmitted from the host device as background image data.

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention as set forth in claim 10, the higher-level device stores a file (URL) of the external device in a URL (Uniform Resource L).
ocator) format, the image processing apparatus includes a first input step of inputting the print data transmitted from the higher-level device, and image data from an external device specified in the specification step. And a second input step of inputting, wherein in the synthesizing step of the image processing apparatus, in the first input step, the image data input from the external device in the second input step is used as background image data. The print data is combined with the print data input from the host device.

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, the image output device has an image reading step of reading an image from a document, and in the designation step of the higher-level device, the image output device includes an image output step. A path to the image reading step of the apparatus can be designated in the URL format.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image processing apparatus, wherein the image processing apparatus is configured to execute the print data input from the higher-level device in the first input step and the print data input in the second input step. When the size of the image data input from the external device is different, the image data input in the second input step is expanded or reduced in accordance with the size of the print data input in the first input step. It has a reduction step.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention as set forth in claim 13 is characterized in that in the designation step of the higher-level device,
The image data held by an external device on the Internet is designated as background image data in the URL format.

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, a high-order apparatus, an image processing apparatus for performing image processing of print data transmitted from the high-order apparatus, and an image processing apparatus transmitted from the image processing apparatus are provided. An image output device that outputs an image on a recording medium such as recording paper based on image data, and a computer-readable storage medium storing a program that executes an image processing method applied to an image processing system, The image processing method includes a combining step of combining image data input from a designated destination with the print data transmitted from the higher-level device as background image data.

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, in the image processing method, the location of the file on the external device is stored in a URL (Uniform Resource).
Locator), a first input step of inputting the print data transmitted from the higher-level device, and a second input step of inputting image data from an external device specified in the higher-level device. In the synthesizing step, the image data input from the external device in the second input step is synthesized as background image data with the print data input from the host device in the first input step It is characterized by.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the image processing method includes an image reading step of reading an image from a document, and in the specifying step, a path to the image reading step is provided. Can be specified in the URL format.

In order to attain the above object, according to the present invention, in the image processing method, the print data input from the higher-level device in the first input step and the print data input from the higher-level device in the second input step When the size of the image data input from the external device is different, the image data input in the second input step is expanded or reduced in accordance with the size of the print data input in the first input step. It has a reduction step.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention according to claim 18 is characterized in that in the specifying step, image data held by an external device on the Internet is specified in the URL format as background image data. I do.

[0024]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing an electrical configuration of an image processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image processing system according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a host computer 10, an image processing device 20, and an image output device 30. Further, the image processing device 20 includes a CP
U21, ROM 22, HDD (hard disk drive) controller 23, built-in HD (hard disk) 2
4, an external interface 25, a RAM 26, and a CPU bus 4. The image output device 30 includes an image reading unit 300, an image processing unit 310, an image forming unit 320, an operation unit 330, and a control unit 340. In the figure, reference numeral 40 denotes the Internet.

In the image processing system according to the embodiment of the present invention, the host computer 10 and the image processing device 20 are connected via a cable 1 so as to enable data communication, and the image processing device 20 and the image output device 30 It is connected via a cable 2 so that data communication is possible. The image processing device 20 is connected to the Internet 40 via the cable 3 so as to be able to perform data communication.

The configuration of the image processing system will be described in detail for each of the host computer 10, the image processing apparatus 20, and the image output apparatus 30. The host computer 10 prints data (in this example, PDL (Page Descriptor)).
Tion Language (described as page description language) data).

The image processing device 20 can acquire status information and the like of the image output device 30 via the cable 2 and transmit the status information to the host computer 10 via the cable 1. The device 30 can be controlled. Also, the image processing device 20
Generates full-color or gray-scale image data according to PDL data supplied from the host computer 10 via the cable 1.

