JP2002368969A - Image processor and processing method for image data, and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the operability of setting operation for image transmission. SOLUTION: When a transmission setting group call button is depressed, read setting contents are overwritten to current transmission setting data and picture change is made (S3), when a transmission setting group erasure button is depressed, the setting contents of a transmission setting group are erased and picture change is made (S5). When a registration/editing button is depressed, a registration/editing picture is displayed at an LCD display part (S7). Then it is judged whether or not name change, transmission destination editing, and various transmission editing are specified and when so, the indication contents are executed (S9 and S14). When editing contents are determined, various set values are registered, in the case of canceling, the cancel is made and the registration/editing picture is closed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and an image data processing method, and more particularly to an image processing apparatus for reading image data and transmitting the image data, and a method of processing image data.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an image processing apparatus such as a facsimile apparatus for reading a document image and transmitting the read image data, reading conditions such as a document reading resolution, a reading density, a document reading size, etc. Transmission conditions such as the message to the destination to be transmitted along with the data and the transmission time of the timer transmission can be input as user setting values,
The user sets user setting values for each transmission according to the conditions of the transmission destination, the transmission medium, the state of the transmission image, and the like.

[0003] Usually, the user setting values include:
Although there are a plurality of reading conditions such as a reading size and a reading resolution, when the default value set in advance in the apparatus is different from the setting value desired by the user, the user performs a change operation for each transmission ( Hereinafter, this will be referred to as “first related art”).

Further, among such image processing apparatuses, there is also known an image processing apparatus in which set values for image reading are stored in combination in advance and can be set to a desired value by a simple operation (see FIG. 1). Hereinafter, this is referred to as “second conventional technology”).

[0005]

However, according to the first prior art, the user must set and input many setting values such as the reading setting and the address setting each time transmission is performed as described above. However, even when transmission is performed to a specific transmission destination with the same settings every time, it is necessary to set each transmission, and there is a problem that the setting operation is very complicated.

In the second prior art, since only the reading setting of the image data can be set, the transmission setting items other than the reading setting need to be set every time transmission is performed. However, the second prior art has a problem that the setting operation is complicated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus and an image data processing method capable of improving the operability of a setting operation for image transmission. Aim.

[0008]

To achieve the above object, an image processing apparatus according to the present invention comprises an image reading means for reading a document image, an image transmitting means for transmitting image data read by the image reading means. And an operation unit for performing a setting operation of a series of image processing setting conditions including an image reading condition and an image transmission condition, wherein a series of image processing setting conditions set by the operation unit are stored in a group unit. Storage means for reading, a reading means for reading the series of image processing setting conditions stored by the storage means, and updating of at least one or more specific setting conditions included in the image processing setting conditions read by the reading means And a setting condition updating unit that can perform the setting.

The image data processing method according to the present invention includes an image reading step for reading a document image, an image transmitting step for transmitting the image data read in the image reading step, an image reading condition and an image transmitting condition. An image data processing method including an operation step of performing a set operation of a set of image processing setting conditions including: a storage step of storing a series of image processing setting conditions set in the operation step in a storage unit in a group unit; A reading step of reading the series of image processing setting conditions stored in the storage unit, and a setting condition capable of updating at least one or more specific setting conditions included in the image processing setting conditions read in the reading step And an updating step.

Further, the recording medium according to the present invention comprises: an image reading means for reading a document image; an image transmitting means for transmitting image data read by the image reading means; A computer-readable storage medium for processing image data incorporated in an image processing apparatus having an operation unit for setting an image processing setting condition, wherein a series of image processing setting conditions set by the operation unit As a group, a reading process for reading the series of image processing setting conditions stored by the storing process, and at least one or more image processing setting conditions included in the image processing setting conditions read by the reading process. A program for executing a setting condition update process capable of updating specific setting conditions is recorded.

The other features of the present invention will be apparent from the following description of embodiments of the present invention.

