JP2005011226A - Image forming apparatus, image forming system, image forming method, image forming program, and image forming program storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus having an enhanced document management function by which information in an electronic document which corresponds to a manuscript of a print document can be acquired from the print document printed on a form, and determination of old and new of the print documents and aquisition of print documents after revision, etc. are also possible. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus is provided with an identifier setting section 4 which has a lookup table 4a which homologizes attribute data indicating attributes of image data and identifiers of the image data concerned and records them, compares the attribute data of the inputted image data with the lookup table 4a, and establishes identifiers of the image data based on the result of the comparison; and an image formation section 7 which forms images on a recording medium based on the image data and the identifiers set up by the identifier setting section 4. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention, image data created by an information device (hereinafter referred to as “electronic document”) can be printed on a sheet to obtain a printed document, or the printed sheet can be read to obtain an electronic document. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an image forming system, an image forming method, an image forming program, and an image forming program storage medium capable of managing a document of a printed document printed on paper.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, information devices such as personal computers have become widespread, and electronic documents using these information devices have been actively created. Electronic documents are easy to revise after document creation, as well as corrections during document creation, so the creation frequency and the amount of information created tend to increase. Various document management systems have been developed in order to manage a large amount of electronic documents and printed documents obtained by printing electronic documents on paper. However, management of electronic documents is often the main purpose.
[0003]
Needless to say, an electronic document is printed on a sheet after the document is created, and there are many occasions when the document is printed for the purpose of proofreading even during the document creation. However, while revision (revision) management and the like of electronic documents are performed, document management using printed documents hardly functions, and in particular, little consideration is given to the relationship between printed documents and electronic documents. For this reason, from the content of the printed document, the electronic document from which the printed material is printed or what version is the person who created the electronic document or the printed document was created by the electronic document It is in a state that can only be known by people. Furthermore, there is a problem that an electronic document managed by the document management system is in a position where it can be known only by a person who has an operation right for the document management system.
[0004]
Therefore, an electronic document is stored with an ID (identification) for identifying the electronic document, and the electronic document specified by the ID is taken out as a printed document with an ID mark, or an ID mark is placed at a predetermined location. Is added to enable facsimile transmission (see Patent Document 1).
[0005]
According to this technology, an ID attached to a print document is associated with an electronic document corresponding to the original of the print document, so that it is convenient for reprinting a document with the same content and there is no authority to operate the document management system. There is an advantage that a desired document can be reprinted even when the operation procedure of the document management system is not known.
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-10-308868 (paragraph number 0027 to paragraph number 0169. FIGS. 2 to 33)
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, according to the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is effective when a document having the same content as a document printed in the past is printed again. However, it is input again regardless of the read original content. Since the ID is mechanically set regardless of the contents of the electronic document, these documents are unconditionally handled as separate sheets.
[0008]
Therefore, the relevance between electronic documents is not known other than “change link destination” that changes the medium in which the electronic document is stored, such as changing the storage location from the optical disk to the hard disk. For this reason, when an electronic document input in the past is revised, there is a problem in that the relationship between the revised electronic document or printed document and the revised electronic document or printed document cannot be understood.
[0009]
In view of the above circumstances, the present invention can obtain information on an electronic document corresponding to the manuscript from a printed document printed on paper, regardless of the existing document management system or the storage form of the electronic document. Provides an image forming apparatus, an image forming system, an image forming method, an image forming program, and an image forming program storage medium with a rich document management function capable of judging whether a print document is new or old and obtaining a revised print document The purpose is to do.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The image forming apparatus of the present invention that achieves the above object has a correspondence table in which attribute data representing attributes of image data and identifiers of the image data are recorded in association with each other, and the attribute data of the input image data An identifier setting unit that sets the identifier of the image data based on the comparison result,
And an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium based on the image data and the identifier set by the identifier setting unit.
[0011]
As described above, the identifier of the image data is set by the attribute data representing the attribute of the input image data, and the setting of the identifier is managed by the correspondence table in which the attribute data and the identifier are recorded in association with each other. Since it is printed together with the data, it becomes easy to finely manage the printed document.
[0012]
Here, the correspondence table records a plurality of attribute data corresponding to the identifier,
The identifier setting unit compares a plurality of attribute data corresponding to the identifier recorded in the correspondence table with the attribute data of input image data, and at least one attribute data of the plurality of attribute data Are different from each other, it is preferable to set a new identifier and add the unrecorded new identifier to the correspondence table in association with the attribute data.
[0013]
In this way, even when each item of the attribute data is different, the print document can be managed in detail by setting the identifier.
[0014]
Further, the correspondence table is a record of a plurality of attribute data corresponding to the identifier,
The identifier setting unit compares a plurality of attribute data corresponding to the identifier recorded in the correspondence table with the attribute data of the input image data, and when all the attribute data match, the correspondence table It is preferable to set the identifier recorded in the image data.
[0015]
In this way, the identifier recorded in the correspondence table is set when all the attribute data match, so that duplicate setting can be avoided.
[0016]
The correspondence table records a plurality of attribute data corresponding to the identifier, and one of the plurality of attribute data is based on the image data whose attributes are represented by the attribute data. It is preferable to represent the number of times an image is formed on the recording medium.
[0017]
Thus, by setting different identifiers depending on the number of times an image is formed, the number of times that a print document is created with the same image data can be easily grasped.
[0018]
In the correspondence table, it is preferable that a plurality of attribute data corresponding to the identifier is recorded, and one of the plurality of attribute data represents a revision state of the image data.
[0019]
In this way, by setting different identifiers depending on the revision state of the image data, it is possible to obtain the revision information of the print document or obtain the latest version of the print document.
[0020]
A reading unit that reads a document and obtains image data;
An identifier extracting unit that extracts a document identifier for identifying the document from the image data obtained by the reading unit;
In a preferred aspect, the identifier setting unit compares the document identifier extracted by the identifier extraction unit with the identifier recorded in the correspondence table.
[0021]
In this way, by reading the document ID of the print original and comparing it with a pre-recorded identifier, information when the print original is printed can be obtained.
[0022]
Furthermore, a display unit having a display screen is provided,
The identifier setting unit compares the document identifier extracted by the identifier extraction unit with the identifier recorded in the correspondence table, and if the document identifier matches the identifier, It is preferable to display the recorded attribute data on the display unit.
[0023]
Thus, when the attribute data is displayed, it is possible to know the printing state of the document.
[0024]
In the correspondence table, a plurality of attribute data corresponding to the identifier is recorded, and one of the plurality of attribute data represents a revised state of the image data.
The identifier setting unit is configured to display attribute data representing the revision state of an identifier recorded in the correspondence table that is different only in attribute data representing the revision state and attribute data corresponding to the document identifier from the display unit. It is also preferable to display the above.
