JP2004254342A - Image processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing system which performs an indication for designating a sending destination when transferring image data inputted by an image input means to terminal equipment connected via a network. <P>SOLUTION: An image processing system 10 has an image data input/output device 1, and image data are inputted by the image data input/output device 1. The image data inputted by the image data input/output device 1 are transferred to clients 4, 5 connected via the network. The image processing system 10 is equipped with a display means which performs the indication for designating the clients 4, 5 as the sending destination in the case of transfer. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing system connected to a terminal device via a network.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, digital processing technology of image data has remarkably advanced, and with this, transmission and reception of image data from a terminal device such as a workstation or a personal computer to an image processing system via a network has become widespread.

  For example, JP-A-61-292467 discloses a facsimile apparatus capable of connecting a facsimile to an external device such as a computer, performing remote printing, remote scanning, data communication, etc., and controlling the facsimile from the external device. It has been disclosed.

  In addition, not only code data, but also various data having different forms, such as data obtained by compressing image data read by a scanner or the like, and data in which image data and code data are mixed can be handled. Is coming.

  Therefore, recently, image data input / output settings and processing requests are made from the terminal device of the user, and the actual image data input / output processing is installed at a predetermined location in the office and has a network interface to support a network. A processing system which is performed by an image data input / output device such as a scanner, a printer, a facsimile, or a digital copying machine, which is configured as described above, is being generalized.

  However, when the distance between the terminal device and the image data input / output device is large, operations for performing remote scanning include a document set on the image data input / output device and a connection to a network. There is a problem in that the setting is performed at two locations on the terminal device, and the operability is significantly reduced.

  For this reason, proposals have been made to improve operability. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-173452 discloses an information processing apparatus configured to be able to set processing information from any apparatus when an image data input apparatus, a printing apparatus, and a processing apparatus are installed at separate places. Is disclosed.

  In addition, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H5-222501 discloses an apparatus that, when a command is transmitted, activates a scanner to capture image data into a mailbox and transmits the data to a computer.

  However, in the conventional image processing apparatus, when the distance between the terminal device and the image data input / output device is large, the operations for performing the remote scan include setting a document on the image data input / output device and a network. In such a case, the settings are made at two locations on the terminal device connected to the terminal, and the operability is significantly reduced.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an image processing system for performing display for specifying a destination when transferring image data input by an image input unit to a terminal device connected via a network.

  The present invention is characterized in that image input means for inputting image data, transfer means for transferring the image data input by the image input means to a terminal device connected via a network, And a display unit for performing a display for designating a terminal device which is a transmission destination at the time of transfer.

  According to the present invention, operability can be improved by performing display for designating a transmission destination at the time of image data input performed by a user, and processing can be started with a minimum operation.

  Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, a case where a copying machine is used as an image data input / output device will be described as an example.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of an image processing system according to the present invention. A plurality of terminal devices 3, 4, 5, and 6 are connected to a network 8 laid in a predetermined area. Here, the network 8 is configured by, for example, a local area network (hereinafter, referred to as a LAN) or a telephone line.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 1, the roles of the terminal devices are determined, such as the clients 4, 5, the image input / output server 3, the file server 6, and the like. Here, the image input / output server 3 may be a controller that controls printing and / or facsimile. A large-capacity storage device 7 is connected to the file server 6, and an image data input / output device 1 is connected to an image input / output server (hereinafter, simply referred to as a server) 3. The device 1 is controlled. The image data input / output apparatus 1 includes an image reading unit for reading a document, an output unit for performing copy output, a processing unit for copying image data, and the like. Here, a digital copying machine is used. I do. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 2 denotes an image processing apparatus, which is connected to a network with an image data input / output apparatus 1 which normally operates as a so-called stand-alone apparatus such as a copying machine or a facsimile, and is connected to clients 4 and 5. It performs processing for enabling transfer of image data, processing of image data, and the like. An image processing system 10 including the image data input / output device 1, the image processing device 2, and the server 3 is related to the present invention.

