JP2004173088A - Image processing method, image processor, recording medium, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processor which discriminates whether the selected state of an image continues or not on the basis of information delivered from an image management device to an image printer and uses former set information in the image printer when continued and does not use the former set information there when not continued. <P>SOLUTION: The image processor is provided with an image management means and an image print means. The image management means is provided with: an image selection means for selecting a plurality of images; a selection continuation state discrimination means for discriminating whether image selection in the image selection means is continued or not; and a continuation state associated data output means for outputting the continuation state associated data from the selection continuation state discrimination means. The image print means is provided with: a continuation state associated data input means for inputting the continuation state associated data; a print image setting information input/output means for inputting/outputting print image setting information for a plurality of images; and a print setting means for setting print of a plurality of images in the continuation state associated data by using the continuation state associated data and the setting information for the number of prints. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus including an image management device for selecting a digital image and an image printing device for specifying and printing the digital image.
[0002]
[Prior art]
At present, with the spread of digital cameras, photographed digital photographs are managed using a personal computer or the like, and are printed in various forms using a home printer. In addition, many digital image management and printing software are available on the market to meet these demands. Therefore, the user obtains each software and performs image management and printing in response to his / her own request.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Here, if separate devices such as an image management device are used for image management and an image printing device is used for image printing, first of all, in order to print an image managed by the image management device, the image management device is used. After an image to be printed is extracted by the apparatus, it is necessary to specify the number of images and to perform trimming and printing using an image printing apparatus.
[0004]
However, when the number of sheets is increased by the image management apparatus after the number of sheets is designated by the image printing apparatus, there is a problem that the number of sheets designated by the image printing apparatus and all trimmed information are lost.
[0005]
In addition, if the number of sheets is specified at least once in the image printing apparatus, the setting of the number of sheets remains forever, and once the number of sheets is specified to be 30, the next time the image is to be printed, the number of sheets becomes 30. There were also problems.
[0006]
According to the present invention, in an image processing apparatus that performs printing using an image management apparatus and an image printing apparatus, it is determined whether an image selection state is continued based on information passed from the image management apparatus to the image printing apparatus. However, an object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus characterized by using the previous setting information in the image printing apparatus when continuing, and not using the previous setting information when not continuing. I do.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problem, an image processing device according to the present invention includes the following configuration.
That is, an image processing apparatus that processes an image, an image selection unit that selects a plurality of images, and a selection continuation state determination unit that determines whether a selection state of the image specified by the image selection unit is a continuation state. A cooperation data input / output unit for inputting / outputting cooperation data by the continuation state determination unit; a print number information input / output unit for inputting / outputting print number information for each image; And a print number switching means for switching the number of prints.
[0008]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a system for realizing the present embodiment. The CPU 101 controls the operation of the entire system, executes a program stored in the primary storage 102, and the like. The primary storage 102 is mainly a memory, and reads and stores programs and the like stored in the secondary storage 103. The secondary storage 103 corresponds to, for example, a hard disk. Generally, the capacity of the primary storage is smaller than the capacity of the secondary storage, and programs and data that cannot be stored in the primary storage are stored in the secondary storage. Data that must be stored for a long time is also stored in the secondary storage. In the present embodiment, the program is stored in the secondary storage 103, and is read into the primary storage 102 when the program is executed, and the CPU 101 performs an execution process. The input device 104 corresponds to, for example, a mouse or a keyboard. Used to send an interrupt signal to a program or the like. The output device 105 is, for example, a monitor or a printer. In this device, at least a printer is required in terms of a printing device, but it goes without saying that a device other than a printer may be used as an image output device. In addition, although there are various other possible configurations for the configuration method of this device, the description is omitted because it is not the main subject of the present invention.
[0009]
First, an outline of the image management apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described. The image management apparatus described in the present exemplary embodiment performs selection of a folder and selection, release, and display of an image using a GUI.
