JP2002057826A - Server device, image processor, data processing method and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a server device wherein different covers or different covers and different rear covers which are intended by a user are inserted into the same printing data and the printed result of the designated number of copy portions in which a manuscript image and printing data are overlaid can be obtained with good efficiency in an intermediate page. SOLUTION: The server device is constituted in such a way that, when an insertion mode is set, a job selection list controlled by an image server 200 is acquired so as to be displayed on a display unit, that the kind of a job spool added to every job selected from the job selection list being displayed is analyzed, that the readout of a manuscript whose image is input is controlled by scanner controller 101, that the manuscript image to which an image is input is inserted as a cover and a rear cover, and that a desired manuscript image and the printing data are overlaid and printed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a scanner for obtaining print jobs by communicating with at least one or more information processing devices connected to a network, and analyzing print jobs to generate print image data. The present invention relates to a server device, an image processing device, a data processing method, and a storage medium capable of constructing an image processing system capable of outputting to an image processing device that performs predetermined image processing by communicating between the device and a printer device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a print job is acquired by communicating with at least one or more information processing apparatuses connected to a network, and print image data generated by analyzing the print job is generated by a scanner and a printer. In order to obtain an image processing result (print processing result) with a different cover and back cover for each application, in an image processing system that allows transfer to an image processing apparatus that performs predetermined image processing by communicating with
It is necessary to add the image data of the front cover / back cover manuscript in advance on the document of the application software that runs on the data processing device that creates the data, and reprint all the image data once each time. Had to expand to:

[0003]

Therefore, in order to obtain a print result to which a desired front cover / back cover is added, it is necessary for a user to read and add a cover or the like with a scanner and to create a document using application software. In order to obtain a print result in which different desired front and back covers, which are input as images, are added to a document, it is necessary to perform the above-described operations each time, and the operation burden on the user is heavy, which is inconvenient. There was a problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to obtain a print job by communicating with at least one or more information processing apparatuses connected to a network. A server device capable of outputting print image data generated by analyzing the print job to an image processing device that performs predetermined image processing through communication between the scanner device and the printer device, and an image specified in the print job. Based on the processing request, a job spool type and a user ID indicating an overlay image processing request with the document image input from the scanner device and a specific image processing request with the document image input from the scanner device are extracted. Create and maintain a management table that manages each print job,
Based on a job selection list acquisition request from the image processing apparatus, a job selection list is created by referring to the stored management table and transferred to the image processing apparatus, and then, based on a print image data acquisition request from the image processing apparatus. By transferring the print image data uniquely selected from the print image data stored with reference to the held management table, or by communicating between the scanner device and the printer device, An image processing apparatus that performs processing and obtains a print job by communicating with at least one or more information processing apparatuses connected to a network, analyzes the print job, and communicates with a server apparatus that generates print image data In the above, the scanner device is added to print image data managed by the server device by setting means. A first insertion mode for inserting the first page of a document image input from the scanner device, and a second insertion for inserting a document image input of the scanner device into the last page in print image data managed by the server device A third mode in which a document image input from the scanner device is inserted into print image data managed by the server device in a first page and a last page, and is overlaid on an intermediate page between the first page and the last page. When one of the insertion modes is set, the job selection list transferred from the server is acquired in response to the job selection list acquisition request for selecting the print image data managed for the server. Displayed on the display unit, and the identification added to each job selected in the displayed job selection list. The job spool type indicating the image processing request is analyzed to control reading of a document image input from the scanner device, and print image data of each job selected in the job selection list is transmitted from the server device. The server device side by performing image processing of inserting and inserting document image data read by the reading control unit into the acquired print image data based on an insertion mode set by the setting unit. , A desired original image input from the scanner device in accordance with the job spool type selected by the user is put on the front page or the first page and the last page of the print image data developed on the server device side. Print result of desired number of copies with cover added, or job selected by user A desired document image input from the scanner device in accordance with the spool type is added to the front page or the first page and the last page of the print image data developed on the server device side, and the server The original image input from the scanner device is inserted into the first page and the last page in the print image data managed by the device, and the print result of the desired number of copies overlaid on the intermediate page between the first page and the last page is displayed. It can be obtained easily and in a short time. On the image processing device side, the scanner is adapted to the job spool type selected by the user by a simple operation of inputting only the original image to be inserted into the print data. The first page of print image data in which a desired document image input from the device is developed on the server device side The server device develops the desired number of copies of the print result, with the front and back covers added to the first and last pages, or the desired original image input from the scanner device in accordance with the job spool type selected by the user. A front cover and a back cover are added to the first page or the first page and the last page of the generated print image data, and the original image input from the scanner device is added to the print image data managed by the server device. It is possible to freely construct an image processing environment capable of easily and in a short time obtaining a desired number of copies of a printing result inserted into a page and a last page and overlaying an intermediate page between the first page and the last page. An object is to provide a highly convenient server device, an image processing device, a data processing method, and a storage medium. .

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a print job is obtained by communicating with at least one information processing apparatus connected to a network, and the print job is analyzed. The server device is capable of outputting generated print image data to an image processing device that performs predetermined image processing by communicating between the scanner device (the scanner 100 shown in FIG. 2) and the printer device (the printer 300 shown in FIG. 2). Extracting, based on the image processing request specified in the print job, an overlay image processing request with an original image input from the scanner device and a job spool type indicating a specific image processing request and a user ID. Creating means (corresponding to the main controller 210 shown in FIG. 5) for creating a management table for managing each print job; Holding means (corresponding to the job management table 770 shown in FIG. 6), and image storage means (raster image data shown in FIG. 6) for storing print image data for which the specific image processing request has been made, together with identification information. A job selection list based on a job selection list acquisition request from the image processing apparatus, and creates a job selection list by referring to the management table stored in the image storage unit. A list transfer unit for transferring (corresponding to the main controller 210 shown in FIG. 5 and a color digital interface controller 790 shown in FIG. 6) and the holding unit held by the holding unit based on a print image data acquisition request from the image processing apparatus. The print image data stored in the image storage means with reference to a management table. Those having an image transfer means for transferring the uniquely selected print image data (corresponding to the color digital interface controller 790 of FIG. 6) from within data.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the job spool type indicating the specific image processing request, the print image data managed by the server device includes a document image input from the scanner device as a first page. A first insertion mode in which a document image input from the scanner device is inserted into the last page of print image data managed by the server device, and a printing mode managed by the server device. The one specified in one of a third insertion mode in which a document image input from the scanner device is inserted into the image data at a first page and a last page, and is overlaid on an intermediate page between the first page and the last page. It is.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the print job includes PDL data based on a predetermined page description language.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an updating means for deleting and updating a user-specified print job for which print processing has been completed from the management table created by the creating means.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a scanner device and a printer device communicate with each other to perform predetermined image processing, and a print job is communicated with at least one or more information processing devices connected to a network. An image processing apparatus that can acquire and analyze the print job and communicate with a server device (corresponding to the image server 200 shown in FIG. 5) that generates print image data, wherein the print image managed by the server device A first insertion mode in which a document image input from the scanner device is inserted into data at the first page, and a document image input from the scanner device is inserted into the last page into print image data managed by the server device. In the second insertion mode, an image is input from the scanner device to print image data managed by the server device. Setting means for inserting any one of the third insertion modes for inserting the original image into the first page and the last page and overlaying the intermediate page between the first page and the last page (corresponding to the operation panel 107 shown in FIG. 2) Issuance means for issuing a job selection list acquisition request for selecting print image data managed for the server device when the first to third insertion modes are set by the setting means. (Corresponding to the scanner controller 101 shown in FIG. 2) and list processing means for acquiring a job selection list transferred from the server device in response to the job selection list acquisition request by the issuing means and displaying it on a display unit (FIG. 2 corresponding to the scanner controller 101, the operation panel controller 106, etc.)
The list processing unit analyzes a job spool type indicating a specific image processing request added to each job selected in the job selection list displayed on the display unit, and receives an image from the scanner device. It has reading control means (corresponding to the scanner controller 101, the feeder controller 105, etc. shown in FIG. 2) for controlling the reading of each document.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, an acquisition unit (corresponding to the scanner controller 101 shown in FIG. 2) for acquiring print image data of each job selected in the job selection list from the server device. An image processing unit (corresponding to the scanner controller 101 shown in FIG. 2) that inserts document image data read by the reading control unit into the print image data obtained by the obtaining unit or performs image processing for overlaying the print image data on the print image data. ).