  In the system configuration shown in FIG. 1, there are three types of modes: a copy mode, a scan mode, and a print mode. The paths of these modes are indicated by P1, P2, and P3 in FIG. The present invention relates to a scan mode, and each mode is briefly described as follows. The copy mode is a mode in which the user causes the image reading unit of the image data input / output apparatus 1 to read a document and copy and output the document, and is a mode used as a normal copying machine. The scan mode is a mode in which image data read by the image data input / output device 1 is transferred to the client in response to a request from the client, and the print mode is a mode in which image data transferred from the client side is transferred. Is a mode for copying and outputting. The requests for the scan mode and the print mode are issued by the clients 4 and 5.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing one configuration example of the image processing system 10 according to the present invention. An image processing device (Electronic Sub-System: ESS) 2 reads an image from a server 3 via a bus interface (hereinafter referred to as an I / F) B4 and an image data input / output device 1 via an IITI / FB1. (IIT / IPS) M5 and an output unit (IOT) M1 of the image data input / output unit 1 via an IOT interface B11, and an image reading unit M5 is connected to an automatic document feeder (ADF) M2 and output. The unit M1 is connected to the post-processing unit (FINISHER) M3.

  The image processing apparatus 2 includes a compressor B3 for compressing image data, a page buffer B6 for storing image data, and an ITI / FB1 in addition to the IITI / FB1, the IOTI / FB11, and the bus I / FB4. A selector B2 for selecting which image data of the input image data or the image data output from the page buffer B6 is input to the compressor B3, an internal bus B5 through which image data and control data flow, and temporarily storing the image data , A disk controller B7 for controlling the hard disk 8, a decompressor B9 for decompressing image data, and image formation output from the decompressor via the IOTI / FB11. For switching to output to section M1 or to return to page buffer B6 And it includes a multiplexer B10. These units are controlled by the server 3 as described below.

  First, the operation in the copy mode will be described. When a document is set on the platen of the automatic document feeder M2 or the image reader M5, and a job operation is set by a user I / F (hereinafter, referred to as a UI) 11 on the server 3, a start button is pressed to read an image. The unit M5 reads the image information of the document, performs conversion into digital image data, and performs image processing. Then, the image data is input to the image processing device 2 via the IITI / FB1, compressed by the compressor B3, and sequentially stored in the page buffer B6. At this time, when the output unit M1 is in a copy output ready state, it is transferred from the page buffer B6 directly to the output unit M1 via the IOTI / FB 11, and the post-processing unit M3 executes the post-processing and simultaneously Writing is performed on B8.

  However, when the output unit M1 is in a state where output is not possible, writing to the hard disk B8 is performed. Although the transfer of the image data to the output unit M1 is performed only from the page buffer B6, the image data is stored in the page buffer B6 in two ways: the input from the image reading unit M5 and the reading from the hard disk B8. The basic operation is that, when there are a plurality of copies, the first copy outputs the image data from the image reading unit M5 directly to the output unit M1, and the second copy and thereafter copy the image data read from the hard disk B8. The data is decompressed by the decompressor B9, temporarily written into the page buffer B6 from the multiplexer B10, and output from the page buffer B6 to the output unit M1. As a result, a desired number of copies can be made.

  Next, the operation in the print mode will be described. In the print mode, the image data transferred from the client is stored in the page buffer B6 via the bus I / FB 4, and then output to the output unit M1 in the same manner as the output operation in the copy mode. You.

  Next, in the case of the scan mode, the image data from the input section M5 is compressed by the compressor B3, temporarily stored in the page buffer B6, read from the page buffer B6, decompressed by the decompressor B9, and The data is returned to the page buffer B6, and transferred from the page buffer B6 to the server 3 via the bus I / FB4.

  In any of the modes, access between the page buffer B6 and the other units is performed simultaneously and concurrently by arbitration of the internal bus B5. The page buffer B6 and the other units perform processing in a time-division manner, and input processing and output processing are performed in parallel.

  Next, a display screen configuration of the UI (user interface) 11 of the server 3 and the UIs of the clients 4 and 5 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 3A is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen of the UI 11 of the server 3, and FIG. 3B is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen of the UI of the clients 4 and 5. The UI 11 of the server 3 is used mainly for setting various job conditions in the copy mode, and the UIs of the clients 4 and 5 are used for making necessary settings in the print mode and the scan mode. I do. However, in the scan mode, the user must go to the place where the server 3 is always installed and set the original on the image reading unit M5 or the automatic original feeding unit M2 of the image data input / output device 1. 3 can be set on the UI 11.