[0010]
Hereinafter, the above functions will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a basic flow of an operation procedure of the image management apparatus according to the present embodiment. First, in step S201, an image to be printed is selected from the image management device. Next, in step S202, a print button of the image management apparatus is pressed, and in step S203, a cooperation file describing a cooperation state is described. The method of describing the link file will be described later in detail. In step S204, the image printing apparatus is started. Hereinafter, an example of realizing the operation in each step will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0011]
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an outline of an image designation screen of the image management apparatus according to the present embodiment. The folder tree window 301 displays a tree indicating a directory in the image database constructed by the image management device. Further, the folder display window 302 represents the same as the folder tree window 301, and simultaneously displays the images inside the folder. After pressing the selection mode button 303 to set the selection mode, the user can click and select an image from the folder display window 302. When it is desired to select a plurality of images, it is possible to click while holding down the Shift key or the Ctrl key. By pressing the Shift key, it is possible to specify a plurality of images by specifying a start point and an end point in one folder. After the selection as described above, the print button 304 is pressed to transfer the information of the selected image to the image printing apparatus.
[0012]
Although the image management apparatus has many other functions, it is not the focus of the present invention, and a description thereof will be omitted.
[0013]
At this time, a method of creating a cooperation file for transferring information of an image selected by the image management device will be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG.
[0014]
When the print button is pressed on the image management apparatus, it is first determined in step S401 whether a link file already exists. Here, the cooperative file refers to any one of “collection.xml” and “continue.xml”. If these files do not exist, you have never cooperated. If it exists, in step S402, it is determined whether the creation date and time of the cooperation file is later than the activation date and time of the currently activated image management apparatus. If the creation date and time of the link file is later than the activation date and time, the process proceeds to step S403, and it is determined whether an image is selected while the Shift key or the Ctrl key is pressed. Here, if the image is selected while the Shift key or the Ctrl key is pressed, it is determined that the exchange of the selection processing is continued between the image management apparatus and the image printing apparatus, and the process proceeds to step S404.
[0015]
In step S404, the name of the cooperative file to be created is “continue.xml”. Here, if "collection.xml" exists, it is deleted. On the other hand, if No is determined in steps S401, S402, and S403, it is determined that the exchange of the selection process is not continued, and the process proceeds to step S405. In step S405, the link file name is “collection.xml”. If there is "continue.xml", delete it.
[0016]
Then, in step S406, the file names of all the selected images are written in the link file.
[0017]
As described above, the cooperation file is created. At this time, if a link file with the same name already exists, the link file is overwritten on that file.
In this way, the image management apparatus can determine whether or not the selection processing is continued without opening the cooperation file and checking the contents.
[0018]
Next, the image printing apparatus is activated by designating the link file.
[0019]
The image printing apparatus described in the present embodiment first determines whether the selection processing is continuous from the cooperation file and the storage file. After that, the user designates the number of images, selects a printer and paper, and selects and prints a layout using a GUI.
[0020]
Hereinafter, the above flow will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a basic flow of an operation procedure of the printing apparatus according to the present embodiment. First, in step S501, it is determined whether the selected state is continuous. Next, in step S502, the number of images to be printed is set. Next, in step S503, a printer and a print sheet as an output destination are selected. Finally, in step S504, the layout is determined and printed. The simple editing is performed by pressing a button prepared on the screen in step S504 to move to the editing screen. After editing, the screen returns to the screen of step S504. Hereinafter, an example of realizing the operation in each step will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0021]
First, the image printing apparatus compares a setting file in which settings such as the number of images are stored with a cooperation file to determine whether the state of the setting storage file should be validated using the flowchart of FIG. Will be described in detail.
[0022]
First, in step S601, the image printing apparatus checks whether there is a setting file. This setting file does not exist when the image printing apparatus is first started. The method of saving the setting file will be described later with reference to FIG. If the setting file exists in step S601, the process proceeds to step S602, and it is determined whether or not the file name of the cooperation file is "continue.xml". If the file name is "continue.xml", the process proceeds to S603, and it is determined that the selection state is continuing. On the other hand, if NO is determined in steps S601 and S602, the process proceeds to step S606, where it is determined that the selection state is not continued, and the number setting of all image files described in the cooperation file is set to “1”. And
[0023]
When it is determined that the selection state is continued and the process proceeds to step S603, it is determined whether one image file name in the cooperation file is stored in the setting file. If it exists, the process proceeds to step S604, where it is determined that the setting information described in the setting file is valid, and the setting information described in the setting file is set as the setting information of the image file. I do. Here, the setting information includes the “number of prints”, the “trimming position”, and the “rotation direction” of each image. If the image file does not exist in step S603, the process proceeds to step S605, and the number of printed image files is set to one.
[0024]
By performing the processing of steps S603 to S605 for all images (step S607), it is possible to set the number of prints for all image files written in the link file. In addition, whether or not the selected state is continued can be determined by the file name without opening the file, so if the linked file is a very large file, the linked state can be quickly determined. It is possible to judge.
[0025]
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an outline of a screen for selecting the number of prints.
[0026]
The image printing apparatus displays a thumbnail image (reduced image) of the image file selected by the image management apparatus in the thumbnail display window 710. At this time, the number of printed images is set by the processing in the flowchart of FIG.
[0027]
When the enlarged display button 705 is pressed while an image is selected on the thumbnail display window, an enlarged display window shown in FIG. 10 is displayed. The image to be selected can be confirmed in detail by the enlarged display window. When the determination button 702 for the enlarged display window is pressed, the enlarged display window is closed.
[0028]
In the present embodiment, the selection of the number is performed by the number selection button 702. The number selection button is a seesaw switch, and when the right of the number selection button 702 is pressed, the designated print number displayed at the center of the number selection button is incremented by one. When the left of the number selection button 702 is pressed, the designated number of prints is decremented by one. When the designated number of prints becomes 0, the left of the number select button is invalidated. When the designated number of prints becomes 99, the right of the number select button is invalidated.
[0029]
When the select all button 307 is pressed, all the images displayed in the thumbnail display window are designated to be printed one by one. When the all release button 708 is pressed, the print designation of all images is released. When the selected image determination button 706 is pressed, the process proceeds to a print target medium designation screen. When the image reselection button 711 is pressed or when the image printing apparatus ends, image setting information and the like are stored in a setting file, the image printing apparatus ends, and the process returns to the image management apparatus.
[0030]
A method of saving the setting file at this time will be described later.
[0031]
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an outline of a print target medium designation screen according to the present embodiment. The printer selection menu 806 is a menu for selecting a printer as an output destination. The printer selection menu in the present embodiment is a pull-down menu, and displays a list of printers connected to the printing apparatus. A check box written as “VIVID photo” on the right side of the printer selection menu is a check box for specifying whether to apply special processing prepared by the printer driver. This check box is valid only when the “VIVID photo” function is valid for the printer selected in the printer selection menu. In this embodiment, the VIVID photo function has been described as an example of the special processing provided by the printer driver. However, it goes without saying that other processing can be performed without any problem.
[0032]
The options displayed in the print size selection window 808 and the paper type selection window 807 are limited to appropriate ones according to the output destination printer model selected in the printer selection menu. By restricting the options in this way, the user can specify printing without being conscious of the printer and its corresponding paper. Further, according to the paper size selected in the print size selection window, paper options displayed in the paper type selection window are restricted. Therefore, each time the output destination printer is changed, the state of the print size selection window and the paper type selection window is updated. Each time the paper size is changed, the state of the paper selection window is updated.
[0033]
When the print target medium determination button 804 or the paper selection tab 802 is pressed, the screen moves to a print target image specification screen. When the image reselection button 805 or the print tab 803 is pressed, the screen moves to a layout specification screen.
[0034]
In addition, when the printing apparatus is used for the first time, the first option in the list is set to a state in which the option last selected by the user is previously selected in the second and subsequent activations.
[0035]
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an outline of a layout selection screen according to the present embodiment.
In the layout designation screen according to the present embodiment, a print target image and a layout corresponding to the print target medium specified in the print target image designation screen and the print target medium designation screen are displayed in the layout selection window 907, and are selected in the layout selection window. A print preview list is displayed in the print list window 908 according to the layout, and a preview of the page selected in the print list window is displayed in the print preview window 909.
[0036]
The user can arbitrarily select the layout displayed in the layout selection window. When the selected layout is changed, the information in the print list window and the print preview window is updated. The page displayed in the print preview window displays a page including the image selected by the preview selection window. In the initial state of the layout designation screen, the first image of the image to be printed is selected by the preview selection window.
[0037]
In the layout specification screen, as well as the print target medium specification screen, if the same print target medium as the print target medium specified at the time of the previous startup is selected, the layout is also initialized to the layout started immediately before and the selected layout. State.
[0038]
The preview image to be displayed in the print preview window can be selected by using a mouse or the like, and the image selected in this way is displayed with a frame in the preview selection window 910. By pressing the edit button 906, the user moves to the edit screen shown in FIG. 11, and can easily edit the image selected in the preview selection window. An overview of the simple edit screen will be described later.
[0039]
When the rotation button 905 is pressed, the image is rotated right or left by 90 degrees according to the pressed button. As the rotation center point, a point as close as possible to the center of the area displayed in the print preview window is selected. In the initial state, the image is circumscribed around the print area while maintaining the aspect ratio of the image. That is, the images are arranged so that no margin is formed in the print area. Whether the target image is inscribed or circumscribed in the print area can be specified by the user.
[0040]
When the date print button 904 is pressed, the display is updated by adding the date display to the images in the print list window and the print preview window. When the date print button is pressed again, the date display is canceled and the display is updated. However, the date print button is disabled when the layout is specified for index printing, and the date display is not always added. In this embodiment, the date is not displayed at the time of index printing, but it goes without saying that date printing may be applied regardless of the type of layout.
[0041]
The page forward button 902 is a button for changing the current page in the print list window, and updates the display of the print preview window when this button is pressed. At this time, the image selected in the preview selection window is also changed to the first image of the current page after the change.
[0042]
When the paper reselection button is pressed, the screen returns to the print target medium designation screen. When the image selection tab is pressed, the screen moves to a print target image selection screen, and when the paper selection tab is pressed, the screen moves to a print target medium selection screen.
[0043]
When the print button 903 is pressed, all data is output to the printer, and if all data can be transmitted to the printer, the setting file is saved according to the flow of FIG. The process ends, and returns to the image management device.
[0044]
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an outline of the simple edit screen in the present embodiment. The image display window 1101 displays the image selected in the preview selection window. In the image display window, a trimming area display window 1102 having a rectangular shape with an aspect ratio corresponding to the print target medium is displayed. The trimming area display window shows the area after trimming. The size and position of the trimming area display window can be changed using a pointing device such as a mouse.
[0045]
The trimming area display window in FIG. 11 is a double rectangular frame. Some printers cannot print the entire designated area of the image, so marginless printing may be realized by printing slightly out of the specified area. In such a case, the trimming area and the area actually printed are different. The double frame in FIG. 11 indicates the trimming area on the outer frame and the area on which the inner frame is actually printed. When the trimming area and the area to be actually printed coincide with each other, such as when the printing is not borderless printing or when printing is performed outside the border, the trimming area is displayed using a single rectangle instead of a double frame.
[0046]
When the enter button 1103 is pressed, the preview images displayed in the print preview window and the print list window are updated based on the trimming result, and reflected in the output to the printer. When the cancel button 1104 is pressed, the screen returns to the layout selection screen without applying any changes.
[0047]
After outputting all the data to the printer, the image printing apparatus saves the setting information and ends the image printing apparatus.
[0048]
Now, a method for storing the setting information will be described with reference to FIG.
[0049]
In step S1201, it is determined whether the number of printed image files described in the link file is set to one or more. If the number is set to one or more, the image file name is described in the setting file in step S1202. If the number is not set to one or more, the image file name is not described in the setting file. Further, in step S1203, the set number of prints is described in a setting file. In step S1204, the trimming information and rotation information set in the image file are described in the setting file.
[0050]
The operations in steps S1201 to S1204 are performed for all the images described in the cooperation file (step S1205), the setting file is saved, and the image printing apparatus ends.
[0051]
The operation of saving the setting file is performed in all cases when the image printing apparatus ends, and is also performed after printing.
[0052]
According to the first embodiment, when printing is performed using the image management device and the image printing device, the continuation of the selected state is determined by the file name, so that it is not necessary to open the cooperative file to check the contents. You can check the status.
Further, it is possible to use the saved setting information of each image when continuing, and not to use the setting information of each image when not continuing.
[0053]
(Second embodiment)
In the example of the first embodiment, the continuation state is determined by changing the file name of the link file. However, if the file name is used by another application, a problem may occur. is there. Therefore, in a second embodiment, an example will be described in which a continuous state is described as metadata in a link file.
[0054]
Here, the difference from the first embodiment is the description method of the cooperation file and the method of determining the cooperation, and the description of the other parts is omitted.
[0055]
First, a description method of a cooperation file will be described with reference to FIG.
[0056]
When the print button is pressed on the image management apparatus, it is determined in step S1301 whether a link file already exists. Here, the cooperation file may be any file. Here, “CanonManager.xml” is used using the name of the image management device. If this file does not exist, it means that you have never cooperated. If it exists, in step S402, it is determined whether the creation date and time of the cooperation file is later than the activation date and time of the currently activated image management apparatus. If the creation date and time of the link file is later than the activation date and time, the process proceeds to step S403, and it is determined whether an image is selected while the Shift key or the Ctrl key is pressed. Here, if the image is selected while the Shift key or the Ctrl key is pressed, it is determined that the exchange of the selection processing is continued between the image management apparatus and the image printing apparatus, and the process proceeds to step S404.
In step S404, a description “<State> continue </ State>” is added to the link file to be created. On the other hand, if No is determined in steps S401, S402, and S403, it is determined that the exchange of the selection process is not continued, and the process proceeds to step S405. In step S405, the coordination file to be created is set to “<State> New </ State>”.
[0057]
After that, in step S406, the file names of all the selected images are written in the link file with the full path.
[0058]
As described above, the cooperation file is created. At this time, if a link file with the same name already exists, the link file is overwritten on that file.
[0059]
Next, a method of determining cooperation in the image printing apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. First, in step S1401, the image printing apparatus checks whether there is a setting file. This setting file does not exist when the image printing apparatus is first started. If there is a setting file in step S1401, the process advances to step S1402 to determine whether the element of the <State> tag in the cooperation file is "continue". If it is “continue”, the process proceeds to S1403, and it is determined that the selection state is continuing. On the other hand, if NO is determined in steps S1401 and S1402, the process proceeds to step S1406, where it is determined that the selection state is not continued, and the number setting of all image files described in the cooperation file is set to “1”. And
[0060]
If it is determined that the selection state is continuing and the process proceeds to step S1403, it is determined whether one image file name in the cooperation file is stored in the setting file. If it exists, the process proceeds to step S1404, where it is determined that the setting information described in the setting file is valid, and the setting information described in the setting file is set as the setting information of the image file. I do. Here, the setting information includes the “number of prints”, the “trimming position”, and the “rotation direction” of each image. If the image file does not exist in step S1403, the process proceeds to step S1405, and the number of printed image files is set to one.
[0061]
By performing the processing of steps S1403 to S1405 for all images (step S1407), the number of prints for all image files written in the link file can be set. In addition, whether or not the selected state is continued can be determined by the file name without opening the file, so if the linked file is a very large file, the linked state can be quickly determined. It is possible to judge.
[0062]
By doing so, it is possible to determine whether or not the selection process is continuing even if a cooperative file is created from a plurality of image management apparatuses, and to make the setting information valid.
