JP2003143359A - Network scanner and network scanner system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a network scanner by which a terminal connected to the network scanner via a network can obtain a desired image file with a simple operation. SOLUTION: The network scanner is provided with: an image read means 105 that scans an original to read original image data; image processing means 107, 101 that select image processing parameters into a plurality of stages to apply image processing to the original image data and to generate a plurality of image files in response to the image processing parameter of each stage; and transmission means 104, 101 that transmit a plurality of image files to a terminal 109 of a transmission destination via a network 120.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a network scanner, and more particularly to a network scanner connected to a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) and shared by terminal devices such as personal computers. This network scanner includes a case of forming a part of a copying machine capable of network communication.

The present invention also relates to a network scanner system in which a network scanner and a terminal device such as a personal computer are communicably connected via a network.

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when an image data is transmitted from a network scanner to a terminal device such as a personal computer, a user needs to read a read condition such as a density setting on an operation panel of a network scanner (a copying machine having the same) in advance. Set a mail address or network address that identifies the terminal device of the recipient. When the user presses the image reading key, the network scanner scans the original, reads the original image data, converts it into one image file, and sends the image file to the specified terminal device in the form of e-mail or the like. .

[0004]

In this type of system, depending on the reading conditions at the time of scanning, the image (file) transmitted from the network scanner to the terminal device is too dark to read, and the image desired by the user is not read. If not, it will happen.

In such a case, conventionally, the user resets the reading condition of the network scanner, reads the original again by the network scanner, and retransmits the image file to the terminal device. For this reason, there is a problem that the operation is troublesome.

Alternatively, a test print is performed before the image file obtained by the network scanner is transmitted to confirm whether the desired image is obtained. Also in this case, there is a problem that the operation is troublesome.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a network scanner which allows a terminal device connected via a network to obtain a desired image file by a simple operation.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a network scanner system which allows a terminal device to obtain a desired image file by a simple operation.

[0009]

In order to solve the above problems, the network scanner according to claim 1 is a network scanner communicably connected to a terminal device via a network, and scans an original. Image reading means for reading original image data, and an image for performing image processing on the original image data by switching image processing parameters in a plurality of steps to create a plurality of image files according to the image processing parameters in each step. It is characterized by comprising a processing means and a transmitting means for transmitting the plurality of image files to a terminal device of a transmission destination via the network.

In the network scanner of the first aspect, the image reading means scans the original to read the original image data. The image processing means performs image processing by switching the image processing parameters of the original image data in a plurality of stages, and creates a plurality of image files according to the image processing parameters of each stage. Then, the transmitting means transmits the plurality of image files to the terminal device of the transmission destination via the network. The user sees the plurality of image files on (the display unit of) the terminal device and selects a desired image file from among them. As a result, a desired image file can be obtained with a simple operation on the terminal device.

The factor (image parameter) for the user to select a desired image file is, in addition to the density,
Examples include resolution, hue, saturation, brightness, and contrast.

A network scanner according to a second aspect of the present invention is a network scanner communicatively connected to a terminal device via a network, and an image reading unit that scans an original to read original image data, and the original image. Image processing means for switching image processing parameters to a plurality of steps for a part of the data and performing image processing to create a plurality of thumbnails according to the image processing parameters at each step, and a transmission partner via the network. And a transmitting unit that transmits the plurality of thumbnails to the terminal device.

According to another aspect of the network scanner of the present invention, the image reading means scans the original to read the original image data. The image processing means performs image processing by switching the image processing parameter to a plurality of steps for a part of the original image data, and creates a plurality of thumbnails according to the image processing parameter at each step. Then, the transmitting means transmits (the image data representing) the plurality of thumbnails to the terminal device of the transmission destination via the network. The user sees the plurality of thumbnails on (the display unit of) the terminal device and selects a desired thumbnail from the thumbnails. The selection information representing the selected thumbnail is sent from the terminal device to the network scanner. The network scanner performs image processing on the original image data with image processing parameters according to the selection information, and sends the obtained image file to the terminal device. As a result, a desired image file can be obtained with a simple operation on the terminal device.

