JP2002057830A - Centralized storage device, terminal device and data transmission-reception system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a centralized storage device wherein image data which is image-formed by an image formation apparatus can be shared, to provide a terminal device, and to provide a data transmission-reception system. SOLUTION: The centralized storage device 25 which is connected to the image formation apparatus via a network 24 performs the image formation of the image data by the image formation apparatus, and it receives and stores the image data which is retained after the image formation is finished. Alternatively, the device 25 performs the image formation of the image data by the image formation apparatus, it receives the image data retained after the image formation is finished, and it receives and stores information regarding the image formation. Alternatively, the device 25 receives and stores image data obtained by a copying operation by the image formation apparatus.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a digital copying apparatus, and more particularly, to a digital copying apparatus in which a plurality of digital copying apparatuses are connected to each other via a network so that image data obtained during the copying operation can be stored together with the copying operation. A possible digital copier.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In relatively large companies and factories,
Multiple copiers are used. For example, if a company or factory building has four or five floors, the first floor has a large high-speed copier, the second floor has a medium-speed copier, and the third, fourth, and fifth floors each have a plurality of low-speed machines. A large-scale copier on the first floor is used for large-volume copying, and a low-speed copier near staff is used for normal copying.

[0003]

However, no consideration has been given to improving the operability by networking a plurality of copying machines as described above.

[0004] In particular, no consideration has been given to the point that document data copied by a certain copying machine is shared by the plurality of copying machines and can be used mutually.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to eliminate the above-described problems of the conventional apparatus and to share original data copied by an arbitrary copying machine when a plurality of copying machines are installed in an organization such as a company. Another object of the present invention is to provide a digital copying apparatus which can be connected to a network which can be used mutually.

[0006]

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a digital copying apparatus connectable to a network, wherein image data obtained during a copying operation is stored together with the copying operation. There is a characteristic in the point that it did.

[0007]

According to the first aspect of the invention, the image data obtained during the copying operation is stored together with the copying operation, and the original data can be shared and used mutually.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

First, an outline of a hardware configuration of a digital copying apparatus used in the present invention will be described with reference to a block diagram of FIG.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 11 denotes a digital image input unit comprising a scanner or the like using a CCD sensor or the like; 12, a memory; a data processing / control unit for processing digital data and controlling peripheral devices by a CPU; An image output unit that prints an image on paper made of a laser beam printer or the like.

Reference numeral 14 denotes a data storage unit for storing and storing data, and is composed of, for example, a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a remote disk connected to a device connected to a network. An operation instructing unit 15 displays operation information and gives instructions to the operator.

As shown in FIG. 3, an example of the operation instruction section 15 is a state display section made up of a liquid crystal, a plasma, an EL, an LED, or the like; It is composed of

Reference numeral 16 denotes an image display device for displaying an image copied in the past in a bit map.
For example, it is composed of a liquid crystal, a plasma display panel, or the like having the number of pixels (100 × 160 pixels or more) suitable for displaying images. Note that the image display device 16 is not an essential component of the present invention, and may be deleted as necessary.

A keyboard, a CRT display, and a pointing device such as a mouse may be connected instead of the operation instruction section 15 and the image display device 16. 17 is a data communication unit.

Next, a first embodiment of the network type digital copying apparatus of the present invention connected by the data communication section 17 will be described with reference to FIG.

Each of 21a, 21b, 21c,... Is a digital copying apparatus having the above-mentioned configuration, and transmission lines 22a, 22b, 22
c, ... and connectors 23a, 23b such as transceivers,
23c, for example, Ethernet (registered trademark)
And the like.

Next, this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a schematic functional block diagram of this embodiment, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation.

In FIG. 1, reference numerals 22 and 23 represent
Are local devices and remote devices, one of the digital copying devices 21a, 21b, 21c,..., The former being a device directly operated by an operator, and the latter being a device called by the operation.

First, in step S1, when the search button 22a of the local device 22 is turned on, step S1 is executed.
Proceeding to 2, the re-outputtable list is displayed on the image display section 16 of the local device 22.

In step S3, the remote search instruction button 22b is turned on, and then in step S4, the device number of the search destination, that is, the device number of the remote device 23 is input from the device number input section 22c such as a numeric keypad. Then, the process proceeds to step S5, where an operation of establishing a logical communication path (login operation) between the local device 22 and the remote device 23 is executed. This operation is performed by the login control unit 22d.
Is controlled by

In step S6, it is determined whether or not the establishment of the logical communication path has succeeded. If the establishment has succeeded, the flow proceeds to step S7. In step S7, the copy process recently performed by the remote device 23 is displayed on the display unit 22f on the operation panel of the local device 22 in the format shown in FIGS. On the other hand, if the login is unsuccessful, the reason for the failure is displayed on the display unit 22f.

