JP2005277637A - Image processing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing apparatus capable of giving a priority to an output format designated when inputting image data and simultaneously transmitting the image data in an output format suitable for a destination. <P>SOLUTION: An original image is read by the image processing apparatus 10 while the output format is designated when inputting. The image data obtained by reading the original image are converted to a preset data format for storing in a storage means 18. When the transmission of the image data is requested from the destination, a determination means 20 determines whether the designated output format can be handled by a protocol that the destination uses. When the result determined by the determination means 20 indicates nonconformance, the image data are converted to the output format that can be handled by the protocol that the destination uses for transmission. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus such as a digital multifunction peripheral having a function of transmitting image data obtained by reading a document image to a transmission destination requested to be transmitted through a network.

  In recent years, image processing apparatuses are connected to a network, and many functions are installed along with the connection. For example, in an image processing apparatus, image data obtained by reading a document image is stored in a storage device of the image processing apparatus main body, and image data is received in response to a transmission request from a transmission destination that is another apparatus connected to the network. There is a function of taking out from the storage device and transmitting to the destination.

There are various output formats for image data transmitted through a network. The output format refers to a file format for transmitting image data. For example, PDF (Portable Document Format) format, TIFF (Tagged Image File Format) format, JPEG (Joint)
Photographic Experts Group (JBIG) format or JBIG (Joint Bi-level Image Experts Group) format.

  A user who inputs a document image to the image processing apparatus can determine an optimum output format according to the type of document image at the time of input. Therefore, there is an image processing apparatus that can specify an output format of image data at the time of input. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  As a result, the transmission destination can receive the image data in an appropriate output format corresponding to the type of document image.

JP 2002-171369 A

  However, even if the optimum output format can be specified according to the type of document image to be read, image data in that output format can be handled by the destination device depending on the protocol used by the destination that requested the transmission. There was nothing.

  As shown in FIG. 6, in the case of a conventional image processing apparatus, a user who inputs a document image inputs an output format when transmitting image data obtained by reading the document image to another apparatus using the operation unit. It has been designated (step S501). Upon receiving the input instruction, the image processing apparatus reads the document image with the reading unit to obtain corresponding image data (step S502), and converts the image data into image data in the output format specified at the time of input (step S503). ), Stored in the storage means (step S504).

  Thereafter, when there is a request for transmission of image data from the client PC, which is the transmission destination, to the image processing apparatus through the scanner driver (step S505), the image processing apparatus displays the image requested to be transmitted from the stored image data. The data is specified, and the specified image data is transmitted to the client PC in the output format specified at the time of input (step S506).

  As described above, when the image processing apparatus transmits the image data requested to be transmitted to the transmission destination, whatever kind of protocol is used by the transmission destination, the output format specified by the user at the time of input is used. The image data was being sent.

Here, the output format specified for the image data is the PDF format, and the protocol used by the transmission destination is TWAIN (B / W) (Technology Without Any
It shows the case of Interest Name).

  In this case, the image processing apparatus transmits the image data requested to be transmitted in the PDF format designated at the time of input, and the client PC receives it. However, since the TWAIN (B / W) protocol used by the client PC is not compatible with the PDF format, the received image data cannot be used by the client PC.

  The present invention is intended to solve the above-mentioned problem. While giving priority to the output format specified at the time of input, image data in an output format that can be handled by the transmission destination even when the output format does not conform to the output format. An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus capable of transmitting.

The invention according to claim 1 is an input means (15) for acquiring image data;
Output format designating means (16) for designating the output format of the image data input from the input means (15);
A determination unit (20) for determining whether or not the output format is suitable for a transmission destination when transmitting the image data in which the output format is specified by the output format specifying unit (16);
A conversion means (30) for converting the output format of the image data into an output format suitable for a transmission destination when a determination result by the determination means (20) indicates non-conformity;
When the determination result by the determination means (20) indicates non-conformity, the image data obtained by converting the output format by the conversion means (30) is output. When the determination result indicates conformance, the specified output format is used. And an output means (17) for outputting image data.

  According to the above invention, the output format is designated by the output format designation means (16) for the image data input by the input means (15). The determination means (20) determines whether or not the output format specified for the image data matches the transmission destination when transmitting the image data.

  When the determination result by the determination unit (20) indicates nonconformity, the conversion unit (30) converts the output format that is nonconforming into an output format suitable for the transmission destination. The output means (17) transmits the image data obtained by converting the output format by the conversion means (30) when the determination result by the determination means (20) indicates non-conformity, and is specified when it indicates conformance. Send the image data in the output format that you had.

