JP2005346728A - Image processing apparatus and its control method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To facilitate device selection by distinguishably indicating whether respective devices can be used through or not through a network when selecting a device to be used. <P>SOLUTION: An image processing apparatus has an input device and an output device for outputting image data inputted with the input device, and can communicate with other output devices through a network. The image processor displays a plurality of output devices including its own output device and the output devices connected through a network, and has the user-specified output device from among a plurality of the displayed output devices selected as the output device for outputting the inputted image data, wherein a plurality of the output devices when displayed as such are distinguishably displayed either as the output device which the image processor has or as the output device connected through a network. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a control method and apparatus for a network system to which a plurality of image processing apparatuses are connected, and an image processing apparatus for configuring the network system.

Conventionally, in addition to scanners and printers connected to host computers via signal cables, input / output devices such as scanners, printers, scanners connected to host computers, and printers via communication lines There is also a system that can input and output image data. In such a system, when an operator selects an input device or an output device to be used from a plurality of devices, a list of selectable devices is displayed on a display device of a host computer. From this display, the operator selects a device to be used for input / output.
Prior art documents include the following.
JP-A-6-87548

  Usually, input / output processing time is required for an input device such as a digital copying machine, an input / output device connected to a host computer via a signal cable, and an input / output device connected via a communication line. Is different. That is, an input / output device connected via a communication line tends to take a longer time for input / output processing because data transmission on the communication line takes longer.

  Thus, the difference in the interface used for connecting each input / output device affects the processing speed. However, when a list of selectable devices is displayed in a general network system, such distinction is not shown in the display of devices that can be input / output. For this reason, the operator cannot grasp from the list display whether the input / output device to be selected can be used without going through the communication line or is connected to the communication line.

  Further, there is a system in which various devices connected to the host computer via a bus or a network can be used remotely from the host computer. In selecting a device to be used remotely from the host computer in such a system, a user designates a desired device or a device uniquely determined by the host computer is selected.

  Of the above-described device selection methods, when the host computer automatically selects a device, the device selected by the host computer may be located far away from the position desired by the user. Further, even when the user selects a desired device, the physical position of each device cannot be grasped, and thus there is a possibility that an unnecessarily far device may be selected. In addition, selecting an unnecessarily far device increases network traffic, which is not preferable in terms of data transfer.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to eliminate the above-mentioned drawbacks.

  In addition, the object of the present invention is to display in an identifiable manner whether each device is a device that can be used without going through a network or a device that is used through a network when selecting a device to be used. It is to make device selection easier.

In order to achieve the above object, an image processing apparatus according to the present invention comprises the following arrangement. That is,
An image processing apparatus comprising an input device and an output device that outputs image data input by the input device, and capable of communicating with other output devices via a network,
Display means for displaying a plurality of output devices including an output device included in the image processing device and an output device connected via the network;
Selecting means for selecting an output device designated by a user from among a plurality of output devices displayed on the display means as an output device for outputting image data input by the input device;
The display means displays the plurality of output devices so that the output devices included in the image processing apparatus or output apparatuses connected via a network can be identified.

Further, a method for controlling an image processing apparatus according to the present invention for achieving the above object is as follows:
An image processing apparatus control method comprising an input device and an output device that outputs image data input by the input device, and capable of communicating with another output device via a network,
A display step of displaying a plurality of output devices including an output device included in the image processing device and an output device connected via the network on a display unit included in the image processing device;
A selection step of selecting an output device designated by a user from among the plurality of output devices displayed by the display step as an output device that outputs image data input by the input device;
In the display step, the plurality of output devices are displayed in an identifiable manner as to whether the output device included in the image processing apparatus is connected to the output apparatus via a network.

  According to the present invention, when a device to be used is selected, whether each device is a device that can be used without going through a network or a device that is used through a network is displayed in an identifiable manner. Device selection is easier.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
<Example 1>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The reader unit 1 reads an image of a document and outputs image data corresponding to the document image to the printer unit 2 and the image input / output control unit 3. The printer unit 2 records an image corresponding to the image data from the reader unit 1 and the image input / output control unit 3 on a recording sheet. The image input / output control unit 3 is connected to the reader unit 1 and includes a facsimile unit 4, a file unit 5, a computer board unit 7, a formatter unit 8, a LAN interface unit 9, a core unit 10, and the like.

  The facsimile unit 4 decompresses the compressed image data received via the telephone line, transfers the decompressed image data to the core unit 10, and compresses and compresses the image data transferred from the core unit 10. The compressed image data is transmitted via a telephone line. A hard disk 12 is connected to the facsimile unit 4, and the received compressed image data can be temporarily stored. A magneto-optical disk drive unit 6 is connected to the file unit 5, and the file unit 5 compresses the image data transferred from the core unit 10 and sets it in the magneto-optical disk drive unit 6 together with a keyword for retrieving the image data. Stored in the magneto-optical disk.