[0012]

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an embodiment of an image processing apparatus according to the present invention. A printer section 1 is provided below the image processing apparatus. The printer unit 1
Is a part that converts raster image data into image data on recording paper.The method is an electrophotographic method using a photosensitive drum or photosensitive belt, and ink is ejected from a micro nozzle array to directly print an image on paper. And any other method. The printer unit 4 includes a plurality of paper cassettes (first to first paper cassettes) so that different paper sizes and different paper orientations can be selected.
Third paper feed cassettes 2a to 2c) are provided, and a paper discharge tray 3 for discharging recording paper on which image data is printed is provided.

A scanner unit 4 and an operation unit 5 are disposed above the printer unit 1, and a document feeder unit 7 having a document tray 6 is mounted on the scanner unit 4.

FIG. 2 is a schematic front view showing the appearance of the operation unit 5.

In FIG. 1, a start key 8 is operated to start a reading operation of a document image. In the center of the start key 8 is an LED section 9 which lights up in green or red.
It is determined whether or not the start key 8 can be used based on the lighting color of the LED unit 9. The stop key 10 is operated to stop the operation during operation, and the reset key 11
Is operated when initializing the setting state of the operation unit 5, and the ID key 12 is operated when the operator inputs a user ID. The start key 8, the stop key 10, the reset key 11, and the ID key 12 constitute various key groups 13.

The LCD display unit 14 has a touch panel 15 adhered to the surface thereof, and displays an operation screen and soft keys of the system. When the displayed soft key is pressed, its position information, that is, coordinates, is displayed. The information is transmitted to the control unit 19.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the control unit 19 of the image processing apparatus.

The CPU 20 is a controller for controlling the entire system. The RAM 21 is used to temporarily store image data and other operation data and as a work area for the CPU 20. The ROM 22 stores a boot program, a control program described later, and the like, and the hard disk drive (HDD) 23 stores system software and image data. The operation I / F unit 24 controls an interface operation with the operation unit 5. Network I /
The F unit 25 is connected to the LAN via a LAN cable 26, and performs input / output processing of various information with the LAN. The modem 27 is connected to the WAN cable 28, and performs input / output processing of various information with the WAN. I do.

The above-mentioned components are connected to each other via a system bus 29.

The image I / F 30 connects the system bus 29 and the image bus 31 to convert the data structure.

The image bus 32 is a PCI bus or IEEE
1394, and transfers image data at high speed. The image bus 32 includes a raster image processor (RIP) unit 33, a device I / F unit 34, a scanner image processing unit 35, a printer image processing unit 36, and an image rotation unit 3.
7, and the image compression unit 38 are connected.

The RIP unit 33 develops a PDL code into a bitmap image. The device I / F unit 34 is connected to the scanner unit 4 via a scanner cable 39,
Further, it is connected to the printer unit 1 via a printer cable 40, and performs synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data.
The scanner image processing unit 35 corrects, processes, and edits input image data. The printer image processing unit 36 performs printer correction, resolution conversion, and the like on the print output image data. The image rotation unit 37 rotates image data. The image compression unit 38 performs J
For PEG and binary image data, JBIG, MMR,
A compression / decompression process such as MH is performed.

In the image processing apparatus configured as described above, when a document sheet is set on the document tray 6 of the document feeder 7 and the user operates the operation unit 5 to issue an instruction to start reading, the control unit 19 The CPU 20 instructs the scanner unit 4 to read a document image. Then, the original image is supplied from the original feeder 7 to the scanner unit 4 one by one to illuminate the original image, scan a CCD line sensor (not shown), and convert the original image into an electric signal as raster image data. Convert.

The printer unit 1 starts a printing operation in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 20, and outputs an image signal as output information. That is, the printer unit 1
CPU based on the control program stored in M22
20 comprehensively controls access to various devices connected to the system bus 29, reads input information from the scanner unit 4, and outputs the input information to the printer unit 1.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a connection relationship between the operation unit 5 and the operation I / F unit 24. The operation I / F unit 24 has an input port 24a and an output port 24b. The input port 24a is connected to the various key groups 13 and the touch panel 15, and the output port 24b is connected to the LCD display unit 1.
4 and the LED unit 9.