  Now, the screen of the UI 11 shown in FIG. 3A will be described as follows. In an area indicated by reference numeral 12, buttons for selecting a magnification and a paper tray to be used in the copy mode are displayed.

  An area indicated by reference numeral 13 is a parameter setting unit. The parameter setting unit 13 includes a part for performing setting depending on a mode and a message display part 14 for displaying processing information and procedure guidance. The setting parameter depending on the mode is, for example, the number of copies in the case of the copy mode. There are indications for designation, post-processing designation, etc. In the case of the scan mode, there are indications for designation of a file name, destination, and the like. Then, the user sets various parameters according to these displays. The screen displayed in the area 13 is not a fixed screen, but changes according to a user operation.

  In the area indicated by the reference numeral 15, a numeric keypad, an interrupt button (INTR), a stop button (STOP), an all clear button (AC), and a start button (START) are provided as in a normal copying machine. A check button (CHK) is a button for confirming how far the parameters have been set. When the check button is pressed, the parameters set in the parameter setting unit 13 are sequentially displayed.

  This screen is displayed on a display device such as a color CRT. Therefore, for example, when copying is started, a start button is clicked with a mouse, or when the display device has a touch sensor. In this example, the user touches the start button, but here, "press the start button" or "press the start button" will be described.

  Next, the UI screens of the clients 4 and 5 shown in FIG. 3B will be described as follows. An area indicated by reference numeral 17 is an area where a message is displayed, and an area indicated by reference numeral 18 is an area for inputting a file name. Therefore, when a file name is input to this area in the scan mode, the image data of the file name is transferred from the image processing system 10.

  In the area indicated by reference numeral 19, the paper size for setting the size of the paper to be copied and output from the image data input / output device 1 in the print mode is displayed. Indicates the size of the image to be captured on the client side.

  An area indicated by reference numeral 20 is a parameter setting unit, which is the same as the parameter setting unit 13 of the UI 11 shown in FIG. 3A. Therefore, the screen of the parameter setting unit 20 is different between the print mode and the scan mode.

  Further, a clear button, a stop button, a discard button, a resume button, and a start button are displayed in an area indicated by reference numeral 21. The discard button is a button used to discard the process, the stop button is a button used to temporarily stop the process, the resume button is a button used to resume the process once stopped, and the start button is used. The button is a button used to start processing.

  Next, the configuration of the server 3 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a module configuration of the server 3. The server 3 includes a main control unit C1, a job scheduler C2, an input control unit C3, an output control unit C4, and a management table C5. The management table C5 is managed by the main control unit C1.

  In the case of the copy mode, a job request is generated from the UI 11, and in the case of the print mode or the scan mode, the job request is generated from the UI 11 of the server 3 or the UI of the client 4, 5 shown by U2 in the drawing. . Then, the job request is queued when accepted by the main control unit C1, and waits for the start of processing. Thereafter, when the conditions for starting the job are satisfied, the main control unit C1 takes out the head queue and shifts the processing to the job scheduler C2. Thereby, the job scheduler C2 activates the input control unit C3 or the output control unit C4 based on the job parameters of the job, and executes a predetermined process. The input control unit C3 controls the image reading process in the image reading unit M5, and the output control unit C4 controls the copy output process in the output unit M1 and the transfer process of the image data to the client. It is.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a module configuration of the main control unit C1 illustrated in FIG. The server request receiving unit 21 checks the job request from the UI 11 and, if normal, receives the job request and generates a ticket for executing the job, that is, a job ticket. Checks the job request from U2 and accepts it if it is normal to generate a job ticket. The job ticket generated by the server request reception unit 21 and the client request reception unit 22 is stored in the request queuing unit 23. Queued at The retrieval of the job ticket queued by the request queuing unit 23 is performed by the request retrieval unit 24 in accordance with the operation status of the system. These processes are performed under the control of the process setting unit 20.

