JP2005142989A - Image processing apparatus, image processing system and image processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform speedy processing without useless outputting even when image data of a plurality of pages are continuously processed and the processing contents are confirmed on a preview display. <P>SOLUTION: The image processing apparatus is provided with: pre-processing means 1, 2 for consecutively acquiring image data for a plurality of input pages and applying image processing to the image data as needed; a post-processing means 6 for consecutively outputting or storing image data of a plurality of output pages; an image display means 5a for displaying the image data to be outputted or stored by the unit of each of the plurality of output pages; and an operation means 5b for selecting at least one of either the output or storage propriety in the post-processing means 6 for the image data displayed by the image display means 5a, or a display mode of the image data on the image display means 5a. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, an image processing system, and an image processing method that perform image processing on acquired image data as necessary and output or store the data.

  In recent years, for example, some copying machines are configured to perform image processing on image data read from a document image as necessary, and then output the image data after the image processing to a recording sheet. There is something. According to the copying machine having such a configuration, imposition processing for making a page layout suitable for a booklet, editing processing such as frame erasing and middle erasing, double-side processing of a single-sided original, so-called N-up composite processing, etc. Through various image processing, it is possible to print out on recording paper.

  By the way, when performing print output through the image processing as described above, prior to the print output, in order to determine whether or not the image processing intended by the operator has been performed, the contents of the image processing There may be a desire to confirm the information in advance. It is conceivable to meet such a demand by displaying the image processing content on a display panel or the like. As a conventional technique for that purpose, for example, a control technique for preventing a failure in specifying a hard copy when a preview image is displayed on a display screen and the preview image is printed out (hard copy) has been proposed. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

JP 11-237967 A

  However, image data to be processed by various image processing apparatuses such as copiers (printers, facsimiles, information communication terminals, etc.) is document (document) data for a plurality of pages, and each page is processed continuously. In this case, since the entire document data for a plurality of pages is controlled and processed as one unit, appropriate preview display and confirmation of image processing contents are not always performed. For example, when processing document data for a plurality of pages continuously, the image processing content may not be as intended by the operator on a specific page, but at that time, it is necessary to reprocess the entire document. This is not preferable from the viewpoint of saving recording paper and processing time.

  In view of this, the present invention can quickly process image data for a plurality of pages without wasteful output or accumulation even when the processing content can be confirmed by a preview display. An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus, an image processing system, and an image processing method capable of performing various processes.

  The present invention is an image processing device devised to achieve the above object, and continuously acquires image data for a plurality of input pages and performs image processing on the image data as necessary. Means, post-processing means for continuously outputting or storing image data acquired by the pre-processing means or image data after image processing by the pre-processing means as image data for a plurality of output pages, and the post-processing Image display means for displaying image data to be output or stored and stored for each page of the plurality of output pages, and output or storage of image data displayed by the image display means in the post-processing means And an operation unit for selecting at least one of the possibility of storage and the display mode of the image data on the image display unit. A.

The present invention is also an image processing system devised to achieve the above object. That is, an image processing system in which a plurality of image processing apparatuses are connected, and pre-processing means for continuously acquiring image data for a plurality of input pages and performing image processing on the image data as necessary And post-processing means for continuously outputting or storing image data acquired by the pre-processing means or image data after image processing by the pre-processing means as image data for a plurality of output pages, and the post-processing means The image display means for displaying the image data to be output or stored and stored for each page unit of the plurality of output pages, and the output or storage and storage of the image data displayed by the image display means in the post-processing means And the operation means for selecting at least one of the display mode of the image data on the image display means is the plurality of images. And it is characterized in that it is provided to one of the sense device.
Here, “any one of a plurality of image processing apparatuses” refers to the case where each means is provided in the same image processing apparatus, as well as the case where each means is provided in a different image processing apparatus. It is meant to include.

  In addition, the present invention is an image processing method devised to achieve the above object, and continuously acquires image data for a plurality of input pages and performs image processing on the image data as necessary. A pre-processing step; and a post-processing step for continuously outputting or storing and storing the image data acquired in the pre-processing step or the image data after the image processing in the pre-processing step as image data for a plurality of output pages; Prior to the post-processing step, an image display step for displaying the image data to be output or stored and stored in the post-processing step for each page unit of the plurality of output pages, and an image data to be displayed in the image display step Whether to output or store in the post-processing step and whether to display the image data in the image display step Characterized in that it comprises an operation step for selecting at least one.