A network scanner system according to a third aspect is a network scanner system in which a network scanner and a terminal device are communicably connected via a network, and the network scanner comprises:
While scanning all pages of the original to read the original image data, the original image data of the first page is subjected to image processing by switching the image processing parameters to a plurality of steps, and the image processing parameters according to the image processing parameters of each of the above steps are applied. A plurality of thumbnails are created and transmitted to the terminal device of the transmission destination, and the terminal device returns selection information indicating the thumbnail selected from the plurality of thumbnails to the network scanner,
The network scanner performs image processing on the original image data of all pages with image processing parameters at a stage according to the selection information, and transmits the obtained image files of all pages to the terminal device. And

According to another aspect of the network scanner system of the present invention, the network scanner scans all pages of the original to read the original image data, and switches the image processing parameters for the original image data of the first page in a plurality of steps. Image processing is performed to create a plurality of thumbnails according to the image processing parameters at each stage, and the thumbnails are transmitted to the terminal device of the transmission destination. The terminal device returns selection information indicating a thumbnail selected from the plurality of thumbnails to the network scanner. The network scanner performs image processing on the original image data of all pages with image processing parameters at a stage according to the selection information, and transmits the obtained image files of all pages to the terminal device. As a result, a desired image file can be obtained with a simple operation on the terminal device.

[0016]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a network scanner system of one embodiment. In this network scanner system, a network scanner 110 and a plurality of personal computers (PC) 109, 109 as terminal devices are communicably connected via a network 120.

The network scanner 110 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101 for controlling the entire system.
And R containing the firmware for that CPU
An OM 102 and a RAM (random access memory) 103 for temporarily storing control variables and image files;
An image reading unit 105 that scans an original and reads original image data, and an original image recording unit 10 as a storage unit that stores the original image data read by the image reading unit 105.
6, an image processing unit 107 for performing image processing on original image data, an operation panel 108 for a user to input various instructions to the network scanner, and this network scanner to external devices via a network 120. A network interface card (NIC) 104 for communication is provided. The PC 109 has a general configuration and includes a main body (not shown), an image display monitor including a CRT (cathode ray tube), a keyboard and a mouse for performing various inputs.

The RAM 103 stores an image information table as shown in FIG. 6A and an image processing parameter information table as shown in FIG. 6B. In the image information table shown in FIG. 6A, the original image code for specifying the original image data, the original image data storage address in which the original image data is stored, and the number of originals on which the original image data is based The image processing parameter information table storage address storing the image processing parameter information table for the original image data is stored in association with each other. The image processing parameter information table shown in FIG. 6B is provided for each original image data, and the identification code for identifying the image parameter and the image parameter are stored in association with each other.

The operation of this network scanner system will be described below.

(1) FIG. 2 shows a network scanner 1
10 shows a schematic control flow by the CPU 101 of 10.

When the power of the network scanner 110 is turned on, the initial setting (S201) in the network scanner 110 is performed, and the control of the network scanner 110 is started. When the network address setting is executed (YES in S202), the network address is acquired (S203).

Next, an image reading mode acceptance process is performed (S204).

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, an image quality monitor mode in which the image quality monitor mode selection key (not shown) on the operation panel 108 is monitored and the image quality is monitored by switching the image processing parameters in a plurality of steps. Then, which mode the user selects is selected from the normal mode in which the image is normally read without switching the image processing parameter set to the predetermined standard value (S301).

If the user selects the normal mode (NO in S301), the image quality monitor mode data is set to OFF (S307).

On the other hand, when the user selects the image quality monitor mode (YES in S301), the image quality monitor mode data is set to ON (S302). continue,
The number of stages at which the image processing parameters should be switched, that is, the number at which the image quality should be switched (a natural number of 2 or more) is accepted through the operation panel 108 and set as the image quality monitor image number data (S303). Next, a thumbnail mode key (not shown) on the operation panel 108
Of the original image data and a thumbnail mode in which a thumbnail formed of a part of the first page of the original image data is used as an image for image quality monitoring, and a non-thumbnail mode in which the entire first page of the original image data is used as an image for image quality monitoring. It is accepted which mode is selected by the user (S304).

If the user selects the thumbnail mode (YES in S304), the thumbnail mode data is set to ON (S305). On the other hand, when the non-thumbnail mode is selected (NO in S304),
Set the thumbnail mode data to OFF (S30
6).

Next, the state of the image reading key (not shown) provided on the operation panel 108 is monitored, and when the image reading key is pressed (YES in S205 of FIG. 2),
It is determined whether the image reading mode selected in the image reading mode acceptance process (S204) is the "image quality monitor mode" or the "normal mode" (S206). If it is determined that the image reading mode is the "image quality monitor mode", image quality monitor mode image processing is performed (S2).
07). As will be described later in detail, in this image quality monitor mode image processing, an original is scanned to read original image data, and image processing parameters are automatically changed in a plurality of steps for the original image data to perform image processing. And
The plurality of image files obtained by this image processing or the image file including the plurality of edited thumbnails is transmitted to the PC 109 indicated by the network address.

