JP2006166168A - Image forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To select image optimal data easily and to process them at high speed in accordance with purposes such as printing or display by processing the image data in advance in accordance with specifications of a mobile terminal such as a PDA used by a user. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming system has: an image processing designation means for adding image processing designation to designate what image processing is added to individual data such as image data or texts described in a structural description when transferring the data to an external portable terminal such as a portable telephone or the PDA, or an external connection storage device and the like; and an image processing means for converting the image data according to the image processing designation means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention converts a document image obtained by optically reading a paper document and a document image obtained by receiving from a network into structured information, and performs efficient processing, storage, and storage according to the purpose of use. The present invention relates to an image processing system that enables recording.

  In recent years, companies have introduced a document management system to efficiently manage various documents. Therefore, a document management system using a markup description language, which has been conventionally used for documents handled by computers, has been proposed.

  Examples of such markup description languages include SGML (Standard General Markup Language) and HTML (Hyper-Text Markup Language). In particular, in recent years, various data formats using XML (eXtensible Markup Language), which is one of such markup description languages, have been proposed. XML is a readable data format described by text data. For example, "<" and ">" tags such as "<Tag>" and "</ Tag>" are used to express data items. Various data can be expressed by surrounding other data in a nested structure with tags, and documents can be managed efficiently by using XML.

In addition, with the development of mobile media and networks, documents can be stored and carried on media that can be easily carried, such as memory cards. It has become.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-348386

  However, data written in a format such as XML created by an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine can be transferred to a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone or PDA without converting the format. In mobile phones and PDAs, the data display area is small, and data received from image forming devices such as copiers must not be displayed as is, but must be displayed after conversion of the resolution. When converting, if the CPU power of the mobile terminal is low, there is a problem that it takes too much time to process.

  The present invention has the following configuration as one means for achieving the above object.

  An image forming apparatus capable of receiving image data from an external device such as a host computer and converting the received image data into text described in a structured description language, or written in a structured description language from an external device such as a host computer. In an image forming apparatus that processes processed text and image data and generates image data, when transferring data to an external portable terminal such as a mobile phone or a PDA, or an externally connected storage device, it is described in the structured description. Image processing designating means for designating what kind of image processing should be applied to individual data such as text and image data when displayed on the mobile terminal side, and further, an image designated by the image processing designating means It has an image processing means capable of performing image processing according to a processing method. Further, first image data conversion setting means for setting characteristics of an external portable terminal such as a mobile phone or a PDA that transfers data described in the structured description language or an externally connected storage device according to a user instruction It has further. By providing this first image data conversion setting means, it is possible to determine what kind of image processing can be obtained by applying the resolution specified in advance by the user.

  Or to have an external device connection means for connecting an external portable terminal such as a mobile phone or PDA, or an external device such as an external connection storage device, and for reading information of the external device connected by the external device connection means And a means for converting individual image data such as sentences and images in data described in the structured description language in accordance with information inserted by the external device information reading means. Second image data conversion setting means for changing the setting of the image data. This makes it possible to automatically determine the device connected to the image forming apparatus such as a copying machine and to convert the resolution of the image data according to the device without having to make settings for each user. It becomes. Further, in the data described in the structured description language, data for designating what kind of image processing is applied as described above can be added to the data described in the structured description language. Therefore, when displaying on a mobile phone, PDA, etc., a system is provided that can display images by applying optimum image processing according to the image processing designation method.

  As described above, by using XML data and processing image data in advance according to the specifications of a mobile terminal used by a user such as a PDA, the data can also be linked to the XML data. The optimum data can be easily selected according to the use such as printing or displaying the XML data and can be processed at high speed.

(First embodiment of the invention)
Embodiments of an image processing system according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the image processing system of the present invention.

  Reference numerals 100 and 101 denote networks such as a local area network (LAN), which are connected to the Internet 102 which is a public line network via a server (not shown). Reference numerals 103, 104, and 105 denote digital multi-function peripherals that are connected to the LANs 100 and 101 or the Internet 102, respectively, and have copy, print, and scanner functions. In addition, the memory card 106 has an detachable interface. Reference numerals 107 to 110 denote computers such as personal computers (PCs). Documents created on the PC are printed from a digital multifunction peripheral, stored in a storage means such as a hard disk (HD) (not shown) in the digital multifunction peripheral, It is possible to receive an image scanned by the multifunction device.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing in detail the inside of the digital multifunction peripheral 103, 104, 105.

  An operation unit 208 includes, for example, an LCD touch panel or the like that includes an operation menu, status display, and a display unit for displaying messages, and an operation unit such as operation buttons.

  A large-scale storage unit 209 such as a hard disk (HD) is connected to the main bus 213 via the ATA interface unit 214, and stores image data and XML data processed by the digital multi-function peripheral. .

  A CPU 210 centrally controls each part of the digital multi-function peripheral.

  Reference numeral 211 denotes a read-only memory (ROM) that stores a control program for the digital multi-function peripheral.

  A RAM (Random Access Memory) 212 functions as a work area for the CPU.

  Reference numeral 213 denotes a main bus. Data input / output and control for each block described above are all performed via the main bus 213.

  A scanner unit 201 optically reads a paper document placed on a document table (not shown) and converts it into image data of electronic data such as a bitmap.

  A printer unit 202 prints out the input image data such as a bitmap onto a printing paper by using, for example, an electrophotographic method.

  An image processing unit 203 is a scaling process for reducing / enlarging the input image data by interpolating / decimating the data, for example, an edge emphasizing process by secondary differentiation in a 5 × 5 window, luminance by table search Γ conversion processing to change from data to density data, binarization processing to convert multi-value data to binary data by error diffusion method, and a series of image processing such as rotation processing, etc. Output completed image data.

  Reference numeral 204 denotes a compression / decompression unit that can convert input bitmap image data into, for example, JPEG format compression data, and can decompress input JPEG format compression image data into bitmap image data. .

  A network interface control unit 205 is connected to a network such as a LAN and the Internet, and performs data transmission / reception control.

  An XML generation unit 206 converts input image data such as a bitmap into a structured document such as Extensible Markup Language (XML), and outputs the structured document.

  3 and 4 will be used to explain in detail the structured document generation of the XML generation unit.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart of structured document generation in the XML generation unit.

  FIG. 4 is an example of image data input to the XML generation unit.

  FIG. 5 is an example of XML data output by the XML generation unit.

  For example, when the image data 401 composed of characters, photos, and tables shown in FIG. 4 is input to the XML generation unit 206, the region separation unit (not shown) in the XML generation unit 206 performs character region, graphic region, and photograph. Then, an image area such as a table is recognized and separated into rectangular areas (step 301), and each image area is cut out as one image data (step 302).

  In FIG. 4, reference numeral 402 denotes the image data 401 that has been subjected to region separation in detail. The image data 401 and 402 are image data managed under the name img20021219_001.bmp, for example, in this digital multi-function peripheral. In the image data 402, 403, 405, and 406 are extracted as character areas, 404 as a photograph area, and 407 as a table area.

  For example, 403 is managed as img20021219_001_001.bmp, 404 is managed as img20021219_001_002.bmp, 405 is managed as img20021219_001_003.bmp, 406 is managed as img20021219_001_004.bmp, and 407 is managed as img20021219_001_005.bmp.

  Further, the position information of each image area is set as coordinate information 408, 409, 410, 411, 412 in the page (step 303).

  Then, a structured document such as XML is created from the image data of each image area and the position information of each image area, and output (step 304).

  FIG. 5 is an XML document when the image data 401 is converted into a structured document. The range enclosed by the <img> and </ imag> tags is detailed data regarding each image area. Further, the range surrounded by the tags <xCoordinates> and </ xCoordinates> is the X coordinate in the page of the image area. The range enclosed by the <yCoordinates> and </ yCoordinates> tags is the Y coordinate in the page of the image area. The range enclosed by the <imgURL> and </ imgURL> tags is the URL that is the link destination of the image data of the clipped image area.

  The image data 401 input in this way is converted into image data 403 to 407 and XML data of each region and output from the XML generation unit 206.

  Further, based on the above description of each unit, a flow of storing and managing image data in the HD 209 will be briefly described below.

  In response to an instruction from the CPU 210, the scanner reads a document composed of a plurality of documents on a document table (not shown), and the read document becomes bitmap electronic image data and is stored in the HD 209.

  The CPU 210 reads out the data stored in the HD 209 using the RAM 212, transmits the data to the image processing unit 203, and saves the image processed data in the HD 209 again.

  Next, the CPU 210 reads out the image-processed data using the RAM 212, transmits the data to the XML generation unit 206, and outputs the XML data that is the output of the XML generation unit 206 and a plurality of image data associated with the XML data to the HD 209. Save to.

  Further, the CPU 210 reads the XML data from the HD 209. At the same time, the CPU 210 sequentially reads out data to be compressed from a plurality of image data associated with the XML data, sends each image data to the compression / decompression unit, compresses each image data, and stores the compressed data. Save to HD209. At this time, the CPU 210 rewrites the extension of the link destination data of the image data surrounded by the <imgURL> tag in the XML data from bmp to jpg. When the series of image data compression and XML data rewriting is completed, the CPU 210 stores the XML data in the HD 209.

  Reference numeral 207 denotes a memory card interface unit to which the memory card 106 can be attached and detached, and controls reading of data in the memory card and writing of data into the memory card.

(Description of media I / F part of MFP)
The memory card interface unit 207 is an interface unit for connecting an external device for connecting the IC memory card 106 and the like. A card slot (not shown) in which the IC memory card 106 is detachably mounted is provided, and contents stored in the IC memory card 106 mounted in the card slot can be read. The memory card interface unit 207 enters the data stored in the RAM 212 inside the image processing apparatus into the IC memory card 106 that is detachably loaded into the image processing apparatus and can be carried by itself, or the IC Data read from the memory card 106 can be written to the RAM 212. Further, it has a function of detecting whether or not the memory card 106 is normal. The memory card interface 207 incorporates a DMA controller (hereinafter referred to as DMAC), and in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 210, the data in the memory card 106 is directly transferred to the RAM 212, and conversely, the data in the RAM 212 is transferred to the IC memory card 106. Is possible. Further, the memory card interface 207 can directly receive a read or write command from the CPU 210 according to an instruction from the CPU 210, execute a read or write operation on the IC memory card 106, and notify the CPU 210 of the result. It is.

  The connectable storage medium is not limited to the IC memory card 106, and a floppy (registered trademark) disk, an optical disk (MO, DVD), or the like may be used.

(Description of transfer between media and memory)
Next, a description will be given of the case where the data stored in the IC memory card 106 is called in the digital multi-function peripheral of FIG. The flowchart in FIG. 6 explains the operation of the CPU 210 when data stored in the IC memory card 106 is read. The operation when reading data from the IC memory card 106 will be described in detail according to the flowchart of FIG. In step 601, it is determined whether or not the IC memory card 106 is inserted (presence / absence). When the IC memory card 106 is attached, the memory card interface 207 can physically confirm the attachment of the memory card 106 and output an interrupt to the CPU 210. The CPU 210 waits until receiving an interrupt from the memory card interface 207, and starts the next process when receiving the interrupt from the memory card interface 207. When the CPU 210 receives an interrupt notifying that the IC memory card 106 is mounted from the memory card interface 207, in step 602, the CPU 210 reads out a predetermined storage area in the IC memory card determined in advance to the IC memory card 106. And whether or not the data reading is normally performed is tried. If the reading from the IC memory card 106 is normally performed, it is determined that the IC memory card 106 is correctly installed. If the reading operation is not normally completed, the IC card is read from the operation unit 208 in step 603. It is displayed that the read / write operation with respect to the memory card 106 cannot be executed, and the process is terminated.

  If data reading from the CPU 210 to the IC memory card 106 has been performed normally, then in step 604, the CPU 210 stores the IC memory card 106 inside the IC memory card 106 stored in a predetermined storage area. The file name of the data stored in the memory and the position information in the IC memory card 106 are read out. The file name of the data read from the IC memory card 106 and the position information in the IC memory card 106 can be displayed by the CPU 210 via the operation unit 208, and can be displayed on the IC memory card 106 to the user. It is possible to display the stored contents and allow the user to select the contents to be read from the IC memory card 106. Further, the CPU 210 can read data from the IC memory card 106 in accordance with an instruction from the program while another image processing program is being executed. If the position and file name of the data stored in the IC memory card 106 displayed on the operation unit 208 are selected by the user, then in step 607, the CPU 210 makes a memory card interface to the IC memory card 106. The data reading operation is started again via 207, and the address information in the storage area of the IC memory card 106 of each file stored in the IC memory card 106 is read. A desired file can be read from the IC memory card 106 based on the address information read as described above. Next, in step 608, the CPU 210 sets the address value of the address information read as described above in the register of the DMAC in the memory card interface 207. When performing data transfer in the DMAC, set the data transfer source address, the data transfer destination address, and the data transfer length in the register, and then operate the DMAC start register to transfer the data to the DMA. Is possible. Next, the CPU 210 sets the address of the area where the data in the RAM 212 as the data transfer destination is actually stored, and further transfers the size of the file included in the read address information to the transfer length register of the DMAC. Set. Next, in step 609, the CPU 210 starts data transfer from the IC memory card 106 to the RAM 212 by operating the activation register of the DMAC. The activated DMAC can start data transfer, and when all data has been transferred from the IC memory card 106 to the RAM 212, it can notify the CPU 210 of an interrupt and notify the end of data transfer. Next, when the CPU 210 receives an interrupt notifying the end of data transfer from the DMAC in step 610, the CPU 210 ends all operations for reading data from the IC memory card 106.