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus, when the first insertion mode set by the setting means is set, the original image data read by the reading control means is set to a first position. This is to be inserted into the page.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the first aspect, when the second insertion mode set by the setting means is set, the original image data read by the reading control means is set at the top. This is inserted on the page and the last page.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus, when the third insertion mode set by the setting means is set, the original image data read by the reading control means is set to a first position. The print image data is inserted into a page and a last page and is overlaid on each page of the print image data which is an intermediate page between the first page and the last page.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the scanner device, the original is fed to a predetermined image reading position, and after the original image is read, the feeding control is performed such that the original is discharged to a predetermined discharge position. The feeder device can be connected.

In an eleventh aspect according to the present invention, the obtaining means specifies each job selected from the job selection list to be obtained from the server device by each job ID in the job selection list. It is.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided print image data generated by communicating with at least one or more information processing apparatuses connected to a network, acquiring a print job, and analyzing the print job. A data processing method in a server device capable of outputting the image data to an image processing device that performs predetermined image processing by communicating between the scanner device and the printer device, wherein the scanner device performs the image processing based on an image processing request specified in the print job. A creation step of extracting an overlay image processing request with a document image input from the apparatus, a job spool type indicating a specific image processing request, and a user ID to create a management table for managing each print job (FIG. 14)
(13)), a holding step of holding the management table created by the creation step (step (13) shown in FIG. 14), and identification of each print image data for which the specific image processing request is made. An image storage step (step (12) shown in FIG. 14) for storing the information together with the information;
Based on a job selection list acquisition request from the image processing apparatus, a list transfer step of creating a job selection list with reference to the management table stored in the image storage step and transferring it to the image processing apparatus (FIG. 15) (23)) and the print image data stored in the image storage step with reference to the management table held in the holding step based on a print image data acquisition request from the image processing apparatus. An image transfer step of transferring print image data uniquely selected from among them (FIG. 16)
(34), (35)) shown in FIG.

In a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the job spool type indicating the specific image processing request is a print image data managed by the server device in which the original image input from the scanner device is added to the first page. A first insertion mode in which a document image input from the scanner device is inserted into the last page of print image data managed by the server device, and a printing mode managed by the server device. The one specified in one of a third insertion mode in which a document image input from the scanner device is inserted into the image data at a first page and a last page, and is overlaid on an intermediate page between the first page and the last page. It is.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the print job includes PDL data based on a predetermined page description language.

A fifteenth invention according to the present invention has an updating step of deleting and updating a user-specified print job for which print processing has been completed from the management table created in the creating step.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, a scanner device and a printer device communicate with each other to perform predetermined image processing, and a print job is communicated with at least one or more information processing devices connected to a network. A data processing method in an image processing device capable of communicating with a server device that obtains and analyzes the print job to generate print image data, wherein the print image data managed by the server device is converted into an image from the scanner device. A first insertion mode for inserting an input document image into a first page, a second insertion mode for inserting a document image input from the scanner device into the last page into print image data managed by the server device, The original image input from the scanner device is added to the print image data managed by the server device. A setting step (step (5) shown in FIG. 14) for setting any one of a third insertion mode to be inserted into the current page and the last page and to overlay on an intermediate page between the first page and the last page; An issuance step (not shown) for issuing a job selection list acquisition request for selecting print image data managed to the server device when the first to third insertion modes are set by the steps; A list processing step of acquiring a job selection list transferred from the server device in response to the job selection list acquisition request in the issuing step and displaying the list on a display unit (step (23) shown in FIG. 15).
Analyzing a job spool type indicating a specific image processing request added to each job selected in the job selection list displayed on the display unit in the list processing step, and inputting an image from the scanner device; A reading control step (steps (26) to (28) shown in FIG. 15) for controlling reading of each original to be performed, and a step (2) shown in FIG.
9) to (30)).

According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, an acquisition step (steps (33) and (34) shown in FIG. 16) of acquiring print image data of each job selected in the job selection list from the server device. The details are shown in FIG.
7 and the step (6) shown in FIG.
5)) and an image processing step of inserting document image data read by the reading control step into the print image data obtained by the obtaining step, or performing image processing to overlay the print image data (FIG. 17).
Steps (42), (43), (45), and (4)
6) or steps (62) and (6) shown in FIG.
3), (65), (66), Step (8) shown in FIG.
2) to (90)).

According to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing step, when the first insertion mode set in the setting step is set, the original image data read by the reading control step is set to the top. This is to be inserted into the page.

According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing step, when the second insertion mode set in the setting step is set, the original image data read by the reading control step is set to the top. This is inserted on the page and the last page.

According to a twentieth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing step, when the third insertion mode set in the setting step is set, the original image data read by the reading control step is set to the top. The print image data is inserted into a page and a last page and is overlaid on each page of the print image data which is an intermediate page between the first page and the last page.

According to a twenty-first aspect of the present invention, in the scanner device, the original is fed to a predetermined image reading position, and after the original image is read, the feeding is controlled so as to be discharged to a predetermined discharge position. The feeder device can be connected.

According to a twenty-second aspect of the present invention, in the obtaining step, each job selected from the job selection list to be obtained from the server device is specified by each job ID in the job selection list. It is.

According to a twenty-third aspect of the present invention, there is provided print image data generated by communicating with at least one or more information processing apparatuses connected to a network, acquiring a print job, and analyzing the print job. A document input from the scanner device based on an image processing request specified in the print job to a server device capable of outputting the image data to an image processing device that performs predetermined image processing by communicating with the scanner device and the printer device. Job spool type and user ID indicating overlay image processing request with image and specific image processing request
(Step (13) shown in FIG. 14) for creating a management table for managing each print job by extracting
A holding step (step (13) shown in FIG. 14) for holding the management table created by the creating step, and an image storing step for storing each print image data for which the specific image processing request has been issued together with identification information (FIG. A job selection list is created by referring to the management table stored in the image storage step based on a job selection list acquisition request from the image processing apparatus (step (12)) shown in FIG. A list transfer step (step (23) shown in FIG. 15) for transferring to the apparatus, and the image storage is performed by referring to the management table held in the holding step based on a print image data acquisition request from the image processing apparatus. An image transfer step of transferring print image data uniquely selected from the print image data stored in the step ( Step shown in 16 (34), (3
5)) is recorded on a recording medium in a computer-readable manner to execute the program.

According to a twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention, in the job spool type indicating the specific image processing request, the print image data managed by the server device includes a document image input from the scanner device as a first page. A first insertion mode in which a document image input from the scanner device is inserted into the last page of print image data managed by the server device, and a printing mode managed by the server device. The original image input from the scanner device is inserted into the image data in the first page and the last page, and the image is specified in any of the third insertion modes in which the image is overlaid on an intermediate page between the first page and the last page. is there.

According to a twenty-fifth aspect of the present invention, the print job includes PDL data based on a predetermined page description language.

A twenty-sixth invention according to the present invention has an updating step of deleting and updating a user-specified print job for which printing processing has been completed from the management table created in the creating step.

According to a twenty-seventh aspect of the present invention, a scanner device and a printer device communicate with each other to perform predetermined image processing, and a print job is communicated with at least one or more information processing devices connected to a network. An image processing apparatus that can acquire and analyze the print job to generate print image data and that can communicate with a server apparatus. The image processing apparatus manages the print image data managed by the server apparatus. 1st to be inserted on the first page
A second insertion mode in which a document image input from the scanner is inserted into the last page of the print image data managed by the server device, and the scanner image is added to the print image data managed by the server device. A setting step (see FIG. 14) in which a document image input from the apparatus is inserted into the first page and the last page, and one of the third insertion modes for overlaying an intermediate page between the first page and the last page is set. Request (5)), and a job selection list acquisition request for selecting print image data managed for the server device when the first to third insertion modes are set in the setting process. Issuing process (not shown)
And a list processing step of acquiring a job selection list transferred from the server device in response to the job selection list acquisition request in the issuing step and displaying it on a display unit (FIG. 15).
(23)) and analyzing a job spool type indicating a specific image processing request added to each job selected in the job selection list displayed on the display unit by the list processing step. A reading control step (steps (26) to (28) shown in FIG. 15) for controlling reading of each original image input from the scanner device.
A program for executing steps (29) to (30) shown in FIG. 16 is recorded on a recording medium in a computer-readable manner.