In the operation section 5, the touch panel 1
5 and user input from various key groups 13
The CPU 20 creates display screen data based on the acquired operation contents and a control program stored in the ROM 22, and obtains the output contents of the operation I / F section 24. The data is output to the LCD display unit 14 via the port 24b.

The operation unit 5 has a touch panel 15
The display on the LCD display unit 14 is switched by performing an operation on the display screen, such as pressing the button, to specify the output destination device of the printed matter, and to display a paper selection screen corresponding to the output destination,
Input a desired paper size.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing processing functions executed by the control unit 19.

The touch panel 15 monitors the pressing of the panel by the user, and the coordinate information of the position coordinates pressed by the touch panel 15 is supplied to the input determining unit 41. The input determination unit 41 determines whether registration of transmission settings has been requested based on the coordinate information from the touch panel 15 and the coordinate data 42 on each screen, or requests to call or change the registered transmission settings. Is determined.

When any instruction regarding the transmission setting is requested, information on the setting data is supplied to the transmission setting group data control unit 43. The transmission setting group data control unit 43 includes an instruction regarding transmission setting,
The current transmission setting data 45 is stored as transmission setting group registration data 46 based on the transmission setting group identification number data 44 indicating which transmission setting group is currently selected, or the transmission setting group registration data is stored in the current transmission setting data. Update to 45.

Further, the updated transmission setting data is supplied to the screen forming section 47, which reads out the screen data 48 based on the transmission setting data and generates a screen to be displayed on the LCD display section 14. . The screen data generated by the screen forming unit 47 is stored in the screen drawing unit 4.
9 and displayed on the LCD display unit 14.

FIGS. 6 to 11 show L in a series of processing described later.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen displayed on a CD display unit 14.

FIG. 6 shows a basic operation screen. A destination display list area 50 displays a telephone number and a destination name of a transmission destination in facsimile transmission, and when a plurality of transmission destinations are selected, these are displayed. List destinations. The destination display button 51 is a button for displaying a destination setting screen for specifying a destination. By pressing the destination display button 51, a screen for specifying a destination is displayed. Any destination can be set.

The scan setting button 53 is a button for instructing a screen display for designating various settings when reading a transmission document or a transmission image. When the scan setting button 53 is pressed, a reading mode and a reading mode are set. Various scan settings relating to reading settings such as document size and resolution can be performed. Then, the setting content is displayed in the scan setting display area 54, and the user can check the current setting value. In FIG. 6, the reading mode is set to “Black”, the document size is set to “Auto”, and the resolution is set to “200 × 200 dpi”.

The transmission destination setting button 55 is a button for displaying a screen for instructing the setting of the transmission destination. When the transmission destination setting button 55 is pressed, the transmission destination setting screen is displayed. Various transmission conditions such as setting of transmission time, designation of a transmission message, designation of a file format of a read image, and the like can be set.

The group button display area 52 is an area for displaying a button for calling the transmission setting group registered by the user. When one transmission setting group is registered, one button is displayed, and the transmission setting group becomes 1 If none are registered, no button is displayed. In FIG. 6, the transmission setting group has not been registered yet, and the transmission setting group is not displayed.

FIG. 7 shows a transmission setting group registration / edit / delete instruction screen.

In the group button display area 56, the number of transmission setting group instruction buttons that can be registered is displayed.

When the user wishes to perform a registration or editing operation, the user selects the transmission setting group instruction button and presses the registration / edit button 57. Then, when the registration / edit button 57 is pressed, a registration / edit operation screen as shown in FIG. 8 is displayed.

The name edit button 59 is a button for instructing a screen display for giving a name as an identifier to the transmission setting group. When the name edit button 59 is pressed, a name registration screen is displayed. Can register an arbitrary name for the registered transmission setting group. Then, the transmission setting group name set on the name registration screen is displayed in the name display area 60, and the user can confirm the set transmission setting group name. FIG. 8 shows a case where a group name “fax1” is given.