  The input means (15) may be any means for inputting image data. For example, the image data may be input using a scanner device or a facsimile device, or image data may be input as print data via a local connection or a network.

The output format specifying means (16) may be any device that allows the user to specify an output format for image data. For example, it may be specified from a locally connected PC or a PC connected to a network, or may be specified from a touch panel or the like.
The designation of the output format is not limited to the time of inputting image data. For example, an output format may be specified later for image data stored in a storage device such as an HDD (hard disk device). The output format once specified may be changed.

  Whether or not the designated output format is suitable for the destination is determined by whether or not the designated output format is suitable for the destination protocol. As a result of the determination, if the destination protocol cannot handle the specified output format, it is converted to an output format that conforms to that protocol.

  When one protocol can handle multiple output formats, the output format can be selected according to the correlation between the specified output format and the output format that can be handled by the destination protocol, or can be selected according to a predetermined priority order. it can.

  This determination is performed not only when image data is transmitted in response to a request from the transmission destination, but also when image data is transmitted by itself. The image data transmitted by the output means (17) may be stored in a box or the like or transmitted immediately after input.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the image data for which the output format is designated by the output format designating means (16) is associated with the output format designated for the image data, and is compressed and saved in a predetermined data format. Storage means (18)
It is an image processing apparatus characterized by having.

  According to the above invention, the image data is compressed and stored in the storage means (18). The association is realized by, for example, using information indicating the output format as attribute information of the image data, or registering the name of the image data and the output format specified for the image data in the management table in association with each other. The It is preferable that the predetermined data format has a high compression rate when storing image data.

  According to the image processing apparatus of the present invention, the determination unit determines whether the output format specified for the image data is compatible with the destination protocol, and receives the result to convert the output format. Therefore, even when the designated output format does not conform to the destination protocol, it is possible to transmit the image data in a format that can be handled by the destination.

  In a storage unit that compresses and saves image data and a specified output format in association with each other, information indicating the specified output format is stored as another information associated with image data. Regardless of the output format, the data format of the image data to be stored can be made specific. As a result, the storage means can have a high compression rate capable of efficiently storing image data.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 2 shows a network configuration including the image processing apparatus 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The image processing apparatus 10 is connected to a network 2 such as a LAN (local area network). A client PC 3 including a terminal device and a personal computer is connected to the network 2.

  The image processing apparatus 10 has a copy function for reading a document image and forming a duplicate image on the recording paper, a scanner function for reading the document image and outputting corresponding image data, and an image corresponding to the received print data on the recording paper. The printer has a printer function to form, a facsimile function to send and receive document images, a transfer function to transfer image data, a function to save image data, and the like, and is a device generally called a digital multifunction peripheral.

  When transmitting image data, the image processing apparatus 10 determines whether the protocol used by the transmission destination can handle the output format specified for the image data, and receives the result to output the image data output format. Has the function of converting.

  The output format refers to a file format when image data is transmitted, such as PDF format, TIFF format, JPEG format, or JBIG format.

  FIG. 1 shows the configuration of the image processing apparatus 10. The image processing apparatus 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13 as main parts as a control unit that performs overall control of the operation. Circuit. The ROM 12 stores programs executed by the CPU 11 and various fixed data. The RAM 13 functions as a work memory that temporarily stores various data when the CPU 11 executes a program, and a page memory that stores at least one page of image data for performing a rotation process.

  The printer unit 14 functions to form and output an image corresponding to the image data on a recording sheet by an electrophotographic process. The printer unit 14 is configured as a so-called laser printer having a recording paper transport device, a photosensitive drum, a charging device, a laser unit, a developing device, a transfer separation device, a cleaning device, and a fixing device. ing.

  The reading unit 15 functions as an input unit that reads a document image and takes in corresponding image data. The reading unit 15 includes a light source that irradiates the document, a line image sensor that reads the document for one line in the width direction thereof, a moving unit that moves the reading position in units of lines in the length direction of the document, and reflected light from the document. And an optical path made up of a lens and a mirror for guiding the light to a line image sensor. The line image sensor is composed of a CCD (Charge Coupled Device). The analog image signal output from the line image sensor is A / D converted and captured as digital image data.

  The operation unit 16 includes a liquid crystal display having a touch panel on the surface and various operation switches, and has a function of performing various guidance displays and status displays for the user and receiving various operations from the user. Yes. In addition, it functions as an output format specifying means for specifying the output format of image data.