  The file unit 5 searches the compressed image data stored in the magneto-optical disk based on the keyword transferred via the core unit 10, reads the retrieved compressed image data, decompresses it, and decompresses the image Data is transferred to the core unit 10. The computer interface unit 7 is an interface between the personal computer or workstation (PC / WS) 11 and the core unit 10. The formatter unit 8 develops code data representing multiple images even transferred from the PC / WS 11 into image data that can be recorded by the printer unit 2. The LAN interface unit 9 is connected to a LAN (local area network) and performs data communication via the LAN.

  The core unit 10 will be described later. The core unit 10 controls the flow of data among the reader unit 1, the facsimile unit 4, the file unit 5, the computer interface unit 7, the formatter unit 8, and the LAN interface unit 9. It is.

  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the reader unit 1 and the printer unit 2. The document feeder 101 of the reader unit 1 feeds documents one by one on the platen glass 102 sequentially from the last page, and discharges the document on the platen glass 102 after the document reading operation is completed. When the original is conveyed onto the platen glass 102, the lamp 103 is turned on, and the movement of the scanner unit 104 is started to expose and scan the original. The reflected light from the original at this time is guided to a CCD image sensor (hereinafter referred to as CCD) 109 by mirrors 105, 106, 107 and a lens 108. Thus, the scanned image of the original is read by the CCD 109. Image data output from the CCD 109 is subjected to predetermined processing and then transferred to the printer unit 2 and the core unit 10 of the image input / output control unit 3.

  The laser driver 221 of the printer unit 2 drives the laser light emitting unit 201 and causes the laser light emitting unit 201 to emit laser light corresponding to the image data output from the reader unit 1. The laser beam is irradiated onto the photosensitive drum 202, and a latent image corresponding to the laser beam is formed on the photosensitive drum 202. A developer is attached to the latent image portion of the photosensitive drum 202 by the developing unit 203. Then, at the timing synchronized with the start of laser beam irradiation, the recording paper is fed from either the cassette 204 or the cassette 205 and conveyed to the transfer unit 206, and the developer attached to the photosensitive drum 202 is transferred to the recording paper. To do. The recording paper on which the developer is placed is conveyed to the fixing unit 207, and the developer is fixed to the recording paper by the heat and pressure of the fixing unit 207. The recording paper that has passed through the fixing unit 207 is discharged by the discharge roller 208, and the sorter 220 stores the discharged recording paper in each pin and sorts the recording paper. Note that the sorter 220 stores recording paper in the uppermost bin when sorting is not set. If double-sided recording is set, the recording paper is transported to the discharge roller 208, and then the rotation direction of the discharge roller 208 is reversed and guided to the refeed conveyance path by the flapper 209. If multiple recording is set, the flapper 209 guides the recording sheet to the refeed conveyance path so that the recording sheet is not conveyed to the discharge roller 208. The recording paper guided to the refeed conveyance path is fed to the transfer unit 206 at the timing described above.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the reader unit 1. Image data output from the CCD 109 is subjected to analog / digital conversion by the A / D / SH unit 110 and shading correction. The image data processed by the A / D / SH unit 110 is transferred to the printer unit 2 through the image processing unit 111 and also transferred to the core unit 10 of the image input / output control unit 3 through the interface unit 113. . The CPU 114 controls the image processing unit 111 and the interface 113 according to the setting content set by the operation unit 115.

  For example, when a copy mode for performing copying by performing trimming processing at the operation unit 115 is set, the trimming processing is performed by the image processing unit 111 and transferred to the printer unit 2. When the facsimile transmission mode is set on the operation unit 115, the control data corresponding to the image data and the set mode is transferred from the interface 113 to the core unit 10. Such a control program of the CPU 114 is stored in the ROM 116, and the CPU 114 performs control while referring to the ROM 116. The RAM 117 is used as a work area for the CPU 114.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the core unit 10. Image data from the reader unit 1 is transferred to the data processing unit 121, and a control command from the reader unit 1 is transferred to the CPU 123. The data processing unit 121 performs image processing such as image rotation processing and scaling processing. The image data transferred from the reader unit 1 to the data processing unit 121 corresponds to the control command transferred from the reader unit 1. Then, the data is transferred to the facsimile unit 4, the file unit 5, the computer interface unit 7, and the LAN interface unit 9 through the interface 120. Further, code data representing an image input via the computer interface 7 is transferred to the data processing unit 121 and then transferred to the formatter unit 8 to be developed into image data. The image data is transferred to the data processing unit 121 and then transferred to the facsimile unit 4, the printer unit 2, the file unit 5, and the LAN interface unit 9. Image data from the facsimile unit 4 is transferred to the data processing unit 121, and then transferred to the printer unit 2, the file unit 5, the computer interface unit 7, and the LAN interface unit 9. The image data from the file unit 5 is transferred to the data processing unit 121, and then transferred to the printer unit 2, facsimile unit 4, file unit 5, computer interface unit 7, and LAN interface unit 9.