On the other hand, the image reading mode is the "normal mode".
If it is determined that the normal mode image processing is performed (S
208). In the normal mode image processing, the image processing is performed on the original image data using the image processing parameters set through the operation panel 108 as in the conventional case. Then, the image file obtained by this image processing is transmitted to the PC 109 indicated by the network address.

If the image reading key is not pressed in step S205 in FIG. 2 (NO in S205), the re-image processing request from the destination PC 109 that has transmitted the image in the previous image quality monitor mode image processing (S207) is monitored. Yes (S2
09). When the re-image processing request is detected (S209
YES), image quality monitor mode re-image processing is performed (S2).
10). As will be described later in detail, in this image quality monitor mode image re-processing, the image quality monitor mode image processing (S20
The destination PC for the original image data read in 7)
Image processing is performed using the image processing parameters designated by 109. Then, the image file obtained by this image processing is displayed on the PC 109 indicated by the network address.
Send to.

(2) FIG. 4 shows the flow of the image quality monitor mode image processing (S207 in FIG. 2) in detail.

In this image quality monitor mode image processing, first, the image reading unit 105 scans an original (if the number of originals is two or more, all pages) to read original image data, and the original image data is used as the original image recording unit. The data is stored in 106 (S401). After reading this original image data,
The image information table and the image processing parameter information table as shown in (a) and (b) are generated (S4 in FIG. 4).
02). In the image information table, the original image code, the original image data storage address, the number of originals, and the image processing parameter information table storage address are registered in association with each other.

In the next step S403, it is determined whether or not the image quality monitor image number data (the value received in step S303 in FIG. 3) is zero. At first, since the image quality monitor image number data is 2 or more and is not 0, the process proceeds to step S404, and the reference image processing parameter set through the operation panel 108 is determined based on the image quality monitor image number data. (S404). At the same time, the image processing parameter and the identification code for specifying the image processing parameter are registered in the image processing parameter information table of FIG. 6B in association with each other. Next, the original image data (if the number of originals is 2 or more,
(Only the first page) is read from the original image recording unit 106, and the read original image data is subjected to image processing by the image processing unit 107 using the image processing parameters (S4).
05). The image data after this image processing is the RAM 103.
To memorize. Next, the image quality monitor image number data is decremented (decremented by 1) (S406), and step S
Return to 403.

In this way, step S30 in FIG.
The processing of S403, S404, S405, and S406 in FIG. 4 is repeated by the number of image quality monitor image number data received in 3 to switch the image processing parameters to a plurality of steps to perform the image processing. When the image quality monitor image number data becomes 0, the process proceeds to the next step S407.

In the next step S407, it is determined whether the thumbnail mode data (the data set in step S305 in FIG. 3) is ON or OFF. Here, if the thumbnail mode data is ON (YES in S407), each image data stored in the RAM 103 in step S405 is read, a part of each read image data (first page) is edited, and the image data shown in FIG. A thumbnail file as shown in (a) is created (S408). At the same time, the image data (first page) obtained using the reference image processing parameters is read from the RAM 103 and converted into a reference image file as shown in FIG. 7B. Then, the thumbnail file and the reference image file are transmitted to the PC 109 indicated by the network address (S409).

In the thumbnail file illustrated in FIG. 7A, the thumbnail mode = ON, the number of image quality monitor images =
4. When density is selected as the type of image parameter, thumbnails 71, 72,
73 and 74 are arranged side by side. The thumbnails 71, 72, 73, and 74 correspond to the upper left portion (portion occupied by the character image A) of the reference image file shown in FIG. 7B. In addition, each thumbnail 71, 72, 7
On the upper side of 3,74, image processing parameter identification codes IDC “0001” “000” that specify the image processing parameters used to obtain the thumbnail (image data).
2 "," 0003 ", and" 0004 "are displayed.

On the other hand, in step S407 in FIG. 4, if the thumbnail mode data (data set in step S305 in FIG. 3) is OFF (NO in S407), RA
Image data for the image quality monitor number data (first page) is read out from M103, and is read as shown in FIGS.
It is converted into an image file as shown in (d). And
These plural image files are transmitted to the PC 109 indicated by the network address (S410).

The image files 81, 82, 83 and 84 illustrated in FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C and 8D have thumbnail mode = OFF, the number of image quality monitor images = 4, and the density as the type of image parameter. When selected, the density is gradually increasing. In addition, each image file 7
Image processing parameter identification code IDC "0" that identifies the image processing parameter used to obtain the image file (image data) is provided above 1, 72, 73, and 74.
“001”, “0002”, “0003”, and “0004” are displayed.

