JP2003173243A - Electronic equipment, image processor, control method of electronic equipment, control program and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processor capable of minutely recording and controlling a using state of equipment by a user under the control of the equipment for authenticating the user by using storage media for holding user information. <P>SOLUTION: This image processor has a means for installably constituting the storage media capable of holding data including the user information, and reading out and writing in the data to the storage media when installing the storage media, a means for executing authentication processing on whether or not the user information read out of the storage media coincides with preregistered authentication information when installing the storage media, and an equipment control means for putting the equipment in a usable state in a state of installing the storage media while realizing authentication of the user information. After the equipment becomes the usable state by the equipment control means, equipment operation information being information on operation of the equipment is written in the storage media. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus or the like which uses a storage medium in which user information is recorded for user authentication.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a device such as a copying machine which is shared by a plurality of users, it is possible to register the user in the device for each individual or for a certain group (department, etc.) and print out for each user. It may have a control function to limit the maximum number of sheets.

Since copiers and printers consume consumables such as paper, toner and ink as they operate, only legitimate users are allowed to use the equipment, and at the same time useless operations are reduced to reduce equipment operating costs. It is possible and very useful in the operation of the equipment.

Conventionally, in order to realize such a function, a user ID is registered in advance in the device body, and the user I
When a nonvolatile storage medium (a magnetic card, a magneto-optical card, etc.) in which D is written is attached to a device, control is performed to enable the device.

[0005]

When such device management is operated, the device operates with the storage medium in which the user ID is written attached, so that the usage status of the device of a certain user can be easily grasped. can do. It is more useful for management and operation of the device if detailed information on how a specific user is using the device can be recorded.
Conventionally, such a storage medium has only been read in advance and used for user authentication, and control for saving information relating to device operation in the storage medium has not been performed. Therefore, there is a problem that such information cannot be collected although the device usage status for each user can be easily determined.

In view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, the present invention can record and manage the usage status of a device by a user in detail under the control of a device that performs user authentication by using a storage medium that holds user information. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image processing device and the like capable of performing the same.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, in the electronic device of the present invention, a storage medium capable of holding data including user information is attachable, and the storage medium is attached when the storage medium is attached. Data read / write means for reading / writing the data from / to the medium, and user information read from the storage medium when the storage medium is attached to the data read / write means, in advance User authentication means for performing authentication processing as to whether or not it matches the authentication information registered therein, and the user authentication means establishes authentication of the user information, and the storage medium is attached to the data read / write means. And a device control unit that puts the device in a usable state when the device is in a stopped state, and the device is used by the device control unit. Once in performance status, characterized by comprising a write control means for writing device operation information which is information related to the operation of the device in the storage medium.

According to the image processing apparatus of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus for processing an image, a storage medium capable of holding data including user information is attachable, and the storage medium is attached to the storage medium when the storage medium is attached. Data read / write means for reading / writing the data, and user information read from the storage medium when the storage medium is attached to the data read / write means are registered in advance in the device. User authentication means for performing authentication processing of whether or not the authentication information matches
Authentication of the user information is established by the user authentication means,
And, when the storage medium is in a state of being attached to the data reading / writing means, device control means for making the device usable, and after the device control means makes the device usable. A write control means for writing device operation information, which is information related to the operation of the device, to the storage medium.

In the electronic device control method of the present invention, a storage medium capable of holding data including user information is configured to be mountable, and when the storage medium is mounted, reading / writing of the data from / to the storage medium is performed. In an electronic device having a data read / write means for performing, when the storage medium is attached to the data read / write means, user information read from the storage medium is authentication information registered in advance in the device. When the user information is authenticated in the user authentication process and the storage medium is mounted in the data read / write means, the device is After enabling the device and enabling it, the device operation information regarding the operation of the device is displayed in advance. And writes into the storage medium.

In the control program of the present invention, a storage medium capable of holding data including user information is configured to be attachable, and data read / write is performed to / from the storage medium when the storage medium is attached. / A control program for executing a control method of an electronic device having a writing means, wherein the user information read from the storage medium when the storage medium is attached to the data reading / writing means, A user authentication step of performing authentication processing as to whether or not the authentication information is registered in advance in the device, authentication of the user information is established in the user authentication step, and the storage medium is the data read / write means. When the device is mounted on the There after ready for use, characterized by comprising a step of writing the device operation information about the operation of the device in the storage medium.

[0011]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[Overall Configuration] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall hardware configuration of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The controller unit 2000 is connected to the scanner 2070, which is an image input device, and the printer 2095, which is an image output device.
011 and a public line (WAN) 2051 are controllers for inputting and outputting image information and device information.

The CPU 2001 is a controller that controls the entire system. The RAM 2002 is the CPU 20
01 is a system work memory for operating and also an image memory for temporarily storing image data. R
The OM 2003 is a boot ROM that stores a system boot program. The HDD 2004 is a hard disk drive and stores system software (including a program for executing the procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG. 31 which is a feature of the present invention described later) and image data.

The operation unit I / F 2006 is an operation unit (UI).
The image data to be displayed on the operation unit 2012 is output to the operation unit 2012 by the interface unit 2012 and the interface unit.
In addition, the information input by the system user from the operation unit 2012 is transmitted to the CPU 2001. The network unit 2010 connects to the LAN 2011 and inputs / outputs information. The modem unit 2050 connects to the public line 2051 and inputs / outputs information.

The above devices are arranged on the system bus 2007.

Further, the image bus I / F 2005 is
It is a bus bridge that connects the system bus 2007 and the image bus 2008 that transfers image data at high speed, and converts the data structure. The image bus 2008 is composed of a PCI bus or IEEE1394.

The following devices are arranged on the image bus 2008.

Raster image processor (RIP) 2
Reference numeral 060 expands the PDL code into a bitmap image. The device I / F unit 2020 connects the scanner 2070 or printer 2095, which is an image input / output device, to the controller 2000, and performs synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data. The scanner image processing unit 2080 corrects, processes, and edits input image data. The printer image processing unit 2090 performs printer correction, resolution conversion, and the like on print output image data. The image rotation unit 2030 rotates image data. Image compression unit 204
0 performs JPEG compression / expansion processing for multi-valued image data and JBIG, MMR, MH compression / decompression processing for binary image data.

[Image Input / Output Section] FIG. 2 is a view showing the external arrangement of the image input / output device.

The scanner unit 207 which is an image input device
0 illuminates an image on a paper serving as a document and scans a CCD line sensor (not shown) to convert it into an electric signal as raster image data 2071. Document sheets are set on the tray 2073 of the document feeder 2072, and the controller CPU 2001 causes the scanner CPU 20 to read when the apparatus user issues a reading start instruction from the operation unit 2012.
An instruction is given to 70 (2071), and the feeder 2072 feeds the document sheets one by one to read the document image.

A printer unit 209 which is an image output device
Reference numeral 5 is a portion for converting the raster image data 2096 into an image on a sheet. The method is an electrophotographic method using a photosensitive drum or a photosensitive belt, and ink is ejected from a minute nozzle array to directly form an image on the sheet. Although there is an ink jet system for printing, etc., any system may be used. The print operation is started by an instruction 2096 from the controller CPU 2001. The printer unit 2095 has a plurality of paper feed stages so that different paper sizes or different paper orientations can be selected, and there are paper cassettes 2101, 2102, 2103, 2104 corresponding thereto.
The paper discharge tray 2111 receives the printed paper.

[Operation Unit] FIG. 3 is a view showing the external arrangement of the operation unit 2212.

The LCD display unit 2213 has a touch panel sheet stuck on the LCD, displays the operation screen of the system, and transmits the positional information to the controller CPU 2201 when the displayed key is pressed. The start key 2214 is used when starting the reading operation of the original image. At the center of the start key 2214, there are two-color LEDs 2218 for green and red, and the color indicates whether the start key 2214 is ready for use. The stop key 2215 functions to stop the operation in progress. The ID key 2216 is used when inputting the user ID of the user. The reset key 2217 is the operation unit 2212.
Used when initializing the settings from.

[Scanner Image Processing Unit] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of the scanner image processing unit 2080.