  The network interface unit 17 communicates by connecting to a telephone line or various networks, and functions as an output unit when transmitting image data in response to a request from a transmission destination or when transmitting image data by itself. In addition, it has a function of receiving print data from the client PC 3 through the network 2.

  The storage unit 18 has a function of associating and storing image data and information indicating an output format designated for the image data. The image data is stored in a predetermined specific compression format regardless of the designated output format. Here, image data is stored in JBIG format in consideration of compression efficiency.

  The association between the image data and the information indicating the output format specified for the image data is performed, for example, by storing the information indicating the output format as one of the attribute information of the image data. In addition, a management table in which a file name in which image data is stored and information indicating an output format designated for the image data is associated may be provided separately.

  As described above, since the information indicating the output format specified for the image data is stored in association with the image data, the image data can be stored in a data format different from the specified output format.

  The determination unit 20 has a function of determining whether the output format specified for the image data is an output format that can be handled by the protocol used by the transmission destination. The determination is made based on the protocol used by the transmission destination.

  When there is a transmission request for image data from the transmission destination, the determination unit 20 specifies the image data from the image data stored in the storage unit 18 and stores the specified image data in association with the image data. Get the output format.

  For example, when the information indicating the output format is stored as one of the attribute information of the image data, the output format specified for the image data is acquired from the attribute information of the image data to be transmitted. Alternatively, if information indicating the output format is stored in the management table, the output format specified for the target image data is obtained by searching the management table using the file name of the image data to be transmitted as a key. To do.

  The conversion means 30 functions to convert image data requested for transmission into an output format that can be handled by a protocol used by the transmission destination.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of an output format adaptation table 40 in which several types of protocols that can be used at any of the transmission destinations are associated with file formats that can be handled by each protocol.

  In this example, when the protocol used by the transmission destination is TWAIN (B / W), the output format that can be handled by the protocol is associated with the TIFF format or the bitmap format. When the protocol used by the transmission destination is TWAIN (color), the output format that can be handled by the protocol is associated with the JPEG format or the bitmap format. When the protocol used by the transmission destination is FTP (File Transfer Protocol), an output format that can be handled by the protocol is associated with all file formats. When the protocol used by the transmission destination is an external application, the output format that can be handled by the protocol is associated with the RAW format.

  Here, the entire file format refers to all file formats, the external application refers to an external application, or the RAW format refers to raw data for performing all processing in the external application.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of an image data transmission operation in the image processing apparatus 10. A user who inputs a document image designates an output format when transmitting image data obtained by reading the document image to another apparatus using the operation unit 16 (step S101). Thereafter, the document image is read by the reading unit 15 to obtain corresponding image data (step S102).

  The image data is converted into a predetermined data format. Also, information indicating the output format designated at the time of input is registered as one of attribute information related to the image data (step S103). The image data converted into the predetermined data format and the attribute information indicating the output format of the image data are associated with each other and stored in the storage unit 18 (step S104).

  Here, an example is shown in which the output format of the document image input from the user is the PDF format, and the predetermined data format is the JBIG format.

  When there is a request for transmission of image data from the client PC 3 as the transmission destination to the image processing apparatus 10 through the scanner driver (step S105), the determination unit 20 requests the image data for which transmission has been requested from the stored image data. And an output format is acquired from the attribute information associated with the specified image data. The determination unit 20 determines whether or not the acquired output format can be handled by the protocol used by the client PC 3 (step S106).

  The determination is made by collating the protocol used by the client PC 3 with the output format adaptation table 40 shown in FIG. When the determination unit 20 acquires the protocol used by the client PC 3, the determination unit 20 collates the protocol with the output format adaptation table 40 shown in FIG.

  The output format compatibility table 40 shown in FIG. 3 is associated with file formats that can be handled by several types of protocols. The determination unit 20 can specify an output format that can be handled by the protocol used by the client PC 3 based on the association in the output format adaptation table 40 shown in FIG.

  When the output format indicated by the attribute information is not associated with the protocol used by the client PC 3, the determination unit 20 determines that the output format cannot be handled by the protocol used by the client PC 3.

  The conversion unit 30 receives the determination result of the determination unit 20 and converts the output format of the image data requested for transmission from the client PC 3 (step S107). The image data obtained by converting the output format is transmitted from the network interface unit 17 to the client PC 3 (step S108).

  Here, a case where a transmission request is made to image data having attribute information in the PDF format from the client PC 3 using the TWAIN (B / W) protocol is shown. The TWAIN (B / W) protocol and the PDF file format are not associated with the output format adaptation table 40 shown in FIG. Therefore, the determination unit 20 determines that the TWAIN (B / W) protocol used by the client PC 3 cannot handle the PDF format.