  When the request is taken out, the process setting unit 20 notifies the process start requesting unit 30 of the fact. As a result, a check for starting the processing of the request is performed. This check is performed by managing a job management unit 31 that manages the status of a job currently being performed in the system, a system management unit 32 that manages the current system status, and an operation status of each unit of the system. The operation state management unit 33 and the trigger monitoring unit 34 that monitors whether there is a job request from the client are performed based on management data managed by each unit.

  The synchronous / asynchronous determination unit 35 determines, in the scan mode, the relationship between the image reading process by the image reading unit M5 and the transfer process of transferring the read image data to the client. , Determine whether the input process and the transfer process are performed synchronously, asynchronously, or asynchronously halfway but synchronously thereafter (hereinafter, such a state is referred to as semi-synchronous). Then, the determination result is written in the synchronous / asynchronous flag of the job ticket, and the processing start requesting unit 30 is notified of the fact. Whether the image reading processing and the transfer processing to the client are performed synchronously, asynchronously, or semi-synchronously is determined by the job management unit 31, the system management unit 32, the operation state management unit 33, and the trigger. Obviously, this is performed based on the result of the check by the monitoring unit 34.

  The start timing control unit 36 determines whether the requested processing can be started based on the result of the check by the job management unit 31, the system management unit 32, the operation state management unit 33, and the trigger monitoring unit 34. If it is determined that the processing can be started, the processing start unit 30 is notified of the fact.

  In response to this, the processing start request unit 30 issues a request to start the processing determined to be startable by the start timing control unit 36 to the job scheduler C2.

  As a result, the job scheduler C2 activates the input control unit C3 and the output control unit C4, and refers to the synchronous / asynchronous flag, and performs input processing, that is, image reading processing, and output processing, that is, transfer processing in this case. Are performed synchronously, asynchronously, or semi-synchronously.

  Next, the management table C5 shown in FIG. 4 will be described. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a structure of management data handled by the main control unit C1, and management data corresponding to each unit of the main control unit C1 shown in FIG. 5 is provided.

  The system table 40 is a table managed by the system management unit 32, and includes a system state indicating the current state of the system, whether or not a document is jammed in the image reading unit M5 or the automatic document feeding unit M2, and the like. , An output error state indicating whether a paper jam or the like has occurred in the output unit M1, and items of configuration and management data address. In the configuration, various values fixedly set in advance in the system are written, and the management data address is the head address where the process table 41 and the job table 42 are written. It is what has been.

  The process table 41 is a table managed by the operation state management unit 33. The table includes items indicating the status of the reception unit, the input unit and the output unit, and items of the input speed and the output speed. In the items of input speed and output speed, the reading speed of the image reading unit M5 and the data transfer speed of the network 8 are written, respectively. These values are synchronized from any point in time when performing the above-described semi-synchronous processing. It is used to determine whether to perform processing.

  The job table 42 includes a reception job number indicating the number of received jobs, an execution job number indicating the number of executed jobs, a request reception queue indicating a queue that has received a request but has not yet executed, and a queue currently being executed. It has the item of the execution queue shown.

  The job ticket 43 indicates the content of each job, and is created by the server request receiving unit 21 or the client request receiving unit 22 as described above.

  The link field indicates the connection of the queue, and indicates which job is followed by the job. The job ID is a job identification number. The job type indicates whether the job is a copy mode job, a scan mode job, or a print mode job. The file ID is an identification number assigned to each file when the server 3 manages the hard disk B8. The job status indicates what state the job is currently in, such as whether the job is in a waiting state or how much processing has been completed.

  Also, in the items of double-sided / single-sided, image quality and image size, values of corresponding parameters attached to the job request are written.

  The trigger monitoring data is managed by the trigger monitoring unit 34, and includes the items shown in the trigger table 44. The document set flag is a flag that is turned on when a document is set in the image data input / output device 1. When the notification that a document is set is received from the image data input / output device 1, the trigger monitoring unit 34 sets this flag. turn on. The input start flag is a flag that is turned on when the input processing starts, and the input end flag is a flag that is turned on when the input processing ends. The request reception flag is turned on when a job request from a client is received.

  Returning to the job ticket 43 and continuing the description, the address of the client that is the destination of the image data is written in the corresponding client item. The result determined by the synchronization / asynchronization determination unit 35 is written in the synchronization / asynchronization flag.