According to a twenty-eighth aspect of the present invention, an acquisition step (steps (33) and (34) shown in FIG. 16) of acquiring print image data of each job selected in the job selection list from the server device. The details are shown in FIG.
7 and the step (6) shown in FIG.
5)) and an image processing step of inserting document image data read by the reading control step into the print image data obtained by the obtaining step, or performing image processing to overlay the print image data (FIG. 17).
Steps (42), (43), (45), and (4)
6) or steps (62) and (6) shown in FIG.
3), (65), (66), Step (8) shown in FIG.
2) to (90)).

According to a twenty-ninth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing step, when the first insertion mode set in the setting step is set, the original image data read by the reading control step is set to the top. This is to be inserted into the page.

According to a thirtieth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing step, when the second insertion mode set in the setting step is set, the original image data read by the reading control step is set to the top. This is inserted on the page and the last page.

According to a thirty-first aspect of the present invention, in the image processing step, when the third insertion mode set in the setting step is set, the original image data read by the reading control step is set to the top. The print image data is inserted into a page and a last page and is overlaid on each page of the print image data which is an intermediate page between the first page and the last page.

According to a thirty-second aspect of the present invention, in the scanner device, the original is fed to a predetermined image reading position, and after the original image is read, the feeding is controlled so as to be discharged to a predetermined discharge position. The feeder device can be connected.

According to a thirty-third aspect of the present invention, in the obtaining step, each job selected from the job selection list to be obtained from the server device is specified by each job ID in the job selection list. It is.

[0038]

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a configuration of an image server system to which a server device and an image processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention can be applied.

Referring to FIG. 1, the image server system includes a digital color image reading unit (hereinafter, referred to as a “color scanner”) 100 (shown in FIG. 2) at an upper part and a circulating reflection original feeding unit for setting an original on the color scanner. A digital color copying machine 1000 including a feeding device (hereinafter, referred to as a feeder) 1200, a digital color image printing unit (hereinafter, referred to as a color printer) 300 (shown in FIG. 2) for printing and outputting a digital color image, and a network 1 Image server 200 connected above
And a plurality of other image servers 200 having the same configuration.
And a plurality of client user computers 400.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the digital color copying machine 1000 shown in FIG.

In the scanner 100 shown in FIG.
A scanner controller 1 controls communication with the printer 300 and a scanner sequence.

The scanner controller 101 separates the original on the platen into colors for each of R, G, and B by the exposure system controller 103 using a contact type CCD line sensor.
It is converted into a point-sequential analog image signal.

The analog image signal is converted into an 8-bit digital image signal for each color by an A / D converter, and the R, G, and B colors, which are luminance, are output as line-sequential signals. This image signal (digital) is converted by the image processing unit 102 for performing predetermined image processing from the luminance levels of R, G, and B into
The density is converted to a level corresponding to the toner amounts of the four colors C, M, Y, and Bk.

At the same time, color correction calculation is performed by the image processing unit 102, and various image processing such as synthesis, scaling, and movement are performed.

The image processing unit 102 is capable of performing arithmetic processing on the data from the reflection original and the print data from the synchronized image server 200.
The reflection original data and the print data at the luminance levels of G and B are combined.

Reference numeral 106 denotes an operation panel controller which controls an operation panel / touch sensor 107 including both an operation panel for displaying a message to a user and a touch sensor for instructing an operation. Do. An interface controller 104 controls communication with the image server 200. The feeder 12
At 00, the document transport state is controlled by the feeder controller 105.

In the image forming unit 302 of the printer 300,
Reference numeral 310 denotes a laser drive unit, which converts each of the digital image signals of C, M, Y, and K sent from the scanner 100 into a lighting signal of the semiconductor laser unit, and the lighting signal of the laser corresponds to the level of the digital image signal. The resulting pulse width is output to the polygon scanner drive unit 311.

Reference numeral 313 denotes a charging unit, and a surface potential control unit 312
, The photosensitive drum 315 is uniformly charged.
A drum cleaning unit 317 collects toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 315.

In the sheet supply / discharge unit 303, a transfer drum 319 transfers or separates a recording sheet fed from the sheet cassette 323 in accordance with an instruction from the sheet feed control unit 318. Reference numeral 320 denotes a separation claw that separates the recording paper transferred to the transfer drum 319 and guides the separated recording paper to the transport unit 321.

The lighting level of the laser is 256 levels (corresponding to 8 bits). In accordance with the digital image signal to be output, the color image is restricted for each color of CMYK, and is sequentially exposed to the photosensitive drum 315 in a digital dot format by the exposure / developing unit 314 and then developed, so that it is printed on paper. After being transferred by the plural transfer units 316 and finally fixed by the fixing unit 322, the tray 3
It is discharged to 24. Further, the developing unit 314 includes
It is configured such that color toners can be developed in a sequential manner.

Further, when functioning as the digital color copier 1000, an original image is set on the original platen of the scanner 100, and a copy start key displayed on the operation panel is pressed. An image is formed through a process of reading an image from a printer, image processing, exposure, development, transfer, and fixing by the printer 300, and is output as a color copy.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view for explaining the detailed configuration of the feeder 1200 shown in FIG.
Is set on an upper portion of a document table of a color scanner, and is controlled by a feeder controller 105 in the scanner 100.

The loading tray 12 for setting a bundle of originals
The guide plate 01 is provided with a guide plate that regulates the width direction of the original so that the original does not skew when the original is fed, and slides perpendicular to the original feeding direction. The slide volume also operates in conjunction therewith, and the size of the document in the width direction can be detected.

In the feeder 1200 shown in FIG. 3, for a one-sided original, a half-moon roller 1203 and a separation roller 120
4 separates the originals one by one from the bottom of the stack of originals on the stacking tray 1201, and detects the width of the separated originals in the paper feeding direction by the close contact type paper width sensor 1212 provided in the path I while passing the path I Then, the sheet is conveyed / stopped to the exposure position of the platen glass 1131 through the path II by the conveying roller 1205 and the entire surface belt 1206.

After scanning, the platen glass 1131
The upper document is a large transport roller 1207 and a discharge roller 1208.
To return to the uppermost portion of the original bundle.

In the case of a small size, the entire belt 1
The document is returned to the uppermost portion of the document bundle again by the 206 and the paper discharge roller 1211.

At this time, the recycle lever 1209 is placed on the upper portion of the original bundle at the start of the original feeding. Thus, the circulation of the original is detected.

Next, in the case of a double-sided document, after the scanning is completed as described above, the document is once passed through the path III, and the leading edge of the document is guided to the path IV by switching the rotatable switching flapper 1210, so that the transport roller 1205
The original is set on the platen glass 1131 with the entire belt 1206 through the path IV.

That is, the rotation of the large conveying roller 1207 causes the document to be reversed in the route of the path III → IV → II.

In addition, the document bundle is passed one sheet at a time from pass I → II → I
The paper width sensor 12 is conveyed through II → V → VI until it is detected by the recycle lever 1209 once.
It is also possible to count the number of originals by using 12.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the client computer 400 on the network shown in FIG.

The client computer 40 shown in FIG.
0 is a network controller 42 for controlling a protocol on the network with the image server 200.
0 and C for central control of the client computer
PU 405, ROM 406 for storing a control program for the CPU 405, a hard disk 451 for temporarily registering image data and storing various data, a hard disk controller 450 for controlling the hard disk 451, a main memory 460, and a keyboard / mouse as means for inputting instructions from operators. A mouse 431 and a keyboard 441 controlled by the controller 430; a color display 412 for layout, editing, and menu display;
11, a display controller 410, and an image editing controller 413 that performs image layout and editing on the display memory 411. Reference numeral 452 denotes an image server ID table.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of the server device according to the present invention, and corresponds to the configuration of the image server 200 shown in FIG.

In the image server 200 shown in FIG. 5, reference numeral 210 denotes a main controller,
A control program stored in the ROM 261 is loaded into the main memory 260 and controlled.

A network controller 220 controls protocol processing on the network 1. Reference numeral 221 denotes a network server controller which controls the server such as analyzing the contents of packets extracted by a protocol and separating image data.

Reference numeral 222 denotes a network user table.
The client computer name, its network address, and the registered user ID in each client computer are linked. A raster image processor (RIP) 290 generates color multi-value raster image data based on the separated image data / command data.

Reference numeral 700 denotes a raster image storage unit for storing / managing the created color multivalued raster image data and its position / attribute information. 790, a color digital interface controller;
Exchanges image data and commands with 0.

