JP2002374385A - Imaging device and control method for the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging device, with which the images of a desired original can be stored, while keeping completeness as a single document, even when memory capacity becomes full during the images of originals are stored in a memory and a control method for the same. SOLUTION: In the case of memory full, namely when the storage capacity of the memory is full, the image data of originals for the number of pages read up to the moment are transferred to an image data server 14; and after empty capacity is generated on a hard disk 257, the originals are read again. When all the originals are read, the image data of remaining originals stored on the hard disk 257 are transferred to the same storage place of the image data server 14.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming method provided with a storage section for storing a document image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, image data read from a scanner or PDL data (Page Descriptor) sent from a host computer such as a personal computer via a network.
scription Language Date) is developed into bitmap image data, the developed image data is temporarily stored in a memory such as a hard disk, and image data of an arbitrary document is repeatedly read out from the memory and printed out (printed). Digital copiers equipped with a printer are known.

Some digital copying machines have a personal box function. The personal box function has a function of temporarily storing image data in an area divided for each user on the memory by providing a digital copying machine with a memory such as a hard disk, and a user operating an operation panel in front of the copying machine. Then, after inputting the user password and authenticating whether the user is the user himself or herself, it has a function of outputting the image data stored in the memory to the recording paper.

Accordingly, when a user prints out a document at a digital copying machine from a host computer located at a position distant from the digital copying machine via a network, the user retrieves the printed document by the digital copying machine. Since there is no danger that the contents of the document can be seen by a third party before going forward, the digital copier equipped with the personal box function copies or prints out documents such as confidential documents that are not to be seen by others. Suitable for the case.

Further, even when printing out a general document which is not a confidential document, storing the image data in the memory allows the user to operate the digital copier without giving a printout instruction from the host computer. You can operate the operation panel in front of and get the desired number of copies when you want. That is, document management by the digital copying machine becomes possible.

Further, the digital copier having the personal box function described above is connected to a network,
In many cases, multiple units are installed in the office.

However, the storage capacity of a memory such as a hard disk for storing image data is limited, and the number of documents that can be stored is also limited in advance. For example, if the memory size is 100 sheets of A4 size and the bundle of documents is 102 sheets of A4 size, 100 documents can be stored in the memory, but 2 documents cannot be stored. I will.

[0008]

Therefore, in the above-mentioned conventional example, there are the following problems when the storage capacity is full, that is, when the memory becomes full.

When a memory full occurs, there is a problem that the job must be canceled or only the image data until the storage capacity becomes full can be stored.

Further, when the memory becomes full, there is a problem that the recording operation has to be temporarily suspended, unnecessary image data currently stored is deleted, and the recording operation has to be performed again.

Further, in order to solve the above problem, even if a memory full occurs, the remaining original image that cannot be stored can be transferred to another image storage device connected via a network. Some have provided means and devices for doing so.

However, the above-mentioned means and apparatus can only store the remaining document images that cannot be stored in another image storage device connected via a network.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and it is intended that the image of a desired document be completed as one document even when the memory capacity is full while the image of the document is being stored in the memory. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of storing data while keeping the same, and a control method of the image forming apparatus.

[0014]

In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to claim 1 is connected to an external device having a storage device via a network, and reads an image of a document. An image forming apparatus comprising: a storage unit for storing the read image; and a transfer unit for transferring the stored image to the external device, wherein the transfer is performed when a storage capacity of the storage unit is full. Means for transferring the image stored in the storage means to the storage device, the image reading means reading the image of the remaining document, and the transfer means transferring the image of the read remaining document to the storage means. When the storage capacity becomes full, the image processing apparatus further comprises control means for controlling the image to be transferred to the same storage location of the storage device to which the image has been transferred.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, further comprising a recording stop unit for stopping the storage of the image by the storage unit.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of the first or second aspect, a selection unit for selecting an image stored in the storage unit, and erasing the image selected by the selection unit. And erasing means.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of the third aspect, the transfer means transfers the image selected by the selection means to the storage device.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for controlling an image forming apparatus which is connected to an external device having a storage device via a network. A storage step of storing the stored image, a transfer step of transferring the stored image to the external device, and, when the image cannot be stored in the storage step, the image stored in the storage step in the transfer step. The image of the remaining document is read in the image reading step, and when the image of the remaining document read in the transfer step cannot be stored in the storage step, the image is transferred to the same storage location of the storage device. And a control step of controlling the transfer to be performed.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the control method of the image forming apparatus according to the fifth aspect, when the image data cannot be stored in the storage step, the image storage in the storage step is stopped. It is characterized by having.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for controlling an image forming apparatus according to the fifth or sixth aspect.
A selection step of selecting an image stored in the storage step,
And an erasing step of erasing the image selected in the selecting step.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the method of controlling the image forming apparatus according to the seventh aspect, the image selected by the selecting step in the transferring step is transferred to the storage device. And