[0025]
Thus, if the revision status of the document is displayed, it is possible to determine whether the document is new or old and how the document is revised.
[0026]
In addition, an image data storage unit that stores the image data set with the identifier by the identifier setting unit,
The display unit has a selector for selecting any of the displayed attribute data,
The image forming unit forms an image on a recording medium based on the image data stored in the image data storage unit in which an identifier corresponding to the attribute data selected by the selector is set and the identifier It is preferable to do.
[0027]
As described above, by selecting from the attribute data displayed on the display screen, it is possible to obtain a printed document in which the original on hand is revised.
[0028]
An image forming system of the present invention that achieves the above object has a correspondence table in which a plurality of attribute data representing attributes of image data and identifiers of the image data are recorded in association with each other, and the input image data Comparing the attribute data with the correspondence table, and setting an identifier of the image data based on the comparison result;
A plurality of image forming apparatuses connected to a network having image data and an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium based on the identifier of the image data set by the identifier setting unit;
The identifier setting unit of each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses is configured such that when at least one attribute data of the plurality of attribute data of the input image data is different from the correspondence table, the identifier setting units are A different new identifier is set, and the new identifier not recorded in each correspondence table is associated with the attribute data and added to the corresponding correspondence table.
[0029]
In this way, even when a plurality of image forming apparatuses are connected via a network, each image forming apparatus has a correspondence table in which different new identifiers are set and the same contents are recorded. There are no duplicate identifier settings.
[0030]
Each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses includes
A reading unit that reads a document and obtains image data;
An identifier extracting unit for extracting a document identifier for identifying the document from the image data obtained by the reading unit;
A display unit having a display screen,
The identifier setting unit of each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses compares the document identifier extracted by the identifier extraction unit with the identifier recorded in the correspondence table, and the document identifier matches the identifier. In this case, it is preferable that the attribute data recorded in the correspondence table in association with the identifier is displayed on the display unit.
[0031]
As described above, by including the reading unit, the identifier extracting unit, and the display unit, it is possible to extract the document identifier from the document and check on the display screen whether the document is printed by the image forming system. .
[0032]
Furthermore, one of the plurality of attribute data recorded in the correspondence table represents a revision state of the image data,
The identifier setting unit is configured to display attribute data representing the revision state of an identifier recorded in the correspondence table that is different only in attribute data representing the revision state and attribute data corresponding to the document identifier from the display unit. Is preferably displayed.
[0033]
As described above, if the revision state of the electronic document is recorded in the correspondence table, the revision information of the document can be displayed on the display unit.
[0034]
An image forming system of the present invention that achieves the above object has a correspondence table in which a plurality of attribute data representing attributes of image data and identifiers of the image data are recorded in association with each other, and the input image data An identifier management device connected to a network for comparing attribute data with the correspondence table and setting an identifier of the image data based on the comparison result;
A plurality of image forming apparatuses connected to a network for forming an image on a recording medium based on the image data and the identifier of the image data set by the identifier management apparatus;
The identifier management device sets a new identifier when at least one attribute data of the plurality of attribute data of the image data is different from the correspondence table, and sets the new identifier not recorded in the correspondence table. An identifier is added to the correspondence table in association with the attribute data.
[0035]
As described above, the function of managing the identifier among the plurality of image forming apparatuses connected to the network can be arranged in common as one apparatus, and thereby the efficiency of the identifier setting in each image forming apparatus. And avoiding duplication of identifier setting between image forming apparatuses.
[0036]
Each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses includes
A reading unit that reads a document and obtains image data;
An identifier extracting unit for extracting a document identifier for identifying the document from the image data obtained by the reading unit, and sending the extracted document identifier to the identifier management device;
A display unit having a display screen,
The identifier management device compares the document identifier sent from each identifier extraction unit with the identifier recorded in the correspondence table, and when the document identifier matches the identifier, the correspondence table It is preferable to display the attribute data recorded on the display unit of the image forming apparatus from which the document identifier is extracted.
[0037]
As described above, when the document ID of the printed document is read and the attribute data is displayed, it is easy to know the printing state of the document.
[0038]
One of the plurality of attribute data recorded in the correspondence table represents a revision state of the image data,
The identifier management device stores the attribute data representing the revision state of the identifier recorded in the correspondence table and having an identifier that differs only in the attribute data representing the revision state from the attribute data of the identifier that matches the document identifier. It is also a preferable aspect that the identifier is extracted and displayed on the display unit of the image forming apparatus.
[0039]
As described above, when the revision state of the printed document is displayed, it is possible to easily know the old and new state of the document and the revision history.
[0040]
The image forming method of the present invention that achieves the above object has a correspondence table in which a plurality of attribute data representing attributes of image data and identifiers of the image data are recorded in association with each other.
An identifier setting procedure for comparing the attribute data of the image data with the correspondence table and setting an identifier of the image data based on the comparison result;
An image forming procedure for forming an image on a recording medium based on the image data and the identifier of the image data set by the identifier setting unit is provided.
[0041]
As described above, the identifier of the image data is set by the attribute data representing the attribute of the input image data, and the setting of the identifier is managed by the correspondence table in which the attribute data and the identifier are recorded in association with each other. Since it is printed together with the data, it becomes easy to finely manage the printed document.
[0042]
Here, when at least one of the attribute data is different as a result of the comparison in the identifier setting procedure, a new identifier is set, and the new identifier not recorded in the correspondence table is set to the attribute data. It is preferable that an appending procedure for appending to the correspondence table is provided.
[0043]
In this way, by setting identifiers for all items of attribute data, it is possible to finely manage printed documents.
[0044]
A reading unit that reads the document and obtains image data; an identifier extraction unit that extracts a document identifier that identifies the document from the image data obtained by the reading unit; and a display unit that includes a display screen;
The document identifier extracted by the identifier extraction unit is compared with the identifier recorded in the correspondence table. When the document identifier matches the identifier, the attribute data recorded in the correspondence table is It is preferable that a display procedure for displaying on the display unit is provided.
[0045]
In this way, the document ID of the printed document is read and compared with a pre-recorded identifier. If they match, the recorded attribute data is displayed, so that information when the printed document is printed can be easily obtained. Obtainable.
[0046]
One of the plurality of attribute data recorded in the correspondence table represents a revision state of the image data,
It is preferable to display the attribute data representing the revised state of the identifier recorded in the correspondence table and having an identifier that is different from only the attribute data representing the revised state and the attribute data matching the document identifier.
[0047]
As described above, if the revision state of the electronic document is recorded and the revision information is displayed, the revision history of the printed document can be easily grasped.
[0048]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of an image forming apparatus, an image forming method, an image forming program, and an image forming program storage medium according to the present invention will be described.
(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a composite printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.