The destination edit button 61 is a button for instructing a destination setting screen in order to specify a destination for transmission setting. When the destination edit button 61 is pressed, a screen for specifying a destination is displayed. Is displayed, and the user can set an arbitrary transmission destination. The destination edit button 61 has the same function as the destination display button 51 in FIG. The destination display list area 62 includes a destination instruction button 6
This is a display area of the destination information set on the setting screen displayed by No. 1 and has the same function as the destination display list area 50 of FIG.

The scan setting button 63 is a button for instructing a screen display for designating the scan setting. When the scan setting button 63 is pressed, a scan setting screen is displayed and the scan setting registered in the transmission setting group is set. Items can be specified. Note that the scanner setting finger button 63 has the same function as the scan setting button 55 in FIG.

Further, the scan setting display area 64 displays the setting contents of the scan setting set on the scan setting screen, and has the same function as the scan setting display area 54 of FIG.

The transmission destination setting button 65 is an instruction button for displaying a screen for instructing the setting of the transmission destination.
Has the same function as that of the transmission destination setting button 55.

By operating the registration / edit screen in this way, it is possible to collectively register the same items as the items set by the user in each transmission as a transmission setting group.

The OK button 66 is a button for confirming each item registered in the transmission setting group. By pressing the OK button 66, the setting item is registered as an item of the transmission setting group. . The cancel button 67 is a button for canceling each item registered in the transmission setting group.
By pressing 7, the setting items can be discarded and the display screen can be returned to the state before the setting.

On the other hand, when the user wants to delete the transmission setting group, the user selects the transmission setting group instruction button on the registration / edit / delete instruction screen shown in FIG. 8 and presses the delete button 58. Then, when the delete button 58 is pressed in this way, a delete operation screen as shown in FIG. 9 is displayed.

That is, the name and the icon are displayed on the transmission setting group instruction button in which the transmission setting group is registered. In FIG. 9, the name “fax1” set on the registration / edit operation screen of FIG. 8 is displayed together with the icon. Then, after selecting the transmission setting group instruction button 56a in which "fax1" is registered and pressing the transmission setting group delete button 68, all the transmission conditions and the like set in FIG. 8 are deleted, and the transmission setting group instruction button 56a Is erased from the display of the name and icon of "fax1" displayed in the "."

FIG. 10 is an operation screen displayed after the transmission setting group is registered on the registration / edit operation screen (FIG. 8), and 69 is a transmission setting group call button for calling the transmission setting group. I have. In this example, the name "fax1" set on the registration / edit screen is assigned to this transmission setting group, and the name of "fax1" is displayed together with the icon on the transmission setting group call instruction button.

FIG. 11 shows a transmission setting group call button 6
When the transmission setting group call button 69 is pressed, the transmission setting group is called up, and an item related to a series of transmission settings registered in the transmission setting group is displayed. Is set as a transmission setting item. Thus, the destination registered in the transmission setting group is displayed in the transmission destination display list display area 50, and the scan setting display area 54 is displayed.
Shows the scan settings registered in the transmission setting group.

As described above, a series of settings relating to transmission can be registered as one transmission setting group.
Further, the transmission setting group can be called up and reset by a simple operation instruction of pressing one button.

Further, even after the transmission setting group is called on the operation screen of FIG. 11, by pressing the transmission destination display button 51, the scan setting button 53, or the transmission destination setting button 55, it is possible to add or change the transmission destination. It is also possible to add and change scan settings and add and change other transmission settings.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a procedure for processing image data according to the present invention. This program is stored in the ROM 22 in advance and executed by the CPU 20 as necessary.