[0022]

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

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes a reader unit 1, a printer unit 2, and an image input / output control unit 3.

The reader section 1 reads an image of a document, and outputs image data corresponding to the document image to the printer section 2 and the image input / output control section 3. The printer unit 2 records an image corresponding to image data from the reader unit 1 and the image input / output control unit 3 on recording paper. The image input / output control unit 3 is connected to the reader unit 1 and includes a facsimile unit 4, a file unit 5, a network interface unit 7, a LIPS formatter unit 8, a postscript formatter unit 9, a core unit 10, and the like. I have.

The facsimile unit 4 expands the compressed image data received via the telephone line, transfers the expanded image data to the core unit 10, and compresses the image data transferred from the core unit 10. Then, the compressed image data is transmitted to an external device (not shown) via a telephone line.

The file section 5 is connected to a magneto-optical disk drive unit 6. The file section 5 compresses the image data transferred from the core section 10, and transmits an optical signal together with a keyword for searching the image data. The data is stored on a magneto-optical disk set in the magnetic disk drive unit 6.

The file section 5 searches for compressed image data stored in the magneto-optical disk based on the keyword transferred via the core section 10, reads out the searched compressed image data, and decompresses it. Then, the decompressed image data is transferred to the core unit 10. The network interface unit 7 is an interface between the personal computer or workstation (PC / WS) 11 and the core unit 10. The network interface unit 7 also serves as an interface between the core unit 10 and another image forming apparatus 13 as an external device similarly connected to the network. Further, the network interface unit 7 includes an MIB (Management Information).
Base) is built, and S
It communicates with a computer on a network via the NMP protocol, and can manage other image forming apparatuses 13.

In the present embodiment, as described above, another image forming apparatus 13 is connected to the image forming apparatus 100 via a network. The other components of the image forming apparatus 13 connected to the image forming apparatus 100 have the same internal configuration as that of the image forming apparatus 100. Further, the image forming apparatus 1
The image data of the original read at 00 is transferred to another image forming apparatus 13, and the image data can be stored on a hard disk in the other image forming apparatus 13. Further, the image forming apparatus 100 can read the image data from a hard disk in another image forming apparatus 13 and receive the image data via a network. As described above, when exchanging data with another device via the network, the image forming apparatus 100 performs the data exchange via the network interface unit 7 described above.

Further, a plurality of image forming apparatuses such as another image forming apparatus 13 may be connected to the image forming apparatus 100 via a network. In this case, the image forming apparatus 100
Selects an image forming apparatus from among a plurality of connected apparatuses, and transfers image data of a document read by the image forming apparatus 100 to the selected image forming apparatus. Then, the image data is read from the transfer destination image forming apparatus and received via the network.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 12 denotes a network server, which is the center of network control. LIPS
The formatter unit 8 and the PS formatter unit 9 are PC / W
The PDL data transferred from S11 is developed into image data recordable by the printer unit 2. Core part 1
0 will be described later, but the core unit 10 includes the reader unit 1,
It controls the flow of data among the facsimile unit 4, file unit 5, network interface unit 7, and formatter units 8, 9.

The reader unit 1 shown in FIG.
Reference numerals 101 to 109, and the printer unit 2
10 to 163.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 of FIG.

In FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a platen glass 101 as a document table.
Further, a circulating automatic document feeder (R) is provided above the image forming apparatus 100 so as to face the platen glass 101.
DF) 189.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 102 denotes a scanner, which includes a document illumination lamp 103, a scanning mirror 104, and the like. The scanner 102 is reciprocally scanned in a predetermined direction by a motor (not shown), and the reflected light of the original obtained by this scanning is passed through scanning mirrors 104 to 106 to a lens 108.
To form an image on the CCD sensor 109. The CCD sensor 109 converts the formed reflected light into an electric signal.