[0049]
The composite printing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 prints an electronic document on a sheet to obtain a printed document, a printer function that performs processing along the line indicated by a thick solid line A in the figure, and reads the printed document printed on the sheet. A scanner function for obtaining an electronic document and processing along a line indicated by a thick broken line B in the figure.
[0050]
The printer function has an interface with an external computer, receives the electronic document created by the computer, and the electronic document from attribute data such as a URI representing the attribute of the electronic document received by the receiving unit 1 The identifier setting unit 4 that associates the identifier with the attribute data and the electronic document and records the identifier in the management table (corresponding to the correspondence table of the present invention) 4a, and the identifier setting unit 4 stores the identifier. An image processing unit 6 that performs image processing on the electronic document to convert it into a print format document, converts an identifier into a document format ID such as a barcode, and binds the converted document format ID to the print format document; This is realized by the image forming unit 7 that prints the document format ID and the print format document bundled by the image forming function unit 6 in a predetermined format to obtain a print document.
[0051]
Here, the image forming unit 7 is applied regardless of whether an image is formed by an electrophotographic method or an image is formed by an ink method.
[0052]
For example, when a document is placed, the scanner function irradiates the document with light, receives the reflected light with a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or the like, and reads the document by obtaining image data according to the amount of light. Is input to the electronic document or electronic document information, the identifier extracting unit 3 that extracts the document identifier attached to the document from the electronic document information converted by the image input unit 2, and the identifier extracting unit 3 Processing is performed by the identifier setting unit 4 that collates the original document identifier and the identifier recorded in the management table, and the display unit 5 having the selector 5a that displays the collation result collated by the identifier setting unit 4 on the display screen. Is made.
[0053]
The reception function unit 1 receives an electronic document and attribute data representing the attribute of the electronic document from the outside as a print request. When the reception function unit 1 is connected to an external computer via, for example, Ethernet (registered trademark) or the like, the electronic document is sent out by a printing operation from the computer side, for example, by PDL (Page Description Language). The described electronic document is received according to the printing protocol. The attribute data includes attributes for identifying an electronic document, such as a host name that sent the electronic document, a network file name such as a directory name or a file name stored in the host, a URI (Uniform Resource Identifier), and an electronic file in operation. ID number in the system.
[0054]
The image input unit 2 performs AD (Analog Digital) conversion and electronically converts a signal read by scanning an original optically with a scanner having a solid-state imaging device such as a CCD or a photomultiplier tube.
[0055]
The identifier extraction unit 3 extracts the document ID recorded in the print document from the electronic document information converted by the image input unit 2, and obtains a document identifier.
[0056]
Here, the document ID recorded on the print document by the image forming apparatus has a predetermined position and size to be printed on the paper, and the character recognition process is performed when the image input unit 2 reads the print document. For example, in the case of a barcode, the document identifier can be extracted by decoding.
[0057]
The identifier setting unit 4 collates the document identifier extracted by the identifier extraction unit 3 with the stored identifier.
[0058]
The display unit 5 has a display screen, and the attribute data (URI, network file name, etc.) recorded in the management table of the identifier setting unit 4 is selected by the selector 5a according to the collation result in the identifier setting unit 4 or the like. Select to display on the display screen.
[0059]
When there is a print command from the user, the image creating unit 6 performs image processing on the electronic document recorded in the management table 4a of the identifier setting unit 4 to convert it into a print format document, and records it in association with the electronic document. For example, the identifier is converted into a document format ID such as a barcode, and the document format ID and the print format document are bound.
[0060]
Here, if the electronic document is described in PDL, an image forming engine and a program for interpreting the PDL can be provided.
[0061]
The image forming unit 7 prints the document format ID and the print format document, which are converted and bound by the image forming unit 6 using a print engine such as an inkjet method or an electrophotographic method, on a sheet.
[0062]
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of an image forming method, an image forming program, and an image forming program storage medium for creating a printed document when an electronic document is received from the outside using the composite printing apparatus of the present embodiment. is there.
[0063]
In FIG. 2, when an electronic document (image data) and electronic document information are received by the receiving unit, a print processing operation is started (S-1). Next, among the electronic document information, attribute data (for example, URI, host name, network file name) specifying the electronic document, attribute data recorded in association with the identifier in the management table of the identifier setting unit, Is checked to see if an identifier having the same attribute data is recorded in the management table (S-2).
[0064]
If an identifier having the same attribute data has already been recorded, the recorded identifier is assigned to the received electronic document, and the assigned identifier and the electronic document are transferred to the image forming unit (S-6).
[0065]
If an identifier having the same attribute data is not recorded in the management table, a new identifier is assigned and additionally written in the management table, and the assigned identifier and the electronic document are passed to the image forming unit (S-3).
[0066]
The image creating unit performs image processing on the identifier and the electronic document, and creates a document format ID and a print format document (S-4).
[0067]
The image forming unit prints the document format ID and the print format document on paper (S-5).
[0068]
Next, the management table of the identifier setting unit will be described.
[0069]
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the structure of identifiers and attribute data recorded in the management table.
[0070]
The identifiers and attribute data shown in FIG. 3 are recorded in three lines in units of lines. That is, each row is a registered identifier, that is, one unit of ID registration, and each column is an item of an identifier and a plurality of attribute data corresponding to the identifier.
[0071]
Here, identifiers “0001”, “0002”, and “0003” consisting of four-digit arithmetic numbers are recorded in the first column 11, and URL (Uniform) as attribute data that uniquely represents the attribute of the image data is recorded in the second column 12. (Resource Location) / department name / host name / document classification / file name / are recorded.
[0072]
Therefore, in (S-6) and (S-3) described in FIG. 2, in addition to the identifier and the electronic document, these attribute data are passed to the image forming unit, and the identifier and the attribute data are subjected to image processing. In addition to conversion to a code, the electronic document can be combined with the converted print format document and printed on paper by the image forming unit.
[0073]
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing, as an example, a print document when three pages of the electronic document with the identifier “0001” first recorded in the management table of the identifier setting unit described in FIG. 3 are printed.
[0074]
As shown in FIG. 4, three electronic documents having an identifier “0001” recorded in the management table 4a of the identifier setting unit 4 storing the electronic document are printed on a sheet. The first printed document 101 is printed with “A”, and a barcode 21 representing the same attribute data and the same identifier is recorded in the lower left corner of the paper. “A ′” is printed on the second printed document 102, and the barcode 21 representing the same attribute data and the same identifier is recorded in the lower left corner of the sheet. Then, “A ″” is printed on the third printed document 103, and a bar code representing the same attribute data and the same identifier is recorded in the lower left corner of the sheet.
[0075]
As described above, although the contents of the print document are different for each page, even when the attribute data recorded in the management table 4a is set in units of one document, for example, even when the attribute data is different, When the attribute setting data is not collated by the identifier setting unit, it is determined that they are the same electronic document. Therefore, every time printing is performed, a printed document having a different content is output even if the same barcode is recorded.
