JP2003259042A - Image forming apparatus and image formation method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus which can effectively distribute documents. <P>SOLUTION: A copy machine 1 which makes copies reads a color manuscript (S10), and if the read manuscript is a new manuscript not stored in a memory unit 2, the created color image data is stored in the memory unit 2 attaching a discriminating code (S20). Then, the discrimination code is attached to the monochrome image data, printing process of the required number of copies is executed (S30), and the copies are distributed to specified sites. A copy machine 1 in the distribution site reads the monochrome copy as a manuscript (S40), discriminates the discrimination code attached to the manuscript, reads out the original color image data stored in the memory unit 2, executes printing process (S50), and obtains the color copied documents. <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 forming apparatus and an image forming method, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus and an image forming method capable of efficiently distributing documents.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when a color original is copied and distributed, the color copy is distributed to all distribution destinations, and the color copy is distributed only to necessary distribution destinations and to unnecessary distribution destinations. Sometimes distributed black and white copies, and often made two types of copies.

[0003]

However, if the color copy is distributed to all the distribution destinations by the above-described method, the color copy is distributed to the distribution destinations for which the monochrome copy is sufficient. There was a problem of cost and time.

Further, when the color copy and the monochrome copy are separately performed according to the necessity of the distribution destination, it is necessary to investigate and manage the necessity for each distribution destination, which requires complicated processing. There was a problem. Further, there is a possibility that a distribution destination for resending the color copy may occur after the black-and-white copy is distributed, and there is a problem that complicated processing is required.

The present invention has been made in view of these problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus and an image forming method capable of efficiently distributing documents.

[0006]

To achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the present invention, an image forming apparatus discriminates between an image reading unit for reading an original image and identification information added to the read image. The determining means, the obtaining means for obtaining the image data associated with the identification information from the storing means based on the determined identification information, and the outputting means for outputting the obtained image data.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an image forming apparatus includes image reading means for reading a document image, generating means for generating first image data and second image data of the read image, and A storage unit that stores the first image data and the identification information in association with each other in the storage unit, and an output unit that adds the identification information to the second image data and outputs the result.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an image forming apparatus includes image reading means for reading a document image, generating means for generating first image data and second image data of the read image, and the reading means. Discriminating means for discriminating the identification information added to the image, storage means for storing the first image data and the identification information in the storage means in association with each other when the discrimination information is not discriminated by the discriminating means, and the discriminating means. If the identification information is not discriminated in step 1, the first output means for adding the identification information to the second image data and outputting the second image data, and if the discrimination information is discriminated by the discrimination means, based on the discriminated identification information An acquisition unit that acquires, from the storage unit, the first image data associated with the identification information, and a second output unit that outputs the acquired first image data.

The first image data is one of color image data and monochrome image data, and the second image data is the first image of the color image data and the monochrome image data. It is desirable that the data is not applicable.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an image forming method includes an image reading step of reading a document image, a generation step of generating first image data and second image data of the read image, and a reading step. A determination step of determining the identification information added to the image, a storage step of storing the first image data and the identification information in association with each other in the storage means when the identification information is not determined in the determination step, and a determination step When the identification information is not discriminated in step S1, the first output step of adding the identification information to the second image data and outputting the second image data; and when the discrimination information is discriminated in the discrimination step, based on the discriminated identification information , An acquisition step of acquiring from the storage means the first image data associated with the identification information, and a second output stage for outputting the acquired first image data. Tsu and a flop.

[0011]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts and components are designated by the same reference numerals.
Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an image forming system according to the present embodiment. Referring to FIG. 1, an image forming system according to the present embodiment is a digital copying machine (hereinafter referred to as a copying machine) 1 which is a plurality of image forming apparatuses.
a, 1b, 1c and a storage device 2. The copying machines 1a, 1b, 1c and the storage device 2 are connected to each other via a LAN (Loca
l Area Network) and the like, and communicate with each other. The network 3 is not limited to communication by LAN or the like, and may be a case of performing wireless communication. In the following description, as shown in FIG. 1, the storage device 2 is a copy machine 1 (copy machines 1a, 1b,
1c as a representative, which will be referred to as a copying machine 1) will be described as a structure independently included in the image forming system, but the structure shown in FIG. 2 may be used. Figure 2
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing another specific example of the configuration of the image forming system in the present embodiment. That is, even if the storage device 2 is built in the copying machine 1, it will be handled in the same manner in the following description.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing the structure of the copying machine 1 shown in FIG. Referring to FIG. 3, copying machine 1
Is a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and the like, a control unit 101 that controls the entire copying machine 1, a storage unit 102 that stores programs and the like executed in the control unit 101, a touch panel, and the like. An input unit 103 for receiving various instructions and the like from the display unit, a display unit 104 including a display and the like for displaying various information, and an image reading unit 105 for reading a document to be copied.
A printing unit 106 for printing, and a communication I / F 107 for communicating with other devices via the network 3.

The structure of the copying machine 1 shown in FIG. 3 described above shows the structure of a general copying machine. Therefore, the copying machine 1 according to the present embodiment is not limited to the above configuration.