  The image data input via the LAN interface unit is transferred to the data processing unit 121 and then transferred to the printer unit 2, facsimile unit 4, file unit 5, and computer interface unit 7. Further, code data representing an image input via the LAN interface unit is transferred to the data processing unit 121, and then transferred to the formatter unit 8 to be developed into image data. The image data is transferred to the data processing unit 121 and then transferred to the printer unit 2, facsimile unit 4, file unit 5, and computer interface unit 7.

  The CPU 123 controls such data transfer destination switching in accordance with a control program stored in the ROM 124 and a control command transferred from the reader unit 1. The RAM 125 is used as a work area for the CPU 123. In this way, the core unit 10 is combined with functions such as document image reading, image printing, image transmission / reception, image storage, data input / output from a computer, and data input / output via a LAN. Can be processed.

  The CPU 123 communicates with CPUs provided in the reader unit 1, the facsimile unit 4, the file viewer 5, the computer interface unit 7, the formatter unit 8, and the LAN interface unit 9 to perform data transfer control.

  In the image processing system shown in FIG. 1, image information is received from any of image information input devices on the LAN connected via the reader unit 1, the fax unit 4, the file unit 5, the computer interface unit 7, and the LAN interface unit 9. It is possible to input. Further, the image information input to any of the image information output devices on the LAN connected via the printer unit 2, the fax unit 4, the file unit 5, the computer interface unit 7, and the LAN interface unit 9 can be output. Is possible.

  Further, by using the formatter unit 8, a document file input from any of the image information input devices on the LAN connected via the fax unit 4, the file unit 5, the computer interface unit 7, and the LAN interface unit 9. Image information can be obtained by expanding (a file composed of command data) into image data. Further, the obtained image information is output to any of the image information output devices on the LAN connected via the printer unit 2, the fax unit 4, the file unit 5, the computer interface unit 7, and the LAN interface unit 9. It is also possible.

  Selection of an input device and an output device in these cases is performed by an operator. When selecting an input device or an output device, a list of usable input devices and output devices is displayed on the display unit of the operation unit 115 of the reader unit 1. In the image processing system of the present embodiment, in this list display, whether each device can be used without going through the LAN (is included in the image processing device in FIG. 1) or connected through the LAN. Is also displayed. Therefore, the operator can select an optimum input device and output device with reference to this display.

  As an example of the input device selection in the network system for image processing of the present embodiment as described above, a case where a document image input from an optical scanner device is copied (that is, output by the printer unit 2). This will be described below.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the network system according to the present embodiment. As described above, the image processing apparatus 100 includes the reader unit 1, the printer unit 2, and the image input / output control device 3. A LAN 1300 is connected to the LAN interface unit 9. Various input devices and output devices can be connected to the LAN 1300. In this embodiment, two optical scanner devices 1302 and 1303 and three FAX transmitting / receiving devices 1305, 1306 and 1307 are connected.

  In the network system as described above, the CPU 123 of the core unit 10 periodically makes an inquiry about input / output attributes to each device connected to the LAN 1300. Here, the input / output attributes are the type of each device (facsimile, scanner, printer, etc.). As a result of this inquiry, a table as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a device table that stores information on input devices and output devices that can be used in the network system. The device table includes type information indicating the type of each device and connection information indicating whether the device is included in the image processing apparatus 100 or connected via a LAN.

  The image input / output operation in the network system will be described below.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the image input procedure of this embodiment. First, in step S1001, an input device for reading a document image to be copied is selected. In this example, one of the optical scanner devices is selected as the input device to be used. Here, the image processing apparatus 100 includes a reader unit 1 as an optical scanner device, and an original can be input using the reader unit 1. In addition to the optical scanner device included in the image processing apparatus 100, optical scanner devices 1302 and 1303 (hereinafter referred to as virtual optical scanner devices) connected via the LAN interface unit 9 and the LAN 1300. It is also possible to input a document image.

  The virtual optical scanner device in this embodiment is a LAN-compatible optical scanner device connected on the same LAN. As shown in the block diagram of FIG. 8, the LAN-compatible optical scanner device 1302 includes an image input unit (reader unit 1102) that converts a document into image data, and another device in which the read image data is connected to the same LAN. LAN interface unit 1103 for transmitting to the network. The reader unit 1102 and the LAN interface unit 1103 have the same functions as the reader unit 1 and the LAN interface unit 9 included in the image processing apparatus 100 of the present embodiment.

  The input device selection processing procedure in step S1001 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing details of the input device selection processing procedure (step S1001). In step S1010, the type of the input device is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit of the operation unit 115 based on the device table in the RAM 125.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a display state of the type of the input device. Here, the liquid crystal display unit is configured by, for example, a touch panel, and an input operation is performed when an operator touches an operation key drawn by the liquid crystal display unit. For example, when a scanner is selected as the type of input device, when the scanner key 1201 is touched, the display changes and a display area 1203 indicates that the scanner has been selected. When the determination key 1202 is touched in this state, it is determined that the scanner is used as the type of the input device. When the type of the input device is determined in this way, the process proceeds from step S1011 to step S1012.