Further, in the figure, reference numeral 120 denotes an exposure control unit constituted by a laser, a polygon scanner, or the like, which emits a laser beam 129 modulated based on an image signal on which predetermined image processing described later has been performed. Irradiates the photosensitive drum 110.

Around the photosensitive drum 110, a primary charger 112, a developing device 121, a transfer charger 118, a cleaning device 116, and a pre-exposure lamp 114 are provided. In the image forming section 126, the photosensitive drum 110
Is rotated by a motor (not shown) in the direction of the arrow shown in the figure. After being charged to a desired potential by the primary charger 112, the laser beam 129 from the exposure control unit 120 is irradiated, and the electrostatic latent image is formed. It is formed. The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 110 is developed by the developing device 121,
It is visualized as a toner image.

On the other hand, the transfer paper fed from the upper cassette 131 or the lower cassette 132 by the respective pickup rollers 133 and 134 is sent to the main body by the respective feed rollers 135 and 136, and is fed to the transfer belt by the registration rollers 137. The visualized toner image is transferred to the transfer charger 1
The image is transferred to transfer paper by 18. After the transfer, the photosensitive drum 110 is cleaned of residual toner by the cleaner device 116 and the residual charge is erased by the pre-exposure lamp 114.

The transfer paper after the transfer is separated from the transfer belt 130, the toner image is recharged by the pre-fixing chargers 139 and 140, sent to the fixing device 141, fixed by pressure and heat, and discharged. The sheet is sent to a sheet discharge flapper 154 by a roller 142.

The paper discharge flapper 154 switches between a double-side recording side or a multiple recording side and a paper discharge side path.
The transfer paper sent from the paper discharge roller 142 is discharged out of the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 by the paper discharge flapper 154 and the discharge roller 161 or is guided to a path on the double-side recording side or the multiple recording side.

In the same figure, reference numeral 157 denotes a multiplex flapper for switching the path between the double-side recording side and the multiplex recording side.
The sheet is directly conveyed to the lower conveyance path 158 without going through. Symbol 15
9 transfers the transfer paper through the path 160 to the photosensitive drum 126.
This is a paper feed roller for feeding paper to the side.

At the time of double-sided recording (double-sided copying), the discharge flapper 154 is raised upward, the multiple flapper 157 is tilted to the right, and the copied transfer paper is transported to the transport path 155.
The multiplex flapper 157 is turned to the left, and the copied transfer paper is stored in the re-feed tray 156 in an inverted state via the lower transport path 158.

At the time of multiple recording (multiple copying), the discharge flapper 154 is raised upward, the multiple flapper 157 is tilted to the left, and the copied transfer paper is transferred to the re-feed tray 156 via the transport path 158. Store.

The transfer sheets stored in the re-feed tray 156 are fed one by one from the bottom by the feed rollers 159 to the path 16.
0, and is conveyed to the registration roller 137.

When the transfer sheet is inverted from the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 and discharged (backside discharge), the discharge flapper 154 is used.
Is raised, the flapper 157 is tilted rightward, and the copied transfer paper is transported to the transport path 155 side. After the rear end of the transfer paper has passed through the first feed roller 162, the second To the feed roller 162a side of
The transfer paper is turned over by the discharge roller 161 and discharged out of the apparatus.

The main body of the image forming apparatus 100 has, for example, 40
A deck 150 capable of storing 00 transfer papers is provided. The lifter 151 of the deck 150 is
2 and rises according to the amount of transfer paper so that the transfer paper always contacts. Further, a multi-bypass tray 153 capable of accommodating 100 transfer sheets is provided.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the reader unit 1 in FIG.

The image data (electric signal) output from the CCD sensor 109 is converted into an analog signal by an A / D / SH unit 210.
Digital conversion is performed and shading correction is performed. The image data processed by the A / D / SH unit 210 is stored in the hard disk 2 for temporarily storing the image data.
The image data is transferred to the printer unit 2 via the image processing unit 211 provided with the image processing unit 57 and to the core unit 10 (FIG. 1) of the image input / output control unit 3 via the interface unit 213. The CPU 214 controls the image processing unit 211 and the interface unit 2 in accordance with the settings set on the operation unit 500.
13 is controlled.