(3) In the image quality monitor mode, the user sees a thumbnail file as shown in FIG. 7A on the image display monitor of the PC 109, and selects a thumbnail having a desired image quality from the thumbnail file, for example, a mouse. Click to select. Alternatively, the user sees a plurality of image files 81, 82, 83, 84 as shown in FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C and 8D on the image display monitor of the PC 109 and selects a desired one from them. Select an image file with the image quality of. The selection information representing the selected thumbnail or image file is sent from the PC 109 to the network scanner 110.
Will be replied to. In this example, the selection information includes the original image code that specifies the original original image data and the image processing parameter identification code IDC.

(4) FIG. 5 shows the network scanner 1.
Image quality monitor re-image processing by the CPU 101 of FIG.
The flow of S210) is shown in detail.

First, the PC1 indicated by the network address
While inputting the original image code from 09 (S50
1) Input the identification code of the image processing parameter (S
502). Next, referring to the original image data storage address, the number of originals, and the image processing parameter information table storage address corresponding to the original image code in the image information table shown in FIG. The original image data (all pages) to be read is read, and the corresponding image processing parameter is read from the image processing parameter information table shown in FIG. 6B. Subsequently, the read original image data (all pages) is subjected to image processing using the read image processing parameters (S503). Then, the obtained image files of all pages are transmitted to the PC 109 (S504). This allows the PC 109 to obtain an image file having a desired image quality by a simple operation.

In this embodiment, the density is switched as the image parameter in a plurality of steps, but resolution, hue, saturation, brightness, contrast, etc. may be switched in a plurality of steps. Even in that case, a desired image file can be obtained by a simple operation based on the same principle.

[0043]

As is apparent from the above, according to the network scanner of the first or second aspect, a desired image file can be obtained by a simple operation on a terminal device connected via a network.

According to the network scanner system of the third aspect, a desired image file can be obtained by the terminal device by a simple operation.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a network scanner system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic control flow by a network scanner.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing in detail a flow of an image reading mode acceptance process in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing in detail a flow of image quality monitor mode image processing in FIG.

5 is a diagram showing in detail the flow of image quality monitor re-image processing in FIG.

6A is a diagram showing the configuration of an image information table, and FIG. 6B is a diagram showing the configuration of an image processing parameter information table.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a transmission file format when the image quality monitor thumbnail mode = ON.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a transmission file format when the image quality monitor thumbnail mode = OFF.

[Explanation of symbols]

105 image reading unit 106 Original image recording section 107 image processing unit 110 network scanner 120 networks

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Takudo Toda             2-3-3 Azuchi-cho, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Prefecture             Osaka International Building Minolta Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Yasuomi Mitsui             2-3-3 Azuchi-cho, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Prefecture             Osaka International Building Minolta Co., Ltd. F term (reference) 5C062 AA05 AA35 AB17 AB20 AB23                       AB43 AC27 AC61 AE01 AF00                       BA00

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A network scanner communicably connected to a terminal device via a network, comprising: an image reading unit for scanning an original to read original image data; and an image processing parameter for the original image data. An image processing unit that performs image processing by switching to a plurality of stages and creates a plurality of image files according to the image processing parameters of each stage, and the plurality of image files to a terminal device of a transmission destination via the network. A network scanner, comprising: 2. A network scanner communicatively connected to a terminal device via a network, comprising image reading means for scanning an original to read original image data, and an image for a part of the original image data. An image processing unit that switches processing parameters to a plurality of stages and performs image processing to create a plurality of thumbnails according to the image processing parameters at each stage, and a plurality of the plurality of thumbnails to a terminal device of a transmission destination via the network. A network scanner comprising: a transmission unit that transmits a thumbnail. 3. A network scanner system in which a network scanner and a terminal device are communicably connected via a network, wherein the network scanner scans all pages of a document to read original image data and Image processing parameters are switched to a plurality of steps for the original image data of the page and image processing is performed to create a plurality of thumbnails corresponding to the image processing parameters at each of the above steps, and the thumbnails are transmitted to the destination terminal device. The terminal device returns selection information indicating a thumbnail selected from the plurality of thumbnails to the network scanner, and the network scanner performs a step corresponding to the selection information for original image data of all pages. Image processing is performed using the image processing parameters, and the resulting image files of all pages are sent to the terminal device. A network scanner system characterized by: