JP2006146316A - Image processor and system control method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To print out a plurality of paper documents such that a paper document original data of which are present is mixed with a paper document without original data to one paper document as Nin 1 output setting or duplex output setting. <P>SOLUTION: This image processor comprises a mixing output means simultaneously outputting a page original data of which are found by a retrieval means and a page original data of which is not found to one paper medium based on layout output setting. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus having a storage area capable of storing original data and a system control method thereof.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image processing apparatus (hereinafter referred to as MFP) such as a digital copying machine has a function of storing image data of a document read by a scanner or data transmitted from a host computer in a storage medium such as a hard disk of the MFP. It has been. The stored data can be output from the printer of its own device as necessary, and can be transmitted via a network, which is very convenient.

  In addition, when printing application data created using an application such as document creation or table creation on the host computer, both the PDL data generated by the printer driver and the raster data obtained by rendering the PDL data are displayed on the MFP. It is also known to store data on a hard disk and use each data properly according to the conditions. For example, when data stored in the hard disk of the MFP is printed out with N in 1 setting, imposition is impossible from raster data, but it can be realized by using PDL data. On the contrary, when printing a plurality of copies, it is possible to save the time for rendering the PDL data by using the raster data, and to output at high speed.

  Also, when copying a paper document using an MFP, information indicating the location of original data such as application data is embedded in the paper document as a barcode, and the scan data of the paper document read by the scanner is printed out. In addition, it has also been proposed to output original image quality by outputting original data instead, although the duplication operation is being performed. At this time, when there is no original data or when the MFP cannot interpret the data type of the original data, the scan data is printed out.

As another conventional example, Patent Document 1 can be cited.
JP 2003-186878 A

  By the way, when considering a system that embeds a barcode in a paper document as described above and prints out original data instead of scan data, a paper document with original data and a paper document without original data are mixed. A plurality of such paper documents cannot be printed out on one paper document as in the N in 1 output setting or the duplex output setting.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus and a system control method thereof that solve the above-described problems.

  A control method for an image processing apparatus having a storage area capable of storing original data, wherein the search means searches for original data stored in the storage area of the image processing apparatus, and is searched by the search means. Original data output means for outputting original data instead of scan data, scan data output means for outputting the scan data when original data is not found by the search means, and a plurality of pages on one paper medium. When a plurality of pages of paper are scanned in the layout output setting of the image processing apparatus that performs layout output, a page in which the original data is found by the search unit and a page in which the original data is not found are simultaneously determined based on the layout output setting. It is characterized by having mixed output means for outputting to one paper medium The image processing apparatus and the system control how.

  As described above, original data (PDL data) can be searched from scan data, and the original data and scan data without original data can be printed out on one paper medium.

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

  In the first embodiment, original data (PDL data) stored in a storage medium such as a hard disk of an MFP in a system in which a host computer and an image processing apparatus (hereinafter referred to as MFP) are connected via a transmission medium such as a network. ) From the scan data, and a method of printing out the original data and the scan data not having the original data on one paper medium will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a system configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention, and shows an environment in which an MFP 101 having a network communication function and a host computer (hereinafter referred to as a PC) 102 are connected by a transmission medium such as a network 104. It is. Reference numeral 103 denotes a storage medium such as a hard disk of the MFP, which stores image data of a document read by a scanner, data transmitted from a host computer, and the like, which is output from a printer of its own device as necessary, or via a network. Transmission can be performed. Furthermore, in the present invention, for example, when printing application data 105 and 106 created by using an application such as document creation or table creation of the PC 102, the printer driver UI 107 designates “save original data”. In this case, the original data is stored in the storage device 103 while performing normal print output as the paper documents 109 and 110. The original data is PDL data generated by a printer driver and has a data type different from raster data.

  By saving the original data, it becomes easy to perform operations such as editing and processing that are impossible with raster data. The stored PDL data can be printed by being converted into raster data by a raster image processor (RIP) described later. Reference numeral 108 denotes a list of PDL data currently stored in the storage device 103, and performs ID management of the PDL data. PDL-ID 0001 of the PDL data list indicates the entity of 105 original data, and PDL-ID 0002 indicates the entity of 106 original data.