  As described above, when the operator determines the type of the input device according to the display screen displayed on the liquid crystal display unit of the operation unit 115 (in this example, the scanner is selected as the type of the input device), in step S1012 A list of input devices belonging to the selected type is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit. Here, as in this example, when the image processing apparatus 100 is connected to the LAN 1300 by the LAN interface unit 9 and another optical scanner device is connected to the LAN 1300, the operator uses the image processing apparatus. In addition to the optical scanner device included in 100, a virtual optical scanner device can be selected as an input device. That is, when the image processing apparatus is placed in a LAN environment as shown in FIG. 5, the optical scanner device (reader unit 1) and the virtual optical scanner devices (optical scanner devices 1302, 1303) are input devices. Can be selected.

This selection is performed by the operator selecting any one of the optical scanner devices according to the display screen displayed on the liquid crystal display unit of the operation unit 115. FIG. 11 shows a display screen for selecting a scanner to be used as an input device. As shown in FIG. 11, selectable optical scanner devices are connected to those included in the image processing device 100 via a LAN by referring to the device table in the RAM 125 shown in FIG. Distinguish from things. Accordingly, the operator can identify whether the input device is included in the image processing apparatus 100 or connected via the LAN, and can more effectively select the optical scanner device used for the input device. As described above, the selected input device is reserved, the input device selection process is terminated (step S1013), and the process proceeds to step S1002 (FIG. 7 ).

  In step S1002, the operator can select any one of the image printing apparatuses as an output apparatus for copying a document. Since the output device selection processing in step S1002 will be described in detail later, it is omitted here. The image processing apparatus includes the printer unit 2 as an image printing apparatus. If the output device selection process is not performed in step S1002, the printer unit 2 is unconditionally selected as the image printing apparatus. Is done.

  In step S1003, a document image reading process is performed. When reading a document by the reader unit 1 included in the image processing apparatus 100, an image read from the reader unit 1 is sent to the printer unit 2 or the core unit 10.

  Further, when inputting from the virtual optical scanner device connected via the LAN interface unit 9, the original is read by using the LAN compatible scanner selected by the operator in step S1001. The reading of the original by the reader unit 1102 of the LAN compatible scanner 1101 is the same as that of the reader unit 1.

  Image information read from the LAN compatible scanner 1101 is transmitted to the image processing apparatus 100 via the LAN interface unit 1103 and the LAN 1300. The basic operation regarding the LAN transmission of image information in the LAN interface unit 1103 is the same as that of the LAN interface unit 9. On the other hand, in the image processing apparatus 100, the LAN interface unit 9 receives image information transmitted via the LAN and sends it to the core unit 10.

  In step S1004, image information printout processing is performed. Here, the printer unit 2 is selected as a printout apparatus for image information, particularly when the operator does not give an instruction. When an image read by the reader unit 1 is printed by the printer unit 2, image information is directly sent from the reader unit 1 to the printer unit 2.

  Next, as an example of output device selection in the image processing apparatus 100, a case where a document image input from the optical scanner apparatus is fax-transmitted will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining the image output procedure of this embodiment. First, in step S1401, the operator can select an input device as necessary. In other words, it is possible to select either an optical scanner device included in the image processing apparatus 100 or various image input devices connected via a network as an input device for reading a FAX transmission target document. is there. Note that the input device selection processing in step S1401 is as shown in the flowchart of FIG. If the input device is not selected (step S1401), the reader unit 1 is unconditionally selected as the image input device.

  In step S1402, one of the FAX transmitting / receiving apparatuses is selected as an output apparatus for performing FAX transmission of the document image. Here, the image processing apparatus 100 includes a fax unit 4 as a FAX transmission / reception apparatus, and can use this to perform FAX transmission of image information. However, in addition to the fax unit 4 included in the image processing apparatus 100, a FAX transmission / reception device (hereinafter referred to as a virtual FAX transmission / reception device) connected via the LAN interface unit 9 is selected and image information is selected. It is also possible to perform FAX transmission. The virtual FAX transmission / reception apparatus in this embodiment is a LAN-compatible FAX transmission / reception apparatus connected on the same LAN.

  As shown in the block diagram of FIG. 13, a LAN-compatible FAX transmission / reception device 1501 includes a LAN interface unit 1502 for transmitting / receiving image information to / from other devices via a LAN, and a fax for performing FAX transmission / reception via a telephone line. Part 1503. The LAN interface unit 1502 and the fax interface unit 1503 have the same functions as the LAN interface unit 9 and the fax unit 4 included in the image processing apparatus 100.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in output device selection processing (step S1402). First, in step S 1020, the screen shown in FIG. 15 is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit of the operation unit 115. Here, the operator selects a desired output device from among a plurality of output device types as an output device. In this example, a fax is selected. When the operator sets the type of the output device in the same procedure as described in the selection of the input device (FIG. 10), the process proceeds from step S1021 to step S1022.

