JP2005262766A - Image outputting apparatus and method for processing its outputting - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a function by which an image stored in an instrument is displayed on an operating part, and while an operator confirms an outputted image of the whole document, the operator can give an indication for changing the image on every image. <P>SOLUTION: Image data of the image 4001 to be outputted are displayed on a displaying means, and a mode outputted on a paper on every necessary image related to the image displayed is indicated to be changed from a colored image to a monochromatic image by pushing a button 4002. Thereby, when the image data are outputted on the paper, related to the image data whose outputted mode is indicated to be changed, the image data are processed to be changed to the monochromatic image. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention inputs, for example, image data supplied from an external device such as a host computer or image data read by an image reading device such as a scanner, and inputs the input image data as a color or monochrome image on a physical medium. The present invention relates to an image output apparatus applied to an image output apparatus for output and an output processing method thereof.

  For example, the present invention relates to an image output apparatus and an output processing method applied to an image processing apparatus that performs output while charging an image output to an operator who outputs the image.

Conventionally, image data supplied from an external device such as a host computer or image data read by an image reading device such as a scanner is input, and the input image data is output to a physical medium as a color or monochrome image. In an image output apparatus, a function of displaying an image to be output on an operation unit of a device is known.
However, the image displayed on the operation unit of the device is used only for the purpose of displaying the image held in the device, and is used to instruct the change of the color space of the displayed image. Was not.

  In addition, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228561, an image output apparatus including a charging unit is known that displays a message prompting a change in output form when a deposit amount is insufficient. Basically, color printing output is more expensive than monochrome printing output. For example, monochrome printing is 5 yen per sheet, while color printing is 15 yen per sheet. Therefore, in the case of deposits that can be printed in monochrome but cannot be printed in color, the user cannot select color printing, change from color printing to monochrome printing, or add deposits. It is controlled to prompt.

JP 2000-298418 A

  However, in the above conventional example, when a color image received from an external device and converted into a monochrome image is converted into a monochrome image, there is only a method for giving the same conversion instruction to all pages. There is a problem that the image conversion process cannot be performed.

  In addition, in an image output device provided with a billing means, the output form cannot be changed on a page-by-page basis while checking the image on the operation unit when the deposit is insufficient, and the output form for the operator is free. The degree was lost.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image output apparatus and an output processing method for solving the above-described problems.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides an image output apparatus having a color mode for outputting input image data as a color image to a recording medium and a monochrome mode for outputting the image data as a monochrome image. Display means for displaying, output mode change instructing means capable of instructing to change the mode to be output for each image data for the image data displayed on the display means, and mode change instruction by the output mode change instructing means The image data is provided with image conversion processing means for converting the image data into image data in the mode instructed to change.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to instruct a process for converting an image output mode for each image (for example, each page).

FIG. 1 is an overview of an image output apparatus according to a first embodiment to which the present invention is applied.
In the figure, reference numeral 1001 denotes an operation unit for the operator of the image output apparatus to operate the device.
Reference numeral 1002 denotes a scanner unit for optically scanning an input medium such as a document, and includes transport units 1003 and 1004 for transporting a document for reading.
1005 is a printing unit for outputting image data held in the device to a physical medium such as paper in color or monochrome, and paper feeding units 1007, 1008 for holding and supplying the physical medium such as paper. 1009 and paper discharge units 1006 and 1010 for discharging the printed physical medium.

The system also includes a host computer main body and an image display unit 1201, a keyboard 1202 for inputting data by key operation, and a pointing device 1203.
The image forming apparatus and the host computer are connected to each other by an Ethernet (registered trademark) cable.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the image output apparatus according to the first embodiment to which the present invention is applied.
2001 is controller hardware for controlling each component of the image output apparatus.
2002 is an operation unit for operating the device.
2003 is a network cable for connecting to an external device (here, host computer 2030 as an example) via a network.
2004 is a line cable for connecting to an external device via a telephone line.
2005 is a CPU that runs a program for controlling the entire image output apparatus.

2006 is a RAM managed by a program running on the CPU. The RAM 2006 is used for purposes such as a reception buffer for temporarily storing data received from the outside and an image data buffer for temporarily storing image data rasterized by the RIP.
2007 is an interface for connecting the operation unit and the controller 2001.
2008 is an interface for connecting the controller 2001 to the network.
2009 is an interface for connecting the controller 2001 to a telephone line.
2010 is a ROM for storing programs, data, and the like operating on the CPU 2005, and also stores control procedures as shown in FIGS.

2011 is a hard disk that is a non-volatile storage device that can store various data for a long time.
2012 is a CPU bus that interconnects each component.
Reference numeral 2024 denotes an image bus connected to a hardware group for performing image processing.

2013 is an interface for connecting the CPU bus 2012 and the image bus 2024.
A rasterize board (RIP) 2021 has a function of converting image description data input from the outside into bitmap image data.
2014 is an interface for connecting the RIP 2021 and the image bus 2024 via the image transfer bus 2018.

2015 is a data compression device for compressing data.
Reference numeral 2022 denotes a scanner unit.
Reference numeral 2023 denotes a printer unit.
2016 is an interface for connecting the scanner and printer to the image bus 2024 via the data buses 2019 and 2020.

  2017 is an apparatus for performing various image conversion processing of image data stored in the RAM 2006. Processing for converting color image data required in the present embodiment into monochrome image data is also performed here.

FIG. 3 is a general view for explaining the operation unit 2002 according to the first embodiment to which the present invention is applied.
The LCD display unit 3002 has a touch panel sheet 3003 pasted on the LCD, displays a system operation screen and soft keys, and transmits the position information to the controller CPU 2001 when the displayed keys are pressed. A start key 3006 is used to start a document image reading operation. There is a green and red two-color LED 3007 at the center of the start key 3006, and the color indicates whether the start key 3006 is ready for use. A stop key 3004 serves to stop the operation during operation. The ID key 3008 is used when inputting the user ID of the user. A reset key 3005 is used when initializing settings from the operation unit.

FIG. 4 is a general view for explaining the contents displayed on the LCD display unit 3002 in the operation unit of the first embodiment to which the present invention is applied.
The display on the LCD display unit 3002 shown in FIG. 4 is displayed when an instruction to start image output processing is given by the operator in this embodiment.

Reference numeral 4001 denotes an output image to be displayed by reducing the image data to be output so that the image data fits in the LCD display unit 3002.
Reference numeral 4002 denotes a button for giving an instruction to convert the output image 4001 into a monochrome image.
Reference numeral 4003 denotes a button for giving an instruction to delete the output image 4001 from the inside of the device (eg, RAM 2006).
Reference numeral 4004 denotes a button for instructing output start.
Reference numeral 4005 denotes a button for displaying the previous page of the output image 4001.
Reference numeral 4006 denotes a button for displaying the next page of the output image 4001.

5, 6, 7 and 8 are block diagrams showing a processing flow of image data according to the first embodiment to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 5 shows a data flow until image description data input from the host computer is transferred to the RIP processing unit.

  First, data received by the interface 2008 is transferred to the RAM 2006, and further transferred to the RIP I / F 2014 via the Image Bus I / F 2013, and conversion processing to bitmap image data is executed in the RIP 2021.

FIG. 6 shows a data flow until the bitmap image data is stored in the HDD 2011 in the RIP2021.
The bitmap image data generated by the RIP 2021 is subjected to data compression processing by the data compression device 2015, transferred to the RAM 2006 via the Image Bus I / F 2013, and then stored in the HDD 2011.

FIG. 7 shows a data flow for converting image data stored in the HDD 2011 from a color format to a monochrome format.
The image data stored in the HDD 2011 is read out to the RAM 2006 and then transferred to the image processing unit 2017 via the Image Bus I / F 2013, and image conversion processing from the color format to the monochrome format is performed. The image data that has undergone image conversion processing in the image processing unit 2017 is transferred to the RAM 2006 via the Image Bus I / F 2013 and then stored in the HDD 2011.

FIG. 8 shows a data flow for transferring the image data stored in the HDD 2011 to the printer 2023 as an output unit.
The image data stored in the HDD2011 is read out to the RAM2006, transferred to the compression / decompression device 2015 via the Image Bus I / F2013, and subjected to data expansion processing, and then the printer via the device I / F2015. Transferred to 2023 to execute output processing.

Hereinafter, the control of the first embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described using the flowchart shown in FIG.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the image output apparatus in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
First, after the image output apparatus is activated, a data reception waiting process for the interface 2008 is performed in S9001.

If it is determined in S9001 that image description data has been input from an external device, the process proceeds to S9002.
In S9002, the image description data received in S9001 is converted into image data in accordance with the image flow shown in FIGS.

The image data converted in S9002 is stored in the HDD 2011 in S9003.
After all the image data included in the image description data received in S9001 is stored in the HDD 2011, in S9004, the image data stored in the HDD 2011 is displayed on the operation unit as shown in FIG. 3 and the process proceeds to S9005. .

  In S9005, an operation acceptance process by the operator is performed. If it is determined in S9005 that the operation by the operator has been performed, the process proceeds to S9006. If it is not determined that the operation by the operator has been performed, the process proceeds to S9009 to determine whether an output (start) instruction has been given (whether the button 4004 has been pressed).

  In S9006, it is determined whether or not an operation by the operator has issued an image conversion instruction displayed on the operation unit.

  If it is determined in S9006 that no image conversion instruction has been issued, the process advances to S9009. In S9009, it is determined whether there is an output instruction. If there is no output, the process returns to S9005. If there is, the process proceeds to S9008, and after executing the output process shown in FIG. 8, the process proceeds to the data reception waiting process in S9001.

  If it is determined in S9006 that an image conversion instruction has been issued, the process proceeds to S9007, the image conversion process shown in FIG. 7 is performed, and the process proceeds to S9009. An image after the image conversion process, that is, a monochrome image can also be displayed on the operation unit immediately after the image conversion process (the same applies to Example 2 described later).

  With the above configuration, it is possible to instruct a process for converting an image output mode for each image (for example, each page).

  Also in this embodiment, the basic configuration of the image output apparatus is the same as that shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and further, a charge collection device is provided, a charge processing function by the controller, and a charge shortage on the operation unit. The difference is that a button for processing is added. The fee collection device can be obtained from the fee collection device by connecting a card reader that reads a counter having a cash substitute function such as a counter or a prepaid card or an IC card that counts the inserted cash to the controller 2001, for example. The collected fee amount is temporarily stored in the RAM 2006.

  FIG. 10 is a general view for explaining the contents displayed on the LCD display unit 3002 in the operation unit of the second embodiment to which the present invention is applied.

  The display of the LCD display unit 3002 shown in FIG. 10 is displayed when an image output process is performed by the operator in this embodiment.

Reference numeral 10001 denotes an output image that is displayed by reducing the image data to be output so as to fit in the LCD display unit 3002.
Reference numeral 10002 denotes a button for giving an instruction to convert the output image 10001 into a monochrome image.
Reference numeral 10003 denotes a button for giving an instruction for deleting the output image 10001 from the inside of the device.

Reference numeral 10004 denotes a button for instructing output start.
10005 is a button for displaying the previous page of the output image 10001.
Reference numeral 10006 denotes a button for displaying the next page of the output image 10001.

  10007 is an image output device equipped with a billing process to compensate for a shortage when the charge collected in advance from the operator is insufficient for the charge for the image that is actually being output. This is a display section for the number of pages that need to be converted from a color page to a monochrome page. When the numerical value displayed on the display unit becomes 0, output processing by the printer 2023 becomes possible. Therefore, this display unit functions as a message that prompts the user to convert a part or all of the image to be output into a monochrome page and output it when the calculation result is insufficient. .

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the image output apparatus with a charging function according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
Hereinafter, the control of the second embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described using the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, in S11001, a fee collection waiting process by the operator of the image output apparatus is performed.
If it is determined in S11001 that fee collection has been completed, the process advances to S11002.
In step S11002, processing for waiting for data reception from an external device is performed.
If it is determined in S11002 that data has been received from an external device, the process proceeds to S11003.

In S11003, the image description data received in S11002 is converted into image data in accordance with the image flow shown in FIGS.
The image data converted in S11003 is stored in the HDD 2011 in S11004.
In S11005, a charge necessary for outputting according to the color mode information of the image data stored in the HDD 2011 is calculated, and the process proceeds to S11006.
In S11006, the fee collected in S11001 is compared with the fee required for the output calculated in S11006.

  If it is determined in S11006 that the fee collected in S11001 is sufficient for the fee required for output, the process proceeds to S11014 and waits for an output instruction. If there is an output instruction, After shifting to S11007 and executing the output process shown in FIG. 8, the process proceeds to the fee collection waiting process of S11001.

  If it is determined in S11006 that the fee collected in S11001 is insufficient with respect to the fee required for output, the fee that is insufficient in S11008 is calculated.

  In S11009, the charge for the shortage calculated in S11008 is divided by the difference between the charge charged for color output and the charge charged for monochrome output, and the color page to compensate for the charge shortage is changed to a monochrome page. Processing for calculating the number of pages to be converted is performed.

  In step S11010, the number of pages to be converted into monochrome pages from the color page calculated in step S11009 is compared with the number of color pages in the image data stored in step S11004.

  In S11010, if it is determined that the number of pages to be converted into monochrome pages from the color page calculated in S11009 is greater than the number of color pages in the image data stored in S11004, the operator is inadequate due to insufficient charges. Since the image to be output cannot be output, error processing is performed in S11011, the output processing is interrupted, and the process proceeds to S11001.

  If it is determined in S11010 that the number of pages to be converted into monochrome pages from the color page calculated in S11009 is less than the number of color pages in the image data stored in S11004, the process proceeds to S11012. The image data stored in the HDD 2011 is displayed on the operation unit as shown in FIG.

  If it is determined in S11012 that the operator has instructed image conversion processing, the process advances to S11013.

  In S11013, the image conversion process shown in FIG. 7 is performed, the process proceeds to S11005, and the process after the calculation process of the amount of money required for output is executed again.

  With the above configuration, when the fee collected from the operator is insufficient, the monochrome conversion necessary for making the operator select an image (for example, a page) to be subjected to monochrome conversion processing and at the same time compensating for the shortage of the fee. By displaying the necessary number of images (pages), it is possible to make it easier for the operator to select an image for monochrome conversion processing.

It is a figure which shows the general view of the data input / output device of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware structure of the controller part of this invention. It is a figure which shows the external appearance of an operation part. It is a figure which shows the display content of the operation part of Example 1 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the control flow of an image conversion process. It is a block diagram which shows the control flow of an image conversion process. It is a block diagram which shows the control flow of an image conversion process. It is a block diagram which shows the control flow of an image conversion process. It is a flowchart which shows the control means of Example 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the display content of Example 2 operation part of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the control means of Example 2 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

4001 Output image 4002 Button for instructing to convert to a monochrome image 4004 Button for instructing start of image output

Claims (6)

An image output apparatus having a color mode for outputting input image data to a recording medium as a color image and a monochrome mode for outputting as a monochrome image,
Display means for displaying the image data;
Output mode change instruction means capable of instructing to change the mode of outputting each image data for the image data displayed on the display means;
An image output apparatus comprising image conversion processing means for converting the image data instructed by the output mode change instruction means into image data in the mode instructed to change. further,
Charge collection means,
A charge amount calculating means for calculating whether or not the charge amount collected by the charge collecting means satisfies an amount capable of outputting image data in a color mode;
When the calculation result by the charge amount calculation means is insufficient, a calculation for calculating the number of image data that needs to be converted to the monochrome mode in order to output the collected charge amount. Means,
2. The image output apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising image data number display means for displaying the number of image data calculated by the calculation means.   The image output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display unit displays image data after image conversion processing in response to the mode change instruction. An output processing method of an image output apparatus having a color mode for outputting input image data as a color image to a recording medium and a monochrome mode for outputting as a monochrome image,
Displaying the image data on a display means;
Instruct to change the mode to be output for each image displayed on the display means,
An output processing method for an image output apparatus, wherein the image data for which the change of the output mode is instructed is converted into the image data of the mode for which the change is instructed. Furthermore, it is calculated whether or not the fee collected by the fee collection means satisfies the amount that can output the image data in the color mode,
If the calculation result is insufficient, calculate the number of image data that needs to be converted to the black and white mode in order to output the collected image data for the collected fee amount. 5. The output processing method for an image output apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the number of data is displayed. 6. The output processing method of an image output apparatus according to claim 4, wherein an image after image conversion processing is displayed in response to the mode change instruction.

Images