In step S9, a re-output image is selected by a re-output image selection unit 22g such as a numeric keypad. Specifically, for example, the numbers in FIG. 6 or FIG. 7 are selected using a numeric keypad or the like. Next, proceeding to step S10, the search request unit 22h makes a search request to the remote device 23.

Upon receiving the search request, the remote device 23 accepts the search and executes the search. Remote device 23
In, a program (server program) for returning a search result is always running, automatically executing a search in response to a request from the local device 22, and returning search result data.

In step S11, the local device 22 receives the search result data in the data receiving unit 22e, and then determines whether or not there is an instruction to record the data (step S12). If the instruction is met, the process proceeds to step S13 to record the re-output content, and proceeds to step S14 to execute re-output. On the other hand, when there is no recording instruction, the process proceeds from step S12 to S14 to execute re-output, and the series of remote search re-output processing ends. The execution of the re-output is performed by the output unit 22i.

As described above, according to this embodiment, from any digital copier connected to the trunk line 24 of FIG. 4 (ie, from the local device), any other digital copier (ie, from the local device) A search instruction is issued to the remote device, and the search result can be output again from the local device. As a result, manuscript data previously copied by an arbitrary digital copier by another person can be re-output from the digital copier near the user's seat, and the manuscript data can be effectively used and usability can be improved. effective.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The difference between this embodiment and the first embodiment is that the first embodiment
While the image data of the search result is re-output from the output unit of the local device itself, in the second embodiment, the image data stored in the storage unit of the local device itself is stored in the local device. A request for output (remote output request) of an image data of a search result of the data or a search result from the remote device to an arbitrary remote device.

FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram of this embodiment, and FIG.
FIG. 12 to FIG. 12 are flowcharts for explaining the operation.

First, the setting operation of the remote output will be described with reference to FIGS. In step S21, when the remote output instruction button 30a of the local device 30 is turned on, the process proceeds to step S22, and an input of the device number of the output destination (remote device) is performed. Step S2
At 3, it is determined whether or not the device number has been entered from the numeric keypad. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S2.
Proceeding to 4, it is determined whether the start button 30c has been turned on. If it is determined in step S24 that the start button has been turned on, the process proceeds to step S25,
The login control unit 30d starts a login operation. By the login operation, a logical communication path with the remote device 31 is established.

In step S26, it is determined whether or not the remote device 31 is outputting. If output is not being performed, the process proceeds to step S27, and the local device 30 transfers the copy information record and the image record to be output, which are the search results, to the data storage device 31b of the remote remote device 31.

As shown in FIG. 13, the copy information record and the image record each include the time information when the document data was copied and the copy conditions, and the latter includes the copy information. It consists of compressed data of data, output time, page number and the like. When the original data is copied from each of the digital copying apparatuses 21a, 21b, 21c,... In FIG. 4, the copy information record and the image record are automatically stored in the data storage unit 14 of each digital copying apparatus. Will be done.

On the other hand, if the remote device 31 is outputting (step S26 is affirmative), the process proceeds to step S28 to stop remote output, reset, local reservation,
One of the remote reservations is performed.

After the start of the log-in operation, the status inquiry unit 30e is activated to execute an inquiry to the server program of the remote device 31, and
1 can know how much image data is being output and for how long.

Next, the operation of the local reservation will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, the local reservation operation by the local reservation unit 30f is performed by the local device 3
The process is started by setting a copy information record of this output, a remote output destination, and a confirmation interval (time) in the reservation file of 0 (step S31). Next, in step S32, a determination is made as to whether or not the confirmation interval time has elapsed. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S33 to start a login operation.

By this login operation, the remote device 31
Is established, and that the remote device is not outputting (No in step S34), the output state determination unit 3
If confirmed at 0h, the process proceeds to step S35. In step S35, all the copy information records and image records to be output by remote reservation are stored in the data storage device 3 of the remote device by the function of the record transfer unit 30j.
1b. The output state information is displayed on the display unit 3.
0g is displayed.

Next, the operation of the remote reservation will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Remote reservation part 3
0i, the remote reservation operation is performed first in step S41.
, The process starts by determining whether the remote device 31 has a sufficient reserved file area.

If the remote device 31 has a sufficient reserved file area, the process proceeds to step S42, where the record transfer unit 30j determines whether the reserved file area 3
1c, all the copy information records and image records to be output are transferred.

On the other hand, if there is not enough reserved file area, the process proceeds to step S43, and waits until a predetermined time has elapsed.
Then, it is determined whether the remote device 31 has a sufficient reserved file area.