  In step S1022, a list of available output devices belonging to the set type is displayed. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a display state of a list of usable output devices when fax is selected as the type of output device. As shown in FIG. 5, the image processing apparatus 100 is connected to the LAN by the LAN interface unit 9, and another FAX transmitting / receiving apparatus is connected to the LAN. That is, the operator can select a virtual FAX transmission / reception device other than the FAX transmission / reception device included in the image processing apparatus 100 as an output device. For example, when the image processing apparatus 100 is placed in a LAN environment as shown in FIG. 5, the fax unit 4 and the virtual FAX transmission / reception apparatuses 1305, 1306, and 1307 can be selected as output apparatuses.

  The liquid crystal display unit of the operation unit 115 displays as shown in FIG. According to this display screen, the operator selects any one FAX transmission / reception device to select an output device. At this time, as shown in FIG. 16, selectable FAX transmitting / receiving apparatuses are displayed separately from those included in the image processing apparatus 100 and those connected via the LAN. Thus, the operator can more effectively select the FAX transmitting / receiving apparatus used for output in consideration of the information.

  When the output device is selected as described above, the processing in FIG. 14 is terminated (step S1023), and the process proceeds to step S1403 in FIG.

  In step S1403, an image original reading process is performed. Here, as the image information input device, the reader unit 1 is selected particularly when the operator does not give an instruction. The image read from the reader unit 1 is sent to the core unit 10.

  In step S <b> 1404, the image information input to the core unit 10 is transferred to the fax unit 4.

  Further, when performing FAX transmission from a virtual FAX transmission / reception device connected via the LAN interface unit 9, use a LAN compatible FAX transmission / reception device connected to the same LAN selected by the operator in step S1402. Thus, the FAX transmission of the image is executed. In the LAN compatible FAX transmission / reception device 1501, first, image information transmitted from the LAN interface unit 9 via the LAN is received by the LAN interface unit 1502 included in the LAN compatible FAX transmission / reception device 1501. The image information received by the LAN interface unit 1502 is faxed via a telephone line connected to the fax unit 1503.

  Further, the basic operation when the LAN interface unit 1502 included in the LAN compatible FAX transmitting / receiving apparatus 1501 receives the LAN transmission image information is the same as that of the LAN interface unit 9. The basic operation in the case where image information is fax-transmitted from the fax unit 1503 included in the LAN-compatible fax transmission / reception device 1501 is the same as that of the fax unit 4.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the communication line to which the virtual device is connected is a LAN (local area network) has been described. However, this communication line is generally known such as a WAN (wide area network). Any communication line may be used. Also, each device connected to the communication line may be any device as long as it is a device that can be connected to a generally known communication line.

  Also, when there are a plurality of input devices including virtual devices connected on the LAN, whether each device is included in the image processing apparatus 100 or can be used virtually via the LAN. At the time of display, in this embodiment, each device is displayed in a form in which it is classified into either of these two types, but for this display form, it is possible to identify which of the two classifications the input device is. It goes without saying that any display form may be adopted as long as such a display is used.

  Similarly, when there are a plurality of output devices including virtual devices connected on the LAN, are each devices included in the image processing apparatus 100 or can be used virtually via the LAN? In the above embodiment, each device is displayed in a form that is classified into one of these two types. However, for this display form, it is distinguished whether the output device is one of these two classifications. It goes without saying that any display form may be adopted as long as it can be displayed.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 7, the case where the original image input from the optical scanner device is copied has been described. However, the input device is not necessarily an optical scanner device, and a device capable of inputting image information, that is, a FAX. It may be a transmission / reception device, a magneto-optical storage device connected to the file unit 5, a computer terminal via an interface, or the like. In this case, the display on the liquid crystal display unit, the operator's instruction procedure, and the like are the same as described above.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 12, the case where the original image input from the optical scanner device is FAX-transmitted has been described in detail. However, the output device is not necessarily a FAX transmitting / receiving device, that is, a device capable of outputting image information. It may be a FAX transmitting / receiving device, a magneto-optical storage device connected to the file unit 5, a computer terminal via an interface, or the like. In that case, the display on the liquid crystal display unit and the instruction procedure of the operator are the same as described above.

  Further, in the above embodiment, inquiring each device on the LAN periodically in creating the device table of FIG. 6 is not limited to this. For example, the inquiry may be executed when the type of the input / output device is selected.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, when selecting the input / output device to be used, the input / output device included in the image processing apparatus 100 and the input / output device connected via the LAN are separated. it is possible to display. In general, an input / output device connected via a LAN performs a network communication process, so that the processing speed is slower than that of an input / output device built in the apparatus main body. According to the first embodiment, the operator can select an input / output device in consideration of such processing speed, and processing can be performed efficiently.

<Example 2>
In the first embodiment, the input / output device included in the image processing apparatus 100 and the input / output device connected via the LAN are displayed separately, and the input / output device can be selected according to the required processing speed. It is said. However, a LAN capable of high-speed communication has also appeared. For example, rather than capturing image data via the RS232C communication of the computer interface unit 7, it is faster to capture image data via the LAN. It may be possible. In the second embodiment, a network system capable of clearly informing the operator of the difference in processing speed including such various conditions will be described.

  FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of a device table according to the second embodiment. It should be noted that the timing of the attribute information inquiry to each input / output device on the LAN may be periodically performed or may be performed when the input / output device type selection process is executed. .