The image bus I / F controller 2081 is
It connects to the image bus 2008 and controls the bus access sequence, and controls and timings of each device in the scanner image processing unit 2080. The filter processing unit 2082 performs convolution calculation with a spatial filter. The editing unit 2083 recognizes, for example, a closed area surrounded by a marker pen from the input image data, and performs image processing processing such as shadowing, shading, and negative / positive inversion on the image data in the closed area.

The scaling processing unit 2084 performs interpolation calculation in the main scanning direction of the raster image when the resolution of the read image is changed, and enlarges or reduces it. For variable magnification in the sub-scanning direction, an image reading line sensor (not shown)
By changing the scanning speed. Table 2085
Has a function of performing table conversion in order to convert image data that is the read luminance data into density data.
The binarization 2086 binarizes multi-value grayscale image data by error diffusion processing or screen processing.

The processed image data is transferred to the image bus 2008 again via the image bus controller 2081.

[Printer Image Processing Unit] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of the printer image processing unit 2090.

The image bus I / F controller 2091 is
It connects to the image bus 2008 and controls the bus access sequence, and controls and timings of each device in the scanner image processing unit 2080. The resolution conversion unit 2092 performs resolution conversion for converting the image data coming from the network 2011 or the public line 2051 into the resolution of the printer 2095. The smoothing processing unit 2093 performs jaggies on the image data after resolution conversion (roughness of the image appearing at the black and white boundary such as diagonal lines).
Process to smooth.

[Image Compression Processing Unit] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of the image compression processing unit 2040.

The image bus I / F controller 2041 is
It is connected to the image bus 2008, functions to control the bus access sequence, controls timing for exchanging data with the input buffer 2042 and the output buffer 2045, and controls modes such as mode setting for the image compression unit 2043. The processing procedure of the image compression processing unit 2040 is shown below.

The CPU 200 is connected via the image bus 2008.
From 1 to the image bus I / F controller 2041, settings for image compression control are made. With this setting, the image bus I /
The F controller 2041 configures the image compression unit 2043 with settings necessary for image compression (for example, MMR compression, JBIG compression).
Extension etc.). After making the necessary settings, restart the CPU
In 2001, the image bus I / F controller 2041 is permitted to transfer image data. According to this permission, the image bus I / F controller 2041 is
Alternatively, the transfer of image data is started from each device on the image bus 2008.

The received image data is stored in the input buffer 20.
The image is temporarily stored in 42, and an image is transferred at a constant speed in response to an image data request from the image compression unit 2043. At this time, the input buffer 2042 determines whether image data can be transferred between both the image bus I / F controller 2041 and the image compression unit 2043, and the image bus 2008
The image data from the image, and the image compression unit 2043
When it is not possible to write an image into the memory, control is performed so as not to transfer data (hereinafter, such control is referred to as a handshake).

The image compression unit 2043 temporarily stores the received image data in the RAM 2044. This is because several lines of data are required depending on the type of image compression processing, and in order to perform the compression of the first one line, image data for several lines must be prepared before image compression can be performed. This is because. The image data subjected to the image compression is immediately sent to the output buffer 2045.

In the output buffer 2045, the image bus I /
Handshaking is performed with the F controller 2041 and the image compression unit 2043, and the image data is transferred to the image bus I / F controller 2041. The image bus I / F controller 2041 transfers the transferred (or expanded) image data to the RAM 2002 or the image bus 200.
8. Transfer data to each device on.

Such a series of processing is performed until there is no processing request from the CPU 2001 (when the processing for the required number of pages is finished) or until a stop request is issued from this image compression unit (when an error occurs during compression and decompression). Etc.) is repeated.

[Image Rotation Processing Unit] FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of the image rotation processing unit 2030.

The image bus I / F controller 2031 is
It is connected to the image bus 2008, works to control the bus sequence, controls the image rotation unit 2032 to set a mode and the like, and performs timing control for transferring image data to the image rotation unit 2032. The processing procedure of the image rotation unit is shown below.

CPU 200 via the image bus 2008
From 1 to the image bus I / F controller 2031 is set for image rotation control. With this setting, the image bus I /
The F controller 2041 performs settings necessary for image rotation (for example, image size, rotation direction / angle, etc.) on the image rotation unit 2032. After making the necessary settings, CP again
The U2001 permits the image bus I / F controller 2041 to transfer image data. According to this permission,
The image bus I / F controller 2031 is the RAM 200.
2 or transfer of image data from each device on the image bus 2008 is started. It should be noted that here, the image size to be rotated with 32 bits as its size is 32 × 32 (bi
t), and when image data is transferred onto the image bus 2008, image transfer is performed in units of 32 bits (the image to be handled is assumed to be binary).

As described above, in order to obtain a 32 × 32 (bit) image, the above-mentioned unit data transfer needs to be performed 32 times, and the image data must be transferred from discontinuous addresses ( (See FIG. 8).

The image data transferred by the discontinuous addressing is written in the RAM 2033 so as to be rotated at a desired angle when being read. For example, 90
If the rotation is counterclockwise, 32b transferred first
The image data of it is written in the Y direction as shown in FIG. The image is rotated by reading in the X direction at the time of reading.

32 × 32 (bit) image rotation (RAM
(Writing to 2033) is completed, the image rotation unit 20
The image bus I / F controller 203 reads the image data from the RAM 2033 by the above-mentioned reading method.
Transfer the image to 1.

The image bus I / F controller 2031 that has received the image data that has undergone the rotation processing has a RAM 2002 or an image bus 2008 with continuous addressing.
Transfer data to each device above.

This series of processes is repeated until there is no processing request from the CPU 2001 (when the processing for the required number of pages is completed).

[Device I / F Unit] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the device I / F unit 2020.

The image bus I / F controller 2021 is
It connects to the image bus 2008 and controls the bus access sequence, and also controls and timings of each device in the device I / F unit 2020. It also generates control signals to the external scanner 2070 and printer 2095. The scan buffer 2022 temporarily stores the image data sent from the scanner 2070,
The image data is output in synchronization with the image bus 2008.

The serial-parallel / parallel-serial conversion 2023 arranges the image data stored in the scan buffer 2022 in order or decomposes the image data, and outputs the image data to the image bus 2.
Convert to the data width of the image data that can be transferred to 008.
The parallel-serial / serial-parallel conversion 2024 is
The image data transferred from the image bus 2008 is decomposed or arranged in order and converted into a data width of the image data that can be stored in the print buffer 2025. The print buffer 2025 temporarily stores the image data sent from the image bus 2008, and outputs the image data in synchronization with the printer 2095.

The processing procedure at the time of image scanning is shown below.

The image data sent from the scanner 2070 is saved in the scan buffer 2022 in synchronism with the timing signal sent from the scanner 2070. Then, when the image bus 2008 is a PCI bus, when image data of 32 bits or more is stored in the buffer 2022, the image data of 32 bits is sent from the buffer 2022 to the serial-parallel / parallel-serial conversion 2023 in a first-in first-out manner. It is converted to 32-bit image data and transferred to the image bus 2008 through the image bus I / F controller 2021.

Further, the image bus 2008 is IEEE139.
In the case of 4, the image data in the buffer 2022 is first-in first-out and serial-parallel
The image data is sent to the parallel / serial conversion 2023, converted into serial image data, and transferred to the image bus 2008 through the image bus I / F controller 2021.

The processing procedure for printing an image is shown below.

If the image bus 2008 is a PCI bus, the image bus I / F controller 2021 receives the 32-bit image data sent from the image bus, sends it to the parallel-serial / serial-parallel converter 2024, and sends it to the printer 2095. Image data having the number of input data bits is decomposed and stored in the print buffer 2025. If the image bus 2008 is IEEE 1394,
The serial image data sent from the image bus is received by the image bus I / F controller 2021, sent to the parallel-serial / serial-parallel converter 2024, converted into image data having the number of input data bits of the printer 2095, and stored in the print buffer 2025. To do. Then, the image data in the buffer is sent to the printer 2095 on a first-in first-out basis in synchronization with the timing signal sent from the printer 2095.

[Overall Network System] FIG.
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a network system to which an image processing apparatus of this embodiment is connected.