First, in step S1, it is monitored whether or not a key input from the touch panel 15 has been performed on the currently displayed operation screen. If a key input has been performed, the flow advances to step S2 to display the screen coordinate data 42. It is determined whether or not an instruction to call the registered transmission setting group has been issued based on the coordinate data stored in the. That is, it is determined whether the transmission setting group call button 69 has been pressed and the registered transmission setting group has been called. If the answer is affirmative (Yes), the process proceeds to step S3, where the setting contents of the specified transmission setting group are read from the transmission setting group registration data 46, and the read setting contents are read out of the current transmission setting data 45. Overwrite and save, and change the screen according to the change of the settings,
After redrawing, the process returns to step S1 to monitor whether a key input has been performed.

On the other hand, if the answer in step S2 is negative (No), it is determined that the transmission setting group call has not been instructed, and the flow advances to step S4 to determine whether the transmission setting group delete button 68 has been pressed. .

If the answer is affirmative (Yes), the flow advances to step S5 to delete the setting contents of the transmission setting group from the transmission setting group registration data 46, and further change the screen with the change of the setting contents. Is performed, and after redrawing, the process returns to step S1 to monitor whether a key input has been performed.

On the other hand, if the answer in step S4 is negative (No), it is determined that transmission setting group deletion has not been instructed, and the flow advances to step S6, where the register / edit button 57 is pressed to register the transmission setting group. It is determined whether editing has been instructed. If the answer is negative (No), the default screen is changed to perform the drawing process, and the process returns to step S1 to monitor whether a key input has been performed.

If the answer to step S6 is affirmative (Yes), the flow advances to step S7 to display a registration / edit operation screen (FIG. 8) on the LCD display unit 14. Specifically, first, the identification number of the designated transmission setting group is obtained, the registration data corresponding to the identification number is obtained from the transmission setting group registration data 46, and the registration data 46 and the screen data 48 are stored. A screen is formed by the screen forming unit 47 based on the contents, and the created screen is transferred to the screen drawing unit 49, whereby the registration / edit operation screen is displayed on the LCD display unit 14.
Will be displayed.

Next, in step S8, the key input to the touch panel 15 is monitored again. When the key input is performed, the process proceeds to step S9, and it is determined whether or not the name edit button 59 has been pressed.

If the answer is negative (No), the process immediately proceeds to step S11, while if the answer is affirmative (Yes), the process proceeds to step S10, where the name of the transmission setting group is edited, and thereafter, step S11 is performed. Proceed to.

Next, in step S11, it is determined whether or not the destination edit button 61 has been pressed, and if the answer is negative (N
In the case of o), the process immediately proceeds to step S13, while if the answer is affirmative (Yes), the process proceeds to step S12, where the destination of the transmission setting group is edited, and then the process proceeds to step S13.

Next, in step S13, it is determined whether the scan setting button 63 or the destination designation button 65 has been pressed, and if the answer is negative (No), the process immediately proceeds to step S15, while the answer is affirmative ( In the case of “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S14, where settings relating to image reading such as resolution, document size of the read document, and reading density, a transmission file format,
Alternatively, additional information regarding transmission, such as an attached message, is set, and thereafter, the process proceeds to step S15.

Next, at step S15, an OK button 66
Is determined, and if the answer is negative (No), the process immediately proceeds to step S17, while the answer is affirmative.
In the case of (Yes), the process proceeds to step S16, where a series of setting values of the edited transmission setting group are registered in the transmission setting group registration data 46, and thereafter, the process proceeds to step S17.

Next, in step S17, it is determined whether or not the cancel instruction button 67 has been pressed, and it is determined whether or not there has been an instruction to cancel the editing of a series of setting values of the transmission setting group.

If the answer is negative (No), a default drawing process is performed, and the process returns to step S8 to repeat the above process.

On the other hand, the answer to step S17 is affirmative (Yes).
In the case of, that is, when it is determined that the cancel button 67 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S18, where the registration / edit operation screen of the setting of the transmission setting group is closed, and the process proceeds to step S18.
The process returns to 1 to monitor whether a key input from the touch panel 15 has been performed.