  In the device table of the second embodiment, in addition to distinguishing between input / output devices included in the image processing apparatus 100 and input / output devices connected via a LAN, input / output included in the image processing apparatus 100 is used. If it is a device, data indicating the type of the interface is registered.

  FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen in the input device selection process. This display screen replaces the display state in step S1012 of FIG. As shown in the figure, usable optical scanners are displayed by being sorted by processing speed (high speed, medium speed, low speed). Here, the classification of high speed, medium speed, and low speed is performed based on the type of interface. For example, if it is RS232C, it will display at low speed, if it is SCSI it will be high speed, and if it is connected via LAN, it will determine that it is medium speed. In addition, display classified similarly can be performed also about input / output devices other than the said scanner.

  As described above, according to the image processing apparatus of the second embodiment, when selecting an input / output device, it is classified and displayed based on the processing speed of the interface. Selection can be made.

  By the way, when executing control such as transferring an image from a desired input device on a LAN to a desired output device using the host computer 11 (hereinafter simply referred to as a computer), the selection of the input device and the output device is performed by an operator. Can be arbitrarily set (manual mode), and the image processing apparatus 100 (or the computer 11) can automatically select (automatic mode). Each input / output device transmits device information including status information and physical position information (installation position information), and when selecting an input / output device, the operator performs this display to display this information. The input / output device most suitable for processing can be selected with reference. For this reason, even when the computer 11 automatically selects an input / output device, it is possible to select a device that is easier to use.

  As an example of selection of the input / output device in the above network system, a case where a document image input from the optical scanner device is faxed will be described in detail.

  FIG. 19 is a diagram showing the installation position of each device in the network environment of the present embodiment. The devices described above are installed on the first floor (1F), second floor (2F), and third floor (3F) of the premises, and are connected to the LAN 1300.

  Reference numerals 1308, 1309, and 1310 are information processing apparatuses connected to the LAN 1300, and each apparatus can be controlled via the LAN 1300 to input and output image data. Examples of the information processing apparatuses 1308 to 1310 include a personal computer.

  FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a network environment according to the present embodiment.

Now, the data input / output procedure according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to an example in which an instruction is given from the 1F information processing apparatus 1310 to input a document image and FAX transmission output in such an environment.

  FIG. 21 is a flowchart for explaining the image data input / output procedure of this embodiment. First, in step S10, display for specifying the type of the input device is performed. In step S11, the type of the input device is designated. FIG. 22 shows a display state on the display of the information processing device 1310 when the type of the input device is specified. In the figure, reference numeral 1400 denotes a graphic cursor, which is operated by a pointing device, for example, to designate a desired input device. By moving the graphic cursor 1400 onto the scanner selection button 1401 and clicking, the scanner is set as a selection candidate. At this time, “scanner” is displayed in the display area 1403, and the display state of the scanner selection button 1401 is displayed separately from the selection buttons of other devices. In this state, when the graphic cursor 1400 is moved onto the enter key 1402 and clicked, the scanner is set as the type of the input device.

  As described above, when the type of the input device is designated, the process proceeds from step S11 to step S12. In step S12, the information processing device 1310 acquires device information including status information and installation position information from each usable input / output device. For example, status information “in use” and installation position information “3F-B block” are transferred from the virtual optical scanner 1302. In addition, information “transmitting” and “3F-C block” are transferred from the LAN compatible FAX transmitting / receiving apparatus 1304. Similarly, device information about each device on the LAN is collected in the information processing device 1310. In this embodiment, each device information is collected at the time of use (step S12), but the device information of each device may be collected, for example, by periodically polling.

  Each piece of information obtained as described above is stored in a device table in the memory of the information processing apparatus 1310. FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration example of the device table. The device table stores each piece of information acquired in step S12 described above for each device. By referring to this device table, information on the installation position and status of each device can be obtained.

  In step S13, a list of input devices belonging to the specified type is displayed as shown in FIG. Here, based on the apparatus information (device table in FIG. 2626) obtained in step S12, the installation position (“1F-A”, etc.) and status (“READY”, “BUSY”) for each scanner are information processing apparatuses. Appears on the display.

  Next, in step S14, the operator designates whether to select the input device in “automatic mode” or “manual mode”. When the manual mode is selected, the process proceeds to step S15 and waits for selection input of a device to be used. On the other hand, when the automatic mode is selected, the process proceeds to step S16, and the optimum input device is automatically selected based on the collected device information. The selection of the automatic and manual modes may be performed every time the input device is selected, or the automatic mode or the manual mode may be set in advance.

  In the case of the manual mode, the process proceeds to step S15, and the operator designates an input device to be used with reference to the display shown in FIG. As the designation method, the same operation method (method using a graphic cursor) as the type designation can be applied. As a result, the operator can determine from the display in FIG. 23 that the optical scanner 1303 near the information processing apparatus 1310 on the first floor is in a ready state and should be selected. Further, it is understood that “scanner 2 (reader unit 1 of the system device 100)” should be selected on the display screen of FIG. 23 when a manuscript image is input from a person on the second floor. In this way, the input device to be used is determined by the operator selecting any one of the optical scanner devices according to the display screen. As a result, the selected scanner device is reserved, and selection by other information processing devices is prohibited.