Reference numeral 1001 in the figure denotes the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment described above, in which an image read by the scanner 2070 is a local area network (hereinafter LAN) 10
10 and the image received from the LAN 1010 can be printed out by the printer 2095.

Further, the image read from the scanner 2070 is transmitted to the PSTN or IS by the FAX transmission means (not shown).
Send to DN (1030), PSTN or ISD
The image received from N can be printed out by the printer 2095.

A database server 1002 manages a binary image and a multivalued image read by the image processing apparatus 1001 of the present invention as a database. 1003
Is a database client of the database server 1002 and can browse / search image data stored in the database 1002. An electronic mail server 1004 can receive an image read by the image processing apparatus 1001 of the present invention as an electronic mail attachment.

Reference numeral 1005 denotes an electronic mail client, which can receive and view the mail received by the electronic mail server 1004 and can send the electronic mail. A WWW server 1006 provides the HTML document to the LAN, and the image processing apparatus 1001 of the present invention can print out the HTML document provided by the WWW server. Reference numeral 1011 is a router, which is a LAN 1010.
Is connected to the Internet / Intranet 1012. The aforementioned database server 1002 and WWW server 100 are provided on the Internet / Intranet 1012.
6, an e-mail server 1004, and devices similar to the image processing device 1001 of the present invention are 1021, 10 respectively.
22, 1023 and 1024 are connected. Also,
A user's host 1050 is connected so that various devices including the image processing apparatus of the present invention can be used from a network.

On the other hand, the image processing apparatus 1001 of the present invention is
It is possible to transmit / receive to / from the FAX apparatus 1031 via the PSTN or ISDN 1030. In addition, LAN20
A printer 1040 is also connected to the printer 11 so that the image read by the image processing apparatus 1001 of the present invention can be printed out.

[Overall Configuration of Software Block] FIG. 12
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the overall software configuration of the image processing apparatus of this embodiment.

Reference numeral 1501 denotes a UI, that is, a user interface, and is a module that mediates with the equipment when the operator performs various operations and settings of the image processing apparatus. This module transfers input information to various modules, which will be described later, to request processing, set data, or the like according to the operation of the operator.

Reference numeral 1502 is an address-book, that is, a database module for managing the destination of data, the destination of communication and the like. The content of Address-Book is U
Data is added, deleted, or acquired by an operation from I1501, and is used to give data sending / communication destination information to each module described later by an operator's operation.

Reference numeral 1503 denotes a Web-Server module, which is used to notify the management information of the image processing apparatus in response to a request from a Web client (for example, the client 1005 in FIG. 11) not shown. The management information is read via a control API (1518) described later, and is described in HTTP1512, TCP / IP15 described later.
16, Network-W via Driver1517
The eb client is notified.

1504 is Universal-Send
That is, it is a module that controls the distribution of data, and the UI 15
The data instructed by the operator by 01 is distributed to the communication (output) destination similarly instructed. Also,
When the operator uses the scanner function of the apparatus to instruct generation of distribution data, the device is operated via a control API (1518) described later to generate data.

1505 is Universal-Send
A module executed when a printer is designated as an output destination in 1504. 1506 is Universal
-A module executed when an E-mail address is designated as a communication destination in the Send 1504.

1507 is Universal-Send
This is a module executed when a database is designated as an output destination in 1504. 1508 is Univers
This module is executed when an image processing apparatus similar to this apparatus is designated as an output destination in the al-Send 1504.

1509 is Remote-Copy-Sc
an module that uses the scanner function of the image processing apparatus 1001 and outputs another image processing apparatus (for example, the image processing apparatus 1024 in FIG. 11) connected by a network or the like to the image processing apparatus 1001 alone. This module performs the same processing as the realized Copy function.

1510 is Remote-Copy-Pr.
This int module uses the printer function of the image processing apparatus 1001 and uses another image processing apparatus 1024 connected by a network or the like as an input destination, and the image processing apparatus 1
001 is a module that performs the same processing as the Copy function realized by itself.

1511 is Web-Pull-Print
That is, it is a module for reading out and printing information on various homepages on the Internet or intranet. Reference numeral 1512 denotes a module used when the image processing apparatus communicates by HTTP, which is described later in TCP / I.
The P1516 module enables the aforementioned Web-Serve.
r1503, which provides communication to the Web-Pull-Print1511 module.

Reference numeral 1513 denotes an lpr module, which is used by the TCP / IP 1516 module described later to perform the above-mentioned Uni
Communication is provided to the printer module 1505 in the versal-Send 1504. 1514 is S
MTP module, which will be described later in TCP / IP1516
Universal-Send by the module
Communication is provided to the E-mail module 1506 in 1504.

Reference numeral 1515 is an SLM, that is, Salutatio
n-Manager module, which will be described later in TCP / TCP /
IP1516 module enables the above-mentioned Universal
Database module 15 in l-Send 1504
17, DP module 1518, and Remote-C
opy-Scan1509 module, Remote-
It provides communication to the Copy-Print 1510 module.

Reference numeral 1516 denotes a TCP / IP communication module, which is used in addition to the various modules described above for network-D described later.
The network communication is provided by the river. Reference numeral 1517 denotes a network driver, which controls a portion physically connected to the network.

1518 is a control API (cont
rollAPI), Universal-Sen
An upstream module such as d1504 is provided with an interface with a downstream module such as a job manager 1519, which will be described later, and the dependency relationship between the upstream module and the downstream module is reduced to enhance the diversion of each module.

Reference numeral 1519 denotes a job manager (JobMa).
and interprets processing instructed by the various modules described above via the control API (1518) and gives an instruction to each module described later.
In addition, this module centrally manages hardware processing executed in the image processing apparatus.

Reference numeral 1520 denotes a CODEC-Manager, which manages and controls various compression / decompression of data in the processing instructed by the job manager 1519.
Reference numeral 1521 denotes an FBE-Encoder, which includes a job manager 1519 and a scan manager (ScanMan).
ager) 1524, the data read by the scan processing is compressed by the FBE format.

1522 is JPEG-CODEC,
Job manager 1519, scan manager 152
4 in the scan process executed by the print manager 1526 and the print process executed by the print manager 1526 in the JPEG compression of the read data and the JPE of the print data.
G expansion processing is performed.

Reference numeral 1523 is an MMR-CODEC, which includes a job manager 1519 and a scan manager 1524.
In the scan processing executed by the print manager 1526 and the print processing executed by the print manager 1526, MMR compression of read data and MMR expansion processing of print data are performed.

A scan manager 1524 manages and controls the scan processing instructed by the job manager 1519. Reference numeral 1525 denotes a SCSI driver that communicates between the scan manager 1524 and the scanner unit internally connected to the image processing apparatus.

Reference numeral 1526 denotes a print manager (Print).
tManager), and the job manager 1519
It manages and controls the printing process instructed by.

Reference numeral 1527 denotes an Engine-I / F driver, which includes the print manager 1526 and the printer unit 20.
I / F with 95 is provided. Reference numeral 1528 is a parallel port driver, which is a Web-Pull-Prim.
The nt 1511 provides an I / F for outputting data to an output device (not shown) via the parallel port.

[DIS (DeviceInformation)
In the controller 2000, the setting value for the job, the function of the device (scanner, printer, etc.), the status, the billing information, etc.
I / O of the database held in the data format conforming to the control API (1518) and the database
F for DeviceInformationService
e (hereinafter referred to as DIS).

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the interaction between the DIS 7102, the job manager (JobManager) 1519, and each document manager (scan manager 1524, print manager 1526).

Basically, dynamic information such as a job start command is directly instructed from the job manager 1519 to each document manager, and static information such as device functions and job contents refers to the DIS 7102. Static and dynamic information and events from each document manager are sent to the job manager 1519 via the DIS 7102.
Be transmitted to.

From each document manager to DIS71
When setting and acquiring data in the 02 database, the internal data format of DIS7102 is control A
Since it is PI compliant, the control API (151
Performs mutual conversion processing between the data format compliant with 8) and the data format understood by each document manager. For example, when setting status data from each document manager, device-specific data is interpreted, converted into corresponding data defined by the control API (1518), and written in the database of the DIS7102.