For example, when a copy mode in which a trimming process is performed on the operation unit 500 to perform copying is set,
The image processing unit 211 performs a trimming process, and transfers the image data to the printer unit 2. When the facsimile transmission mode is set on the operation unit 500, the interface unit 213 transfers image data and a control command corresponding to the set mode to the core unit 10. Such a C
The control program of the PU 214 is stored in the memory 216, and the CPU 214 performs control while referring to the memory 216. The memory 216 is also used as a work area of the CPU 214.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the core unit 10 in FIG.

The image data from the reader unit 1 is transferred to the data processing unit 321, and the control command from the reader unit 1 is transferred to the CPU 323. Data processing unit 3
Reference numeral 21 denotes an image processing unit that performs image processing such as image rotation processing and scaling processing. The image data transferred from the reader unit 1 to the data processing unit 321 is controlled according to a control command transferred from the reader unit 1. The data is transferred to any one of the facsimile unit 4, the file unit 5, and the network interface unit 7 via the interface unit 320.

The code data representing the image input via the network interface unit 7 is transferred to the data processing unit 321 to determine whether the PDL is LIPS or PostScript, and
Is LIPS, the code data is LIPS
When the PDL is PostScript, the code data is transferred to the PS formatter 9 and expanded into image data. The image data is transferred to the data processing unit 321 and then transmitted to the facsimile. The data is transferred to the printer unit 4 and the printer unit 2.

The image data from the facsimile unit 4 is transferred to the data processing unit 321 and then to the printer unit 2, the file unit 5, and the network interface unit 7. The image data from the file unit 5 is transferred to the data processing unit 321 and then to the printer unit 2, facsimile unit 4, or network interface unit 7.

The CPU 323 performs control for performing the above-described processing according to the control program stored in the memory 324 and the control command transferred from the reader unit 1. The memory 324 is also used as a work area of the CPU 323.

When the image forming apparatus 100 performs the electronic sort processing, the image data of all the read originals is temporarily stored in the hard disk 257 in the image processing unit 211, and the stored original images are read out in the page order. The unit 2 performs an image forming process on the image data of the document. Note that the image data used for the electronic sort processing is deleted from the hard disk 257 after the job is completed.

When the image forming apparatus 100 performs a hard disk storage process, the hard disk 25
If the image data 7 is full of image data, that is, the memory is full, the read image data of the document is transferred to another device, for example, the image data server 14.

In this case, the image forming apparatus 100
/ IP, etc., and communicates with the network interface of the image data server 14 to which the image data is to be transferred, transfers the image data, and stores the image data on the hard disk of the image data server Let it.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a process of managing the free space of the hard disk 257 executed by the CPU 214.

First, a page variable for counting the number of documents is initialized (step S501). This variable is a variable that holds the number of documents read so far when the memory becomes full. It is the CPU 214 that holds the page variable.

Next, it is determined whether or not a scan instruction has been input from the operation unit 500 (step S502). This determination is repeated until a scan instruction is input. One page is read (step S503).

Next, it is determined whether or not the hard disk 257 is full of memory (step S504).

If the memory is full as a result of the determination in step S504, the image data of the originals of the number of pages read so far is transferred to the image data server 14 (step S510). In this case, the image forming apparatus 100
After the document image read by the CD sensor 109 is processed by the image processing unit 211, the core unit 1 is processed via the I / F 213.
0 to the network interface unit 7 of TCP /
The data is transferred to the image data server 14 via the network by the IP protocol.

Next, the image data is transferred to the image data server 1.
4 is determined (step S51).
1) If the image data has not been transferred to the image data server 14, the determination is repeated, while if the image data has been transferred to the image data server 14, the process returns to step S 503.

If the result of determination in step S504 is that memory is not full, the read image data is stored in the hard disk 257 (step S505), and a page variable for counting the number of read originals is incremented by one (step S506). .

Then, it is determined whether or not all the originals have been read (step S507). If not all the originals have been read, the process returns to step S502. It is determined whether or not it has been full (step S50).
8).

If the result of determination in step S508 is that the memory has become full at least once, the image data stored in the hard disk 257 is copied to step S51.
The same image data server 14 as the transfer destination of the image data 0
(Step S509), and the process ends.

On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S 508 is that the memory has never been full, this process is terminated.