In the image processing apparatus 20, the CPU 21
Operates based on a control program or the like stored in the ROM 22 to control the functions of the image processing apparatus 20, and executes processing shown in a flowchart of FIG. In this case, the CPU 21
If the size of the print data input from the printer and the size of the image data input from the designated destination (external device) are different, the image data has a function of enlarging or reducing the size of the image data according to the size of the print data.

The ROM 22 stores a control program and the like. The HDD controller 23 controls writing / reading of image data to / from the internal HDD 24. The built-in HD 24 has an area for temporarily holding printed PDL data and image data generated by expanding the PDL data, an area for storing font data, and the like.
It is connected to the CPU bus 4 via the D controller 23.

The external interface 25 controls data communication between the host computer 10, the image output device 30, and the Internet 40 via the cables 1, 2, and 3. The RAM 26 stores the host computer 10
A PDL buffer 26-2 is a buffer for temporarily storing the received PDL data, and a frame memory 26-1 for expanding the PDL data and temporarily storing the expanded image data. CPU bus 4
Is a data transmission path.

Incidentally, it is effective that the ROM 22 is constituted by, for example, a programmable memory (for example, an EEPROM) so that a control program can be installed from the host computer 10 or the like, or a memory such as a floppy disk, a CD-ROM, or the like. It is also effective to use a medium and its controller (driver). Note that the memory medium itself (for example, R
OM22) constitutes a legal invention.

The image processing apparatus 20 transmits the print data supplied from the host computer 10 via the cable 1 and the external interface 25 to the HDD controller 2
3 and temporarily stored in the built-in HD 24. Built-in HD24
Is temporarily stored in the PDL buffer 26-2 of the RAM 26 via the CPU bus 4, and the PDL data is expanded in the frame memory 26-1 to generate image data.

The image data developed in the frame memory 26-1 of the RAM 26 is transferred to the image output device 30 via the cable 2 and printed on a recording medium such as recording paper. Further, the image processing apparatus 20 is connected to the Internet 40 via the cable 3 and an arbitrary URL (Uniform) is connected.
m Resource Locator), and temporarily stores the image data in the built-in HD 24. Here, cables 1, 2, and 3 are parallel cables and SCSI (Small Computer Sys.).
(Tem Interface) cable, serial cable, network cable, modem cable, etc., or a dedicated cable.

The image output device 30 functions not only as a printer for outputting print data generated by the host computer 10 but also as a copying machine for copying an original.
In the image output device 30, the image reading unit 300
Reads an image from a document. The image processing unit 310
YMCK data (Y: yellow, M: magenta, C: cyan, K: black, and K data in the case of clay scale) is generated based on the image data supplied from the image processing device 20 and supplied to the image forming unit 320. I do.

The image forming section 320 outputs an image on a recording medium such as a recording sheet based on the data supplied from the image processing section 310, and is, for example, 400 dpi (dot).
a function of outputting a color image or a grayscale image having a resolution of (per inch). Operation unit 330
Is provided with various operation keys and a display unit. Control unit 340
Controls the operation of the image output device 30 based on a command from the image processing device 20 or the operation unit 330.

Image processing device 2 for image output device 30
Transmission of image data from 0 is performed via the cable 2. The image output device 30 uses the image processing unit 310 to perform YMCK based on the image data supplied from the image processing device 20.
Data (K data in the case of gray scale) is generated and supplied to the image forming unit 320 to output an image on a recording medium such as recording paper. Also, the image reading unit 300
Is supplied to the image forming unit 320 to output an image on a recording medium such as recording paper.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a specific configuration example of the image output device 30 of the image processing system according to the embodiment of the present invention. This configuration example is an electrophotographic image forming apparatus capable of outputting a full-color image, and has a function as a copier and a function as a printer. The image output device 30 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes an automatic document feeder (DF: Document Feeder) 50, an image reading unit 300, an image processing unit 310, an operation unit 330,
The control unit 340 includes a control unit 340, a laser driving unit 31, a photosensitive drum 32, a transfer drum 33, an upper cassette 34, a double-sided tray 35, a lower cassette 36, a fixing device 37, a discharge tray 60, and a transport path 5. In this case, the laser driving unit 31, the photosensitive drum 32, the transfer drum 33, and the fixing device 37 constitute the image forming unit 320.