  According to the image processing apparatus and the image processing system configured as described above, and the image processing method configured as described above, display of image data to be output or stored and stored is performed for each output page unit, and whether or not output or storage can be stored is determined. An operation for selecting at least one of the display modes of the image data can be performed. “Display about image data” for each output page includes not only the entire page but also only a part of the page. The selection of “whether or not output or storage / accumulation is possible” means selecting whether or not to perform output or storage / accumulation for the displayed output page. The selection of “image data display mode” is to select a display mode for each output page to be processed continuously, for example, whether all output pages are displayed sequentially or only representative output pages are output. Say. Therefore, even when image data for a plurality of pages is continuously processed, only a specific page can be reprocessed or unnecessary pages can be omitted.

  According to the image processing device, the image processing system, and the image processing method of the present invention, even when processing image data for a plurality of pages continuously and enabling the processing content to be confirmed by a preview display, By making it possible to select whether output or storage accumulation is possible for each page unit, it is possible to perform quick processing without wasteful output or accumulation. Further, by making it possible to select the display mode of the image data, it is possible to specify sequential display, omit unnecessary page display, etc., and perform continuous high-speed processing as necessary.

  Hereinafter, an image processing apparatus, an image processing system, and an image processing method according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment]
First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of an image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In the illustrated example, a digital copying machine is taken as an example of the image processing apparatus.
As shown in the figure, the digital copying machine (image processing apparatus) described here includes a scanner unit 1, an image processing unit 2, a page memory 3, a printing unit 4, and a user interface (hereinafter abbreviated as "UI"). ) Part 5 and a control part 6.

  The scanner unit 1 acquires image data from a document to be read by optically reading the document image. That is, the scanner unit 1 functions as one of the preprocessing means in the present invention. However, the scanner unit 1 includes, for example, an ADF (Automatic Document Feeder) and a DADF (Dual Automatic Document Feeder), and can continuously acquire image data for a plurality of input pages. Since the detailed configuration of the scanner unit 1 and the ADF is well known, the description thereof is omitted here.

  The image processing unit 2 includes, for example, an ASIC (Application Specified Integrated Circuit), and performs image processing on the image data acquired by the scanner unit 1 as necessary. That is, the image processing unit 2 also functions as one of the preprocessing means in the present invention. Image processing performed by the image processing unit 2 includes imposition processing for making a page layout suitable for a booklet, editing processing such as frame erasing and middle erasing, double-side processing of a single-sided original, so-called N-up compositing processing, etc. , And the like, but are not limited to these, such as top-to-bottom rotation (mixed vertical and horizontal images, staple processing designation, etc.) processing and density adjustment processing. Note that the details of the image processing are realized by using a known technique, and thus the description thereof is omitted here.

  The page memory 3 temporarily stores the image data acquired by the scanner unit 1 or, when the image processing unit 2 performs image processing, image data after the image processing for at least one page of the output page. It is something to keep in memory. At this time, the output page of the image data is in principle the same as the input page of the image data. However, when the image processing unit 2 performs image processing (for example, composition processing), the input page and the output page are not necessarily limited. It does not match and depends on the contents of the image processing. Therefore, a plurality of input pages may correspond to one output page.

  The print unit 4 takes out image data for one page of the output page stored and held in the page memory 3 from the page memory 3 and prints it out as a visible image on a recording sheet. Therefore, when image data for a plurality of output pages is sequentially written in the page memory 3, the print unit 4 continuously prints out the image data for a plurality of output pages. That is, the print unit 4 functions as post-processing means in the present invention. Since the detailed configuration of the print unit 4 is known, the description thereof is omitted here.

The UI unit 5 is operated by a user of the digital copying machine, and includes a display unit 5a including a display panel and an operation unit 5b including a touch panel and a push button switch.
The display unit 5a displays the image data to be printed out by the printing unit 4 for each page of a plurality of output pages. That is, the display unit 5a functions as image display means in the present invention.
The operation unit 5b allows the user of the digital copying machine to select at least one of whether image data displayed on the display unit 5a can be output on the printing unit 4 and whether the image data is displayed on the display unit 5a. belongs to. That is, the operation part 5b functions as an operation means in the present invention.

  The control unit 6 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that executes a predetermined program, and performs operation control of the entire digital copying machine including control of each unit described above.

Here, the UI unit 5 in the digital copying machine configured as described above will be described in more detail with a specific example. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a specific example of the UI unit.
As shown in FIG. 2A, the UI unit 5 is provided with an operation unit 5b formed of a touch panel on the display unit 5a, and is operated together with an image 51 for preview display of image data by the display unit 5a. A configuration in which an image 52 of the switch is displayed is exemplified. In the UI unit 5 having such a configuration, the operation switch image 52 is displayed only while the display unit 5a displays the image 51 for the image data. However, since the image 52 of the operation switch is displayed on the display unit 5a, the display layout is highly flexible and it is possible to easily cope with a change of the operation switch.
In addition, as shown in FIG. 2B, it is conceivable to arrange a push button switch 53 constituting the operation unit 5b separately from the display unit 5a. In this case, since the display unit 5a only needs to display the image 51 for the image data, it is possible to simplify the control processing for the display.
Further, as shown in FIG. 2C, a push button switch 54 is provided separately from the display unit 5a, and an explanation image 55 for identifying the push button switch 54 is displayed on the display unit 5a. Good. In this case, it is possible to simplify the control process by eliminating the need for a touch panel or the like, and it is possible to easily cope with a change of the switch by changing the explanation image 55.

  Next, an example of processing operation in the digital copying machine configured as described above, that is, an image processing method according to the present invention will be described.

[First mode]
First, the first mode will be described.
When starting the processing operation in the digital copying machine, first, the control unit 6 confirms the initial setting preset in the machine and determines whether or not the preview mode is set. If the preview mode is not set, a general copy processing operation similar to the conventional one is performed. On the other hand, if the preview mode is set, the control unit 6 causes the display unit 5a to display a preview of the image data in response to the user of the digital copying machine pressing the start button of the UI unit 5. At this time, if a preview button is provided in the UI unit 5, the control unit 6 determines whether or not the preview is displayed depending on whether or not the preview button is pressed instead of the initial setting. Also good.

  When displaying the preview of image data on the display unit 5a, the image data acquired by the scanner unit 1 or the image data after image processing by the image processing unit 2 is stored in the page memory 3 for one page of the output page. Is written, the image display of the image data for one page in the page memory 3 is performed. At this time, the display unit 5a displays the whole or only part of the page as one of the full size display, the enlarged / reduced display, the outline display by compression, and the modeled sampling image while following the preset settings. . If the entire page is displayed in full size, the image data and the details of the image processing performed can be easily grasped. On the other hand, the contents can be grasped even if only a part of the page is displayed or the outline is displayed. This is because the display load can be reduced.

  Then, when the user of the digital copier who has confirmed the display content determines that the display content is as intended and presses a specific switch (for example, “NEXT button”) in the operation unit 5b, the control unit 6 instructs the print unit 4 to print out image data for one page in the page memory 3. As a result, the image data for one page is visualized and printed out on the recording paper. The display unit 5a performs image display on the image data for the next one page through the series of processes described above.

  On the other hand, when the user of the digital copying machine determines that the displayed content is different from the intention, and presses another specific switch (for example, “RESET button”) in the operation unit 5b, the control unit 6 causes the page memory 3 to store one page. Image data is discarded without being printed out by the printing unit 4. Then, the user of the digital copying machine is urged through the guidance display on the display unit 5a to reset the original image that is the basis of the image data for one page in the scanner unit 1, and is obtained after resetting. Similar processing is performed again on the image data.

  The above-described series of processing is repeated until each unit of the digital copying machine including the control unit 6 is completed for all pages of image data acquired by the scanner unit 1 in one copy job. As a result, the user of the digital copying machine can select whether or not to output from the printing unit 4 for each page of the image data.

  The user of the digital copier who has confirmed the display content on the display unit 5a determines that the display content is as intended, and that the content check after the display page is unnecessary, and the operation unit When a further specific switch (for example, “SKIP button”) in 5b is pressed, the control unit 6 causes the print unit 4 to print out image data for one page in the page memory 3 and the subsequent pages. The print unit 4 performs print output without displaying the preview by the display unit 5a. That is, after the next page, a general copy processing operation similar to the conventional one is performed.

  In this way, the image data display unit 5a not only determines whether the print unit 4 can output, but also displays all pages sequentially, outputs only the representative page, and omits (skips) the display thereafter. If the user of the digital copying machine can select the display mode, the processing load for preview display can be reduced, and the output of the print unit 4 can be speeded up.