In the image forming system according to the present embodiment described above, the following image formation is executed. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a flow of processing in the image forming system of the present embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 4, when a copy of a color original is distributed, the copy machine 1 as the copy source copies as many copies as the distribution copy.

At this time, first, a color original is read by the copying machine 1 of the copy source (S10). When the copying machine 1 determines that the read document is a new original document in which the image data is not stored in the storage device 2, the switching unit 110 (not shown in FIG. 3) sets the image data to the network 3. Then, the generated color image data is associated with an identification code as identification information and stored in the storage device 2 via the network 3 (S20). Also, by embedding the identification code in monochrome image data,
The print processing for the required number of copies is executed (S30) and distributed to a predetermined distribution destination.

Next, at the distribution destination, a color copy may be required instead of the distributed monochrome copy. At this time, the distributed monochrome copy is read by the copying machine 1 as a document (S40). The copying machine 1 discriminates the identification code embedded in the monochrome copy, and the switching unit 11
0 is switched to the reading of image data from the network 3, the original color image data stored in the storage device 2 is read out via the network 3, and the printing process is executed (S50). In this way, color documents can be obtained.

Further, the processing executed by the copying machine 1 in order to realize the processing shown in FIG. 4 will be described below.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing an image forming process in the copying machine 1. In the process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5, the control unit 101 of the copying machine 1 operates the storage unit 10
It is realized by reading and executing the program stored in 2.

Referring to FIG. 5, first, the inside of the copying machine 1 is initialized (S101), and the process waits until a copy start instruction is given (S103).

When the instruction to start copying is accepted (S10
3 is YES), the image reading unit 105 reads the document (S105). Then, based on the image read by the image reading unit 105, original color original data and original monochrome image data are generated.

Further, the document read by the image reading unit 105 is discriminated (S107). In step S107, it is determined whether or not the identification code is embedded in the read document.

When it is determined that the identification code is not embedded in the document (NO in S109), that is, it is determined that the process has not been executed for the document, and the original document corresponding process is performed. Perform (S119).
The original document handling process executed in step S119 will be described in detail later with reference to a flowchart.

If it is determined that the identification code is embedded in the original document (YES in S109), that is, it is determined that the process has already been performed on the original document, and the embedded identification code is determined. Restore the code (S
111). Then, the network 3 is searched for whether or not there is data corresponding to the restored identification code (S
113).

In step S113, if the corresponding data exists on the network 3 (YES in step S115).
In S), it is determined that the document is a document that has been previously subjected to the process and is a duplicate document (copied document), and a duplicate document corresponding process is performed (S117). Step S11
The copy original handling process executed in 7 will be described in detail later with reference to a flowchart.

With the above processing, the program is terminated, the process returns to step S103, and waits until a copy start instruction is given. The above is the main routine of image formation in the copying machine 1.

Regarding the above-mentioned image discrimination processing, identification code restoration processing, and identification code embedding processing, there is a method of using a specific density pattern, code information such as a bar code, or numbers in Japanese Patent No. 3175364. Various processing methods such as methods using images are disclosed,
It is not limited here.

Further, the subroutine included in the above-mentioned main routine will be described below.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the original document handling process shown in step S119 of FIG. The original manuscript correspondence process shown in FIG. 6 is executed when it is determined in step S109 of FIG. 5 that the manuscript has not been subjected to the process shown in FIG. 5 for the manuscript. Processing.

Referring to FIG. 6, first, a document-specific identification code not existing on network 3 is determined (S20).
1). The identification code determination process in step S201 will be described later with reference to a flowchart.

Then, the original color original data generated for the original is associated with the above-mentioned identification code and stored in the storage device 2 (S203).

Further, the above-mentioned identification code is embedded in the original monochrome image data generated for the original document to create monochrome image data for printing (S20).
5).

Then, the monochrome image data created in step S205 is printed (S207).

With the above processing, the original manuscript corresponding process is completed, and the process is returned to the main routine shown in FIG.

Next, FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the copy original handling process shown in step S117 of FIG. In the copy manuscript handling process shown in FIG. 7, the manuscript is
This is a process that is executed when it is determined that the document is a duplicate document for which the process was previously executed.

Referring to FIG. 7, first, step S in FIG.
The image data corresponding to the identification code extracted in 113 is acquired via the network 3 (S301). That is, the original color original document data generated for the original document at the previous execution of the processing and stored on the network 3, such as the storage device 2, is acquired.

Then, the original color original data obtained in step S301 is printed in color (S30).
3).

With the above processing, the copy manuscript handling process is completed, and as shown in FIG.
The process is returned to the main routine shown in.

Further, the identification code determination process shown in step S201 of FIG. 6 will be described. Figure 8
7 is a flowchart showing an identification code determination process shown in step S201 of FIG.

Referring to FIG. 8, first, the set value of the identification code is initialized to the initial value (0000000000).
000000) is set (S401).