More specifically, the automatic document feeder (DF) 50 is a document feeder, and sequentially conveys a plurality of documents stacked at predetermined positions one by one to a document reading position. The image reading unit 300 includes, for example, an optical system and a color CCD, and reads an image from a document placed at a document reading position. The image processing unit 310 selects one of the image data transmitted from the image processing apparatus 20 and the image data transmitted from the image reading unit 300 based on the control of the control unit 340, and
0 and transmitted to the image processing apparatus 20. The operation unit 330
As described above, various operation keys and a display unit are provided. The control unit 340 controls the operation of the image output device 30 based on a command from the image processing device 20 or the operation unit 330 as described above.

In the image forming section 320, the laser driving section 31 outputs Y, M, C,
The image data of K is converted into laser light, and the laser light is scanned on the photosensitive drum 32 to form a latent image. The latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 32. The transfer drum 33 performs transfer to a recording medium such as a recording paper attracted to the drum. The upper cassette 34 stores a plurality of recording sheets. The double-sided tray 35 turns over the recording paper in cooperation with the transport path 5. The lower cassette 36 stores a plurality of recording sheets. The fixing device 37 fixes the toner image transferred to the recording paper. The recording sheet subjected to the image forming process is discharged to the discharge tray 60.

At the time of image output processing by the image output device 30, a document placed at the document reading position by the automatic document feeder (DF) 50 or manually is read by the image reading unit 300, and thereby the document image is read. Is generated (R: red, G: green, B: blue) and sent to the image processing unit 310. Image processing unit 310
Selects one of the image data transmitted from the image processing device 20 and the image data transmitted from the image reading unit 300 based on the control of the control unit 340, and sends the selected image data to the image forming unit 320 and the image processing device 20. Send.

That is, the control section 340 selects the image data supplied from the image processing apparatus 20 when using the image output apparatus 30 as a printer, and selects the image reading section when using the image output apparatus 30 as a copying machine. The image data supplied from 300 is selected. The image processing unit 310 converts the input RGB data into YMCK data,
The image data of M, C, and K is supplied to the laser driving unit 31 of the image forming unit 320.

The laser driving unit 31 of the image forming unit 320
The supplied Y, M, C, K image data is converted into laser light, and the laser light is scanned on the photosensitive drum 32 to form a latent image. A recording sheet for outputting an image is selectively fed from the upper cassette 34 or the lower cassette 26 and is wound around the transfer drum 33. Photosensitive drum 3
The latent image on 2 is developed by a developing device (not shown), whereby a visible image (toner image) is formed and transferred to the recording paper attracted to the transfer drum 33. The operations of forming, developing, and transferring the latent image are performed for each of the colors Y, M, C, and K, and a color image is synthesized on recording paper.

The recording paper to which the toner image has been transferred is
7, where the toner image is fixed. afterwards,
In the mode for forming an image on one side, the recording paper is discharged to the discharge tray 60. On the other hand, in the mode in which images are formed on both sides, when the transfer of the toner image onto one side of the recording paper is completed, the recording paper is turned over using the transport path 5 and the double-sided tray 35 and transported to the transfer drum 33 again. Then, after the toner image is transferred to the back surface of the recording paper, the toner image is fixed by the fixing device 37 and is discharged to the discharge tray 60.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a conceptual example in which the program and related data of the present invention are supplied to the apparatus from a storage medium. The program and related data of the present invention are supplied by inserting a storage medium 71 such as a floppy disk or a CD-ROM into a storage medium drive insertion slot 73 provided in the device 72. After that, the program and related data of the present invention are temporarily installed on the hard disk from the storage medium 71 and loaded on the RAM from the hard disk, or directly loaded on the RAM without being installed on the hard disk, thereby obtaining the program and related data of the present invention. Can be executed.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of the storage contents of a storage medium storing the program and related data of the present invention. The storage medium of the present invention stores, for example, volume information 6
1, directory information 62, program execution file 6
3. The storage contents of the program-related data file 64 and the like. The program of the present invention is program-coded based on a flowchart shown in FIG.