As described above, in this embodiment, it is possible to register a plurality of transmission-related setting items including a transmission destination and scan settings as one transmission setting group, and to simply press the registered transmission setting group by pressing a button. The setting can be reset again by simple operation, thereby making it possible to easily and quickly set the transmission. In addition, since the user can arbitrarily set the value of each setting item registered in the transmission setting group and the name displayed on the button for calling the transmission setting group, various transmission destinations, transmission conditions, It is possible to flexibly cope with setting changes due to the use of a plurality of users. This allows
The operability of setting for transmission can be improved.

[0069]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, a combination of a series of image processing setting conditions relating to transmission arbitrarily set by a user including a transmission destination and scan settings is registered in a group unit, Since the image processing setting conditions can be read out and only the specific setting conditions among the image processing setting conditions can be updated and stored again, a series of image processing setting conditions can be easily set, and the image processing setting conditions can be easily set. The operability of the conditions can be greatly improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an embodiment of an image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of an operation unit mounted on the image processing apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a control unit in the image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a connection relationship between an operation unit and an operation I / F unit.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating functions executed by a CPU.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a basic operation screen displayed on an LCD display unit.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a registration / edit / delete instruction screen displayed on the LCD display unit.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a registration / edit operation screen displayed on the LCD display unit.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a deletion operation screen displayed on the LCD display unit.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen displayed after registration of a transmission setting group on the registration / edit screen.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen displayed after pressing a transmission setting group call button.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a method for processing image data according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 4 Scanner unit 5 Operation unit 20 CPU 21 RAM 25 Network I / F unit 27 Modem unit

Claims (11)

[Claims] An image reading means for reading a document image, an image transmitting means for transmitting image data read by the image reading means, and a setting operation of a series of image processing setting conditions including image reading conditions and image transmission conditions. An image processing apparatus comprising: a storage unit that stores a series of image processing setting conditions set by the operation unit as a group; and stores the series of image processing setting conditions stored by the storage unit. An image processing apparatus comprising: reading means for reading; and setting condition updating means for updating at least one or more specific setting conditions included in the image processing setting conditions read by the reading means. . 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit stores, as a group, another image processing setting condition together with the specific setting condition updated by the setting condition updating unit. 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmission condition includes destination information. 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an editing / deletion unit that edits or deletes the image processing setting conditions input by the operation unit. 5. An image reading step for reading a document image, an image transmitting step for transmitting image data read in the image reading step, and a series of image processing setting conditions including image reading conditions and image transmitting conditions. An image data processing method including an operation step of performing, a storage step of storing a series of image processing setting conditions set in the operation step in a storage unit in a group unit,
A reading step of reading the series of image processing setting conditions stored in the storage unit, and a setting condition capable of updating at least one or more specific setting conditions included in the image processing setting conditions read in the reading step An image data processing method comprising an updating step. 6. The image according to claim 5, wherein in the storing step, the setting condition updating step stores another image processing setting condition together with the updated specific setting condition as a group in the storage unit. How to process the data. 7. The method according to claim 5, wherein the transmission condition includes destination information. 8. The image data processing method according to claim 5, further comprising editing / deleting means for editing or deleting the image processing setting conditions input in the operation step. . 9. An image reading means for reading a document image, an image transmitting means for transmitting image data read by the image reading means, and a series of image processing setting conditions including image reading conditions and image transmission conditions. A computer-readable storage medium incorporated in an image processing apparatus having an operation unit for performing image data processing, the storage process storing a series of image processing setting conditions set by the operation unit as a group Reading processing for reading the series of image processing setting conditions stored by the storage processing; and updating at least one or more specific setting conditions included in the image processing setting conditions read by the reading processing are possible. A computer-readable recording medium in which a program for executing a setting condition updating process is recorded. 10. The recording medium according to claim 9, wherein the storage process stores, as one group, another image processing setting condition together with the specific setting condition updated by the setting condition updating process. 11. The recording according to claim 9, wherein a program for executing an editing / deletion process for editing or deleting the image processing setting condition input by the operation means is recorded. Medium.