As means for inputting instructions from the server administrator,
A mouse 244 and a keyboard 245 controlled by a keyboard / mouse controller 243; a color display 242 for layout, editing, and menu display;
A display memory 241 and a display controller 240 are provided. 231 is a hard disk,
Access is controlled by the hard disk controller 230.

FIG. 6 shows the raster image storage unit 7 shown in FIG.
FIG. 6 is a detailed block diagram for explaining the configuration of 00, and the same components as those in FIG. 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In the raster image storage unit 700 shown in FIG. 6, reference numeral 720 denotes a memory management controller, which is an image main controller 71 for controlling the entire raster image data.
With 0, the color raster image data is efficiently arranged and managed in the raster image memory 760. 770 is a job management table. Reference numeral 731 denotes an image identification controller.

Reference numeral 730 denotes an image editing controller which is used to convert image data which has already been registered, or to perform image conversion and enlargement / enlargement of colors when registering an image from a scanner into a memory.
Perform reduction / transformation editing. A layout controller 750 performs layout editing in real time when outputting to a printer unit. Reference numeral 740 denotes a bus controller which controls the internal bus in the raster image storage unit 700 and the image server 200.
Controls the data transfer with the internal bus inside.

The image server 20 configured as described above
0, when outputting image data in the memory,
The image data can be transferred to the printer 300 via the color digital interface controller 790 to obtain a color print image.

The image data is input from the scanner 100 and the color digital interface controller 79
0, the image data can be registered on the memory.

The image data and instructions between the raster image storage unit 700 and the main bus of the image server 200 are based on a specific format, and are transmitted through the bus controller 740 to the image main controller 7.
10 and a main controller of the image server 200.

The raster image storage unit 700 can manage image data in a file management mode.

On the other hand, in the printer output, the file management mode is a function of storing / managing a plurality of image data, and the stored image data is stored in a plurality of registered image data by a command from the main controller 210 of the image server. The image data is individually laid out, and a color digital interface controller 790 is arranged.
Through the printer 300 to obtain a color print image.

At this time, a group of image data of one job composed of a plurality of pages is managed as an image file by dividing the raster image memory 760 into a plurality of parts. ,
Information such as the total number of image data pages is registered in the job management table 770, and the memory management controller 720 manages the information.

An image editing controller 730 which performs image conversion on the color of the registered image data when actually outputting the data, and a layout controller 750 which performs enlargement / reduction / deformation editing when outputting the layout.
After that, the data is output to the printer 300 via the color digital interface controller 790.

On the other hand, in the file management mode in scanner input, a plurality of scanner input image data can be stored and managed in the same manner as in print output. At this time, image data for print output and image data for scanner input can be mixed.

The image input from the scanner is managed by dividing the raster image memory 760 into a plurality of parts as in the case of printing, and the image file ID, the size of the image data, etc. are registered in the job management table 770. This is managed by the memory management controller 720.

At the time of actual input, an image editing controller 730 that performs image conversion on the color of the scanner input image data input from the scanner 100 and a layout controller 75 that performs enlargement / reduction / deformation editing at the time of input.
The input size specified by 0 is registered in the raster image memory.

The configuration of the other image servers is the same as that of the image server. There is no problem if the configuration of each digital color copying machine is the same or functionally different.

On the network where the client computer 400 and the image server 200 are connected,
In order to perform each communication, packets are exchanged with each other by using a block of a data sequence called a packet as shown in FIG.

FIGS. 7 to 9 are diagrams illustrating the structure of a packet exchanged between the client computer 400 and the image server 200 shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 7, in this embodiment,
The structure of the packet is such that the destination network address is set at the beginning, the source network address is set next, the actual packet data follows the frame size information of the packet, and finally the reliability of data transfer is improved. Therefore, an error check such as CRC called a tailor is attached.

The packet data section 10002 can contain arbitrary data. In this embodiment, the packet data section 10002 is divided into a header section 10003 and a data block section 10100 as shown in FIGS. Further, in the case of a continuous network packet, as shown in FIG. 9, a continuous packet ID is included as shown in packet data portions 10001-2 to 10001-4, which are data portions of the packet base 10001.

The header part 1 of the packet data part 10002
[0003] As shown in FIG. 7, first, a header code 10019 indicating header information is inserted at the top, and a function code portion 10020 indicating what function the packet data has, as shown in FIG.
It is composed of a continuous packet ID 10030 indicating continuous NO when one data is formed, a total packet ID 10031 indicating the total number of packets, and a data length 10032 indicating the data length of the data block unit 10100 in which actual data is stored. Is done.

The function code section 10020
Is a function ID indicating the type of image server
10021, a job type ID 10022 indicating the type of job for the server, and a job ID 10023 for identifying the job to be executed.

Next, as shown in FIG. 8, the data block section 10100 of the packet data section 10002 has a command block 10005 and a status block 10006 based on the uniquely determined job type ID 10022 content of the function code section of the header section. , Image data block 10007, image information block 10008
Divided into

When the print information sent from the client computer 400 is a specific PDL (page description language), the command is set in the command block, and the image data block and the image information block are not sent. Becomes

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a printer dialog displayed on the display device of the client computer 400 shown in FIG. 1. The printer dialog is displayed and processed by the printer driver. Information.

In FIG. 10, according to the printer driver shown in the present embodiment, the name of the currently connected image server (connection server) that is uniquely determined as the displayed information / setting content is also unique. User ID, document name of the document to be printed from now on, paper size to print, number of prints, designation of print page range so that printing within the specified page is possible, and the present invention Is an important key in
Job spool type can be set.

The connection server and the user ID are ID
By pressing the confirmation button, the current target can be confirmed, and it is possible to change to another image server.

Further, the job spool type can be selected from two types. In the case of the print type, the print job of the designated document is designated as it is by a printer connected via the designated image server. It is printed directly and the print job is completed there.

In the case of the server spool type, the print job is temporarily stored on the image server.

FIGS. 11 and 12 show examples of operation screens displayed on the operation panel of digital color copying machine 1000 shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 11 corresponds to the insert / overlay original setting screen. FIG. 12 corresponds to the insert / overlay original selection screen.

In FIG. 12, when the first type (cover insert) is selected, a cover manuscript prepared by the user is inserted into the first page of the document as a front cover of the document created in advance. The function is performed.

When the second type (cover / back cover insert) is selected, a document prepared on the front cover and back cover prepared by the user is used as the front cover of the document for the previously created document. A function of inserting the back cover into the first page and inserting the back cover into the last page is selected.

Further, when the third type (cover / back cover insert, intermediate overlay) is selected, the cover and back cover manuscripts prepared by the user are added to the previously created document, respectively. And insert the back cover into the first page of the document, insert the back cover into the last page, and overlay and combine it on the print of the previously created document using the intermediate overlay manuscript prepared by the user. Function is selected. As described above, in the present embodiment, the user can select one of three types on the insert / overlay document selection screen.

FIG. 13 shows the image server 2 shown in FIG.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a job management table managed by 00.

In FIG. 13, reference numeral 262 denotes a job management table, which is composed of a total number of job management data 262-1 and job management data JMD1 to JMDN.

The job management data JMD1 to JMD
N indicates the job ID 262-11, the user ID 262-12, the document name 262-13, and the total number of pages 262-1 as shown in the job management data 262-10.
4, paper size 262-15, job spool type 2
62-16, image data attributes 262-17, and job page management data 262-10-1 to 262-10-N.

Further, the job page management data 262-
10-1 to 262-10-N are image file IDs 262-2 as job page management data, respectively.
0, image Width 262-21, image Height2
62-22, page number 262-23.

The main controller 210 determines that the total number of job management data in the job management table 262 is 26
2-1 is counted up, the vacant job management data 262-10 is searched, and the job ID 2 in the data is searched.
The ID value is set to 62-11 and the user ID 262-12.

After that, the client computer 400
From the side, first, the converted PDL command for one page is transmitted to the image server 200 as a command data block. On the image server 200 side, the main controller 210 separates the content of the packet into a header portion and a data block portion, analyzes that the content of the data block portion is a PDL command, and
At 0, one page of image data is created from the PDL.

Then, the created one page of image data is registered as an image file in the raster image memory 760. At this time, the uniquely assigned image file ID is assigned to the image file ID 262-20 in the job page management data 262-10-1 in the job management table 262, the size of the image data (image Width) 262-21, Image Height262-
22, its page number 262-23 is also stored at the same time,
Be updated.