[0063]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, if the image processing apparatus of this embodiment is used, when the image specified by the image management apparatus is printed by the image printing apparatus, if the selection processing is continued, the setting is performed by the image printing apparatus. When the selection process is continued, the operation performed by the user is not wasted, and when the selection process is continued, the operation performed by the user is not wasted. Further, when the selection process is not continued, there is an advantage that unexpected failures of the user can be reduced without using the previously stored information.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a flow from selection of an image by an image management apparatus to activation of an image printing apparatus according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an outline of an image selection screen of the image management apparatus according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart when the continuity of a selected state of the image management apparatus is determined and a cooperative file is output according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a flow until an image is printed by the image printing apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart for reflecting information of a link file in an image passed in the link file according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an outline of a print number selection screen according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an outline of an output media selection screen according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an outline of a layout selection screen according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an outline of an enlarged screen according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an outline of an image editing screen according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a setting file saving method according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart when the continuity of the selected state of the image management apparatus is determined and a cooperative file is output according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart for reflecting information of a cooperation file in an image passed in the cooperation file in the second embodiment.

Claims (25)

An image processing device for managing and printing images,
Image selection means for selecting a plurality of images;
Selection continuation state determination means for determining whether or not the image selection in the image selection means is a continuation state,
Image management means comprising continuous state attached cooperation data output means for outputting continuous state attached cooperation data from the selection continuous state determination means,
Continuous state attached cooperation data input means for inputting the continuous state attached cooperation data, and print image setting information input / output means for inputting / outputting print image setting information for a plurality of images,
Using the continuous state attached cooperation data and the print image setting information, print setting means for performing print setting of a plurality of images in the continuous state attached cooperation data,
An image processing method comprising: an image printing unit including: 2. The image processing method according to claim 1, wherein the selection continuation state determining unit determines that continuation is performed when the image selecting unit is performed while pressing a specific key on a keyboard. 2. The image processing method according to claim 1, wherein the selection continuation state determination unit determines that continuation is performed when the image selection unit is performed while pressing a specific button of a mouse. 2. The image processing method according to claim 1, wherein the selection continuation state determination unit determines that continuation is performed when the image selection unit is performed while pressing any one of a keyboard and a specific button of a mouse. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the selection continuation state determination unit determines that continuation is performed when the image selection unit is performed while pressing both a specific key of a keyboard and a specific button of a mouse. Method. 2. The image processing method according to claim 1, wherein the continuous state attached cooperation data is output as text data. 2. The image processing method according to claim 1, wherein the continuous state attached cooperation data is an XML file. 2. The image processing method according to claim 1, wherein the continuous state attached cooperation data is an HTML file. 2. The image processing method according to claim 1, wherein the continuous state attached cooperation data is an SGML file. 2. The image processing method according to claim 1, wherein the continuous state attached cooperation data is a binary file. 2. The image processing method according to claim 1, wherein the continuous state attached cooperation data records locations of a plurality of image data. 2. The image processing method according to claim 1, wherein the continuous state attached cooperation data records date and time information as a location of a plurality of image data and a selected continuous state. 2. The image processing method according to claim 1, wherein the print image setting information is a text file. 2. The image processing method according to claim 1, wherein the print image setting information is an XML file. 2. The image processing method according to claim 1, wherein the print image setting information is an HTML file. 2. The image processing method according to claim 1, wherein the print image setting information is an SGML file. 2. The image processing method according to claim 1, wherein the print image setting information is a binary file. 2. The image processing method according to claim 1, wherein the print image setting information records locations of a plurality of image data. 2. The image processing method according to claim 1, wherein the print image setting information records a location of a plurality of image data and a print number setting. 2. The image processing method according to claim 1, wherein the print image setting information records locations of a plurality of image data and trimming settings of the image. 2. The image processing method according to claim 1, wherein the print image setting information records locations of a plurality of image data and rotation settings of the image. 2. The print number setting unit according to claim 1, wherein the print number setting unit validates the print number setting information when the date and time information included in the continuous state attached cooperation data and the date and time information included in the print number setting information are the same. Image processing method. 2. The image processing method according to claim 1, wherein the print number switching unit does not validate the print number setting information when date and time information included in the cooperation data is different from date and time information included in the print number setting information. . 8. The image processing method according to claim 7, wherein the continuous state attached cooperation data can also describe a logical group of images in XML format. 8. The image processing method according to claim 7, wherein the continuous state attached cooperation data can also describe a logical group of images in XML format.

Images