[0076]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a first embodiment of an image forming method, an image forming program, and an image forming program storage medium for reading a print document with an image input function unit using the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment.
[0077]
In FIG. 5, the document content is read by irradiating the document placed at a predetermined position with light (S-11).
[0078]
The barcode is identified and decoded from the document ID described on the original, for example, the position where the barcode is recorded (S-12).
[0079]
The decoded document identifier is compared with the identifier recorded in the management table of the print management unit to check whether or not the same identifier is registered (S-13).
[0080]
If registered, the attribute data recorded in the management table together with the identifier is displayed on the display screen of the display unit (S-14). If not registered, the process ends without displaying on the display screen. .
[0081]
Here, if it is not registered, a message indicating “not registered” may be displayed on the display screen. Also, if registered, instead of displaying on the display screen of the display unit, for example, the registered identifier and attribute data are passed to the image forming unit, subjected to image processing, and then applied to the sheet by the image forming unit. For example, the identifier and attribute data registered in the external computer may be sent from the receiving unit and displayed on the computer.
[0082]
As described above, since all the attribute data recorded in the barcode of the print document can be read by the image input unit and the comparison result can be confirmed on the display screen, the identifier setting unit as described in FIG. Even if there is attribute data that is not collated, it is possible to avoid being determined as the same electronic document.
[0083]
According to the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, an identifier is set when an electronic document is printed, and the identifier is incorporated into the print document as a document ID such as a barcode, and the set identifier and the attribute of the electronic document are set. Since the attribute data is stored, it is possible to know from which electronic document the printed document is printed by reading and decoding the printed document in which the document ID is incorporated later. Therefore, even if it is not the creator or printer of an electronic document, it becomes possible to know the information of the electronic document that became the original from the printed document.
[0084]
The present embodiment has been described based on a composite printing apparatus having a scanner function. However, the present invention is not necessarily provided with a scanner function, and can be applied to a printing apparatus having only a printing function.
(Second Embodiment)
The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that different identifiers are set depending on the number of times a document having the same content is printed from the same electronic document. However, since other points are common, differences will be described.
[0085]
FIG. 6 illustrates an image forming method, an image forming program, and an image forming program storage medium for creating a print document when an electronic document is received from the outside using the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows a form.
[0086]
In FIG. 6, when the receiving unit receives the electronic document (image data) and the electronic document information, the print processing operation is started (S-21). Next, from the document information, the attribute data (for example, URI, host name, network file name) specifying the electronic document, and the number of prints recorded in association with the identifier in the management table of the identifier setting unit are displayed. All the attribute data including the attribute data to be represented are collated, and it is checked whether or not an identifier that matches all the attribute data is recorded.
[0087]
If an identifier with the same attribute data has already been recorded, the recorded identifier is excluded, a new identifier is assigned to the received electronic document, the print identifier and other attributes are assigned to the assigned identifier. Record attribute data in correspondence. Then, the assigned identifier and the electronic document are transferred to the image forming unit (S-22).
[0088]
The image creating unit performs image processing on the assigned identifier and the electronic document, respectively, and creates a document format ID and a print format document (S-23).
[0089]
The image forming unit prints the document format ID and the print format document on paper (S-24).
[0090]
Next, the management table of the identifier setting unit will be described.
[0091]
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the structure of identifiers and attribute data recorded in the management table.
[0092]
The identifier and attribute data shown in FIG. 7 are recorded in six rows in units of rows, and each column is an item of the identifier and attribute data corresponding to the identifier.
[0093]
Here, an identifier composed of four-digit arithmetic numbers is recorded in the first column 11, and URL (Uniform Resource Location) / department name / host name / Document classification / file name / is recorded, and attribute data indicating the number of prints of the electronic document is recorded in the third column 13.
[0094]
Accordingly, the identifiers recorded in the first row, the fourth row, and the sixth row in FIG. 7 are 0001, 0004, and 0006, respectively, and the attribute data indicating the number of times of printing is 1 time. The URL / department name / host name / document classification / and file name / are the same except for the attribute data indicating the number of times of printing.
[0095]
As described above, even if the print documents have the same contents, it is possible to know which electronic document is printed at what time by reading the document ID with the image input unit.
[0096]
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing, as an example, a print document when an electronic document having the same attribute data recorded in the column 12 of the management table 4a described in FIG. 7 is printed three times.
[0097]
As shown in FIG. 8, the attribute data “http://www.rocoh.co.jp/SalesSection/PC1/c/MyDocument/File1.txt” is recorded in the column 12 of the management table 4a of the identifier setting unit 4. The printed electronic document is printed three times. “A” is printed on the first printed document 101, and the barcode 21 representing the identifier “0001” and the attribute data recorded in the second column 12 of the management table 4a is recorded in the lower left corner of the sheet. Yes. “A” is printed on the second print document 102, and a barcode 21 representing the identifier “0004” and the attribute data recorded in the second column 12 of the management table 4 a is recorded in the lower left corner of the sheet. Yes. Then, “A” is printed on the third printed document 103, and the barcode 21 representing the identifier “0006” and the attribute data recorded in the second column 12 of the management table is recorded in the lower left corner of the sheet. ing.
[0098]
As described above, although the contents of the print document are the same, the attribute data and the identifier recorded in the management table 4a are set for each print count, so that it is possible to know how many times the print document has been printed.
(Third embodiment)
The third embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that one of a plurality of attribute data recorded in the management table represents a revised state of image data. However, since other points are common, differences will be described.
[0099]
FIG. 9 shows a third embodiment of an image forming method, an image forming program, and an image forming program storage medium for creating a print document when an electronic document is received from the outside using the image forming apparatus of the third embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows a form.
[0100]
In FIG. 9, when the receiving unit receives an electronic document (image data) and electronic document information, a print processing operation is started (S-31). Next, from the document information, attribute data (for example, URI, host name, network file name) specifying the electronic document and the revision state recorded in association with the identifier in the management table of the identifier setting unit are displayed. It is checked against all attribute data including the attribute data to be represented, and it is checked whether or not an identifier that matches all the attribute data is recorded (S-32).
[0101]
If an identifier having the same attribute data is already recorded, the identifier already recorded in the electronic document is assigned, and the assigned identifier and the electronic document are transferred to the image forming unit (S-33).
[0102]
On the other hand, if at least the attribute data representing the revision status is different, a new identifier is assigned to the electronic document, and the assigned identifier is associated with the attribute data including the attribute data representing the revision status in the management table. Append. Then, the assigned identifier and the electronic document are transferred to the image forming unit (S-34).