  The management table C5 is as described above, and a portion according to the present invention will be described below.

  First, when a job is received and a job ticket is generated, at the same time, a trigger table is generated therein, and a system state necessary for processing determination is managed here. Then, when the identifiable data is ready, the start timing control unit 36 determines whether the process can be started, and notifies the process start requesting unit 30 when the process can be started. In the corresponding client item in the job ticket, a client address is set by registration from the client or designation of a destination set on the UI 11 of the server 3.

  Now, in the scan mode, the client user needs to issue a request to transfer image data to his / her own terminal device and to start input processing, that is, to start reading a document image. The transfer request and the start instruction can be issued either on the client terminal device side or on the UI 11 side of the server 3. However, the order in which the transfer request and the input start instruction are issued and the timing thereof are various.

  Therefore, how the input process and the transfer process are performed according to the order of the transfer request and the input start and the timing thereof will be described with reference to FIGS. 7, 8, and 9. FIG.

  FIG. 7A shows that the user first sets a scan mode and sets necessary parameters such as input of a transfer file name on the UI on the client side to make a job request (t1). A document is set in the data input / output device 1 (t2), necessary settings such as input of a file name are performed, and a start button is pressed. In this case, when the setting and the job request made on the client side are accepted, the server 3 registers it and the registered contents are displayed on the UI 11 of the server 3.

  In this case, the trigger monitoring unit 34 turns on a document set flag when detecting that a document is set, and turns on a request reception flag of the trigger table 44 when detecting a job request from a client. When detecting that the start button of the UI 11 of the server 3 has been pressed, the trigger monitoring unit 34 passes the fact to the synchronization / asynchronization determination unit 35 and the start timing control unit 36.

  Thereby, the synchronous / asynchronous determination unit 35 and the start timing control unit 36 are activated. At this time, the synchronous / asynchronous determination unit 35 is turned on in the order of the document set flag and the request reception flag, so that it is determined that the input process and the transfer process can be processed synchronously. Set. Further, the start timing control unit 36 refers to the state of each unit of the system from the synchronous / asynchronous flag and the management table C5, and processes the input process and the transfer process in a synchronized manner. The start request unit 30 is notified.

  In response to this, the processing start request unit 30 issues a processing start request to the job scheduler C2. Thus, the job scheduler C2 controls the input control unit C3 and the output control unit C4 to perform the input processing and the transfer processing shown in the drawing.

  In the figure, the input section sequentially inputs the first page to the fifth page, and the transfer section transfers the image data of this page immediately upon completion of the input processing of the first page. This is the synchronization process. When the input processing is completed, the input section returns an input end to the trigger monitoring section 34, and when the transfer processing is completed, the transfer section notifies the client of the transfer end.

  In the figure, the transfer unit performs the transfer process at the same time as the input unit is performing the input process. However, as described above, in this system, each unit may perform the process in parallel. This is because it can be done.

  FIG. 7B shows a case where the user first sets a document on the image data input / output device 1 on the server 3 side (t1), returns to the client side as it is, and performs necessary settings such as scan mode setting and file name input. A case where a job request including pressing of a start button is issued (t2) is shown.

  Also in this case, as in the case shown in FIG. 7A, since the document set flag and the request acceptance flag are turned on in this order, the synchronous / asynchronous determination unit 35 can synchronously perform the input process and the transfer process. Is determined, and a synchronous process is set in the synchronous / asynchronous flag. Further, the start timing control unit 36 refers to the state of each unit of the system from the synchronous / asynchronous flag and the management table C5, and processes the input process and the transfer process in a synchronized manner. The start request unit 30 is notified.

  In response to this, the processing start request unit 30 issues a processing start request to the job scheduler C2. As a result, the job scheduler C2 controls the input control unit C3 and the output control unit C4 so that the input process and the transfer process are performed synchronously as shown in FIG. When the input processing is completed, the input section returns an input end to the trigger monitoring section 34, and when the transfer processing is completed, the transfer section notifies the client of the transfer end.