Incidentally, the correspondence between each component in the claims of the present invention and each part of the image processing system according to the embodiment of the present invention is as follows. The synthesizing unit and the scaling unit correspond to the CPU 21 of the image processing apparatus 20,
The first input unit and the second input unit correspond to the external interface 25 of the image processing apparatus 20, and the designation unit corresponds to the check box 402 and the background image designation box 403 of the print window 400 of the host computer 10,
The image reading unit is an image reading unit 30 of the image output device 30.
Corresponds to 0.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a setting window at the time of printing designation from the host computer 10 of the image processing system according to the embodiment of the present invention, that is, image data on the Internet 40 in URL format as background image data. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a method of specifying. Print window 4 displayed when printing from host computer 10
00 designates a printer designation box 401 for designating a printer (image output device) as a printing destination, a check box 402 for designating whether to use arbitrary image data as a background image, and a background image designation for designating a location of the background image data. Box 403, print copy number designation box 404, print execution button 405, print cancel button 40
And 6.

Here, the background image designation box 403
When the check box 402 for specifying whether to use the background image is not checked, the state is not selectable. An arbitrary URL can be written in the background image designation box 403. For example, “ht”
tp: //www.canon.co.jp/Image
If “1.bmp” is specified, the image data at the specified location is downloaded and used as background image data.

Next, the operation of the image processing system according to the embodiment of the present invention configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing when printing is performed by the image output device 30 of the image processing system using image data on the Internet 40 as background image data according to the embodiment of the present invention.

The CPU 21 of the image processing apparatus 20 receives print data from the host computer 10 via the cable 1 and the external interface 25 (Step S).
41), and expands the received print data in the frame memory 26-1 of the RAM 26 (step S42). Next, the CPU 21 of the image processing device 20 determines whether or not the background image data is used based on the received print data (step S43). CPU 21 of image processing device 20
Transmits print data to the image output device 30 (printer) when it is determined that background image data is not used (step S47).

On the other hand, the CPU 21 of the image processing device 20
If it is determined that the background image data is to be used, the destination of the background image data on the Internet 40 via the external interface 25 and the cable 3 (the Internet 4
Access to the external device on the external device (Step S4).
4). When the CPU 21 of the image processing device 20 has access to the designated destination of the background image data, the CPU 21 downloads the image data from a predetermined place (an external device on the Internet 40) (step S45).

The CPU 21 of the image processing device 20 combines the downloaded image data as background image data with the print data already developed in the frame memory 26-1 (step S46), and combines the combined image data with the cable 2 and the external device. The data is transmitted to the image output device 30 (printer) via the interface 25 (step S47). Thereby, the image output device 30 outputs the composite image data transmitted from the image processing device 20 to the recording paper (step S48).

FIG. 5 shows an image reading unit 300 of the image output device 30 of the image processing system according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an output sample when image data read by a (scanner) is used as background image data.

As shown in FIG. 5, data scanned by an image reading unit 300 (scanner) provided (or connected) to the image output device 30 (printer) can be used as a background image. For example, a DF (DocumentFeed) connected to the image reading unit 300
An original image to be used as a background image is set in an eder (not shown).

In the print window 400 of the host computer 10 described above, the background image designation box 403
When “http: // @ Scanner” is designated as the print job and the image output device 30 executes printing, the document image set in the DF is read by the image reading unit 300 and the read image data (FIG. 5). (A) is transmitted to the image processing apparatus 20. The image processing device 20 combines the image data received from the image output device 30 with the print data (FIG. 5B) as background image data. The synthesized image data (FIG. 5C) is output from the image output device 30.