From the job manager 1519 to DIS71
When setting and acquiring data in the 02 database, no data conversion occurs between the job manager 1519 and the DIS 7102. Also, the DIS 7102 updates event data based on various event information notified from the document manager.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing various databases (hereinafter referred to as DB) held in the DIS 7102.

Reference numeral 7201 denotes the supervisor DB (Super
userDB, which is a DB that holds status and user information for the entire device.
Information that needs to be backed up such as D and password is HDD
2004 or a non-volatile storage device such as a backup memory.

Reference numeral 7202 denotes a scan component DB (S
canComponentDB) and 7203 are print component DBs (PrintComponentD).
B), and these component DBs are held corresponding to each existing component. For example, in the case of a device consisting of only a printer, only the print component DB exists, and in the case of a device equipped with a fax, for example, F
The AX component DB is held. Each component D
In B, at the time of initialization, the corresponding document manager sets the function and status of the component.

Reference numeral 7204 denotes a scan job service DB
(ScanJobServiceDB) and 7205 are print job service DBs (PrintJobServDB).
These job service DBs, like the component DBs, set the functions that the corresponding document managers can use in the device at the time of initialization and the support status thereof.

Next, the job DB and the document DB will be described.

Reference numeral 7206 denotes a scan job DB (Scan
JobDB) and 7207 are print job DBs (Prim
ntJobDB) job DB, 7208 is a scan document DB (ScanDocumentDB),
7209 is a print document DB (PrintDo)
documentDB).

The job DB and the document DB are dynamically secured and initialized by the job manager 1519 every time a job and its accompanying document are generated, and necessary items are set. Each document manager reads out items necessary for processing from the job DB and the document DB before starting the processing of the job, and starts the job. After that, when the jobs are finished, the DBs of these jobs and the documents attached to them are released. Since a job has more than one document,
Multiple document DBs may be reserved for a job.

7210 is a database for holding event information notified from each document manager, and 72
Reference numeral 11 is a counter table for recording the number of scans and the number of prints of the apparatus.

The event notified from the document manager includes status transition of components from the scan document manager, completion of scan processing operation and various errors, transition of status of components from print document manager, completion of print processing operation, paper jam. , A paper feed cassette open, and the like, and an event ID for identifying each event is predetermined.

When an event is issued from the document manager, the DIS 7102 registers the issued event ID in the event database 7211 and, if necessary, detailed data associated with the event. Also, when the release of the event is notified from the document manager, the event data designated to be released is stored in the event database 7
Delete from 211.

When an event is polled by the job manager 1519, the DIS 7102 refers to the event database 7210, and returns the currently occurring event ID and, if necessary, detailed data accompanying the event to the job manager 1519, If an event has not occurred, it will be returned.

When an event indicating the completion of the scan processing operation or the print processing operation is notified, the counter value of the user who performed the scan or print is updated. The software counter writes the value back to the HDD 2004 or the non-volatile storage device of the backed up memory device each time the value is updated so that the value is not lost due to accidental power-off or the like.

[Scan Operation] Next, details of the scan operation will be described.

FIG. 15 is a conceptual diagram of blocks relating to the scan operation.

The PCI bus has a CPU 2001, a memory 2002, and a CODEC 8 which is an image compression / expansion board.
104 and I / F for connecting the scanner 2070
Is connected to the SCSI controller 8103.

The SCSI interface cable 81 is a SCSI controller 8103 and a scanner (or a scanner function unit of a copying machine having a composite function) 8107.
It is connected at 06.

An IDE controller 8108 is connected to the PCI bus, and an IDE cable 8109 is connected.
Is connected to the IDE hard disk 2004 via.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a software structure relating to the scan operation.

The job manager 1519 has a function of classifying and storing application level requests. DIS
7102 stores parameters necessary for the scanning operation from the application level. The request from the application is stored in the memory 2002. The scan operation management unit 8203 acquires information necessary for scanning from the job manager 15198201 and the DIS 7102.

The scan operation management unit 8203 receives the job number and document number table data 8301 shown in FIG. 17 from the job manager 1519, and receives the scan parameter 8302 from the DIS 7102 based on this data 8301. As a result, scanning is performed based on the scanning conditions requested by the application.

The scan operation management unit 8203 uses the DIS 71.
The scan parameters 8302 acquired from No. 02 are passed to the scan sequence control unit 8204 in the document number order. Upon receiving the scan parameter 8302, the scan sequence control unit 8204 receives the scan image attribute 830.
The SCSI controller 8103 is controlled according to the contents of item 8. As a result, by operating the SCSI controller 8103 connected to the PCI bus of FIG. 15, the scanner 207 is connected via the SCSI cable 8106.
Send a SCSI control command to 0 to perform the scan.

The scanned image is the SCSI cable 81.
The data is stored in the memory 2002 via the PCI bus and further stored in the memory 2002 via the PCI bus.
When the scan is completed and the image is stored in the memory 2002 via the PCI bus, the scan sequence control unit 8204 determines the scan image stored in the memory 2002 according to the content of the scan image compression format 8309 of the scan parameter 8302. To compress,
It issues a request to the expansion controller 8205.

The compression / decompression control unit 820 that has received the request
5 uses the CODEC 8104 connected to the PCI bus to perform compression by designating the scan image compression format 8309 from the scan sequence control unit 8204. compression·
The decompression controller 8205 stores the compressed image in the memory 2002 via the PCI bus.

The scan sequence control unit 8204 has a compression / decompression control unit 8205 which has a scan image compression format 8309.
Compress the scanned image into the format specified in
When stored in 02, the compressed scan image stored in the memory 2002 is filed according to the image file type 8307 of the scan parameter 8302.

The scan sequence control unit 8204 requests the file system 8206 to make a file in the file format designated by the image file type 8307 of the scan parameter 8302. The file system 8206 includes a scan sequence control unit 820.
By converting the compressed image stored in the memory 2002 into a file according to the image file type 8307 from the No. 4, transferred to the IDE controller 8108 via the PCI bus, and transferred to the IDE hard disk 2004 via the IDE cable 8109. File the scanned compressed image.

In the scan sequence controller 8204, the file system 8206 is the IDE hard disk 200.
When the filed image is stored in 4, the processing of one original on the scanner 2070 is considered to be completed, and a scan completion notification is sent back to the scan operation management unit 8203.

At this time, if there is an original document that has not been scanned on the scanner 2070 and there is a scan request from the job manager 1519, D
Scan parameters 83 stored in IS7102
02 is used to request the scan operation to the scan sequence control unit 8204.

If there is no unscanned document on the scanner 2070, or the job manager 15
If there is no scan request from the job manager 19, the job manager 1519 determines that the scan operation is completed.
A scan end notification is issued to.

[Printing Operation] Next, the printing operation will be described in detail.

FIG. 18 is a conceptual diagram of blocks relating to the printing operation.

The PCI bus has a CPU 2001, a memory 2002, and a CODEC 8 which is an image compression / expansion board.
An engine I / F board 9003 that provides an I / F for connecting the printer 104 and the printer 2095 is connected.

The engine I / F board 9003 and the printer (or the printer function unit of a copying machine having a composite function) 9007 are connected to the engine interface cable 9
It is connected by 006.

The engine I / F board 9003 has an internal D
It has a PRAM, and the printer 20
Parameter setting to 95, reading of the status of the printer 2095, and exchange of print control commands are performed.
Also, this board 9003 has a video controller, and VCLK (video Cl) given from the printer 2095 via the engine interface cable 9006.
The image data expanded on the PCI bus is transmitted to the printer 2095 via the engine interface cable 9006 in accordance with the (cock) and HSYNC.

The timing of this transmission is shown in FIG.
As shown in. VCLK is always output and HSY
NC is given in synchronization with the start of one line of the printer 2095. The video controller reads out the data for the set image width (WIDTH) from the memory (SOURCE) on the set PCI bus and outputs it as a video signal to the engine interface cable 9003. After repeating this for the designated line (LINES), an IMAGE / END interrupt is generated.

As described above, the control API (1
When a print job instruction is passed to 518), the control API (1518) passes this as a job to the controller-level job manager 1519. Furthermore, this job manager 1519 sets the job settings to DI.
The image is stored in step S7102 and the print manager 1526 is instructed to start the job.