[Second mode]
Next, the second mode will be described.
In the first mode described above, in principle, the next operation is not performed until the operation unit 5b is operated after the display unit 5a performs the preview display. In contrast, the second mode is different from the first mode in that the copy operation is not interrupted until the operation unit 5b is operated even when the display unit 5a performs the preview display. Is different.

  Also in the second mode, when image data acquired by the scanner unit 1 or image data after image processing by the image processing unit 2 is written into the page memory 3 for one page of the output page, the page memory 3 The image display of the image data for one page is performed. However, at this time, the display unit 5a displays an image for a predetermined time. This fixed time may be a fixed value, but it is also conceivable that the user can arbitrarily set it from the UI unit 5.

  Then, if there is no operation of the operation unit 5b by the user of the digital copying machine until the predetermined time elapses, the control unit 6 prints the print output of the image data for one page in the page memory 3. The display unit 5a causes the display unit 5a to display a preview for the next page. Such a series of processing is repeated until each unit of the digital copying machine including the control unit 6 is completed for all pages of image data acquired by the scanner unit 1 in one copy job.

  However, if the user of the digital copying machine who has confirmed the display contents on the display unit 5a presses a specific switch (for example, “STOP button”) on the operation unit 5b before the predetermined time has elapsed, the control unit 6 The series of processes described above is temporarily suspended, and the image data for one page in the page memory 3 is discarded without performing printing output by the printing unit 4. Then, when the user resets the original image on which the image data of one page is based on the scanner unit 1 and then the user presses another specific switch (for example, “CONTINUE button”) in the operation unit 5b. The control unit 6 resumes the series of processes that have been temporarily suspended, and performs the same process again on the image data obtained after the resetting.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of the image processing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the example shown in the figure, a file server device is taken as an example of the image processing device.
As shown in the figure, the file server apparatus (image processing apparatus) described here is different from the above-described first embodiment in that it includes a filing unit 7 instead of the printing unit 4. . Since components other than the filing unit 7 are the same as those in the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given and description thereof is omitted.

  The filing unit 7 includes a storage device such as a magnetic disk device, an optical disk device, or a magneto-optical disk device, for example, and the page memory 3 stores image data for one page of the output page stored in the page memory 3. Is taken out from the memory and stored. Therefore, when image data for a plurality of output pages is sequentially written in the page memory 3, the filing unit 7 stores and accumulates the image data for the plurality of output pages as one file data. That is, the filing unit 7 functions as post-processing means in the present invention. In addition, since the detailed structure of the filing part 7 is well-known, the description is abbreviate | omitted here.

  Next, an example of processing operation in the file server device configured as described above, that is, an image processing method according to the present invention will be described. The processing operation example in the file server apparatus described here is also substantially the same as the first mode or the second mode in the case of the first embodiment described above. However, in the file server device, since the filing unit 7 stores and accumulates each output page of the image data, the following functions can be realized.

  For example, as in the first mode described above, when the display unit 5a sequentially displays each output page of image data and allows the user of the file server device to select whether or not storage can be performed each time, the operation unit 5b Allows the user to select and operate the “RELEASE button” and the “PURGE button” in addition to the “NEXT button” and the “RESET button”. The “RESET button”, “RELEASE button”, and “PURGE button” are all for selecting not to store and store the preview-displayed page, but the “RESET button” is used for the display page. The “RELEASE button” is used for connecting the data of each page by discarding the data, setting the original again so as to be connected to the data of the other pages remaining, and restarting. Is for discarding display page data, treating processed data already stored and accumulated as all data, and ending the filing process. Also, the “PURGE button” discards display page data. In addition to the above, it is different in that it is for discarding all processed data already stored and accumulated.

  Further, for example, as in the second mode described above, when the display unit 5a continuously displays the preview of each output page for a certain period of time, the user of the file server apparatus can select the STOP button on the operation unit 5b. When the button is pressed, “RESET button”, “RELEASE button” and “PURGE button” are displayed on the operation unit 5b in addition to the “CONTINUE button” to allow the user to select the subsequent processing. It is also possible.

  In this way, the user of the digital copying machine can select whether or not the filing unit 7 can store and store each page of the image data, and handle the processed pages that have already been stored and stored. You will be able to choose.