  On the other hand, when the automatic mode is selected, the process proceeds from step S14 to step S16. In step S16, the optimum input device is automatically selected based on the device information of each input device collected in step S12. Various conditions may be considered for this selection. As an example, if a device physically close to the information processing apparatus 1310 being operated is preferentially selected, the scanner 1 on the first floor is automatically selected. Also, if a device with a close physical distance is in use, a device with the next closest physical distance is automatically selected.

  When the input device designation is completed as described above, the output device designation is continued.

  In step S17, the type of output device is displayed. A display state on the display of the information processing apparatus 1109 at the time of designating the type of the output apparatus is shown in FIG. The type of the output device is designated (step S18) in the same procedure as when the type of the input device is designated (step S11). In this example, a fax is specified.

  When the type of output device is designated, the process proceeds from step S18 to step S19, and a list of output devices is displayed. In step S19, a list of output devices belonging to the specified type is displayed as shown in FIG. Here, the device information acquired in the previous step S12 is referred to, and the installation position information and status information are displayed for each output device.

  In step S20, it is determined whether the output device is selected automatically (automatic mode) or manually (manual mode). If it is in the manual mode, the process proceeds to step S21, and the operator designates a desired output device (in this case, a facsimile machine) with reference to its installation position information and status information.

  On the other hand, in the automatic mode, the process proceeds from step S20 to step S22, and the output device is automatically selected based on the device information. In this example, referring to the installation position information, the output device is selected so that a device physically close to the information processing device 1310 being operated is preferentially used.

  As described above, the operator can select a desired FAX transmission / reception apparatus as an output apparatus for performing FAX transmission of a document image. However, in general, no matter what FAX apparatus the image is transmitted, it is often irrelevant for the recipient. Therefore, when fax is designated as the type of output device, the information processing device 1310 may automatically select the FAX terminal 1307 having a short data path based on the installation position information. This is also important for preventing an inadvertent increase in traffic on the LAN.

  As described above, for example, the scanner 1303 and the FAX 1307 are determined as the input / output devices. In response to an instruction from the information processing apparatus 1310, the original image input from the scanner 1303 is transferred to the FAX transmitting / receiving apparatus 1307 via the LAN, and the facsimile apparatus 1307 calls the designated dial and transmits the image.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the communication line to which the virtual device is connected is a LAN (local area network) has been described, but this communication line is generally known such as a WAN (wide area network). Any communication line may be used. Also, each device connected to the communication line may be any device as long as it is a device that can be connected to a generally known communication line.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the document image input from the optical scanner device is output to the FAX transmitting / receiving device has been described. However, it goes without saying that the combination of the input device and the output device is not limited to this. Absent. As the input / output device, a device capable of inputting or outputting image information, that is, a fax transmission / reception device, an external storage device, a computer terminal via an interface, or the like can be applied. In addition, even when these input / output devices are selected, it is obvious that the input / output device selection procedure and various display contents can be applied.

  Further, instead of the operator selecting the input device and the output device using the information processing device, the operation unit 115 of the image processing device 100 may be used as in the first embodiment.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, by using device information including status information of each device and installation position information, when selecting an input / output device manually or automatically, a remote location It is possible to avoid problems such as selecting a device in the network.

  The present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of a single device. Further, it goes without saying that the present invention can also be applied to a case where the present invention is achieved by supplying a program that causes a system or apparatus to execute processing defined by the present invention.

  As described above, according to the above-described embodiment, each device is included in the image processing apparatus main body or connected on the communication line in the display of the device when the operator selects the device to be used. It is possible to display whether or not it is identifiable.

  Further, according to the above-described embodiment, in displaying the device when the operator selects a device to be used, it is possible to classify each device based on the type of interface and display the classification in an identifiable manner.

  Further, according to the above embodiment, when selecting a device to be used, it is possible to perform display based on the physical position of each device, and it is possible to easily select a device in consideration of the physical position of each device.

  Further, according to the above embodiment, when automatically selecting a device to be used, it is possible to select an appropriate device based on the physical position of each device.

  According to the embodiment described above, the following effects can be obtained. In other words, when selecting a device to be used in the network system, there is an effect that display based on the installation position of each device is performed, and selection considering the installation position of each device can be easily performed.

  Further, according to the embodiment, the type of each device is displayed together with the display based on the installation position of each device, and the input device and the output device on the network can be selected more easily.

  Further, according to the embodiment, when selecting an input device, each input device on the network can be displayed together with information based on each installation position, and one of the displayed input devices can be selected. The operability of the image processing operation is improved.

  Further, according to the embodiment, when selecting an output device, each output device on the network can be displayed together with information based on each installation position, and one of the displayed output devices can be selected. The operability of the image processing operation is improved.