Next, the processing shifts to the image data storage processing executed by the image data server 14.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a process of storing image data executed by the image data server 14.

First, image data transferred from the image forming apparatus 100 is received (step S601), and the received image data is stored in a hard disk or the like (step S602).

Next, the CPU provided in the image data server determines whether all the image data received in step S601 has been stored in the hard disk or the like (step S603). If not stored, the process returns to step S601. If all image data has been stored on the hard disk or the like, the process ends.

As described above, according to the present embodiment,
When the memory is full, the image data of the originals of the number of pages read so far is transferred to the image data server 14 to make free space on the hard disk 257, then the original is read again, and all the originals are read. At this time, since the image data of the remaining document stored in the hard disk 257 is transferred to the same storage location of the image data server 14, even if the memory becomes full while the image data of the document is stored in the hard disk 257, Free space can be created on the hard disk 257, and image data of a desired document can be stored while maintaining completeness as one document. Therefore, for example, a 60-page
Even if "memory full" occurs when five pages are read, the original images of 60 pages are stored as one document in another device instead of being stored separately in 55 pages and 5 pages. be able to.

(Second Embodiment) In the first embodiment of the present invention, when the memory is full, the hard disk 257 is freed up, but in the second embodiment, In addition to this, a job canceling process, a process of deleting some data, or a process of transferring some data to the image data server 14 can be performed.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are flowcharts showing the process of managing the free space of the hard disk 257 executed by the CPU 214.

First, a page variable for counting the number of documents is initialized (step S701). This variable is a variable that holds the number of documents read so far when the memory becomes full. It is the CPU 214 that holds the page variable.

Next, it is determined whether or not a scan instruction has been input from the operation unit 500 (step S702). This determination is repeated until a scan instruction is input. One page is read (step S703).

Next, it is determined whether or not the hard disk 257 is full of memory (step S704).

If the result of determination in step S704 is that the memory is full, it is determined whether or not an instruction to cancel the job has been input from the operation unit 500 (step S72).
0), if an instruction to cancel the job is input, the process is terminated. If no instruction to cancel the job is input, a list of data stored in the hard disk 257 is displayed on the operation unit. 500 (Step S
721).

Next, it is determined whether or not any data has been selected from the list of data displayed in step S721 (step S722).

If the result of determination in step S722 is that any data has been selected, a process for the selected data described below is executed (step S723).

If the result of determination in step S 722 is that no data has been selected, originals for the number of pages read so far are transferred to the image data server 14 (step S 724). In this case, the image forming apparatus 100
After the original image read by the CCD sensor 109 is processed by the image processing unit 211, the image is sent to the network interface unit 7 of the core unit 10 via the I / F 213,
The data is transferred to the image data server 14 via the network by the P / IP protocol.

Next, the image data is transferred to the image data server 1.
4 is determined (step S72).
5) If the image data has not been transferred to the image data server 14, the determination is repeated. If the image data has been transferred to the image data server 14, the process returns to step S703.

If the result of determination in step S 704 is that memory is not full, the read image data is stored in the hard disk 257 (step S 705), and a page variable for counting the number of read originals is incremented by one (step S 706). .

Thereafter, it is determined whether or not all the originals have been read (step S707). If all the originals have not been read, the process returns to step S702. It is determined whether or not it has been full (step S70).
8).

If the result of determination in step S 708 is that the memory has become full at least once, the image data stored in the hard disk 257 is deleted in step S 72.
4 is the same image data server 14 as the image data transfer destination.
(Step S709), and the process ends.

On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S 708 is that the memory has never been full, this process ends.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the processing for the selected data in step S723 in FIG.

First, it is determined whether or not an instruction to delete the selected data has been input from the operation unit 500 (step S80).
1) When an instruction to delete the selected data is input, the selected data is deleted (step S802), and FIG.
The process proceeds to step S703.

On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S 801 is that no instruction to delete the selected data has been input,
It is determined whether or not an instruction to transfer the selected data to the image data server 14 has been input from the operation unit 500 (Step S).
810) If the transfer instruction has not been input, the determination process is repeated, while if the transfer instruction has been input, the selected data is transferred to the image data server 14 (step S811), and FIG. The process proceeds to step S703.