In the case of a plurality of pages, a converted PDL command for the next one page is transmitted from the client computer 400 to the image server 200 as a command data block, and the same number of pages as the above are transmitted. The processing is repeated, and image data (image files) for the specified number of pages are stored in the raster image memory 760.

Here, the main controller 210 searches the job management data 262-10 for the type of the job spool type 262-16. If the type is the print type, the main controller 210 performs a normal print process as described above. The stored image data is laid out according to a command from the main controller 210 of the image server, and is output to the printer 300 via the color digital interface controller 790 to output the color print image. Can be obtained.

On the other hand, when the type of the job spool type 262-16 is the server spool type, the main controller 210 does not perform the above-described print processing, and
The user ID and job ID of the received job are set as status information data in the data block portion of the packet data via the network controller 220, and the job type ID in the header is the ID of the uniquely defined status block. Then, the connection is returned to the previous client computer, whereby the connection between the client and the image server is released.

FIGS. 14 to 16 are flowcharts showing an example of a data processing procedure in the server device and the image processing device according to the present invention. Note that (1) to (37) indicate each step.

The user operates the client computer 40
0, any software is loaded from the hard disk 451 onto the main memory 460 and executed by the CPU 405 to create a document (1).

When printing a document created on the software, the user selects and activates a designated printer driver (2). The activated designated print driver displays the dialog shown in FIG. 9 on the display device of the client computer 400.

Here, as the displayed information / setting contents, a uniquely determined name of the currently connected image server (connection server), a uniquely determined user ID, and a print from now on. The document name of the original to be performed, the paper size to be printed, the number of prints, the designation of the page range of printing so that printing within the specified page is possible, and then the key key in the present invention,
Driver parameters including the job spool type are set (3).

Next, the connection server and the user ID are
By pressing the confirmation button BT2, the current object is confirmed and the image server is changed to another image server (4).

Further, the job spool type is set (5). In the present embodiment, two types can be selected. In the case of the print type, the print job of the specified original is directly designated by the print job, and is directly printed by the printer connected via the designated image server. The job is completed there.

After the above settings are completed, the user presses the print execution button BT1 on the screen shown in FIG. 10, and the printer driver starts conversion to PDL (print description language) (6).

Then, the printer driver operates under a specific OS.
Data conversion is performed from the OS-specific built-in commands supported as standard above to PDL supported in the printer and the image server (7). Then, spool processing is executed on the client (8).

Next, the printer driver establishes a connection with the network controller 420 by communicating with the network controller 220 of the image server 200 (9).

More specifically, the network controller 420 looks up the network address of the specified image server from the image server ID table 452 of the network address of the image server registered in the client computer in advance, and the network controller 420 Is set, and the job ID of a print job uniquely determined as an ID for identifying a function is set in the function ID of the header portion, thereby clearly indicating that the execution mode is related to printing. In addition, as the job type ID, a unique ID indicating a data block of a command is determined.
Set D.

At this time, the user ID, document name, paper size to print, number of prints, job spool type, etc., which are various print parameters set on the printer dialog, are set in the data block portion.

The client computer 400 transfers the packet data to the image server 200 via the network controller 420, and a connection with the image server is established.

When this connection is established, the main controller 210 determines, based on the job ID and the transmitted command packet portion, various print parameters such as a user ID, a document name, a print paper size, the number of prints, and a job spool. The type and the like are registered in the job management table 262 shown in FIG.

The main controller counts up the total number of job management data 262-1 in the job management table 262, and outputs the vacant job management data 262-
10 and the user ID 262-11 in the data is searched.
Is set to the job ID 262-12.

Thereafter, from the client side, 1
The converted PDL command for the page is transmitted to the image server 200 as a command data block. On the image server 200 side, the main controller 210 receives PDL data including a PDL command (10), separates the content of the packet into a header portion and a data block portion, and the content of the data block portion is a PDL command. The RIP 290 creates one page of image data from the PDL (11). Then, the created image data for one page is registered as an image file in the raster image memory 760 (12).

Then, the job management data is updated (1
3). Next, the main controller 210 determines whether or not all pages in one job have been processed (14).
If O, the process returns to step (10). If YES, the image file ID uniquely assigned to the image file ID 262-20 in the job page management data 262-10-1 in the job management table 262, and the image data (Image Width) 262-21, Image H
right 262-22, its page number 262-23
Is also updated (15).

Then, the main controller 210 determines the type of the job spool type 262-16 (16). If the main controller 210 determines that the job spool type 262-16 is the server spool type, the main controller 210 does not perform the above-described print processing. The user ID and the job ID of the received job are set as status information data in the data block portion of the packet data via the network controller 220, and the job type ID in the header is uniquely determined in the status block. The ID is returned to the previous client computer (1).
9), the connection between the client and the image server is released (20).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (16) that the job spool type 262-16 is the print type, as described above, the stored image data is stored in the main server of the image server as a normal print process. In accordance with a command from the controller 210, a plurality of registered image data are laid out, respectively, output to the printer 300 via the color digital interface controller 790, and a color print image can be obtained (17).

Then, the designated job is deleted from the job management table 262 (18), and the process ends.

Next, the user first enters the image server 20
When it becomes necessary to print the document information registered in 0, the user operates the operation panel on the spooled image server 200 with the separately prepared front and back cover printed documents in response to the output. (21).

At this time, the cover and the like can be freely used, such as the use of the document and the cover for each destination, and it is not necessary to create the document in advance when creating the document.

The user first sets the required number of prints on the operation panel 107 of the digital color copying machine (22). After the setting, press the item of insert / overlay original. Thereby, the operation panel controller 10
No. 6 recognizes that this item has been selected, and instructs the scanner controller 101 to create a job selection list.

The scanner controller 101 sends a job list request command uniquely determined in advance to the main controller 210 of the image server 200 via the interface controller 104, and the main controller 210 searches the job management table 262. Regarding the job currently registered / stored in the raster image storage unit 700, the job ID, the document name, the total number of pages, the user ID,
The job selection list data is retrieved from the job management table 262 and sent to the scanner controller 101.

Then, the operation panel controller 106 receives the job selection list data from the scanner controller 101, and displays the operation screen of the job selection list shown in FIG. 11 on the operation panel (23).

Here, the user selects a target job from the job selection list (24) and presses the OK button BT11. Next, the operation panel controller 106
Displays a setting screen for designating the type of insert / overlay original shown in FIG. 12 on the operation panel (2
5).

Note that, on the setting screen for designating the type of the insert / overlay original shown in FIG. 12, the job number, document name,
Displays the total number of pages and user ID, and insert /
The overlay method can be selected from three types.

Next, an original for insert / overlay is set on the feeder 1200 (26), and the intended type of insert / overlay method is selected from the above three types (27). Then, processing of the insert / overlay document is executed based on the selected type (28). At this time, a delete button BT12 for specifying whether to delete the target job from the image server is set.

Next, the number of documents on the feeder 1200 is checked (29), and it is determined whether the set number of documents matches the number of documents actually read (3).
0), if NO, an error is displayed on the operation panel (3
1), return to step (25).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (30) that the set number does not match the actually read number of originals, an error is displayed in step (31), and an error is displayed in step (31). Return to 25). On the other hand, if it is determined that they match, the specified insert / overlay mode is determined (32), and if it is determined that the cover insert is specified, at step (34), the cover insert mode is determined. If it is determined that the cover / back cover insert is specified, the process proceeds to step (3).
In 3), execute the cover / back cover insert mode processing,
If it is determined that the cover / back cover insert + intermediate overlay is specified, in step (35), the cover /
Execute back cover insert + intermediate overlay mode processing.

It is determined whether or not the delete job after execution button BT12 shown in FIG. 12 is pressed (36). If NO, the process is terminated. If YES, the image server 200 manages the job. The job management table for the specified job is deleted (37), and the process ends.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an example of a first data processing procedure in the image processing apparatus according to the present invention, and corresponds to the cover insert mode processing procedure of step (34) shown in FIG. Note that (41) to (5)
1) shows each step.

Note that the user puts one document serving as a cover on the stacking tray 1201 on the feeder 1200 of the digital copying machine.
Set on top. By aligning the guide plate with the original, skew of the original can be prevented, and the paper width in the width direction of the original can be detected.

Here, when the OK button on the operation panel for the insert / overlay document is pressed, the insert / overlay processing is started.