Next, the operation of remote output in the remote device 31 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

The monitoring unit 31a of the remote device 31 determines whether a new output request has been received in the reservation file area 31c of the data storage device 31b (step S4).
5). If the output request has been received, the process proceeds to step S46 to execute print output. On the other hand, if a new output request has not been received, the process proceeds to step S47, where it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed.
The determination at 45 is performed again. In other words, it checks to see if a new output request has arrived in the reserved file area 31c of the data storage device 31b at predetermined time intervals, and if so, prints out.

After the printing, if the operator has previously indicated that the record is unnecessary, the output record is stored in the reserved file area. Delete from inside.

As is apparent from the above description, according to the second embodiment, image data retrieved in a certain digital copying apparatus can be re-output from another arbitrary digital copying apparatus.

Further, the operability of the operator can be improved by utilizing the functions of the local reservation and the remote reservation.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, data copied by a plurality of digital copying apparatuses is stored in a central storage device connected to a network, and the data can be re-output from any digital copying apparatus.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the third embodiment. In the figure, 22d is a transmission line, 2d
3d denotes a connector, 25 denotes an image data central storage device (server), and the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 3 denote the same or equivalent components. As the image data centralized storage device 25, a large-capacity (for example, 100 MB or more) magnetic disk or magneto-optical disk and a commercially available personal computer or a workstation device having a LAN communication function can be used as it is. The digital copying apparatus can be prepared exclusively for the present system, or the digital copying apparatus can be used as it is.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
This will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of the data input operation when the digital copying machine connected to the main line 24 has a data storage device. In step S51, the operator gives an instruction regarding copying conditions from the digital copying apparatus. Next, in step S52, the start button is turned on to read the original. At this time, ADF
(Automatic document feeder) may be used.

Next, in step S53, a determination is made as to whether the reading of the previous page of the document has been completed. If this determination is negative, the flow advances to step S53 to compress the document image. Proceeding to step S55, an operation of storing the compressed original image data in the data storage unit is performed. Next, the process proceeds to step S56 to check the remaining capacity of the storage unit and secure the capacity.

The above operation is performed until reading of all pages of the document is completed. When reading of all pages of the document is completed (Yes at step S53), the process proceeds to step S57, where the copy information record in the data storage unit is stored. The information about the copying process is stored in the storage section. In step S58, a log-in operation is performed on the image data centralized storage device 25. If the connection with the image data centralized storage device 25 is successful, the process proceeds to step S59, where the copy information record and the image record Is transferred to the image data centralized storage device 25 via the network.

Next, the data input operation when the digital copying machine has no data storage device will be described with reference to FIG.

First, in step S61, a login is performed on the image data centralized storage device 25.
Next, the operator gives an instruction for the copy condition, and in step S63, the start button is turned on to read the original.

In step S64, a determination is made as to whether reading of all pages of the document has been completed. If the determination is negative, the flow advances to step S65 to compress the document image. Next, proceeding to step S66, every time each page is read into the image data centralized storage device 25, a copy information record and an image record are transferred via the network.

Thereafter, the remaining capacity of the storage unit in the image data centralized storage device is confirmed and a request for securing the capacity is made (step S6).
7).

By the above operation, the original data input from the digital copying apparatuses 21a, 21b, 21c,.
Transferred to and saved. Note that the record deletion instruction after re-output and the record deletion processing when the storage capacity of the image data central storage device 25 is insufficient are performed by the image data central storage device 25.
Done for

Next, the operation in the case of performing a search and re-output from a certain digital copying apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. First, in step S71, the remote search instruction button is turned on. Subsequently, in step S72, the number of the image data centralized storage device 25 is input from, for example, a numeric keypad. Next, a login operation is performed in step S73.

If the connection with the image data centralized storage device 25 is successful (step S74 is affirmative), the flow advances to step S75 to display the contents of the copy processing stored in the image data centralized storage device 25 on the digital copying device. Displayed in the section. In step S76, a re-output image is selected using the numeric keypad or the like. When a search request is made to the image data central storage device 25 in step S77, the image data central storage device 25 executes a search operation. . And
The search result is returned to the digital copying machine.

In step S78, the returned search result data is received, and in step S79, it is output again from the printing unit. If it is determined in step S74 that the operation is unsuccessful, the process proceeds to step S80, and the reason for the unsuccessful operation is displayed on the operation panel.

The above-described image search and re-output operation has been described in the case where the operation is performed from the digital copying apparatus. However, the operation can also be executed from the image data central storage device 25. This operation can be normally performed by using a display and a keyboard connected to the centralized image data storage device 25.

As is apparent from the above description, according to the third embodiment, since the image data centralized storage device 25 can be used as a common server, an inexpensive digital copying device having no data storage device can be used. An inexpensive digital copying machine that can be connected to a network and does not have the data storage device can enjoy the same services as a digital copying device that has a data storage device. Therefore, a user-friendly system can be constructed with an inexpensive configuration.