As described above, according to the present embodiment,
The image data of the originals of the number of pages read so far is transferred to the image data server 14 so that the hard disk 257 not only has a free space but also cancels the job,
A process of erasing some data selected by the user or a process of transferring some data selected by the user to the image data server 14 can be executed.

[0091]

As described above in detail, according to the image forming apparatus of the first aspect and the control method of the image forming apparatus of the fifth aspect, when the storage capacity of the storage means becomes full, When the image cannot be stored in the process, the stored image is transferred to the storage device, the image of the remaining document is read, and the read image of the remaining document is transferred to the same storage location of the storage device. Even if the memory capacity is full while the original image is being stored in the memory, the desired original image can be stored while maintaining the completeness of one document.

Therefore, for example, a 60-page original is
Even if "memory full" occurs when a page is read, original images of 60 pages are not stored separately in 55 pages and 5 pages, but an image of an original of 60 pages is stored as another document in another device. be able to.

According to the image forming apparatus of the second aspect and the control method of the image forming apparatus of the sixth aspect, the storage of the image can be stopped. Therefore, when the storage capacity of the storage means becomes full, or When storage cannot be performed in the storage step, the job can be stopped.

According to the image forming apparatus of the third aspect and the control method of the image forming apparatus of the seventh aspect, the stored image is selected and the selected image is deleted, so that the storage capacity of the storage means is reduced. When it becomes full or when it cannot be stored in the storage step, an area for storing an image can be secured, and a new image can be stored.

According to the image forming apparatus of the fourth aspect and the control method of the image forming apparatus of the eighth aspect, the selected image is transferred to the storage device, so that the stored image can be deleted without erasing the stored image. A storage area can be secured, and a new image can be stored.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a reader unit 1 in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a core unit 10 in FIG.

FIG. 5 shows a hard disk 257 executed by the CPU 214.
6 is a flowchart showing a free space management process.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a process of storing image data executed by the image data server.

FIG. 7 shows a hard disk 257 executed by the CPU 214.
6 is a flowchart showing a free space management process.

FIG. 8 shows a hard disk 257 executed by the CPU 214.
6 is a flowchart showing a free space management process.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a process for selected data in step S723 in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 reader unit 2 printer unit 3 image input / output control unit 4 facsimile unit 5 file unit 6 magneto-optical disk drive unit 7 network interface unit 8 LIPS formatter unit 9 postscript formatter unit 10 core unit 11 personal computer or workstation (PC / WS) )

Continued on front page F-term (reference) 2C061 AP01 AP03 AP04 AP07 AQ06 AS02 HH03 HJ08 HQ12 HQ17 HR07 HV06 HV19 HV44 HV48 2C087 AA09 AB06 AB08 AC08 BA14 BB01 BB10 BC07 BC18 DA14 5B021 AA01 BB00 5C06A AC42A AC58 AE01 AE07 BC04 5C073 AA06 AB17 BC02

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An image reading device connected to an external device having a storage device via a network for reading an image of a document, a storage device for storing the read image, and a device for storing the stored image in the external device. A transfer unit for transferring the image stored in the storage unit to the storage device when the storage capacity of the storage unit is full, The reading means reads the image of the remaining document, and the transfer means transfers the read image of the remaining document to the same storage location of the storage device to which the image has been transferred when the storage capacity of the storage means is full. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a control unit configured to control transfer. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a recording stop unit that stops storing the image by the storage unit. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a selection unit that selects an image stored in the storage unit, and an erasing unit that deletes the image selected by the selection unit. apparatus. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the transfer unit transfers the image selected by the selection unit to the storage device. 5. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus connected to an external device having a storage device via a network, comprising: an image reading step of reading an image of a document; a storage step of storing the read image; A transfer step of transferring the stored image to the external device, and, when the image cannot be stored in the storage step, transferring the image stored in the storage step in the transfer step to the storage device;
The image of the remaining document is read in the image reading step, and when the image of the remaining document read in the transfer step cannot be stored in the storage step, the image is transferred to the same storage location of the storage device that transferred the image. And a control step of controlling the image forming apparatus. 6. The control method for an image forming apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a recording stop step of stopping storage of an image in said storage step when the image cannot be stored in said storage step. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a selecting step of selecting an image stored in the storing step, and an erasing step of erasing the image selected in the selecting step. How to control the device. 8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the image selected in the transfer step in the transfer step is transferred to the storage device.