Subsequently, it is searched whether or not there is an identification code having the same value as the set value on the network 3 (S).
403). When there is no identification code having the same value (S405
If YES, the set value is adopted as the identification code (S407).

When there are identification codes having the same value (S40
(NO in 5), 1 is added to the set value to make the next set value (S409). Then, the process returns to step S403 again,
It is searched whether or not there is an identification code having the same value as the set value on the network 3. Step S403,
The processes in S405 and S409 are repeated, and in step S407, the setting value that does not exist on the network 3 is adopted as the identification code.

With the above, the identification code determination process is completed, and the process is returned to the subroutine shown in FIG.

In step S203 of the original document corresponding process shown in FIG. 6, the original color document data corresponding to the above identification code is stored in the storage device 2 as shown in FIG. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a specific example of original color original data stored in the storage device 2.

By executing the above-mentioned processing in the image forming system according to the present embodiment, all copies for distribution can be made by monochrome printing.
Further, at a distribution destination requiring a color copy, a color document can be obtained as needed. For this reason, the monochrome / color sorting work of the handouts, which has been conventionally required, becomes unnecessary, and the cost and the working time can be reduced.

In the above description, the case where the color original is printed by monochrome printing and distributed is described. However, the present invention is not limited to the case where the color original is printed by monochrome, and printing is performed by reducing the resolution of the high resolution original. This may be the case, or the draft printing of the completed document may be performed.

Furthermore, the image forming method performed by the image forming apparatus described above can be provided as a program.
Such a program can be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a flexible disk, a CD-ROM, a ROM, a RAM, and a memory card attached to a computer, and can be provided as a program product. Alternatively, the program may be provided by being recorded in a recording medium such as a hard disk built in the computer. Further, the program can be provided by downloading via the network.

The provided program product is installed and executed in a program storage unit such as a hard disk.

The program product includes the program itself and a recording medium on which the program is recorded.

The embodiments disclosed this time are to be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the above description but by the claims, and is intended to include meanings equivalent to the claims and all modifications within the scope.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an image forming system in the present embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing another specific example of the configuration of the image forming system in the present embodiment.

3 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of a copying machine 1 shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a flow of processing in the image forming system of the present embodiment.

5 is a flowchart showing an image forming process in the copying machine 1. FIG.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an original document handling process shown in step S119 of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a copy original handling process shown in step S117 of FIG.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an identification code determination process shown in step S201 of FIG.

9 is a diagram showing a specific example of original color original data stored in the storage device 2. FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 1a, 1b, 1c Copier, 2 Storage device, 3 network, 101 Control unit, 102 Storage unit, 103
Input unit, 104 Display unit, 105 Image reading unit, 106
Printing unit, 107 communication I / F, 110 switching unit.

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) H04N 1/21 H04N 1/46 C 1/46 G03G 21/00 382 (72) Inventor Kenji Matsubara Osaka City Central 2-3-13 Azuchi-cho, Aku-cho Osaka International Building F-term in Minolta Co., Ltd. (reference) 2H027 DB00 DE02 DE07 EE07 EE10 FA28 FA35 FD08 FD10 ZA07 2H030 AD07 AD11 AD16 5C062 AA05 AA29 AB02 AB41 AB42 AE03 AF12 BA00 BC01 5C073 AB03 AB03 AB03 AB03 CD12 CE10 5C079 HA03 HA13 MA02 MA11 NA13 PA02

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An image reading unit for reading a document image, a discriminating unit for discriminating identification information added to the read image, and an image associated with the identification information based on the discriminated identification information. An image forming apparatus, comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires data from a storage unit; and an output unit that outputs the acquired image data. 2. An image reading means for reading a document image, a generating means for generating first image data and second image data of the read image, and the first image data and identification information are associated with each other. An image forming apparatus comprising: a storage unit that stores the additional image data in a storage unit; and an output unit that adds the identification information to the second image data and outputs the second image data. 3. An image reading unit for reading a document image, a generation unit for generating first image data and second image data of the read image, and identification information added to the read image. And a discriminating unit that does not discriminate the discriminating information,
A storage unit that stores the first image data and the identification information in association with each other in the storage unit; and when the identification information is not discriminated by the discrimination unit,
A first output unit that adds the identification information to the second image data and outputs the second image data; and, when the identification information is discriminated by the discriminating unit, based on the discriminated identification information, An image forming apparatus, comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires the associated first image data from the storage unit, and a second output unit that outputs the acquired first image data. 4. The first image data is one of color image data and monochrome image data, and the second image data is the first of the color image data and the monochrome image data. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image data of 1 is not applicable. 5. An image reading step of reading a document image, a generation step of generating first image data and second image data of the read image, and identification information added to the read image is determined. And a storage step of storing the first image data and the identification information in the storage means in association with each other when the identification information is not determined in the determination step, and when the identification information is not determined in the determination step A first output step of adding the identification information to the second image data and outputting the second image data; and when the identification information is determined in the determination step, the identification information is determined based on the determined identification information. An acquisition step of acquiring from the storage means first image data associated with information, and outputting the acquired first image data. And a second output step.