In each of the embodiments described above, the LAN is used as the main line 24. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a public high-speed digital line such as a public telephone line or ISDN is used. Or a wireless line.

Also, an image or data sent from a facsimile machine or a computer is taken into a digital copying apparatus via the public high-speed digital line or the wireless line, and the image or data is searched for and output again. You may do so. That is, a facsimile device or a computer may be used as the document input device.

Alternatively, on the contrary, the image data read into the digital copying machine may be printed out from the output unit of the facsimile machine or the computer, and these may be used as the re-output unit.

If the copied document data requires confidentiality, identification data such as an operator identification number, a password and a password are input together with the document data, and the identification data is used when searching or re-outputting. You may be required to input data.

[0063]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, there is an effect that the document data copied in each digital copying apparatus can be shared.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing a hardware configuration of a digital copying apparatus applied to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation instruction unit in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a system configuration diagram of the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a display example displayed on an operation unit display screen of the digital copying apparatus.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing another display example displayed on the operation unit display screen of the digital copying apparatus.

FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram of a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of local reservation.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of remote reservation.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining a remote output operation.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of an internal structure of data stored in a data storage unit.

FIG. 14 is a system configuration diagram of a third embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a data input operation according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart for explaining another data input operation of the third embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of search re-output according to the third embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

21a-21c ... Digital copying machine, 22a-22c
... Transmission line, 23a-23c ... Connector, 24 ... Main line, 2
2, 30 ... local, 23, 31 ... remote device, 25
… Image data central storage

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] June 20, 2001 (2001.6.2)
0)

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Name of invention

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

Patent application title: Centralized storage device, terminal device, and data transmission / reception system

[Procedure amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Claims

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Claims]

[Procedure amendment 3]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0001

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a centralized storage device connected to an image forming apparatus via a network, a terminal device connected to a centralized storage device and a copying device via a network, and a terminal device connected to a network. A data transmission / reception system for transmitting / receiving data between a centralized storage device and a copying device.

[Procedure amendment 4]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0005

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

An object of the present invention is to provide a centralized storage device, a terminal device, and a data transmission / reception system which enable sharing of image data formed by an image forming apparatus in view of the above-mentioned prior art. It is in.

[Procedure amendment 5]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0006

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a centralized storage device connected via a network to an image forming apparatus for forming an image based on acquired image data, The first feature is that the centralized storage device receives image data from the image forming apparatus, which is used for the image formation and is stored in the image forming apparatus even after the image formation is completed, and stores the image data. . Also,
A second feature is that the image forming apparatus forms an image of the image data, and receives and stores the image data held after the image formation and the information on the image formation. According to these features, the centralized storage device connected to the image forming apparatus via the network stores the image data formed by the image forming apparatus or the information related to the image formation, and can share the data. become able to. The present invention is also a terminal device connected to a centralized storage device and a copying device via a network, and acquires image data obtained during a copying operation in the copying device stored in the centralized storage device. There is a third feature in the point described above. According to this feature, the terminal device can acquire the image data copied by the copying device from the central storage device, and can share the data. Further, the present invention is a data transmission / reception system for transmitting / receiving data between a centralized storage device, a copying device, and a terminal device connected via a network, wherein the centralized storage device performs a copying operation in the copying device. Storage means for receiving and storing the obtained data;
A fourth feature is that the terminal device includes means for transmitting data stored in the storage means to the terminal device based on an image request from the terminal device. According to this feature, the data obtained during the copying operation can be transmitted and received between the centralized storage device, the copying device, and the terminal device connected via the network, and the data is shared. Will be able to do it. The network according to the present invention may be a network using a LAN as a main line, a public telephone line, a public high-speed digital line such as ISDN, or a wireless line.

[Procedure amendment 6]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0007

[Correction method] Deleted

[Procedure amendment 7]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0063

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0063]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, an image is formed by an image forming apparatus connected via a network, and image data stored after image formation is stored in a centralized storage device. , And the stored image data can be acquired by another terminal device, so that the image-formed data can be shared by the image forming apparatus.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI theme coat ゛ (Reference) G06F 3/12 G06F 3/12 A DF Term (Reference) 2C061 AP01 AP03 AP04 AQ06 HJ06 HQ13 HR07 2C087 AA03 AA09 AB05 AB08 AC08 BA03 BA06 BB10 BC07 5B021 AA19 BB02 EE02 5C062 AA05 AA14 AA35 AB20 AB22 AB23 AB42 AE15 BA02

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A digital copying apparatus connectable to a network, wherein image data obtained during a copying operation is stored together with the copying operation.