When the print manager 1526 receives the job, it reads the information necessary for job execution from the DIS 7102, and the engine I / F board 9003 and DP
The printer 2095 is set via the RAM.

FIG. 20 shows setting items of the engine I / F board 9003, and FIG. 21 shows setting items, control commands and status commands via the DPRAM of the printer 2095.

Next, this job is uncompressed to print one copy of two pages of a binary image of letter size (11 "x8.5") and the printer 2095 has a performance of 600 dpi. The operation will be explained.

First, upon receiving this job, the print manager 1526 determines the width of this image (in this case, 8.5 ").
The number of image bytes WIDTH is calculated by the following equation.

WIDTH = 8.5 × 600 ÷ 8≈630
(Bytes) Next, the number of lines LINES is calculated.

LINES = 11 × 600 = 6600 (Lines) These calculated values and the SOURCE address in which the image of the given first page is stored are set in WIDTH, LINES, and SOURCE shown in FIG. .
At this point, the engine I / F board 9003 is ready for image output, but the HSY from the printer 2095
Image data is not output because the NC signal has not come (VCLK has come).

Then, the print manager 1526
A predetermined address (Book) of the DPRAM shown in FIG.
Write 1 which is the number of output copies in No). After that, output paper feed request for the first page (FEED / REQ)
And waits for IMAGE REQ from the printer 2095. When the IMAGE REQ comes from the printer 2095, the IMAGE START is issued.

In response to this, the printer 2095 sets the HSYN
Engine I / F that started issuing C and was waiting for HSYNC
The board 9003 outputs an image. The printer 2095 outputs IMAGE.END when detecting the trailing edge of the output paper, and outputs SHEEET.OUT when the output paper is ejected. The print manager 1526 displays the first page I
In response to MAGE END, WIDTH on the second page,
LINES, SOURCE engine I / F board 90
Set to 03, issue FEED REQ, and IMAGE
・ Wait for REQ. The operation after the IMAGE REQ of the second page comes is the same as that of the first page.

[Operation Screen] Each screen of the operation unit will be described in detail below.

The functions provided by the image processing apparatus of the present invention are as follows.
The operation screen shown in FIG. 22 is divided into six major categories: copy, send, retrieve, task, task, management, and configuration. 6 main tabs on top of 3010, COPY 3011, SEND 3012, R
ETREIVE3013, TASKS3014, MGM
It corresponds to T3015 and CONFIG3016, respectively.

By pressing these main tabs 3011 to 3016, the screen of each category is switched. If switching to another category is not allowed, the display color of the main tab changes and there is no reaction even if the main tab is pressed.

Copy (Copy) is a function of performing a normal document copy using the scanner and printer 2095 of the own machine, and a document copy using the printer 2095 connected to the scanner of the own machine and the network. Including the function (remote copy) to perform.

Send sends a document placed in its own scanner to an electronic mail, a remote printer 2095, a fax, a file transfer (FT).
P) and a function of transferring to a database, and it is possible to specify a plurality of destinations.

Retrieve obtains an external document, and the printer 2 of its own machine
This is a function for printing at 095. WWW, e-mail, file transfer and fax can be used as document acquisition means.

The task (Tasks) automatically processes a document sent from the outside such as a fax or Internet print, and generates and manages a task for periodically performing retrieval.

[Management] Management
Manages jobs, address books, bookmarks, documents, account information, etc. In the configuration, settings (network, clock, etc.) regarding the device itself are performed.

Next, among these functions, a method of setting a function related to copying, in particular, will be described using an example of LCD screen display.

[ID input screen] In the control mode for performing user authentication, after starting, the operation unit 2012 displays the screen shown in FIG.
An ID input screen 3020 as shown in 3 is displayed. When the user ID and password are correctly input on the ID input screen 3020 and the OK button is pressed, the operation screen 3 described above is displayed.
010 is displayed and the operation becomes possible. ID input area 3
021 and the password input area 3022 can be switched by directly pressing the individual input areas.

On the ID input screen described above, the user ID
And if the password is not entered correctly,
An error screen 3030 as shown in 4 is displayed. The error screen 3030 includes a message display area 3031 for displaying an error message in text and an OK button 3032 for closing the error screen.
This error screen is displayed with a message corresponding to the error if there is any error other than during user authentication.

Further, in the control mode in which the user authentication is performed by the magnetic card, as shown in FIG. 25, a message prompting the user to attach the card is displayed in the message display area 3031.

[Copy Screen] When the start key 2214 is pressed when the copy screen shown in FIG.
70 operates, and the selected printer 2095 outputs a copy according to each setting parameter displayed on the screen.

As shown in FIG. 26, the copy main screen 3100 has a printer selection button 3103 and a printer display area 3102, an ImageQuality selection button 3105 and an ImageQuality display area 310.
4, copy parameter display 3101 similar to a conventional copying machine, enlargement / reduction setting buttons 3106 and 3107, paper selection button 3108, sorter setting button 3110, double-sided copy setting button 3112, density indicator, density setting button 3109, and numeric keypad. 3114.

When the printer selection button 3103 is pressed, as shown in FIG. 27, a list 3120 of usable printers (printers owned by the printer itself and printers connected via a network) is displayed in a pull-down display. When a desired printer is selected from the list, the list disappears and the selected printer name is displayed in the printer display area 3102.

ImageQuality setting button 31
When you press 05, as shown in Figure 28, ImageQua
A light list 3125 is displayed, and the desired I is selected from the list.
You can select the imageQuality.

When each of the above-mentioned copy parameter setting buttons is pressed, a sub-screen (enlargement / reduction setting, paper selection, sorter setting, double-sided copy setting) for making corresponding settings is displayed, and a conventional copying machine is used. You can set the parameters in the same way as the settings in. Further, the density setting can be operated in the same manner as the conventional copying machine.

[Operation for Writing Device Operation Information] In a specific example in which information including a user ID is stored and a magnetic card is used as a storage medium for writing device operation information,
The characteristic operation of the present invention will be described below.

In the controller software of the apparatus, the control API (1518) (1518) is used to execute the process shown in FIG.
It has a table of user ID (101) and personal identification number (password) 102 shown in FIG. 9, and holds the user ID and personal identification number registered as a formal device user by the user registration means as a pair. The PIN code is 1 in the figure
The setting may be omitted for user IDs that are not the target of the personal identification number check such as 10, 111.

A card drive 2015 is mounted as a magnetic card reader. When installing the card drive 2015, in addition to hardware installation, wiring connection, control API (1518) (1518)
In order to perform software-based initialization, the operator performs an initialization process calling operation from the operation unit 2012.
By this initialization processing, the control API (151
8) (1518) is switched to the control mode for accepting the operation of the operation unit 2012, the print job input from the network, and the like only when the registered formal user ID and the personal identification number are input.

Therefore, the operation unit 2012 is changed from the display of the operation screen of FIG. 22 which can be operated unconditionally to the screen for prompting the user ID and the personal identification number as shown in FIG.
Note that in the state corresponding to FIG. 23, a display prompting the user to attach the magnetic card may be displayed (see FIG. 25).

In that state, when the magnetic card in which the user ID 101 and the personal identification number 102 registered in the table of FIG. 29 are installed in the card drive 2015, the operation unit 2012 displays the screen of FIG. 23 (or FIG. 25). The display transits to the screen display shown in FIG. 22, and it becomes possible to operate the apparatus and input a print job from the network. In addition, when the user who matches the user ID and the personal identification number of the inserted card is not registered in the table of FIG. 29, the operation unit 2012 displays a message to that effect as shown in FIG. To notify.

Information is recorded on the magnetic card in a predetermined format as shown in FIG. Number 201 in FIG. 30 is uniquely assigned to each manufactured magnetic card (Media I to identify each magnetic card).
D). Reference numeral 202 is data format identification information indicating the data format held by the magnetic card. These pieces of information 201 and 202 are information that is written only once before the use of the magnetic card is started, and are used as read-only data.

Reference numeral 203 is a control API (1518)
The user ID (101) held by (1518) is
Reference numeral 204 denotes a user ID and a security code that match those stored in the security code (102) in the table. The administrator of the apparatus recognizes the user ID and the security code registered in the apparatus, and then the user ID. And write the PIN code on the magnetic card and issue it to the legitimate user. To write the user ID and the personal identification number to the magnetic card, a new user is registered from the operation unit 2012 while the magnetic card is attached to the card drive 2015, and the control AP
It is also possible to perform it simultaneously with the registration of I (1518) (1518) in the table.