  Therefore, the determination unit 20 specifies an output format that can be handled by the TWAIN (B / W) protocol based on the output format adaptation table 40 shown in FIG. For example, here, the TIFF format is specified. Upon receiving the determination result of the determination unit 20, the conversion unit 30 converts the image data having the attribute information in the PDF format into the image data in the TIFF format that can be handled by the TWAIN (B / W) protocol used by the client PC 3. . The determination unit 20 performs the same determination in the case of other protocols that the client PC 3 may use.

  FIG. 5 shows the flow of processing for realizing the operation when there is a transmission request for image data from the client PC 3 shown in FIG. When there is a request for image data transmission from the client PC 3 to the image processing apparatus 10 (step S201), the determination unit 20 specifies the image data requested from the client PC 3 from the stored image data (step S201). In step S203, an output format is acquired from the attribute information associated with the specified image data (step S203).

  Next, information indicating a protocol used by the client PC 3 is acquired as one piece of communication information with the client PC 3 that has requested transmission (step S204).

  The determination unit 20 determines the protocol used by the client PC 3 and the acquired output format based on the output format adaptation table 40 shown in FIG. 3 (step S205). When the determination result of the determination unit 20 indicates conformity, the image data is transmitted in the output format specified when the image data is input (step S205; Y, step S210). Here, the image data stored in the JBIG format is converted into an output format designated at the time of input and transmitted.

  When the determination result of the determination unit 20 indicates nonconformity (step S205; N), it is determined whether there are a plurality of output formats that can be handled by the protocol used by the client PC 3 (step S206). When the determination result indicates that there are a plurality of output formats that can be handled by the protocol used by the client PC 3 (step S206; Y), an output format having a strong correlation with the output format specified at the time of input is selected (step S208). ).

  A strongly correlated output format refers to an output format having features that are most similar to the specified output format. The characteristics of the output format can be determined by the high compression rate of the image data and the quality of the image.

  For example, if there are multiple output formats that can be handled by the protocol used by the destination, if information on correlations related to specific characteristics between the output formats is prepared in advance, it can be specified at the time of input based on that information. It is possible to select an output format having a strong correlation with the output format.

  When it is indicated that there is one output format that can be handled by the protocol used by the client PC 3 (step S206; N), the output format is selected (step S207).

  The image data requested to be transmitted from the client PC 3 is converted into an output format that can be handled by the protocol of the client PC 3 by using the output format selected as described above (step S209).

  The image data whose output format has been converted is transmitted from the network interface unit 17 to the client PC 3 that has requested transmission (step S210).

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to that shown in the embodiment, and there are changes and additions within the scope of the present invention. Are also included in the present invention. For example, a digital multifunction peripheral as an image processing apparatus has been described as an example, but a file server, a facsimile machine, or the like may be used.

  In the embodiment, an example in which the output format of the image data is selected based on the correlation when one protocol can handle a plurality of output formats has been described. It is also possible to select according to a preset priority order.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the image processing apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the network containing the image processing apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the output format adaptation table which shows the correspondence of each protocol and the output format which adapts to the protocol. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the transmission operation | movement of the image data in the image processing apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention. 5 is a flowchart showing processing for realizing an operation when a transmission request for image data is received from the client PC shown in FIG. 4. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the transmission operation | movement of the image data of the conventional image processing apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

2 ... Network 3 ... Client PC
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Image processing apparatus 11 ... CPU
12 ... ROM
13 ... RAM
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 14 ... Printer part 15 ... Reading part 16 ... Operation part 17 ... Network interface part 18 ... Memory | storage means 20 ... Determination means 30 ... Conversion means 40 ... Output format conformity table

Claims (2)

Input means for acquiring image data;
Output format designating means for designating the output format of the image data acquired from the input means;
A determination unit that determines whether the output format is suitable for a transmission destination when transmitting the image data in which the output format is specified by the output format specifying unit;
A conversion means for converting the output format of the image data into an output format suitable for a transmission destination when the determination result by the determination means indicates non-conformity;
When the determination result by the determination means indicates non-conformity, the image data obtained by converting the output format by the conversion means is output, and when conformance is indicated, the image data is output in the designated output format. And an image processing apparatus. Image data having an output format designated by the output format designating means, associated with the output format designated for the image data, and storing means for compressing and saving the image data in a predetermined data format Processing equipment.

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