  A detailed hardware configuration of the MFP 101 in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The MFP 101 includes a scanner unit 201 serving as an image input device, a printer unit 202 serving as an image output device, a control unit 204 including a CPU and a memory, an operation unit 203 serving as a user interface, and the like. The control unit 204 is connected to the scanner unit 201, the printer unit 202, and the operation unit 203. On the other hand, the control unit 204 is connected to a LAN 219 or a public line (WAN) 220, which is a general telephone line network, so that image information and device information can be stored. A controller that performs input and output. A CPU 205 is a controller that controls the entire system. A RAM 206 is a system work memory for the CPU 205 to operate, and is also an image memory for temporarily storing image data. A ROM 210 is a boot ROM, and stores a system boot program. An HDD 211 is a hard disk drive that stores system control software and image data (raster data, PDL data). An operation unit I / F 207 is an interface unit with the operation unit (UI) 203 and outputs image data to be displayed on the operation unit 203 to the operation unit 203. Also, the CPU 205 serves to transmit information input by the user of the image processing apparatus from the operation unit 203 to the CPU 205. A network 208 connects the image processing apparatus to the LAN 219 and inputs / outputs packet format information. A modem (MODEM) 209 connects the image processing apparatus to the public line 220, and performs input / output by demodulating / modulating information. The above devices are arranged on the system bus 221.

  An image bus interface (Image Bus I / F) 212 is a bus bridge that connects a system bus 221 and an image bus 222 that transfers image data at high speed, and converts a data structure. The image bus 222 is composed of, for example, a PCI bus or IEEE1394.

  The following devices are arranged on the image bus 222. A raster image processor (RIP) 213 analyzes the PDL code and develops it into a bitmap image. The device I / F 214 connects the scanner unit 201 which is an image input / output device via the signal line 223 and the printer unit 202 via the signal line 224 to the control unit 204, respectively. Perform conversion. A scanner image processing unit 215 corrects, processes, and edits input image data. The printer image processing unit 216 performs correction, resolution conversion, and the like according to the printer unit 202 with respect to print output image data to be output to the printer unit 202. The image rotation unit 217 rotates the input image data and outputs it. The image compression unit 218 performs JPEG compression / decompression processing for multi-valued image data, and JBIG, MMR, and MH compression / decompression processing for binary image data. The above is the detailed hardware configuration of the MFP 101 in FIG.

  Next, a method of searching original data (PDL data) using scan data will be described using the flowchart of FIG. Hereinafter, description will be given using the MFP 101.

  First, in step 301, a paper document is scanned, and in step 302, feature data of scan data is generated. The characteristic data is data indicating the characteristics of the scan data, such as histogram data, image area separation data, thumbnail data, and is a process provided as a normal MFP function. In step 303, the scan data feature data generated in step 302 is compared with the feature data of the PDL data saved in the storage device 103 of the MFP 101. The feature data of the PDL data may be generated as appropriate, but may be generated in advance and stored in the storage device 103 in association with the PDL data. Usually, since a plurality of PDL data is stored in the storage device 103, the feature data of the scan data is compared with the feature data of the plurality of PDL data. In step 304, the feature data of the plurality of PDL data that is most similar to the feature data of the scan data is acquired. The thumbnail of the PDL data acquired in step 304 is displayed as original data on the UI of the MFP 101 (not shown). In step 305, it is determined whether or not the user is original data. Alternatively, a threshold value of the similarity rate may be determined in advance, and may be defined as original data if the similarity rate is larger than the threshold value. If it is determined in step 305 that the data is original data (original data is found), in step 306, PDL data is acquired from the scan data, and in step 305, it is determined that the original data is not original (original data was not found). If so, in step 307, PDL data is not acquired from the scan data. As described above, it is possible to search for original data (PDL data) using scan data, and the search is performed when a paper document is subsequently scanned.

  Next, referring to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, a multi-page paper document in which a paper document having original data and a paper document having no original data, which are the points of the present invention, are mixed in N in 1 setting or duplex setting. A process when printing is performed will be described.