First, a parameter D for counting the number of copies is set to "1" (41). Then, a command to set the recycle lever 1209 is first sent to the scanner controller 101 and the feeder controller 105 of the digital color copying machine 1000.

The feeder controller 105 moves the recycle lever 12 to the top of the stack of originals on the stacking tray 1201.
09 is set, and a code of the completion of the setting is returned to the main controller 210 of the image server 200.

Next, the scanner controller 101 sends a command to set the lowermost sheet of the document bundle to the exposure start position of the platen glass 1131. The feeder controller 105 feeds the original according to the above-described process and sets the original on the platen glass 1131 (42). At this time, the paper width sensor 1212 provided in the path I detects the paper width in the paper feeding direction and counts up the number of passing documents.

Thereafter, the original on the platen glass is returned to the top of the original through passes III to V to VI. Whether all originals have been counted is determined by the recycling lever 1
The feeder controller 105 determines whether the document 209 has fallen on the stacking tray 1201 and, when all documents have been completed, determines the total number of documents by the scanner controller 105.
Is the main controller 210 of the color digital copying machine.
Send to

The user removes the document bundle on the feeder 1200 when all the documents have been completed. At this time, the scanner controller 101 compares whether the counted number is one which is the number of cover inserts, and displays an error message on the operation panel if the number does not match the actual number. / Display the overlay document dialog on the operation panel and confirm the setting again.

If the set number of sheets is equal to the actual number of sheets, cover insert processing designated by the user is performed.

When the original is set on the platen glass based on the original feeding procedure of the feeder 1200, the main controller 210 sends the original to the scanner 100 of the color digital copying machine 1000 via the color digital interface controller 790. To trigger the scanner input.

As a result, the original is input as RGB image data, and printed as a cover by the printer unit of the digital color copying machine by the above-mentioned means (43).
Output to the tray. Here, the parameter N for page count is set to "1" (44).

Next, after printing the cover, the scanner controller 101 issues a print execution command to the main controller 210 of the image server 200 via the interface controller, and outputs the job ID specified by the job selection list and the job ID. The user ID and the number of print copies previously set by the user on the operation panel are transmitted as command parameters.

Upon receiving this command, the main controller of the image server searches the job management table 770 for the specified job and searches for the image file ID of the job page management data of the first page of the job according to the print procedure described above. And the memory management controller 7
20, from the target image file,
The image data is transferred as print data to the scanner controller 101 of the digital color copying machine 1000 via the color digital interface controller 790 (45), and print processing is performed via the print controller 101 (46).

Next, in step (47), the main controller 210 determines whether or not this processing has been performed for all pages. If NO, the main controller 210 increments the parameter N by "1" (51). Return to (45)
This series of processing is repeated a number of times specified by the user.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step (47) that all the prints have been completed, the cover original on the platen glass is returned to the top of the original through passes III to V to VI (48). Then, it is determined whether or not printing for the designated number of copies has been completed (49). If NO, the number of copies parameter D is incremented by "1" (50), and the process returns to step (42). Pass through.

Here, when the delete job after execution button BT12 for designating whether or not the previously set target job is to be deleted from the image server is on, the scanner controller 101 sets the image server 200 to A delete command for the designated job is transmitted to the main controller 210.

In response to this command, the main controller 210 stores the job of the target job ID / user ID in the job management table 262 in the job management table 2.
62, and delete from the table.

In this way, an arbitrary cover can be added to a predetermined document later, and printing of an arbitrary number of copies can be executed as post-processing.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an example of the second data processing procedure in the image processing apparatus according to the present invention, and corresponds to the cover / back cover insert mode processing procedure of step (33) shown in FIG. . Note that (6
1) to (73) show each step.

Step (32) shown in FIG. 16 described above.
, When the selected type is determined to be the cover / back cover insert mode, which is the second mode, the user loads the two originals in the order of cover and back cover on the feeder 1200 of the digital copying machine. When the user sets the document on the tray 1201 and presses the OK button on the operation panel of the insert / overlay document, the process is started.

Then, step (41) shown in FIG.
Perform the same processing as (47) and (51) (61).
(67), (73).

If it is determined in step (67) that the raster images of all pages have been printed, then in step (68), the second document set on the feeder 1200 is fed onto the reflection platen. .

Next, the back cover is printed by the same processing as in step (63) (69). Then, the back cover original on the platen glass has 15 passes III to V to VI.
Then, the original is returned to the top of the original (70). Then, it is determined whether or not printing for the designated number of copies has been completed (71), and N
If O, the number-of-copies parameter D is incremented by "1" (72), and the process returns to step (62). If YES, this process is skipped.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing an example of the third data processing procedure in the image processing apparatus according to the present invention. The processing procedure of the cover / back cover insert + intermediate overlay mode in step (35) shown in FIG. Corresponding to Note that (81) to (96) indicate each step.

Step (32) shown in FIG. 16 described above.
In the case where it is determined that the selected type is the third mode, the cover / back cover insert + intermediate overlay mode, the user sets the document 3 in the order of the cover, the document to be overlaid with the document, and the back cover. Stacking tray 1201 on the feeder 1200 of the digital copying machine
It is assumed that the processing is started when the OK button BT13 on the operation panel of the insert / overlay document is set and the OK / BT button is pressed.

First, a parameter D for counting the number of copies is set to "1" (81). Next, the scanner controller 101 sends a command to set the lowermost sheet of the document bundle to the exposure start position of the platen glass 1131. The feeder controller 105 feeds the original according to the above-described process and sets the original on the platen glass (8).
2). Then, the cover original set by the user is printed by the copying operation of the digital copying machine 1000 (83).

Next, the scanner controller 101 feeds the document to be overlaid on the document of the second document onto the platen glass (84). Next, the parameter N for the page counter is incremented by “1” (85), and the scanner controller 101 issues a print execution command to the main controller 210 of the image server 200 via the color digital interface controller 790. The job ID and user ID specified in the job selection list and the number of print copies previously set by the user on the operation panel are attached as command parameters and transmitted.

Image server 20 receiving this command
The 0 main controller 210 transfers one page of image data to the scanner controller 101 of the color digital copying machine 1000 in the same manner as the above-described processing (8).
6).

The overlay document on the platen glass is read by the scanner controller 101 in synchronization with the image data of the transferred document (87), and
The two synchronized image data are arithmetically processed on the image processing unit 102, and the image of the overlay document is stored in the image server 20.
0 overlaid on the document (8
8) After the combination, the print data is sent to the printer controller 301 and printed according to the above-described printing procedure (8).
9).

Next, it is determined whether or not the raster images of all pages have been printed (90). If NO, the parameter N is incremented by "1" (96), and the process returns to step (86).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (90) that the printing process has been completed for all pages, then in step (91), the back cover original is transferred to the feeder 12.
00 is fed (91) and printed in the same manner as the back cover insert described above (92). And feeder 12
The original of No. 00 is returned to the start position (93).

Next, it is determined whether or not the above series of printing processes has been completed for the number of prints designated by the user (94). If NO, the parameter D is incremented by "1" (95), and step (95) is executed. Return to 82).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (94) that the printing has been completed for the number of prints designated by the user, the processing is ended.

As described above, the document data is converted into a single raster without being converted into a raster image each time, and an arbitrary cover / back cover having a different purpose is used at an arbitrary timing by using the scanner function. In addition to the document, multiple copies can be printed.

Hereinafter, the configuration of a data processing program readable by an image processing system to which the information processing apparatus, the server apparatus, and the image processing apparatus according to the present invention can be applied will be described with reference to a memory map shown in FIG.

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a storage medium for storing various data processing programs readable by an image processing system to which the information processing apparatus, server apparatus, and image processing apparatus according to the present invention can be applied. .

Although not shown, information for managing a group of programs stored in the storage medium, for example, version information, a creator, etc. are also stored, and information dependent on the OS or the like on the program reading side, for example, An icon or the like for identification display may also be stored.

Further, data subordinate to various programs is also managed in the directory. In addition, a program for installing various programs on a computer or a program for decompressing a program to be installed when the program to be installed is compressed may be stored.

The functions shown in FIGS. 14 to 19 in this embodiment may be executed by a host computer by a program installed from the outside.
In this case, the present invention is applied even when a group of information including a program is supplied to the output device from a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a flash memory, or an FD, or from an external storage medium via a network. Things.