  FIG. 8A shows that the user of the client sets a document on the image data input / output device 1 on the server 3 side (t1), sets the scan mode, sets necessary parameters and sets the own client as the transfer destination on the UI11. The case where the job request is issued after setting (t3) is shown.

  Also in this case, as in the case shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, since the document set flag and the request reception flag are turned on in this order, the synchronous / asynchronous determination unit 35 performs the input process and the transfer process synchronously. It is determined that the processing can be performed, and the synchronous processing is set in the synchronous / asynchronous flag. Further, the start timing control unit 36 refers to the state of each unit of the system from the synchronous / asynchronous flag and the management table C5, and processes the input process and the transfer process in a synchronized manner. The start request unit 30 is notified.

  In response to this, the processing start request unit 30 issues a processing start request to the job scheduler C2. As a result, the job scheduler C2 controls the input control unit C3 and the output control unit C4 so that the input process and the transfer process are performed synchronously as shown in FIG. When the input processing is completed, the input section returns an input end to the trigger monitoring section 34, and when the transfer processing is completed, the transfer section notifies the client of the transfer end.

  FIG. 8B is as follows. In this case, the user first sets a document on the image data input / output device 1 (t1), makes necessary settings on the UI 11, and presses the start button (t2). At this time, since the document set flag is on, the synchronous / asynchronous determination unit 35 determines that only input processing is possible, and sets asynchronous processing in the synchronous / asynchronous flag. In response, the start timing control unit 36 determines the start of the processing when the input processing becomes possible. As a result, only the input processing is started as shown in FIG.

  Thereafter, the user returns to the client side, sets the scan mode and sets necessary settings, and issues a job request (t3). At this time, assuming that the input processing has not yet been completed as shown in the figure, in this case, since the document set flag, the input start flag, and the request acceptance flag are turned on in this order, the synchronous / asynchronous determination unit 35 In addition to resetting the semi-synchronous processing to the synchronous / asynchronous flag and referring to the input speed, output speed, and other necessary items of the process table 41, it is determined from which point the synchronous processing can be performed. Set the flag.

  Also, at this time, when the transfer process can be started, the start timing control unit 36 notifies the process start requesting unit 30 of the fact.

  In the figure, the transfer process is started in the middle of the input process of the second page, and is performed separately from the input process until the transfer of the third page. That is, the input process and the transfer process are performed asynchronously until the transfer of the third page. However, the transfer of the fourth page is performed immediately after the input processing of the fourth page is completed, and the input processing and the transfer processing are performed synchronously from the fourth page. In this manner, the process performed asynchronously at first and performed synchronously in the middle is called a semi-synchronous process here.

  When the input process is completed, the input unit notifies the trigger monitoring unit 34, and when the transfer process is completed, the transfer unit notifies the client of the same as in the above-described example.

  FIG. 9 shows a case where the user sets a document on the image data input / output device 1 (t1), sets the scan mode and necessary parameters on the UI 11, and presses the start button (t2). . However, in this case, it is assumed that no client is specified on the UI 11.

  In this case, since only the document set flag is turned on in the trigger table 44, the synchronous / asynchronous determination unit 35 determines that only input processing is possible, and sets asynchronous processing in the synchronous / asynchronous flag. In response, the start timing control unit 36 determines the start of the processing when the input processing becomes possible. As a result, only the input processing is started as shown in FIG.

  When the input processing is completed, the image data is transferred to a predetermined storage unit, for example, an internal storage device of the server 3 or the file server 6, and stored therein.

  After that, if a job request is issued from the client side (t3), since the input end flag is ON in this case, the synchronous / asynchronous determination unit 35 determines that only the transfer process is possible, and Asynchronous processing is set in the / asynchronous flag. In response, the start timing control unit 36 determines the start of the process when the transfer process becomes possible. As a result, only the transfer process is started as shown in the figure, and when the transfer process ends, the transfer unit notifies the client of the transfer end.

  Next, with reference to FIGS. 10, 11, 12, and 13, a description will be given of a user operation according to the present invention and processing performed by the client-side terminal device and the server 3. It will be apparent that the operations shown in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 are performed by performing the processing described below.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing processing performed on the terminal device side as a client.