[0103]
The image creating unit performs image processing on the identifier and the electronic document, and creates a document format ID and a print format document (S-34).
[0104]
The image forming unit prints the document format ID and the print format document on a sheet (S-36).
[0105]
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the structure of identifiers and attribute data recorded in the management table.
[0106]
The identifier and attribute data shown in FIG. 10 are recorded in six rows in units of rows, and each column is an item of the identifier and attribute data corresponding to the identifier.
[0107]
Here, an identifier composed of four-digit arithmetic numbers is recorded in the first column 11, and URL (Uniform Resource Location) / department name / host name / Document classification / file name / is recorded.
[0108]
As the identifier of the present embodiment, when an electronic document is revised, a different identifier is set even if all attribute data other than the attribute data representing the revised state is the same. Attribute data (Version) representing the revision state of the document is recorded.
[0109]
Therefore, the identifiers recorded in the first, fourth, and sixth lines in FIG. 10 are “0001”, “0004”, and “0006”, respectively, indicating the revision state. The attribute data (Version) is different from “1.0”, “2.0”, and “2.1”, respectively, but other than the attribute data (Version) representing the revised state, that is, URL / department name / host name. / Document classification / and file name / are the same.
[0110]
Since the attribute data (Version) representing the revision state is recorded in this way, if all the other attribute data except the attribute data representing the revision state extract the same identifier, the revision status of the printed document Information can be obtained. Therefore, for example, from the print document read by the image input unit, information on the revised print document is displayed on the display screen, and the latest print document can be printed and the version number of the read print document can be known.
[0111]
As a result, even if it is not an electronic document creator or a printer, it is possible to clearly know the revision information of the electronic document that is the manuscript and the revision number of the printed document easily from the printed document. Further, since different identifiers are not assigned to electronic documents having the same content, the assignment of identifiers becomes efficient.
(Fourth embodiment)
The fourth embodiment is different from the first to third embodiments in that it includes a large-capacity storage unit that stores image data in which an identifier is set, but the other points are common. A schematic configuration diagram of different image forming apparatuses will be described.
[0112]
FIG. 11 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a fourth embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.
[0113]
The composite printing apparatus shown in FIG. 11 prints an electronic document on a sheet to obtain a printed document, a printer function that performs processing along a line indicated by a thick solid line A in the figure, and reads a printed document printed on a sheet. In addition to obtaining an electronic document, the electronic document is printed and a printed document is obtained, and a scanner and a printer function that perform processing along a line indicated by a thick broken line B in the figure are provided.
[0114]
This composite apparatus is different from the composite printing apparatus of the first embodiment described in FIG. 1 in that it includes a large-capacity storage unit 8 that stores image data, but the other points are common. The same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.
[0115]
The printer function indicated by a thick solid line A in the figure has an interface with an external computer, a receiving unit 1 that receives an electronic document created by the computer, a URI that represents an attribute of the electronic document received by the receiving unit 1, and the like The identifier setting unit 4 that determines the identifier of the electronic document from the attribute data of the ID and records the identifier in the management table (corresponding to the correspondence table of the present invention) 4a in association with the attribute data and the electronic document; Is stored in the storage unit 8 for storing the electronic document, and the electronic document stored in the storage unit 8 is read based on the user's print command, image processing is performed, and the document is converted into a print format document. An image forming unit 6 that converts the converted document format ID into a print format document and a document format ID that is combined by the image forming unit 6 It is realized by a print format document with the image forming unit 7 to obtain a printed print document in a predetermined format.
[0116]
Here, the image forming unit 7 is applied regardless of whether an image is formed by an electrophotographic method or an image is formed by an ink method.
[0117]
The scanner and printer function indicated by the thick broken line B in the figure, for example, irradiates the original with light and places the reflected light on a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) to obtain image data according to the light quantity. The image input unit 2 that reads a document by the printer and converts a printed document or document ID into an electronic document or electronic document information, and an identifier extraction unit that extracts a document identifier attached to the document from the electronic document information converted by the image input unit 2 3, an identifier setting unit 4 that collates the document identifier extracted by the identifier extraction unit 3 with the identifier recorded in the management table, and a display unit 5 that displays the collation result collated by the identifier setting unit 4 on the display screen. The process is performed as described above. As a result of the display on the display unit 5, when there is a print command from the user, the electronic document stored in the storage unit 8 is read based on the command, image processing is performed, and the document is converted into a print format document. For example, the image forming unit 6 converts the converted document format ID into a document format ID such as a barcode, and binds the converted document format ID and the print format document, and the document format ID and the print format document bundled by the image forming unit 6. This is realized by the image forming unit 7 that prints a document in a predetermined format to obtain a printed document.
[0118]
As described above, since the large-capacity storage unit 8 that stores the image data in which the identifier is set is provided, the electronic document that has received the print request can be held for a long time. In addition, the revision information of the electronic document that is a manuscript and the revision number of the print document can be clearly known from the print document, and can be taken out as a print document as necessary.
[0119]
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the structure of identifiers and attribute data recorded in the management table.
[0120]
The identifier and attribute data shown in FIG. 12 are recorded in six rows in units of rows, and each column is an item of the identifier and attribute data corresponding to the identifier.
[0121]
Here, an identifier composed of four-digit arithmetic numbers is recorded in the first column 11, and URL (Uniform Resource Location) / department name / host name / Document classification / file name / is recorded. The third column 13 records attribute data indicating the page of the electronic document, and the fourth column 14 records attribute data (Version) representing the revised state.
[0122]
Further, in the present embodiment, in the fifth column 15, the file name in which the image data set with the identifier is stored in the storage unit 8 is recorded.
[0123]
FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a flow from reading an original by the image input unit to copying a print document.
[0124]
As shown in FIG. 13, a document ID “0001” is recorded on the barcode 21 in the document 105, the document ID is read together with the document by the image input unit, and the document ID is represented by the identifier extraction unit. Extract the identifier.
[0125]
Next, the identifier setting unit compares the document identifier with the identifier of the management table, and sets the attribute data corresponding to the document identifier “0001” (excluding the attribute data indicating the revision state of the image data) to the electronic document information 106. Then, the attribute data representing the revised state having the same attribute data is displayed on the display unit 5 as the print information 107. As a result, in the management table shown in FIG. 12, attribute data representing the revision state recorded in the fourth column 14 corresponding to the identifiers “0001”, “0004”, and “0006” recorded in the first column 11, respectively. (Version) “1.0”, “2.0”, “2.1” are the print information 107, and the attribute data recorded in the second column 12 corresponding to the identifier “0001” is the electronic document information 106. Each is displayed on the display unit 5. When the user who views the display unit 5 designates “Version 2.1” with the display unit 5 (for example, a push button), the file name “0006.” of the storage unit recorded in the fifth column 15 of the management table. Based on the electronic document stored in “img”, the print document 108 of “Version 2.1” in which the identifier “0006” is recorded in the barcode 21 is output from the image forming unit.