As described above, the storage medium storing the program codes of the software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to the system or the apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MP) of the system or the apparatus is supplied.
It goes without saying that the object of the present invention is also achieved when U) reads and executes 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 (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, C
D-ROM, CD-R, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, EEPROM, etc. 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 OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. ) And the like perform 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 into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instruction of the program code, The CPU provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing,
It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by the processing is also included.

[0184]

As described above, the first embodiment according to the present invention is described.
According to the thirty-third invention, a print job is obtained by communicating with at least one or more information processing devices connected to a network, and print image data generated by analyzing the print job is transmitted to the scanner device. A server device capable of communicating with a printer device and performing predetermined image processing and outputting the image data to an image processing device, wherein an overlay image with an original image input from the scanner device based on an image processing request specified in a print job An image processing apparatus that extracts a job spool type and a user ID indicating a processing request and a specific image processing request for a document image input from the scanner device and creates and holds a management table for managing each print job; A job selection list is created by referring to the stored management table based on the job selection list acquisition request from the And transferring the print image data uniquely selected from the stored print image data by referring to the held management table based on the print image data acquisition request from the image processing apparatus. Thus, a desired original image input from the scanner device in accordance with the job spool type selected by the user can be attached to the first page or the first page and the last page of the print image data developed on the server device side. The first page or the first page of print image data expanded on the server device side by printing the desired number of copies of the print result with the addition of the number or the desired original image input from the scanner device according to the job spool type selected by the user. And the last page with a cover and a back cover, and are managed by the server. The original image input from the scanner device is inserted into the first page and the last page of the print image data, and the desired number of print results overlaid on an intermediate page between the first page and the last page can be easily and quickly obtained. You can get on time.

The scanner device and the printer device communicate with each other to perform predetermined image processing, and at the same time, acquire a print job by communicating with at least one or more information processing devices connected to the network. In an image processing apparatus that can communicate with a server apparatus that analyzes and generates print image data, a setting unit inserts a first page of a document image input from the scanner apparatus into print image data managed by the server apparatus. A first insertion mode, a second insertion mode for inserting a document image input from the scanner device into the last page into print image data managed by the server device, and a second insertion mode for printing image data managed by the server device. Insert the document image input from the scanner device into the first page and the last page, A job selection list for selecting print image data managed for the server device when one of the third insertion modes for overlaying an intermediate page between the first page and the last page is set; A job selection list transferred from the server device in response to the acquisition request is acquired and displayed on the display unit, and a specific image processing request added to each job selected in the displayed job selection list is acquired. Analyzing the job spool type shown to control reading of a document input from the scanner device, and acquiring print image data of each job selected in the job selection list from the server device, Original image data read by the reading control unit is set in the acquired print image data by the setting unit. Based on input mode, by performing image processing to be inserted into a specific page,
A simple operation of inputting only a document image to insert it into print data, and printing a desired document image input from the scanner device on the server device side in accordance with the job spool type selected by the user A desired number of print results obtained by adding a front cover and a back cover to the first page or the first and last pages of the image data, or a desired original image input from the scanner device in accordance with the job spool type selected by the user. Adding a front cover and a back cover to the first page or the first page and the last page of the print image data expanded on the server device side,
And a desired number of copies in which a document image input from the scanner device is inserted into a first page and a last page in print image data managed by the server device, and is overlaid on an intermediate page between the first page and the last page. Can be obtained easily and in a short time.

Therefore, the print result of inserting the front cover or the front and back covers intended by the user into the print data or the original image to be image-input is inserted into the first and last pages, and the first and last pages are inserted into the first and last pages. If you want to obtain a print result overlaid on the intermediate page of
The process of inserting the back cover document and the document serving as the overlay document and the process of the print data can be performed separately, and the user inserts different covers or the front and back covers intended for the same print data. Printing of a desired number of copies with different specified number of copies, or different covers intended by the user for the same print data, or a cover and back cover inserted, and overlaid on an intermediate page between the first page and the last page There are effects such as that an image processing environment in which results can be obtained efficiently can be freely constructed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image server system to which a server device and an image processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the digital color copying machine shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view illustrating a detailed configuration of a feeder shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a client computer on the network shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a server device according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a detailed block diagram illustrating a configuration of a raster image storage unit illustrated in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the structure of a packet exchanged between the client computer and the image server shown in FIG.

8 is a diagram illustrating the structure of a packet exchanged between the client computer and the image server shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the structure of a packet exchanged between the client computer and the image server shown in FIG.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a printer dialog displayed on the display device of the client computer illustrated in FIG. 1;

11 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen displayed on an operation panel of the digital color copying machine shown in FIG.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen displayed on the operation panel of the digital color copying machine shown in FIG.

13 is a diagram showing a configuration of a job management table managed by the image server shown in FIG.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a data processing procedure in the server device and the image processing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a data processing procedure in the server device and the image processing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a data processing procedure in the server device and the image processing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a first data processing procedure in the image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a second data processing procedure in the image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a third data processing procedure in the image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a storage medium that stores various data processing programs that can be read by an image processing system to which the information processing device, the server device, and the image processing device according to the present invention can be applied.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 scanner 101 scanner controller 102 image processing unit 105 feeder controller 200 image server 210 main controller 300 printer 301 printer controller 790 color digital interface controller

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G06F 3/12 H04N 1/387 H04N 1/387 B41J 5/30 Z // B41J 5/30 G03G 21/00 382 F term (reference) 2C087 AA15 AB06 BB10 BD08 BD53 CA12 CB03 DA02 DA16 2H027 FA30 FA35 FB06 FD01 FD08 GB13 GB14 5B021 AA01 BB02 CC04 EE01 LA01 LL01 QQ01 5C062 AB02 AC04 AC15 AC24 AC58 AF12 A03 AF07 BA04 BA05 BA06 CA02

Claims (33)