As described above, according to the image processing system according to the embodiment of the present invention, the host computer 10 allows the print window 4 capable of specifying image data on the Internet 40 as background image data in a URL format.
The image processing apparatus 20 has an external interface 25 for inputting print data from the host computer 10 and for inputting image data from a designated destination, and a CPU 21 for synthesizing the input image data as background image data with the print data. Since the image output device 30 includes the image forming unit 320 that outputs the image data transmitted from the image processing device 20 to recording paper, the following operations and effects are achieved.

In the above configuration, C of the image processing device 20
The PU 21 determines whether or not the background image data is used based on the print data received from the host computer 10, and transmits the print data to the image output device 30 when determining that the background image data is not used. If it is determined that the background image data is to be used, access is started from the print window 400 of the host computer 10 to the designated destination of the background image data on the Internet 40 specified in the URL format, and the downloaded image data is transferred to the background image data. And transmits the synthesized image data to the image output device 30. The image output device 30 outputs the composite image data transmitted from the image processing device 20 to recording paper.

Therefore, in an image processing system in which arbitrary image data can be used as background image data, it is possible to combine and output any accessible image data as a background image with print data. There is an effect that the path to the background image data can be described in the URL format.

The present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of one device. An object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium storing program codes of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or an apparatus, and a computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or the apparatus.
Can also be achieved by reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD
-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the O (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that S) performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written in the memory provided in the function expansion board inserted into the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, the program code is read based on the instruction of the program code. Needless to say, the CPU included in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

[0066]

As described above, according to the image processing apparatus according to the first to third aspects, in an image processing apparatus that can use arbitrary image data as background image data, any image data that can be accessed can be used. There is an effect that it is possible to combine the print data with the print data and output the background image.

According to the image processing system of the present invention, any image data that can be accessed can be used as background image data in the image processing system that can use any image data as background image data. There is an effect that it is possible to combine and output, and to describe a path to background image data to be used in a URL format.

According to the image processing method of the ninth to thirteenth aspects, the image processing method is applied to an image processing system that can use arbitrary image data as background image data, thereby enabling access to an arbitrary image. The data can be combined with the print data as a background image and output, and the path to the background image data to be used can be
There is an effect that the description can be made in the RL format.

According to the storage medium of the present invention, the image processing method is read out from the storage medium and executed by the image processing system. There is an effect that it is possible to combine and output, and to describe a path to background image data to be used in a URL format.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of an image processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a specific configuration example of an image output device of the image processing system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a setting window at the time of print setting from a host computer of the image processing system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing when printing is performed using background image data by the image processing apparatus and the image output apparatus of the image processing system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an output sample when image data read by an image reading unit of the image output device of the image processing system according to the embodiment of the present invention is used as background image data.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of storage contents of a storage medium storing a program and related data of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a conceptual example in which a program and related data of the present invention are supplied from a storage medium to an apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 host computer 20 image processing device 21 CPU 25 external interface 30 image output device 40 internet 300 image reading unit 400 print window 402 check box 403 background image designation box

Claims (18)