[0126]
As described above, the composite printing apparatus according to the present embodiment includes the management table that records the attribute data indicating the revision state of the image data and the file name in which the image data is stored in the storage function unit in association with the identifier. The latest printed document that has been revised can be quickly output.
[0127]
Next, an embodiment of the image forming system of the present invention will be described.
(First embodiment)
In the image forming system according to the first embodiment, a plurality of two composite printing apparatuses having the same function are connected to a network. Each identifier setting unit of each composite printing apparatus sets different identifiers in the image data, and manages all identifiers set by the respective identifier setting units and attribute data corresponding to the identifiers (see “ Corresponding to the “correspondence table”)) is different, but the rest is common. Therefore, a schematic configuration of a different image forming system will be described.
[0128]
FIG. 14 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the first embodiment of the image forming system of the present invention.
[0129]
In the image forming system shown in FIG. 14, two composite printing apparatuses A 1 and A 2 are connected via a network 50. Since the two composite printing apparatuses A1 and A2 have the same function, the single composite apparatus A1 will be described as a representative.
[0130]
The composite printing apparatus A1 has a transmission / reception function with respect to the network 50. The transmission / reception unit 9 receives an electronic document created by a computer (not shown) connected to the network 50, and the attributes of the electronic document received by the transmission / reception unit 9. An identifier setting unit 4 that determines an identifier of the electronic document from attribute data such as a URI to be represented, and associates the identifier with the attribute data and the electronic document and records them in a management table (corresponding to a correspondence table of the present invention) 4a. A storage unit 8 for storing an electronic document with an identifier set, and reading out the electronic document stored in the storage unit 8 based on a user's print command, performing image processing, and converting the document into a print format document. Is converted into a document format ID such as a barcode, and the image forming unit 6 for binding the converted document format ID and the print format document, and the image forming unit 6 An image forming unit 7 that prints the document format ID and the print format document in a predetermined format to obtain a print document, and an image input unit 2 that reads a document and converts the print document and document ID into an electronic document and electronic document information An identifier extracting unit 3 for extracting a document identifier attached to the document from the electronic document information converted by the image input unit 2, a document identifier extracted by the identifier extracting unit 3, and an identifier recorded in the management table The setting unit 4 performs collation, and the display unit 5 displays the collation result on the display screen.
[0131]
As a result of the display on the display unit 5, when there is a print command from the user, the image forming unit 6 reads out an electronic document stored in the storage unit 8 based on the command, performs image processing, and creates a print format document. In addition to conversion, the identifier is converted into a document format ID such as a barcode, and the converted document format ID and the print format document are bound. The image forming unit 7 prints the document format ID and the print format document bundled by the image forming unit 6 in a predetermined format to obtain a print document.
[0132]
Here, since the image forming system of the present embodiment performs the same function in each of the two composite printing apparatuses A1 and A2, each identifier setting unit 4 has a range of identifiers that can be set in the input image data in advance. It is determined so that there is no conflict between identifiers. In addition, the identifier set by each identifier setting unit 4 and attribute data corresponding to the identifier are sent and received through the transmission / reception unit 9, and the same identifier and corresponding attribute data are recorded in each management table 4a. It is comprised so that.
[0133]
In this way, even when a plurality of composite printing apparatuses A1 and A2 are connected via the network 50, the identifiers set by the identifier setting unit 4 do not conflict, and each identifier setting unit 4 is the same. Since the identifier to be set is collated by the management table 4a in which the content identifier and attribute data are recorded, the same identifier is not set in different electronic documents. When the original is read by any composite printing apparatus, the same print information is displayed on the display unit for the original, and the same print document can be output by any composite printing apparatus. Therefore, even if it is not the electronic document creator or the printer, the revision information of the electronic document that is the manuscript and the revision number of the printed document can be easily known from the printed document, and the printed document is taken out as necessary. be able to.
[0134]
The present embodiment has been described based on a composite printing apparatus having a scanner function. However, the present invention is not necessarily provided with a scanner function, and can be applied to a printing apparatus having only a printing function. In addition, the image forming unit 7 is applied regardless of whether an image is formed by an electrophotographic method or an image is formed by an ink method.
(Second Embodiment)
Compared with the image forming system of the first embodiment, the image forming system of the second embodiment cuts out the identifier setting unit and the storage unit from each composite printing apparatus to form one common print management apparatus, The print management apparatus is different in that it is configured to be accessed from each composite printing apparatus, but the other parts are common, so the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the differences will be described. .
[0135]
FIG. 15 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a second embodiment of the image forming system of the present invention.
[0136]
In the image forming system illustrated in FIG. 15, two composite printing apparatuses A 1 and A 2 and the print management apparatus 10 are connected via a network 50. Since the two composite printing apparatuses A1 and A2 have the same function, a description will be given based on one composite printing apparatus A1 as a representative.
[0137]
The print management apparatus 10 has a transmission / reception function with respect to the network 50, receives an electronic document created by a computer (not shown) connected to the network, and combines the composite printing apparatus A1 with the electronic document, an identifier, and an attribute of the electronic document. An identifier of the electronic document is determined from the transmission / reception unit 9 that transmits and receives data, and attribute data such as a URI that represents the attribute of the electronic document received by the transmission / reception unit 9, and the identifier is associated with the attribute data and the electronic document and managed. It includes an identifier setting unit 4 that records in a table (corresponding to a correspondence table of the present invention) 4a, and a storage unit 8 that stores an electronic document in which an identifier is set.
[0138]
The composite printing apparatus A1 has a transmission / reception function with the network 50. The transmission / reception unit 9 receives an electronic document, an identifier, and attribute data of the electronic document from a print management apparatus connected to the network. The electronic document, identifier, and attribute data of the electronic document are subjected to image processing and converted into a print format document, and the identifier is converted into a document format ID such as a barcode, and the converted document format ID and print format document are converted. An image forming unit 6 that prints the document format ID and print format document bundled by the image forming unit 6 in a predetermined format, and obtains a print document. An image input unit 2 that converts a document ID into an electronic document or electronic document information, and a document identifier attached to the document is extracted from the electronic document information converted by the image input unit 2 and extracted. The document identifier and an electronic document, and a identifier extractor 3 sends to the print managing apparatus 10 via the transceiver. In addition, the identifier setting unit 4 of the print management apparatus 10 includes a display unit 5 that displays a collation result collated with the identifier of the management table 4a.
[0139]
The print management apparatus 10 collates the document identifier sent from the identifier extraction unit 3 via the transmission / reception unit 9 and the document identifier of the electronic document with the identifier of the management table 4a by the identifier setting unit 4, and displays the collation result. Then, the information is returned to the composite printing apparatus A1 via the transmission / reception unit 9.