  When the user on the client side makes necessary settings such as scan mode setting and parameter setting by using the UI of the terminal device and presses the start button after the setting is completed (S1), the terminal device places the document on the image data input / output device 1. It is determined whether or not there is (S2). This determination is made by the terminal device making an inquiry to the server 3 by communication. That is, when the server 3 inquires from the terminal device whether a document is set, the server 3 notifies the terminal device of the value of the document set flag of the trigger table 44. Thereby, the terminal device can know whether or not the original is set.

  If there is a document, the terminal device transmits a request to start input processing and transfer processing to the server 3 (S3), and displays a message display on the UI to notify the user of the start of an operation such as "input is in progress". Go (S4) and enter the end wait state. On the other hand, when the server 3 receives the request for starting the input processing and the transfer processing, the processing is started.

  However, if the document does not exist, it is determined whether the image data requested by the user already exists (S5). This determination process is performed based on whether or not the user has set a file name. If the file name is not specified, it is treated that there is no image data.

  If the image data exists, the terminal device issues a transfer processing request to the server 3 or another terminal device storing the image data (S6), and the UI displays "Transferring" or the like. A message indicating that the image data is being transferred is displayed (S7), and the process enters the end wait state.

  However, if the image data does not exist in the determination in step S5, it is necessary to read the original from the image data input / output device 1, so the terminal device sends a registration request to the server 3 with its own client address. Issue (S8). Then, a message urging the user to set the document on the image data input / output device 1 such as "Please set the document" is displayed on the UI (S9), and the process ends.

  In this flowchart, the release of the waiting state is performed when job end information is received from the partner to which the various requests have been issued (S10).

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a user operation on the server 3 side and processing of the server 3.

  When the user sets a document on the image data input / output device 1 and makes necessary settings on the UI 11 (S11), it is determined whether or not there is a registration request from the client (S12), and there is a registration request from the client. In this case, the server 3 does not wait for the start button to be pressed, but starts the input process when the document is set, and starts the transfer process sequentially from the page where the input is completed to the registered client (S13). ). Then, the server 3 displays on the UI 11 a message indicating that a process such as "Processing" is being executed (S14), and enters a waiting state. In this case, the input processing and the transfer processing are synchronous processing, semi-synchronous processing, or asynchronous processing, and the determination of whether to perform synchronous processing, semi-synchronous processing, or asynchronous processing is described above. As a matter of course, the synchronous / asynchronous determination unit 35 performs the operation. The start timing control unit 36 determines when necessary processing is started.

  However, if there is no registration request from the client in the determination of step S12, the start button is pressed on the client side or server 3 side, that is, the start request is waited (S15).

  When the server 3 receives a command indicating that the start button of the UI 11 has been pressed or a command indicating that the start button has been pressed on the UI of the client-side terminal device (S22), in that case, the start button Is turned on (S23). Pressing the start button on the UI of the client terminal is referred to as remote start.

  When the start button is turned on, it is determined whether or not a destination is specified (S16). If the destination is specified, input processing and transfer processing are started for the destination (S17), and the UI 11 displays "Processing. Is displayed (S18), and a standby state is entered. In this case as well, the input processing and the transfer processing are synchronous processing, semi-synchronous processing, or asynchronous processing, and the determination as to whether to perform synchronous processing, semi-synchronous processing, or asynchronous processing is described above. As a matter of course, the synchronous / asynchronous determination unit 35 performs the operation. The start timing control unit 36 determines when necessary processing is started.

  However, if the destination is not set in the determination in step S16, the server 3 determines whether the start button has been pressed on the UI 11 of the server 3 or the client UI (S19). If it is a start, the processing of steps S17 and S18 is performed with the client that has started the remote start as a destination. If it is not a remote start, that is, if the start button is pressed on the UI 11 of the server 3, only input processing is performed. The image data is stored in a built-in storage device of the server 3 or another server such as the file server 6 with a file name (S20), and the file name is designated by the client at an arbitrary time thereafter. Will wait for you. Therefore, the server 3 displays the display of the file name on the UI 11 (S21), and enters a waiting state. Alternatively, a list of these untransferred files may be created so that the file can be freely searched on the server 3 or another client. Note that the release of the waiting state is performed when the information of the processing end is received from the job scheduler C2 (S24), and at this time, the end information is issued to the destination client (S25).