[Claims] 1. An image processing apparatus for outputting image data processed based on print data transmitted from a host device to an image output device, wherein the image data input from a designated destination is transmitted from the host device as background image data. An image processing apparatus comprising a combining unit that combines the print data with the print data. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: first input means for inputting the print data transmitted from the higher-level device; and second input means for inputting the image data from the designated destination. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image data input from the designated destination by the second input unit is combined with the print data input from the host device by the first input unit as background image data. Image processing device. 3. When the size of the print data input from the higher-level device by the first input unit and the size of the image data input from the designated destination by the second input unit are different, the second input unit 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an enlargement / reduction unit that enlarges or reduces the image data input in step (1) according to the size of the print data input by the first input unit. 4. An upper apparatus, an image processing apparatus for performing image processing on print data transmitted from the upper apparatus, and outputting an image on a recording medium such as recording paper based on the image data transmitted from the image processing apparatus. An image processing system comprising: an image output device that performs image processing, wherein the image processing device has a combining unit that combines image data input from a designated destination with the print data transmitted from the higher-level device as background image data. An image processing system characterized by the following. 5. The higher-level device stores the location of a file in an external device in a URL (Uniform Resource L.).
ocator) format, the image processing apparatus includes a first input unit for inputting the print data transmitted from the higher-level device, and an image data from an external device specified by the specification unit. Having a second input means for inputting, wherein the synthesizing means of the image processing apparatus, the image data input from the external device by the second input means as the background image data in the first input means The image processing system according to claim 4, wherein the print data is combined with the print data input from the host device. 6. The image output device has image reading means for reading an image from a document, and the designation means of the host device designates a path to the image reading means of the image output device in the URL format. The image processing system according to claim 4, wherein the image processing system is capable of performing the processing. 7. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print data input from the higher-level device by the first input device and the image data input from the external device by the second input device are different in size. 7. The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a scaling unit configured to enlarge or reduce the image data input by the second input unit in accordance with the size of the print data input by the first input unit. An image processing system according to any one of the above. 8. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said specifying means of said higher-level device specifies image data held by an external device on the Internet as background image data in said URL format. Image processing system. 9. A host device, an image processing device for performing image processing on print data transmitted from the host device, and outputting an image on a recording medium such as recording paper based on the image data transmitted from the image processing device An image processing method applied to an image processing system having an image output device, wherein the image processing device is configured to transmit the print data transmitted from the higher-level device as image data input from a designated destination as background image data. An image processing method comprising a combining step of combining. 10. The higher-level device stores a URL (Uniform Resource) of a file in an external device.
(Locator) format.
The image processing apparatus has a first input step of inputting the print data transmitted from the higher-level device, and a second input step of inputting image data from the external device specified in the specifying step, In the synthesizing step of the image processing device, the image data input from the external device in the second input step is synthesized as the background image data with the print data input from the host device in the first input step. The image processing method according to claim 9, wherein: 11. The image output device has an image reading step of reading an image from a document, and in the specifying step of the higher-level device, specifies a path to the image reading step of the image output device in the URL format. The image processing method according to claim 9, wherein the method is capable of being performed. 12. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the size of the print data input from the higher-level device in the first input step is different from the size of the image data input from the external device in the second input step. 12. The image processing method according to claim 5, further comprising a scaling step of scaling up or down the image data input in the second input step according to the size of the print data input in the first input step. The image processing method according to any one of the above. 13. The method according to claim 9, wherein, in the specifying step of the higher-level device, image data held by an external device on the Internet is specified in the URL format as background image data. Image processing method. 14. An upper apparatus, an image processing apparatus for performing image processing on print data transmitted from the upper apparatus, and outputting an image on a recording medium such as recording paper based on the image data transmitted from the image processing apparatus. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for executing an image processing method applied to an image processing system having an image output device having the image processing apparatus, the image processing method comprising: A storage medium having a combining step of combining with the print data transmitted from the host device as image data. 15. The image processing method according to claim 1, wherein a location of the file on the external device is determined by a URL (Uniform Resource).
e Locator) format, and
A first input step of inputting the print data transmitted from the higher-level device, and a second input step of inputting image data from the external device specified in the specifying step, wherein the synthesizing step, 15. The storage according to claim 14, wherein the image data input from the external device in the second input step is combined with the print data input from the host device in the first input step as background image data. Medium. 16. The image processing method according to claim 1, further comprising an image reading step of reading an image from a document, wherein in the specifying step, a path to the image reading step can be specified in the URL format. Item 16. The storage medium according to Item 14 or 15. 17. The image processing method according to claim 1, wherein the print data input from the higher-level device in the first input step is different from the image data input from the external device in the second input step. 17. The image processing apparatus according to claim 14, further comprising a scaling step of scaling up or down the image data input in the second input step in accordance with the size of the print data input in the first input step. The storage medium according to any one of the above. 18. The storage medium according to claim 14, wherein in the specifying step, image data held by an external device on the Internet is specified in the URL format as background image data.