[0140]
In this embodiment, an identifier is determined, the identifier is associated with attribute data and an electronic document, and recorded in a management table (corresponding to the correspondence table of the present invention) 4a or sent from the identifier extraction unit 3. A print management apparatus 10 having an identifier setting unit 4 for comparing the original document identifier and the identifier recorded in the management table 4a, and a storage unit 8 for storing the electronic document in which the identifier is set. Since identifiers are set and managed collectively, there is no risk of duplicate settings when setting identifiers, and the identifier range is set in advance because they are recorded in the common management table 4a. There is no need to keep it. Therefore, the degree of freedom in setting an identifier is great. However, depending on the number of composite printing apparatuses connected to the network, it is necessary to use a high-speed processor or the like in consideration of the waiting time.
[0141]
By constructing an image forming system in which a plurality of such image forming apparatuses are connected via a network, even if the electronic document creator or the printer is not present, an electronic document that is an original from a printed document can be easily obtained. In addition to clearly knowing the document revision information and the revision number of the printed document, it can be taken out as a printed document if necessary.
[0142]
The present embodiment has been described based on a composite printing apparatus having a scanner function. However, the present invention is not necessarily provided with a scanner function, and can be applied to a printing apparatus having only a printing function. In addition, the image forming unit 7 is applied regardless of whether an image is formed by an electrophotographic method or an image is formed by an ink method.
[0143]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the image forming apparatus, the image forming system, the image forming method, the image forming program, and the image forming program storage medium of the present invention, regardless of the existing document management system and the storage form of the electronic document. From the printed document printed on the paper, information on the electronic document corresponding to the original can be obtained, and from the obtained information, it is possible to easily determine whether the printed document is new or old, obtain the revised printed document, etc. .
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a composite printing apparatus according to an embodiment of an image forming apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of an image forming method, an image forming program, and an image forming program storage medium for creating a printed document when an electronic document is received from the outside using the composite printing apparatus of the present embodiment. is there.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a structure of identifiers and attribute data recorded in a management table.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating, as an example, a print document when three pages of an electronic document with an identifier “0001” initially recorded in the management table of the identifier setting unit are printed.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a first embodiment of an image forming method, an image forming program, and an image forming program storage medium for reading a print document with an image input function unit using the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment.
6 illustrates a second embodiment of an image forming method, an image forming program, and an image forming program storage medium for creating a print document when an electronic document is received from the outside using the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows a form.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the structure of identifiers and attribute data recorded in a management table.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing, as an example, a printed document when three pages of electronic documents having the same attribute data recorded in column 12 of management table 4a are printed.
FIG. 9 illustrates an image forming method, an image forming program, and an image forming program storage medium for creating a print document when an electronic document is received from the outside using the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows a form.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a structure of identifiers and attribute data recorded in a management table.
FIG. 11 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a fourth embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the structure of identifiers and attribute data recorded in a management table.
FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating a flow from reading an original by an image input unit to copying a print document.
FIG. 14 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a first embodiment of an image forming system of the present invention.
FIG. 15 is a schematic block diagram showing a second embodiment of the image forming system of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Receiver
2 Image input section
3 identifier extractor
4 identifier setting part
4a Management table
5 display section
5a selector
6 Imaging Department
7 Image forming section
8 storage
9 Transceiver
10 Print management device
11 First row
12 Second row
13 third row
14 4th column
15 5th column
50 network
21 Barcode
101 First printed document
102 Second printed document
103 3rd printed document
105 Manuscript
106 Electronic document information
107 Print document information
108 Printed documents

Claims (23)

A correspondence table in which attribute data representing an attribute of image data is recorded in association with an identifier of the image data; the attribute data of the input image data is compared with the correspondence table; An identifier setting unit for setting an identifier of image data;
An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium based on image data and the identifier set by the identifier setting unit. The correspondence table records a plurality of attribute data corresponding to the identifier,
The identifier setting unit compares a plurality of attribute data corresponding to the identifier recorded in the correspondence table with the attribute data of the input image data, and at least one attribute data of the plurality of attribute data 2. The image formation according to claim 1, wherein when the two are different from each other, a new identifier is set, and the new identifier not recorded in the correspondence table is added to the correspondence table in association with the attribute data. apparatus. The correspondence table records a plurality of attribute data corresponding to the identifier,
The identifier setting unit compares a plurality of attribute data corresponding to the identifier recorded in the correspondence table with the attribute data of the input image data, and when all the attribute data match, the correspondence table 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the identifier recorded in the image data is set in the image data. The correspondence table records a plurality of attribute data corresponding to the identifier, and one of the plurality of attribute data is recorded by the image forming unit based on image data whose attributes are represented by the attribute data. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus represents the number of times an image has been formed on a medium. The plurality of attribute data corresponding to the identifier is recorded in the correspondence table, and one of the plurality of attribute data represents a revision state of the image data. Image forming apparatus. A reading unit that reads a document and obtains image data;
An identifier extracting unit that extracts a document identifier for identifying the document from the image data obtained by the reading unit;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the identifier setting unit compares the document identifier extracted by the identifier extraction unit with the identifier recorded in the correspondence table. A display unit having a display screen;
The identifier setting unit compares the document identifier extracted by the identifier extraction unit with the identifier recorded in the correspondence table, and when the document identifier matches the identifier, The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the recorded attribute data is displayed on the display unit. In the correspondence table, a plurality of attribute data corresponding to the identifier is recorded, and one of the plurality of attribute data represents a revision state of the image data,
The identifier setting unit is configured to display attribute data indicating the revision state of an identifier recorded in the correspondence table, which is different only in attribute data indicating the revision state and attribute data corresponding to the document identifier, from the display unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the image forming apparatus is displayed. An image data storage unit for storing image data in which an identifier is set by the identifier setting unit;
The display unit has a selector for selecting any of the displayed attribute data,
The image forming unit forms an image on a recording medium based on the image data stored in the image data storage unit and an identifier in which an identifier corresponding to the attribute data selected by the selector is set The image forming apparatus according to claim 7. A correspondence table in which a plurality of attribute data representing attributes of image data and identifiers of the image data are recorded in association with each other; the attribute data of the input image data is compared with the correspondence table; and based on the comparison result An identifier setting unit for setting an identifier of the image data;
A plurality of image forming apparatuses connected to a network having image data and an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium based on the identifier of the image data set by the identifier setting unit;
The identifier setting unit of each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses is configured such that when at least one attribute data of the plurality of attribute data of input image data is different from the correspondence table, the identifier setting units are An image forming system, wherein a different new identifier is set, and the new identifier that is not recorded in each correspondence table is associated with the attribute data and added to the correspondence table. Each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses includes:
A reading unit that reads a document and obtains image data;
An identifier extracting unit for extracting a document identifier for identifying the document from the image data obtained by the reading unit;
A display unit having a display screen,
The identifier setting unit of each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses compares the document identifier extracted by the identifier extraction unit with the identifier recorded in the correspondence table, and the document identifier matches the identifier. 11. The image forming system according to claim 10, wherein the attribute data recorded in the correspondence table in association with the identifier is displayed on the display unit. One of the plurality of attribute data recorded in the correspondence table represents a revision state of the image data,
The identifier setting unit is configured to display attribute data indicating the revision state of an identifier recorded in the correspondence table, which is different only in attribute data indicating the revision state and attribute data corresponding to the document identifier, from the display unit. The image forming system according to claim 11, wherein the image forming system is displayed. A correspondence table in which a plurality of attribute data representing attributes of image data and identifiers of the image data are recorded in association with each other; the attribute data of the input image data is compared with the correspondence table; and based on the comparison result An identifier management device connected to the network for setting the identifier of the image data,
A plurality of image forming apparatuses connected to a network for forming an image on a recording medium based on the image data and the identifier of the image data set by the identifier management apparatus;
The identifier management device sets a new identifier when at least one attribute data of the plurality of attribute data of the image data is different from the correspondence table, and sets the new data not recorded in the correspondence table. An image forming system, wherein an identifier is added to the correspondence table in association with the attribute data. Each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses includes:
A reading unit that reads a document and obtains image data;
An identifier extraction unit that extracts a document identifier for identifying the document from the image data obtained by the reading unit, and sends the extracted document identifier to the identifier management device;
A display unit having a display screen,
The identifier management device compares the document identifier sent from each identifier extraction unit with the identifier recorded in the correspondence table, and when the document identifier matches the identifier, the correspondence table The image forming system according to claim 13, wherein the attribute data recorded on the display unit is displayed on the display unit of the image forming apparatus from which the document identifier is extracted. One of the plurality of attribute data recorded in the correspondence table represents a revision state of the image data,
The identifier management device stores attribute data representing the revision state of an identifier recorded in the correspondence table and having an identifier that differs only in attribute data representing the revision state from attribute data corresponding to the document identifier. 15. The image forming system according to claim 14, wherein the identifier is displayed on the display unit of the image forming apparatus from which the identifier has been extracted. A correspondence table in which a plurality of attribute data representing attributes of image data and identifiers of the image data are recorded in association with each other;
An identifier setting procedure for comparing the attribute data of the image data with the correspondence table and setting an identifier of the image data based on the comparison result;
An image forming method comprising: forming an image on a recording medium based on image data and the identifier of the image data set by the identifier setting unit. If at least one of the attribute data is different as a result of the comparison in the identifier setting procedure, a new identifier is set, and the new identifier not recorded in the correspondence table is associated with the attribute data. The image forming method according to claim 16, further comprising an additional recording procedure for additionally recording the correspondence table. A reading unit that reads a document to obtain image data, an identifier extraction unit that extracts a document identifier for identifying the document from the image data obtained by the reading unit, and a display unit having a display screen;
The document identifier extracted by the identifier extraction unit is compared with the identifier recorded in the correspondence table, and when the document identifier and the identifier match, the attribute data recorded in the correspondence table is The image forming method according to claim 16, further comprising a display procedure for displaying on the display unit. One of the plurality of attribute data recorded in the correspondence table represents a revision state of the image data,
The attribute data representing the revision state of the identifier recorded in the correspondence table and different from the attribute data of the identifier that matches the document identifier and only the attribute data representing the revision state is displayed. 18. The image forming method according to 18. An image forming apparatus having a correspondence table in which attribute data representing an attribute of image data is recorded in association with an identifier of the image data, and forming an image on a recording medium based on the image data and the identifier of the image data In addition,
When the attribute data of the image data is compared with the correspondence table and all the attribute data match, the identifier recorded in the correspondence table with the matching attribute data is set in the image data, and the attribute data When at least one of the attribute data is different, an identifier setting procedure for setting a new identifier,
An image forming program for executing an identifier addition procedure for adding a new identifier not recorded in the correspondence table to the attribute data in association with the attribute data. A reading unit that reads a document and obtains image data, an identifier extraction unit that extracts a document identifier for identifying the document from the image data obtained by the reading unit, a display unit having a display screen, and a plurality of attributes representing image data attributes An image forming apparatus that has a correspondence table in which attribute data and an identifier of the image data are recorded in correspondence, and forms an image on a recording medium based on the image data and the identifier of the image data.
When the attribute data of the image data is compared with the correspondence table and all the attribute data match, the identifier recorded in the correspondence table with the matching attribute data is set in the image data, and the attribute data When at least one of the attribute data is different, an identifier setting procedure for setting a new identifier,
An identifier addition procedure for adding a new identifier not recorded in the correspondence table to the correspondence table in association with the attribute data;
The document identifier extracted by the identifier extraction unit is compared with the identifier recorded in the correspondence table, and when the document identifier matches the identifier, the document identifier is recorded in correspondence with the identifier. And a display procedure for displaying the attribute data thus displayed on the display unit. An image forming apparatus having a correspondence table in which attribute data representing an attribute of image data is recorded in association with an identifier of the image data, and forming an image on a recording medium based on the image data and the identifier of the image data In addition,
When the attribute data of the image data is compared with the correspondence table and all the attribute data match, the identifier recorded in the correspondence table with the matching attribute data is set in the image data, and the attribute data When at least one of the attribute data is different, an identifier setting procedure for setting a new identifier,
An image forming program storage medium having recorded thereon an image forming program for executing an identifier additional recording procedure for adding a new identifier not recorded in the correspondence table to the attribute data in association with the attribute data. A reading unit that reads a document and obtains image data, an identifier extraction unit that extracts a document identifier for identifying the document from the image data obtained by the reading unit, a display unit having a display screen, and a plurality of attributes representing image data attributes An image forming apparatus that has a correspondence table in which attribute data and an identifier of the image data are recorded in correspondence, and forms an image on a recording medium based on the image data and the identifier of the image data.
When the attribute data of the image data is compared with the correspondence table and all the attribute data match, the identifier recorded in the correspondence table with the matching attribute data is set in the image data, and the attribute data When at least one of the attribute data is different, an identifier setting procedure for setting a new identifier,
An identifier addition procedure for adding a new identifier not recorded in the correspondence table to the correspondence table in association with the attribute data;
The document identifier extracted by the identifier extraction unit is compared with the identifier recorded in the correspondence table, and when the document identifier matches the identifier, the document identifier is recorded in correspondence with the identifier. An image forming program storage medium for recording an image forming program for executing a display procedure for displaying the attribute data displayed on the display unit.

Images