In 205 and 204, the time when the card was last inserted into and removed from the card drive 1518 is written. Reference numerals 207 to 240 are blocks for holding user billing information, and are composed of an upper limit count value set for the user of the card and blocks for job types such as total, copy, print, scan, and FAX.

Reference numeral 207 is an upper limit count value, and when the total counter 208 is in agreement with this upper limit counter value, it is possible to perform control not permitting subsequent operations.
Naturally, the upper limit count value 207 is set by the administrator and is not updated by the operation of the device. The total counter 208 is a total count in the operation by the card user.

Reference numeral 211 is a block of count values by size of used paper, 212 is a block of count values by type of paper, 213 is a block of which paper feed tray of the apparatus has used the paper, and 215 is color or monochrome. This is a block of count values. Although not shown in FIG. 30, 22
The contents of 0 print, 230 scan, and 240 FAX blocks are similarly configured.

Reference numerals 250 to 290 are error information blocks. Reference numeral 250 is a printer 2095 unit, 260 is a scanner unit, and 270 is a block for storing paper jam information in the finisher unit. Information on five cases from the most recently generated one is retained and old information is overwritten. It Hexadecimal number 4 is shown here to indicate the type and location of the paper jam.
The digit-coded value is written. For example, the upper two digits indicate the type of paper jam, and the lower two digits indicate the occurrence position. In the example of FIG. 30, the type 20 paper jam frequently occurs at position 3a of the paper transport unit of printer 2095 in printer 2095. I understand.

Reference numeral 280 denotes alarm information, which is a block for recording the occurrence of a minor fatal failure. 29
0 is service call information and indicates that a fatal failure has occurred in the device.

The billing information and the error information need to be reflected on the display of the operation unit 2012 at any time even in the normal operation state of the apparatus, and the card drive 201 can know the information.
Reference numeral 5 monitors various information notified to the operation unit 2012, and the information to be reflected on the card is written to the card as needed. Therefore, the new processing required on the device control software side is the control API (1518) (1518).
Then, the user ID and the password shown in FIG. 29 are registered and held, and when the card is loaded, the card drive 2015
It is possible to inquire about user authentication from.

Next, the flow of processing for copying with the card drive 2015 mounted will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The following control method can be realized by storing the program according to this flowchart in the HDD 2044 and operating it.

When the card drive 2015 is mounted and the corresponding initialization is performed, the operation unit 2 is operated at step S301.
A screen 012 prompts the user to operate as a “please insert a card” as shown in FIG. 25 or as an ID / PIN input screen of FIG.

When the magnetic card is loaded in the following step S302, the card drive 2015 reads the user ID and the personal identification number from the magnetic card, and the next step S303.
Then, the control API (1518) (1518) is queried as to whether the registered user is a valid user and password.

If the user authentication fails here, in step S308, a message indicating that an illegal magnetic card has been attached is displayed on the operation unit 2012, and the user is prompted to attach the correct card. When the card is removed in step S309, the process returns to the state of waiting for card installation in step S301.

On the other hand, when the user authentication is established, the operation unit 2012 is switched to the display of “Ready to copy” on the copy screen of FIG. 26 in step S304, and the device can be operated. Transition to. Here, it is also possible to set the copy parameters described with reference to FIGS.

At step S305, the start key 22
When 14 is pressed to start copying, in step S306 during the copying operation, the charging information updated with the progress of processing, paper jam, and error information are written in the card.

When the copying operation is completed in step S307, the card is removed by the user in step S309, the card mounting waiting state in step S301 is restored, and the series of processes is completed.

By thus writing and saving the operation information of the device in the magnetic card, it becomes possible to save the device usage status of each user in each magnetic card.

[Other Functions] In the process of writing the operation information of the apparatus, the copy function has been taken as an example in the above description, but the following functions other than the copy function are also applicable. Hereinafter, operations on the operation screen displayed on the operation unit 2212 will be described for each of the functions of send, retrieve, task, task management, and configuration. However, in order to avoid complication of explanation,
Illustration is omitted.

[0168] When the Send screen is displayed, the start key 22
When 14 is pressed, the scanner 2070 operates, and the process of transmitting the read image data to the set destination by the designated transmission method is started. The SEND main screen includes a destination display area, a detailed destination count display area, a destination scroll button, an AddressBook button, a New button, and an E button.
dit button, Delete button, Subject input area, Message input area, FileName input area, Coverpage check button, PutI
It is composed of an ntoHD check button, a printout check button, and a scan setting button. At initialization including reset, 1 is displayed in the destination display area.
The three destinations are not displayed, and the operation explanation screen is displayed.

A list of input destinations is displayed in the destination display area. Inputs are added sequentially at the end. The number of destinations currently set is displayed in the detailed destination number display area.
After selecting a destination from the destination display area, Delete
Press the button to delete the selected destination. S
object input area, Message input area, Fi
When you press the leName input area, the full keyboard is displayed and you can enter each item.

When the AddressBook button is pressed,
The Address Book subscreen is displayed. The destination marked with a selection mark in the address book display area is added to the destination display area of the SEND main screen by pressing the OK button. The address book display is sorted by class, in ascending order of names, and in descending order of names by pressing the sort item setting button. The number of items with a selection mark is displayed in the item selection number display area. When the OK button or the cancel button is pressed, the address book sub-screen is closed and the SEND main screen is displayed.

When the Detail button is pressed with one item selected in the address book, the Detail sub-screen is displayed. On the Detail sub-screen, all information obtained from the address book is displayed as the information of the selected item.

Search in Address Book Subscreen
When the button is pressed, a search sub screen for searching for a destination from the local address book or an external address server is displayed. The upper part of the search sub-screen is the search condition setting part. What is currently selected is displayed in the search target class display area, the search target attribute display area, the search target condition display area, and the search target address book display area. When the search target class setting button is clicked, a list of search target classes is displayed. The one selected from this list is displayed in the search target class display area. The search target attribute list is displayed by pressing the search target attribute setting button.

The attributes displayed in this list change as follows depending on the selected search target class.

CommonName / Address /
Country (class: Person), Commo
nName / Owner / Location / Mode
l ・ Type ・ Resolution ・ Color ・ F
initiator (class: printer), CommonN
nameMember (class: Group), all attributes (class: Everything).

When the search target condition setting button is pressed, a search target condition list is displayed, and a condition is selected from the list. When the search target address book setting button is pressed, a list of search target address books is displayed, and it is possible to select from the list. When you press the search target attribute value input area, the full keyboard is displayed and you can enter the value.

When the DoSearch button is pressed, the search is performed according to the set search conditions. The search results are displayed in the search result display area, and the number is displayed in the search result number display area. When the Detail button is pressed with one of the items in the search result display area selected, detailed information for that item is displayed.

A selection mark is added to the items in the search result display area to be added to the destination. When the OK button is pressed, the search sub screen is closed and the SEND main screen is returned to, where the item to which the selection mark has been added is added to the destination. When the cancel button is pressed, the search sub screen is closed and the SEND main screen is returned, but the destination does not change.

When the New button on the SEND main screen is pressed, the Person class details sub-screen is displayed, and a new destination can be set. To enter an address, press the send method selection button corresponding to the send method (email, fax, printer, FTP) or press the detailed address entry area, and the numeric keyboard for fax and the full keyboard for others are displayed. Input becomes possible.

The Person class detail sub-screen is also displayed when the Edit button is pressed in the state where the Person class destination is selected on the SEND main screen. Details of the selected destination are displayed in the corresponding area of the detailed destination input area, and when the keyboard is displayed by the above-described method, the destination can be edited.

If the Edit button is pressed while the destination of the DataBase class is selected on the SEND main screen, the DataBase class details sub-screen is displayed. The database name and folder list are displayed on the database class details sub-screen.

When the Edit button 0) is pressed while the destination of the Group class is selected on the SEND main screen, the Group class detail sub screen is displayed.
Group members are displayed on the Group sub-detail screen.