  Further, according to the embodiment, when automatically selecting a device to be used in the network system, it is possible to select an appropriate device based on the installation position of each device.

  Further, according to the embodiment, when selecting a device to be used, it is possible to identify whether each device is a device that can be used without going through a network or a device that is used through a network. And efficient processing can be performed.

  Further, according to the embodiment, when selecting a device to be used, it is possible to display the type of interface of each device in an identifiable manner, thereby enabling efficient processing.

  Further, according to the embodiment, the use of a device connected to a network can be reserved from a digital copying device or the like.

  In addition, according to the embodiment, an image processing apparatus applicable to a network system that achieves the above effects is provided.

1 is a block diagram of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing of a reader part and a printer part. It is a block diagram of a reader part. It is a block diagram of a core part. It is a figure showing the example of 1 structure of the network system of a present Example. It is a figure showing the apparatus table which stores the information of the input / output apparatus which can be used in a network system. It is a flowchart showing the image input procedure of a present Example. It is a block diagram showing schematic structure of the LAN corresponding | compatible optical scanner apparatus of a present Example. It is a flowchart showing the detail of the selection processing procedure of an input device. It is a figure showing the display state of the classification of an input device. It is a figure showing the display screen for selecting the scanner used as an input device. It is a flowchart explaining the image output procedure of a present Example. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a LAN-compatible FAX transmitting / receiving apparatus according to an embodiment. It is a flowchart showing the process sequence in the selection process of an output device. It is a figure showing the display state of the classification of an output device. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a display screen for selecting a fax to be used as an output device. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a device table according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen during input device selection processing according to the second embodiment. It is a figure showing the installation position of each apparatus in the network environment of a present Example. It is a figure showing the network environment of a present Example. It is a flowchart explaining the image data input / output procedure of a present Example. It is a figure which shows the display state on the display of information processing apparatus at the time of the classification of an input device. It is a figure showing the state which displayed the list of the input devices which belong to the designated classification. It is a figure showing the display state on the display of information processing apparatus at the time of the classification of an output device. It is a figure showing the state which displayed the list of the output devices which belong to the designated classification. It is a figure showing the data structural example of the device table of a present Example.

Claims (18)

An image processing apparatus comprising an input device and an output device that outputs image data input by the input device, and capable of communicating with other output devices via a network,
Display means for displaying a plurality of output devices including an output device included in the image processing device and an output device connected via the network;
Selecting means for selecting an output device designated by a user from among a plurality of output devices displayed on the display means as an output device for outputting image data input by the input device;
The display means displays the plurality of output devices in an identifiable manner as to whether the output device is included in the image processing device or an output device connected via a network.   An image output method for outputting image data input by the input device using an output device included in the image processing device, and another output device in which image data read by the input device is connected via the network The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an image output method to be output can be specified using the.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an acquisition unit configured to acquire attribute information of the output device from an output device connected via the network.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the attribute information acquired by the acquisition unit includes installation position information indicating an installation position of the output device.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the attribute information acquired by the acquisition unit includes status information of the output apparatus.   6. The acquisition unit according to claim 3, wherein the acquisition unit acquires the attribute information of the output device by periodically inquiring the attribute information from the output device connected via the network. The image processing apparatus described.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the acquisition unit acquires attribute information of the output device from an output device connected via the network in accordance with designation by a user. .   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display unit displays device names of the plurality of output devices.   9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the input device is a scanner device that reads an image of a document, and the output device is a printer device that records an image according to image data on a recording sheet. Image processing device. An image processing apparatus control method comprising an input device and an output device that outputs image data input by the input device, and capable of communicating with another output device via a network,
A display step of displaying a plurality of output devices including an output device included in the image processing device and an output device connected via the network on a display unit included in the image processing device;
A selection step of selecting an output device designated by a user from among the plurality of output devices displayed by the display step as an output device that outputs image data input by the input device;
The method of controlling an image processing apparatus, wherein the display step displays the plurality of output devices so that the output devices included in the image processing device or output devices connected via a network can be identified.   The image processing device connects an image output method for outputting image data input by the input device using an output device included in the image processing device, and image data read by the input device via the network. 11. The method of controlling an image processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein an image output method to be output using the other output apparatus can be specified.   The method of controlling an image processing apparatus according to claim 10 or 11, further comprising an acquisition step of acquiring attribute information of the output device from an output device connected via the network.   13. The method of controlling an image processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the attribute information acquired by the acquisition step includes installation position information indicating an installation position of the output device.   The method according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the attribute information acquired by the acquisition step includes status information of the output device.   15. The attribute information of the output device is acquired in the acquisition step by periodically querying the attribute information to an output device connected via the network. A control method of the image processing apparatus described.   15. The image processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the obtaining step obtains attribute information of the output device from an output device connected via the network in accordance with designation by a user. Control method.   The method for controlling an image processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the display step displays device names of the plurality of output devices.   18. The input device according to claim 10, wherein the input device is a scanner device that reads an image of a document, and the output device is a printer device that records an image corresponding to image data on a recording sheet. A method for controlling an image processing apparatus.

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