  In the first and second embodiments described above, preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described by specific examples, but it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the selection by the user at the operation unit 5b is only for either one of the image data output or storage / accumulation and the display mode of the image data on the display unit 5a. May be.

  In the first and second embodiments, the case where image data is acquired by reading a document image has been described as an example. However, image data is transmitted through a network line such as a so-called wide area network such as the Internet or a local area network. Even when the image data is acquired by receiving from the outside, such as when acquiring image data through a public telephone line such as a facsimile, it can be applied in exactly the same manner. . Further, in the first and second embodiments, the case where the own apparatus includes the print unit 4 or the filing unit 7 has been described as an example. However, image data is output or stored externally through a network line, a public telephone line, or the like. Even if the storage is performed, it can be applied in exactly the same manner.

  This means that the present invention can be applied not only to a stand-alone image processing apparatus such as a digital copying machine or a file server apparatus but also to an image processing system in which a plurality of image processing apparatuses are connected. means. That is, in an image processing system in which a scanner device, a personal computer, a printer device, an external storage device, and the like are connected to each other via a wired or wireless network line, similarly to the case of the first and second embodiments described above. The present invention can be applied. In that case, the functions as the pre-processing means, post-processing means, image display means, and operation means of the present invention may be provided in any one of the image processing apparatuses constituting the image processing system.

  According to such an image processing system to which the present invention is applied, as in the case where the present invention is applied to a single image processing apparatus as described in the first and second embodiments, print output, network output, Before outputting image data such as facsimile transmission, it is possible to check whether the user intended, and if it is not intended, the operation can be stopped or re-executed. You can save money and save money. In particular, when performing image processing, it is possible to display for each editing unit, check the edited image, and re-execute if the image is not as desired. It is very effective. Furthermore, if it is possible to select all page display, only the first page display, sequential display designation, etc., it becomes possible to cope with high-speed continuous processing.

It is a block diagram which shows an example of schematic structure of the image processing apparatus in 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the specific example of UI part of the image processing apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram which shows an example of schematic structure of the image processing apparatus in 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Scanner part, 2 ... Image processing part, 3 ... Page memory, 4 ... Print part, 5 ... UI part, 5a ... Display part, 5b ... Operation part, 6 ... Control part, 7 ... Filing part

Claims (8)

Preprocessing means for continuously acquiring image data for a plurality of input pages and performing image processing on the image data as necessary;
Post-processing means for continuously outputting or storing and storing image data acquired by the pre-processing means or image data after image processing by the pre-processing means as image data for a plurality of output pages;
Image display means for displaying image data to be output or stored and accumulated by the post-processing means for each page unit of the plurality of output pages;
And an operation means for selecting at least one of output / storage / accumulation of the image data displayed by the image display means and display mode of the image data on the image display means. An image processing apparatus. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the preprocessing unit acquires image data by reading a document image. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the preprocessing unit acquires image data by reception from outside. The image processing according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the preprocessing means performs image processing so that image data for a plurality of input pages is used as image data for one output page. apparatus. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the post-processing unit performs output of image data on recording paper or storage and storage of image data on a storage medium. . The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the post-processing unit is configured to externally output or store the image data by transmitting the image data. An image processing system in which a plurality of image processing apparatuses are connected,
Preprocessing means for continuously acquiring image data for a plurality of input pages and performing image processing on the image data as necessary;
Post-processing means for continuously outputting or storing and storing image data acquired by the pre-processing means or image data after image processing by the pre-processing means as image data for a plurality of output pages;
Image display means for displaying image data to be output or stored and accumulated by the post-processing means for each page unit of the plurality of output pages;
An operation means for selecting at least one of the output or storage / accumulation of the image data displayed by the image display means and the display mode of the image data on the image display means,
An image processing system provided in any one of the plurality of image processing apparatuses. A preprocessing step of continuously acquiring image data for a plurality of input pages and performing image processing on the image data as necessary;
A post-processing step for continuously outputting or storing and storing the image data acquired in the pre-processing step or the image data after the image processing in the pre-processing step as image data for a plurality of output pages;
Prior to the post-processing step, an image display step for displaying the image data to be output or stored in the post-processing step for each page unit of the plurality of output pages;
And an operation step for selecting at least one of output / storage accumulation / non-storage in the post-processing step of the image data displayed in the image display step and a display mode of the image data in the image display step. An image processing method characterized by the above.

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