When the PutIntoHD check button is clicked, the HD for making settings for sending to the hard disk
The SETTING subscreen is displayed.

When the printout check button is pressed,
The printout sub screen is displayed. On the printout subscreen, set the number of prints, paper size, enlargement / reduction ratio, double-sided printing, sorting, resolution, and so on. When you press the paper size selection button, a list of paper sizes is displayed and you can select from it. Press the sorter selection button to display a list of selectable sorters.

When the scan setting button is pressed, the scan setting sub screen is displayed. When one scan setting is selected from the Preset mode selection area in the scan setting sub-screen, the preset resolution, scan mode, and density corresponding thereto are displayed in each display area. These values can be changed manually. On the screen in which the paper size selection list is displayed in a pull-down mode, the paper size and orientation to be used are selected from this list.

On the RETRIEVE main screen, WWW,
The E-mail, Fax, and FTP subtabs, and the PUT / INTO HD check button and print setting button commonly used in each subcategory are displayed. Corresponding WWW, E- by pressing the sub tab
Each sub screen of mail, Fax, and FTP is displayed.
At the time of initialization including reset, the WWW sub screen is displayed.

Start key 22 when the WWW sub screen is displayed
When 14 is pressed, the home page is printed according to each setting displayed on the screen. However, if nothing is displayed in the URL input area and the start key 2214 is pressed, nothing works.

When the URL input area on the WWW sub screen is pressed, the full keyboard is displayed and the URL can be directly input. When the LinkDepth and MaxPages input areas are pressed, a ten-key keyboard is displayed, and it becomes possible to directly input a numerical value.

On the E-mail sub-screen, E-mail
Set to receive. When you press each input area, the full keyboard is displayed and you can input. On the Fax sub-screen, enter the fax number. When you press the input area, the ten-key keyboard is displayed and you can enter the fax number. On the FTP / Server sub-screen, settings for receiving data from the server are made. When you press each input area, the full keyboard is displayed and you can input.

When the Bookmark button is pressed, Boot
The kmark subscreen is displayed. A list of set bookmarks is displayed in the bookmark display area of the Bookmark sub-screen, and a selection display state is obtained by pressing any one line. Press OK button B
The lookmark sub-screen is closed, and the URL corresponding to the item in the selected state is displayed in the URL input area of the WWW sub-screen.

PutIntoHD common to each category
When the check button is pressed, the HD setting sub screen is displayed. The function is the same as the HD setting sub screen of Send.

When the print setting button common to each category is pressed, the print setting sub screen is displayed. The function is the same as the Send printout sub-screen.

When the start key 2214 is pressed while the TASKS screen is displayed, automatic RETRIE is performed according to the parameters set on the TASKS screen.
The VE operation is executed. On the TASKS main screen, W
WW, E-mail, PrintReceive, Fa
Subtabs of xReceive and FaxPolling are displayed. At the time of initialization including reset, the WWW sub screen is displayed.

In the WWW task list display area, the tasks held in the device are displayed in the order of input. Select marks are attached to the tasks that need to be actually executed. The task for which the selection mark is not displayed is held in the device as a task, but is not actually executed.

When the New button is pressed, the WWW task details sub-screen is displayed, and a new task can be input. The WWW task details sub-screen will be described later. W
Edi with one task selected from the WW task list
When the t button is pressed, the WWW task details sub-screen containing the selected task information is displayed, and the settings can be edited. When the Delete button is pressed with one task selected from the WWW task list, the selected task is deleted.

On the WWW task details sub-screen, the RETR
Components that have common functions for the IEVE main screen and WWW sub screen of RETRIEVE, check time display area, check time setting button, print WHE
An N.CHANGED check button, a transfer check button, an OK button, and a cancel button are displayed.

The check time display area is blank when the WWW task setting sub-screen is displayed by the New button, and the set task execution time is displayed when it is displayed by the Edit button. Immediately after the setting is made on the check time sub-screen described later, the set task execution time is displayed.

When the check time setting button is pressed, a check time sub-screen, which will be described later, is displayed, and the timing for executing the task can be set.

A schedule mode setting button, a time input area, an OK button, and a cancel button are displayed on the check time sub-screen. In addition, if the Once button is selected from the schedule mode setting buttons, the month input area and the date input area 6) are displayed.
When the Weekly button is selected, a day setting check button is displayed. When the Monthly button is selected, the date input area is displayed. When you press each input area, a ten-key keyboard is displayed, and you can enter numerical values. The day setting check button can select a plurality of days.

The full keyboard is displayed when the character input area is pressed. www. When the button and the com button are pressed, the characters "www." And "com" are input respectively. The other keys have the same functions as conventional ones, and the description thereof will be omitted.

The numeric keyboard is displayed when the numerical value input area or the month input area is pressed. A description of each key is omitted.

Next, the distribution according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 32 is a diagram showing a built-in application block relating to distribution of this embodiment.

Reference numeral 1501 is a block showing the operation unit 2012 application, and 1509 is a block showing the transmission side of the remote copy application. 1
Reference numeral 504 is a block indicating the transmission side of the broadcast distribution.
Reference numeral 511 is a block indicating a WebPull print module, and reference numeral 1503 is a block indicating a WebServer module.

Reference numeral 4300 is a block showing the receiving side (printing side) of the remote copy, and 4350 is a general-purpose printer that receives the image transmitted by the broadcast distribution.
The block to print.

Reference numeral 4400 is a block indicating the receiving side (printing side) of the remote print, and 4450 is a well-known NotesS for the image transmitted by the broadcast distribution.
This is a block that is received and stored by the server and is 4500
Is a block for receiving and storing a binary image of the image transmitted by the broadcast distribution.

Reference numeral 4550 is a block for receiving / storing the image transmitted by the broadcast distribution by a known MailServer, and 4600 is a block for receiving / storing the multi-valued image transmitted by the broadcast distribution. It is a block.

Reference numeral 4650 indicates a known Web server including information content, and reference numeral 4700 indicates a Web server.
Public WebBrowser to access the server etc.
indicates er.

The application group will be described below with reference to each block.

UserInt shown in block 1501
The details of the erface (hereinafter, UI) are as described above, but here, the AddressBook 1502 is used.
Will be described.

This AddressBook 1502 is
A nonvolatile storage device (hard disk 2 in the device of the present invention
004, non-volatile memory, etc.), which describes the characteristics of the devices connected to the network. For example, the following items are included.

Device official name or alias name Device network address Device processable network protocol Device processable document format Device processable compression type Device processable image resolution Printer device paper feed possible Folder name that can store documents in case of different paper size and paper source information server (computer) device.

Each application described below can determine the characteristics of the delivery destination based on the information described in AddressBook 1502. Also,
This AddressBook 1502 is editable, and it is also possible to download and use what is stored in a server computer or the like in the network, or to directly refer to it.

Remote copy application 1504
Discriminates the processable resolution information of the device designated as the distribution destination from the AddressBook 1502, and according to it, compresses the binary image read by the scanner 2070 using the known MMR compression, and the known TIF.
F (Tagged Image File Format) is performed, and the data is transmitted to the printer device on the network through the SLM 1515. Although not described in detail, the SLM 1515 is a type of network protocol including device control information called a well-known Salutation manager (or SmartLink manager).

Unlike the remote copy application 1504, the broadcast distribution application can transmit an image to a plurality of distribution destinations by scanning the image once. Further, the delivery destination is not limited to the printer device, and can be delivered directly to a so-called server computer. Hereinafter, description will be made in order according to the delivery destination.

The delivery destination device is a known network printer protocol, LPD (LinePrinterD).
aemon), LI known as a printer control command
If the AddressBook1502 determines that the PS can be processed, the AddressBook150
The image is read according to the image resolution determined from No. 2, and the image itself is the known FBE (Fi
It is compressed using rstBinariEncoding), further LIPS coded, and transmitted to the partner device by LPR which is a known network printer protocol.

[0216] When the delivery destination device can communicate with the SLM 1515 and is a server device, AddressBook1
The server address and the designation of the folder in the server are discriminated from 502, and the remote copy application 1509
Similarly, the binary image read by the scanner 2070 is compressed using the known MMR compression, and the compressed image is converted into the known TI.
FF (TaggedImageFileFormat)
And can be stored in a specific folder of the server device on the network through the SLM 1515.