[Claims] At least one connected to a network
An image processing apparatus that obtains a print job by communicating with one or more information processing apparatuses, and that performs predetermined image processing by communicating print image data generated by analyzing the print job with a scanner apparatus and a printer apparatus A server device capable of outputting to the server, based on an image processing request specified in the print job,
Creating means for extracting an overlay image processing request with an original image input from the scanner device and a job spool type and a user ID indicating a specific image processing request, and creating a management table for managing each print job; Holding means for holding the management table created by the creating means; image storage means for storing the print image data for which the specific image processing request has been made together with identification information; and a job selection list acquisition request from the image processing apparatus A list transfer unit that creates a job selection list by referring to the management table stored in the image storage unit and transfers the job selection list to the image processing device; and a print image data acquisition request from the image processing device. Based on the management table held in the holding unit and stored in the image storage unit. And an image transfer unit for transferring print image data uniquely selected from the print image data. 2. A job spool type indicating the specific image processing request is a first insertion mode for inserting a document image input from the scanner device into print image data managed by the server device in a first page. A second insertion mode for inserting, into the last page, a document image input from the scanner device into print image data managed by the server device; 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the input original image is specified in one of a third insertion mode in which the original image is inserted into a first page and a last page, and is overlaid on an intermediate page between the first page and the last page. Server device. 3. The server device according to claim 1, wherein the print job includes PDL data based on a predetermined page description language. 4. The server device according to claim 1, further comprising an updating unit that deletes and updates a user-specified print job for which printing has been completed from the management table created by the creating unit. 5. A scanner device and a printer device communicate with each other to perform predetermined image processing, acquire a print job by communicating with at least one or more information processing devices connected to a network, and process the print job. An image processing device capable of communicating with a server device that analyzes and generates print image data, wherein a document image input from the scanner device is inserted into a first page of print image data managed by the server device. (1) an insertion mode, (2) a second insertion mode in which a document image input from the scanner device is inserted into the last page of print image data managed by the server device, and (2) a print image data managed by the server device. Insert the original image input from the scanner device into the first page and the last page, and Setting means for setting any one of a third insertion mode that overlays on an intermediate page between the first and third pages, and when the first to third insertion modes are set by the setting means, Issuing means for issuing a job selection list acquisition request for selecting managed print image data; and acquiring a job selection list transferred from the server device in response to the job selection list acquisition request by the issuing means. List processing means for displaying on a display unit by means of a job spool type indicating a specific image processing request added to each job selected in the job selection list displayed on the display unit by the list processing means. Reading control means for analyzing and controlling reading of each original image input from the scanner device. Image processing device. 6. An acquisition unit for acquiring print image data of each job selected from the job selection list from the server device, and the read control unit reads the print image data acquired by the acquisition unit. 6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising image processing means for performing image processing for inserting document image data or overlaying the print image data. 7. The image processing device according to claim 1, wherein when the first insertion mode set by the setting device is set, the original image data read by the reading control device is inserted into a first page. The image processing device according to claim 6. 8. The image processing unit inserts document image data read by the reading control unit into a first page and a last page when a second insertion mode set by the setting unit is set. The image processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein: 9. The image processing means, when a third insertion mode set by the setting means is set, inserts document image data read by the reading control means into a first page and a last page, 7. The image processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein an overlay is provided on each page of the print image data which is an intermediate page between the first page and the last page. 10. A feeder device that feeds a document to a predetermined image reading position, controls the feeding so that the document image is read, and then discharges the document to a predetermined discharge position. The image processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein: 11. The job processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the acquisition unit designates each job selected from the job selection list to be acquired from the server device by each job ID in the job selection list. Image processing device. 12. A scanner device and a printer device communicate with at least one or more information processing devices connected to a network, acquire a print job, and analyze print jobs to generate print image data. A data processing method in a server device that can output to an image processing device that performs predetermined image processing by communicating, based on an image processing request specified in the print job,
A creation step of creating a management table that manages each print job by extracting a job spool type and a user ID indicating an overlay image processing request with a document image input from the scanner device and a specific image processing request, A holding step of holding a management table created by the creating step; an image storage step of storing each print image data for which the specific image processing request has been made together with identification information; and a job selection list acquisition request from the image processing apparatus. A list transfer step of creating a job selection list with reference to the management table stored in the image storage step and transferring the list to the image processing apparatus; and a print image data acquisition request from the image processing apparatus. Based on the management table held in the holding step and stored in the image storage step. An image transfer step of transferring print image data uniquely selected from the print image data set. 13. The job spool type indicating the specific image processing request is a first insertion mode for inserting a document image input from the scanner device into print image data managed by the server device in a first page. A second insertion mode for inserting, into the last page, a document image input from the scanner device into print image data managed by the server device; 13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the input original image is specified in one of a third insertion mode in which the original image is inserted into a first page and a last page, and is overlaid on an intermediate page between the first page and the last page. Data processing method. 14. The data processing method according to claim 12, wherein the print job includes PDL data based on a predetermined page description language. 15. The data processing method according to claim 12, further comprising an update step of deleting and updating a user-specified print job for which print processing has been completed from the management table created in the creation step. . 16. A scanner device and a printer device communicate with each other to perform predetermined image processing, acquire a print job by communicating with at least one or more information processing devices connected to a network, and process the print job. A data processing method in an image processing device capable of communicating with a server device that analyzes and generates print image data, wherein a document image input from the scanner device is input to a print image data managed by the server device. A first insertion mode in which a document image input from the scanner device is inserted into the last page of print image data managed by the server device, and a printing mode managed by the server device. The original image input from the scanner device is inserted into the first page and the last page of the image data. A setting step of setting any one of a third insertion mode that overlays an intermediate page between the first page and the last page; and a case where the first to third insertion modes are set by the setting step. Issuing a job selection list acquisition request for selecting print image data managed for the server device, and transferring from the server device in response to the job selection list acquisition request in the issuance process. A list processing step of acquiring a job selection list to be displayed on a display unit, and a specific image processing added to each job selected in the job selection list displayed on the display unit by the list processing step A reading control step of analyzing a job spool type indicating a request and controlling reading of each original image input from the scanner device; A data processing method comprising: 17. An obtaining step of obtaining print image data of each job selected in the job selection list from the server device, and reading the print image data obtained in the obtaining step by the reading control step. 17. The data processing method according to claim 16, further comprising an image processing step of performing image processing for inserting document image data or overlaying the print image data. 18. The image processing step, wherein a first insertion mode set by the setting step is set.
18. The image processing apparatus according to claim 17, wherein document image data read by the reading control step is inserted into a first page. 19. The image processing step, wherein a second insertion mode set by the setting step is set.
18. The data processing method according to claim 17, wherein the document image data read by the reading control step is inserted into a first page and a last page. 20. The image processing step, wherein a third insertion mode set by the setting step is set.
The document image data read by the reading control step is inserted into a first page and a last page, and is overlaid on each page of the print image data which is an intermediate page between the first page and the last page. Item 18. The data processing method according to Item 17. 21. The scanner device can connect a feeder device that feeds a document to a predetermined image reading position, controls the feeding so that the document image is read, and then discharges the document to a predetermined discharge position. 17. The data processing method according to claim 16, wherein: 22. The method according to claim 17, wherein in the obtaining step, each job selected from the job selection list to be obtained from the server device is designated by each job ID in the job selection list. Data processing method. 23. A scanner device and a printer device which communicate with at least one or more information processing devices connected to a network to acquire a print job, and analyze the print job to generate print image data. Based on an image processing request specified in the print job, a server device that can output to an image processing device that performs predetermined image processing by communicating,
A creation step of creating a management table that manages each print job by extracting a job spool type and a user ID indicating an overlay image processing request with a document image input from the scanner device and a specific image processing request, A holding step of holding a management table created by the creating step; an image storage step of storing each print image data for which the specific image processing request has been made together with identification information; and a job selection list acquisition request from the image processing apparatus. A list transfer step of creating a job selection list with reference to the management table stored in the image storage step and transferring the list to the image processing apparatus; and a print image data acquisition request from the image processing apparatus. Based on the management table held in the holding step and stored in the image storage step. And a computer-readable storage medium storing a program for executing an image transfer step of transferring print image data uniquely selected from the print image data. 24. The job spool type indicating the specific image processing request is a first insertion mode in which a document image input from the scanner device is inserted into a first page into print image data managed by the server device. A second insertion mode for inserting, into the last page, a document image input from the scanner device into print image data managed by the server device; 24. The method according to claim 23, wherein the input original image is specified in one of a third insertion mode in which the original image is inserted into a first page and a last page, and an intermediate image between the first page and the last page is overlaid. Storage media. 25. The storage medium according to claim 23, wherein the print job includes PDL data based on a predetermined page description language. 26. The storage medium according to claim 23, further comprising an update step of deleting and updating a print job designated by a user whose print processing has been completed from the management table created in said creation step. 27. A scanner device and a printer device communicate with each other to perform predetermined image processing, acquire a print job by communicating with at least one or more information processing devices connected to a network, and process the print job. An image processing apparatus capable of communicating with a server apparatus that analyzes and generates print image data, wherein a first document image inserted from the scanner apparatus into the print image data managed by the server apparatus is inserted into a first page. An insertion mode, a second insertion mode for inserting a document image input from the scanner device into the last page into print image data managed by the server device, and a scanner device to print image data managed by the server device; The original image input from the first and last pages, and A setting step of setting any one of a third insertion mode for overlaying an intermediate page with the last page; and managing the server device when the first to third insertion modes are set in the setting step. Issuing a job selection list acquisition request for selecting the selected print image data; and acquiring a job selection list transferred from the server device in response to the job selection list acquisition request in the issuance step. Analyzing a list processing step displayed on a display unit, and a job spool type indicating a specific image processing request added to each job selected in the job selection list displayed on the display unit by the list processing step And a reading control step of controlling reading of each original image input from the scanner device. A computer-readable storage medium on which is recorded. 28. An acquisition step of acquiring print image data of each job selected in the job selection list from the server device, and the print image data acquired in the acquisition step is read by the read control step. 28. The storage medium according to claim 27, further comprising: an image processing step of performing image processing for inserting document image data or overlaying the print image data. 29. The image processing step, wherein a first insertion mode set by the setting step is set.
29. The storage medium according to claim 28, wherein document image data read by said reading control step is inserted into a first page. 30. The image processing step, wherein a second insertion mode set by the setting step is set.
29. The storage medium according to claim 28, wherein the document image data read by the reading control step is inserted into a first page and a last page. 31. The image processing step, wherein a third insertion mode set by the setting step is set.
The document image data read by the reading control step is inserted into a first page and a last page, and is overlaid on each page of the print image data which is an intermediate page between the first page and the last page. Item 29. The storage medium according to Item 28. 32. A feeder device which feeds a document to a predetermined image reading position, controls the feeding so that the document image is read, and discharges the document to a predetermined discharge position after reading the document image. The storage medium according to claim 28, wherein: 33. The method according to claim 27, wherein in the obtaining step, each job selected from the job selection list to be obtained from the server device is designated by each job ID in the job selection list. Storage media.