  FIG. 4 shows an outline of the process. Regarding the drawing numbers, the same numbers as those in FIG. 1 indicate the same drawing numbers. Those newly added to FIG. 1 are denoted by reference numerals 401 to 406. First, as indicated by 406 from the UI of the MFP 101, 2 in 1 output setting or duplex output setting is designated. Next, when the paper document 0001 (109) and the paper document 0003 (401) are scanned by the MFP 101, as described above, it is searched whether the original data 109 and 401 are in the storage device 103 of the MFP 101. Is called. Here, the original data 109 is stored as PDL-ID 0001 in the PDL data list 108 of the storage device 103, but the original data 401 is not stored in the storage device 103. It is determined that original data exists and 401 does not have original data. Then, the 109 having the original data forms an image on the PDL-ID 0001 of the PDL data list 108 based on the output setting described above. For example, when the output setting is 2 in 1, image data 403 is created. In the case where there is no original data 401, image formation is performed on scan data of a scanned paper document based on the output setting described above. For example, if the output setting is 2 in 1, 404 image data is created. Here, the paper document 0004 (402) has the original image quality because the portion 403 is generated from the PDL data, and the portion 404 is the normal copy image quality because it is generated from the scan data. . When the output setting is double-sided, the patterns 109 and 401 are laid out on one side as in the paper document 0005 (405) and output on both sides.

  FIG. 5 shows a flowchart of the processing outline shown in FIG.

  First, in step 501, N in 1 output setting or duplex output setting is designated from the UI of the MFP 101. Next, in step 502, N paper documents are scanned. In step 503, 1 is set to a counter n for counting N paper documents. In step 504, PDL data is searched from scan data of the nth paper document. If PDL data is found in step 505, rendering of the PDL data is performed in step 506 based on the N in 1 setting. If no PDL data is found in step 505, a resolution conversion process for scan data is performed based on the N in 1 setting. Details of the resolution conversion process are omitted. In step 508, it is determined whether the search and processing of PDL data for N paper documents has been completed. If not, in step 511, 1 is added to n, and step 504 and subsequent steps are performed again. If completed, in step 509, the rendered PDL data generated in 506 and 507 and the scan data after resolution conversion are impositioned based on the N in 1 setting. In step 510, the imprinted image is printed out. In the flowchart of FIG. 5, the description has been made with the N in 1 setting. However, the duplex flowchart and the N in 1 duplex setting are similar flowcharts.

  As described above, original data (PDL data) can be searched from scan data, and the original data and scan data without original data can be printed out on one paper medium.

  In the first embodiment, original data (PDL data) stored in a storage medium such as a hard disk of an MFP is searched from scan data, and the original data and scan data having no original data are printed out on one paper medium. In the second embodiment, a method of displaying thumbnail images of a plurality of scanned paper documents as a preview and designating the page order of the layout regardless of the scanning order of the paper documents will be described.

  FIG. 6 shows an outline of processing in the second embodiment. Regarding the drawing numbers, the same drawing numbers as those in the first embodiment are given. Those newly added to the first embodiment are denoted by the drawing numbers 601 to 603.

  First, as indicated by reference numeral 603 from the UI of the MFP 101, 4 in 1 output setting or duplex output setting is designated. Next, when the paper document 0006 (601), the paper document 0002 (110), the paper document 0001 (109), and the paper document 0003 (401) are scanned in order from the MFP 101, a screen as shown in FIG. Displayed on the UI. FIG. 7 is a thumbnail list of paper documents that have been scanned first. From this UI, the user can specify the layout page order and selection of whether or not to perform original data search. For example, in FIG. 7, the page order is specified in the order of 109, 110, 401, and 601. In addition, original data is searched for 110 and 109, but original data is not searched for 401 and 601. Here, as described in the first embodiment, PDL-ID 0001 in the PDL data list of 108 indicates the entity of 109 original data, and PDL-ID 0002 indicates the entity of 110 original data. .

  As described above, the page order of the layout can be specified regardless of the order of the scanned paper documents. Further, it is unnecessary if the user knows in advance whether or not the original data exists in the storage device 103 of the MFP 101. The search process is not required and it is efficient. Then, the paper document 0007 (602) is output in the page order of the designated layout.

  FIG. 8 shows a flowchart of the processing outline shown in FIGS.