In the apparatus of this embodiment, when it is determined that the server, which is the partner apparatus, can process a well-known JPEG-compressed multi-valued image, the multi-valued image is read like the binary image. Can be converted into a known JFIF by using a known JPEG compression, and can be stored in a specific folder of the server device on the network through the SLM.

When the delivery destination device is a publicly known E-Mail server, the mail address described in AddressBook 1502 is discriminated, the binary image read by the scanner 2070 is compressed using the publicly known MMR compression, and the binary image is compressed. Known TIFF (TaggedImageF)
ileFormat), and known SMTP (Simple)
eMailTransferProtcol) 1514
To send to the E-Mail server. Subsequent distribution is performed according to MailServer4550.

The present invention is not limited to the device of the above-mentioned embodiment, but may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or to a device composed of one device. A storage medium storing a program code of software that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus, and a computer (or C) of the system or apparatus is supplied.
It is needless to say that it is completed by reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium by the PU or MPU).

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the function of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a hard disk, an optical disk,
A magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a non-volatile memory card, and a ROM can be used. In addition, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also the OS or the like running on the computer executes actual processing based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where some or all is performed and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing is also included.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written in the memory provided in the function expansion board inserted into the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instruction of the next program code. Needless to say, this also includes the case where the CPU or the like provided in the expansion board or the expansion unit performs the expansion function to perform a part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the function of the above-described embodiment. Yes.

The present invention is not limited to the device of the above-described embodiment, but may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or to a device composed of one device. A storage medium storing a program code of software that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus, and a computer (or C) of the system or apparatus is supplied.
It is needless to say that it is completed by reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium by the PU or MPU).

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a hard disk, an optical disk,
A magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a non-volatile memory card, and a ROM can be used. In addition, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also the OS or the like running on the computer executes actual processing based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where some or all is performed and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing is also included.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written in the memory provided in the function expansion board inserted into the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instruction of the next program code. Needless to say, this also includes the case where the CPU or the like provided in the expansion board or the expansion unit performs the expansion function to perform a part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the function of the above-described embodiment. Yes.

[0225]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, the operating condition of the device is stored in the storage medium under the control of the device for performing the user authentication by using the storage medium holding the user information. By writing to the user, it becomes possible to record and manage the usage status of the device by the user in detail.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall hardware configuration of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an external configuration of an image input / output device.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an external configuration of an operation unit 2212.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a scanner image processing unit 2080.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a printer image processing unit 2090.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image compression processing unit 2040.

7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image rotation processing unit 2030. FIG.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of image rotation processing.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of image rotation processing.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a device I / F unit 2020.

FIG. 11 is an overall configuration diagram of a network system to which the image processing apparatus of the embodiment is connected.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing an overall software configuration of the image processing apparatus of the embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing interactions between a DIS, a job manager, and each document manager.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing various databases held in the DIS.

FIG. 15 is a conceptual diagram of blocks related to a scan operation.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a software structure relating to a scan operation.

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram of a parameter table in scanning.

FIG. 18 is a conceptual diagram of blocks relating to a printing operation.

FIG. 19 is a transfer timing chart of print image data.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a print parameter register table in the Engine I / F board.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a communication command table between a printer and an Engine I / F board.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an operation screen.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an ID input screen.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing an error screen.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a display screen of a message prompting for card mounting.

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing a copy screen.

FIG. 27 is a diagram showing a printer list display.

FIG. 28 is a diagram showing an ImageQuality list display.

FIG. 29 is a diagram showing a user information registration table.

FIG. 30 is a diagram showing a structure of magnetic card information.

FIG. 31 is a diagram showing a flow of processing for making a copy with a card drive attached.

FIG. 32 is a diagram showing a built-in application block related to distribution in the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

2000 controller unit 2001 CPU 2002 RAM 2003 ROM 2004 HDD 2005 Image Bus I / F 2006 Operation unit I / F 2007 system bus 2008 image bus 2010 Network Department 2011 LAN 2012 operation unit (UI) 2020 Device I / F section 2030 Image rotation unit 2040 Image compression unit 2050 Modem section 2051 public line 2060 Raster Image Processor (RIP) 2070 Scanner 2080 Scanner image processing unit 2090 Printer image processing unit 2095 printer

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. A storage medium capable of holding data including user information is configured to be attachable, and when the storage medium is attached, reading / writing of the data from / to the storage medium is performed.
Data read / write means for writing, and user information read from the storage medium when the storage medium is mounted on the data read / write means matches authentication information registered in advance in the device. User authentication means for performing authentication processing as to whether or not to perform authentication of the user information by the user authentication means,
In addition, when the storage medium is in a state of being mounted in the data read / write means, a device control means for making the device usable, and after the device control means makes the device usable. An electronic device, comprising: writing control means for writing device operation information, which is information related to the operation of the device, to the storage medium. 2. The authentication information includes user registration means for registering a user ID and a personal identification number of a legitimate user in the device, and the user authentication means has the user information read from the storage medium. 2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein it is checked whether or not the combination information of the user ID and the personal identification number is the same as the user ID and the personal identification number registered in advance by the user registration means. . 3. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the device operation information written in the storage medium includes user billing information. 4. The storage medium holds restriction information of device operation that can be used by a user, and performs control for restricting use of the device based on the restriction information. The electronic device according to claim 3. 5. A removal control means is provided for putting the storage medium in a removable state from the data reading / writing means after completion of writing the device operation information to the storage medium in response to a removal operation from the outside. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which is characterized in that. 6. An image processing apparatus for processing an image, wherein a storage medium capable of holding data including user information is configured to be mountable, and when the storage medium is mounted, reading / writing of the data from / to the storage medium is performed. And a user information read from the storage medium when the storage medium is attached to the data read / write unit and the authentication information registered in advance in the device. A user authentication unit that performs authentication processing for determining whether or not the user information is authenticated by the user authentication unit,
And, when the storage medium is in a state of being attached to the data reading / writing means, device control means for making the device usable, and after the device control means makes the device usable. An image processing device, comprising: writing control means for writing device operation information, which is information relating to the operation of the device, to the storage medium. 7. The user registration means for registering a user ID and a personal identification number of a valid user in the device as the authentication information, wherein the user authentication means is the user information read from the storage medium. 7. The image processing according to claim 6, wherein it is checked whether or not the combination information of the user ID and the personal identification number is the same as the user ID and the personal identification number registered in advance by the user registration means. apparatus. 8. The image processing device according to claim 6, wherein the device operation information written in the storage medium includes user billing information. 9. The storage medium holds restriction information of device operation that can be used by a user, and performs control for restricting use of the device based on the restriction information. The image processing apparatus according to claim 8. 10. A removal control means is provided for putting the storage medium in a removable state from the data read / write means after completion of writing the device operation information to the storage medium in response to a removal operation from the outside. The image processing apparatus according to claim 6, which is characterized in that. 11. A storage medium capable of holding data including user information is configured to be attachable, and has a data read / write means for reading / writing the data to / from the storage medium when the storage medium is attached. In the electronic device, a user who determines whether the user information read from the storage medium when the storage medium is attached to the data read / write means matches the authentication information registered in the device in advance. Authentication processing is performed, authentication of the user information is established in the user authentication processing,
In addition, when the storage medium is in the state of being attached to the data read / write means, the device is set to the usable state, and after the device is set to the usable state, the device operation information regarding the operation of the device is displayed. A method for controlling an electronic device, comprising: writing in the storage medium. 12. A storage medium capable of holding data including user information is configured to be attachable, and has a data read / write means for reading / writing the data to / from the storage medium when the storage medium is attached. A control program for executing a control method of an electronic device, wherein user information read from the storage medium when the storage medium is attached to the data read / write means is registered in advance in the device. A user authentication step of performing an authentication process as to whether or not it matches the authenticated information, and a state in which the user information has been authenticated in the user authentication step and the storage medium is attached to the data read / write means. When the device is in the And then writing the device operation information regarding the operation of the device to the storage medium. 13. A storage medium on which the control program according to claim 12 is stored.