  Note that what is performed in step S20 is an asynchronous process in which only the input process is performed. The determination of performing the asynchronous process is performed by the synchronous / asynchronous determination unit 35, and the determination of when to start the input process is performed by the start timing control. This is performed by the unit 36.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart of the processing performed in steps S14 and S17 of FIG.

  When this process is started, the server 3 takes out the corresponding job ticket from the management table C5 and executes the process based on the content. First, the server 3 issues a request to secure an area of the page buffer B6 (S31). ), The input operation is started if it can be secured in the determination in step S32 (S33), but if it cannot be secured, the process waits until it can be secured (S40).

  After issuing a command to start the input operation of the first page, it is determined whether transfer processing can be performed at the same time (S34). If possible, a transfer start command of one page is issued (S37). ). Then, when only the input operation of one page in step S33 or the input / transfer synchronization processing in step S37 is completed, the page buffer B6 is stored in a storage device such as the hard disk B8 to release the area of the page buffer B6 (S35). Steps S31 to S35 are repeated until the last page.

  On the other hand, every time one page is written to the hard disk B8 in step S35, the table for managing the page buffer B6 is updated (S38), and if there is a job in the waiting state in step S40, the processing from step S31 is performed. Do.

  The processing performed in steps S14 and S17 in FIG. 11 has been described above. Next, processing for transfer only will be described with reference to FIG.

  When the transfer process is started, a request for securing an area of the page buffer B6 is made first (S41). Then, it is determined whether or not an area can be secured (S42). If the area can be secured, the image data already stored is read out from a storage device such as the hard disk B8 (S43). (S46).

  When the reading is completed, a transfer process start command to the destination is issued (S44), and the process is repeated from step S41 until the desired page is completed.

  On the other hand, every time the transfer processing is completed, the table for managing the page buffer B6 is updated (S47), and if there is a job waiting for area reservation in step S46, the processing from step S41 is performed.

  When the processing is repeated up to the last page in this way, the image data stored in the storage device such as the hard disk B8 is deleted (S49), and the job of initializing the control data, clearing the page buffer B6, etc. is completed. (S50) and the process ends.

  By performing the above operations, the user can freely operate the terminal device on the client side or the UI 11 of the server 3 without having to worry about the order and timing of the operations at all, and the amount of operations can be minimized. Can be kept.

  As mentioned above, although one Example of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to the said Example, A various deformation | transformation is possible. For example, in the above embodiment, a digital copying machine is used as the image data input / output device 1. However, any device that can input image data may be used.

  In addition, although the screen of the UI displays a window, a screen mounted on a conventional copying machine, scanner, printer, or the like such as an operation panel may be used.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the image data is compressed / decompressed in the image processing apparatus 2. However, the data of the original image may be used as it is, or the data may be subjected to a desired editing process. Needless to say.

  In other words, the present invention solves the problem when a place where a necessary operation is performed is present at a plurality of distant places, and it is possible to add various modifications without changing the gist of the present invention. Of course.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a network system using the image processing system of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an embodiment of an image processing system according to the present invention. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen of a UI 11 on a server 3 side and a screen of a UI of a terminal device on a client side. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a module configuration of a server 3. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a module configuration of a main control unit C1 in FIG. 4. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a structure of a management table C5 in FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a relationship between input processing and transfer processing performed in the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a relationship between input processing and transfer processing performed in the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a relationship between input processing and transfer processing performed in the present invention. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a process performed by the terminal device of the client. 9 is a flowchart illustrating processing performed on the server 3 side. It is a flowchart which shows an input / transfer process. It is a flowchart at the time of performing only a transfer process.

Explanation of reference numerals

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image data input / output device, 2 ... Image processing device, 3 ... Image input / output server, 4 ... Client, 6 ... File server, 7 ... Mass storage device, 8 ... Network

Claims (1)

Image input means for inputting image data,
Transfer means for transferring the image data input by the image input means to a terminal device connected via a network,
Display means for performing a display for designating a terminal device which is a destination at the time of transfer by the transfer means,
An image processing system comprising:

Images