  First, in step 801, N in 1 output setting or duplex output setting is designated from the UI of the MFP 101. Next, in step 802, N paper documents are scanned. In step 803, as described above, the scan document preview screen is displayed on the UI. Next, in step 804, the layout page order and selection of whether or not to perform original data search are specified from the displayed preview screen. In step 805, 1 is set to a counter n for counting N paper documents. In step 806, if “search for original data” is selected from the above-described preview screen, the process proceeds to step 807, and if “search for original data is not performed”, the process proceeds to step 810. Since 807 to 814 are the same as 504 to 511 in FIG.

  In the first and second embodiments, when the original data is searched from the scan data, if there is the original data, the PDL data is used for the subsequent processing, and the scan data is not used. In step 3, regardless of the presence or absence of original data, rasterization of all scan data is performed based on the layout output setting described above, and when original data is found, processing is performed to replace it with original data. As a result, when there is no original data, the generated raster data can be used immediately, and the processing speed can be increased.

  In the first, second, and third embodiments, both the original data and the scan data are formed on the basis of the same preset output setting (N in 1, or both sides, etc.). It is also possible to set to. As a result, the original data is rendered in 2 in 1, the scan data is converted in resolution in 4 in 1, and both are impositioned to be output to one paper medium.

1 is a schematic diagram of a system in Embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration of an MFP according to the first embodiment. 5 is a flowchart of original data search in the first embodiment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 2 is a flowchart of the system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram 1 of the system according to the second embodiment. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram 2 of the system according to the second embodiment. 10 is a flowchart of the system according to the second embodiment.

Claims (13)

  A control method for an image processing apparatus having a storage area capable of storing original data, wherein the search means searches for original data stored in the storage area of the image processing apparatus, and is searched by the search means. Original data output means for outputting original data instead of scan data, scan data output means for outputting the scan data when original data is not found by the search means, and a plurality of pages on one paper medium. When a plurality of pages of paper are scanned in the layout output setting of the image processing apparatus that performs layout output, a page in which the original data is found by the search unit and a page in which the original data is not found are simultaneously determined based on the layout output setting. It is characterized by having mixed output means for outputting to one paper medium That image processing apparatus.   The original data is a printer driver used when printing application data created using an application such as document creation or table creation of a host computer connected to the image processing apparatus over the network from the host computer to the image processing apparatus. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus is PDL data generated by the processing.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage area can store a plurality of the original data.   The search means searches the original data of the scan data from the scan data by comparing the feature data of the scan data with the feature data of each of the plurality of original data stored in the storage area. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the feature data is histogram data and image area separation data.   The original data output means searches the original data from the scan data by the search means, and if the original data is found, the original data output means does not form an image of the scan data but forms an image of the original data. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1.   2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the scan data output means searches the original data from the scan data by the search means, and forms image of the scan data when the original data is not found. .   2. The image processing according to claim 1, wherein the layout output setting includes N in 1 output setting and double-sided output setting, and the original data or the scan data is processed based on the layout output setting. apparatus.   When the mixed output means scans a plurality of pages of paper, the search means processes each of the pages in which the original data is found and the page in which the original data is not found based on the layout output setting. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus outputs the information to a paper medium.   A control method for an image processing apparatus having a storage area capable of storing original data, wherein the search means searches for original data stored in the storage area of the image processing apparatus, and is searched by the search means. Original data output means for outputting original data instead of scan data, scan data output means for outputting the scan data when original data is not found by the search means, and a plurality of pages on one paper medium. When a plurality of pages of paper are scanned in the layout output setting of the image processing apparatus that performs layout output, a page in which the original data is found by the search unit and a page in which the original data is not found are simultaneously determined based on the layout output setting. It is characterized by having mixed output means for outputting to one paper medium That image processing apparatus.   The image processing means scans a plurality of pages in the layout output setting, and then previews the scanned thumbnail images of the plurality of pages, and specifies the layout page order from the plurality of thumbnail images displayed by the preview means. The image processing apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising: a user interface for:   When searching for original data from scan data, the image processing means rasterizes all scan data based on the layout output setting regardless of the presence of original data, and when original data is found The image processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the image data is replaced with original data.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the user interface can independently specify a page size when laying out original data and scan data.

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