(Explanation of transfer between memory and media)
Next, a description will be given of the case where the data stored in the RAM 212 is stored in the IC memory card 106 in the digital multi-function peripheral of FIG. The flowchart of FIG. 7 explains the operation of the CPU 210 when data is written to the IC memory card 106. The operation when reading data from the IC memory card 106 will be described in detail according to the flowchart of FIG.

  The determination of whether or not the IC memory card 106 is attached in step 701 is the same as in the case of reading data from the IC memory card 106 described above. In addition, when the CPU 210 detects whether the IC memory card is normal in step 702 and the detection result is abnormal, the read / write operation to the IC memory card 106 cannot be executed as in step 703. Displaying this is the same as the case of reading the data described above.

  When data reading to the IC memory card 106 is normally performed, next, in step 704, data to be written is selected. The write data can be selected when the user selects data stored in the RAM 212 using the operation unit 208, or transfers data designated in a program such as image processing that is operating separately. Is possible. When the next data to be transferred is determined, the CPU 210 detects an empty recording area of the IC memory card 106 in step 705. This is because the address information in the storage area in the IC memory card 106 of each file stored in the predetermined IC memory card 106 is read, and from the size of the total storage capacity of the IC memory card, It is obtained by calculating a free address. When the calculation of the head address of the free storage area is completed, the CPU 210 next sets the address value of the RAM 212 in which the data to be transferred is stored in the DMAC register in the memory card interface 207 in step 706. Next, the CPU 210 sets the head address of the empty area of the IC memory card 106 that is the data transfer destination, and further sets the size of the data stored in the RAM 212 in the transfer length register of the DMAC. Next, in step 707, the CPU 210 starts data transfer from the RAM 212 to the IC memory card 106 by operating the activation register of the DMAC. The activated DMAC can start data transfer, and when all data has been transferred from the RAM 212 to the IC memory card 106, it can notify the CPU 210 of an interrupt and inform that the data transfer has ended. In step 708, when the CPU 210 receives an interrupt notifying the end of data transfer from the DMAC, next, in step 709, the file name of the data stored in the IC memory card 106 and the information on the stored position are determined in advance. Writing is performed to an area in the memory card 106 that manages file information and the like. Further, in step 710, the address information of the stored data is written into an area for managing the address information in the IC memory card 106, which is also predetermined, and all the processes in the writing operation are completed.

  Next, processing for transferring data to the PDA terminal used by the user via the memory card will be described.

  First, the user uses the operation unit 208 to make settings related to a PDA that transfers image data. First, on the input screen as shown in FIG. 8, the user inputs display dot sizes in the X direction and Y direction of the PDA being used. The CPU 210 in the image processing apparatus outputs a recommended image size for resolution conversion. This value is obtained by multiplying the size ratio of the image with respect to the display area of the original image data by the size of the display area of the PDA, thereby obtaining the resolution conversion ratio of the image. When the user presses a selection button on the input screen of FIG. 8, the resolution conversion ratio is determined. In the input screen of FIG. 8, the user can freely set the resolution conversion ratio. The selected resolution conversion value is stored for each user and stored in a setting area assigned to each user on the hard disk 209.

  After the resolution conversion value is determined, the image data indicated by 401 is received from an external host computer or the like via the network I / F control unit, and as described above, the XML data according to the flowchart of FIG. 403, 405, 406 as a character area, 404 as a photo area, and 407 as a table area, 403 is extracted as img20021219_001_001.bmp, 404 is img20021219_001_002.bmp, 405 is img20021219_001_003.bmp, 406 is managed by the name img20021219_001_004.bmp, and 407 is managed by the name img20021219_001_005.bmp.

  Next, the process performed when the user has set the resolution conversion will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, in step 1001, the CPU 210 determines whether or not the user has made settings relating to resolution conversion. If there is no setting, the process ends. If the user has made settings related to resolution conversion, in step 1002, parameters for causing the image processing unit 203 to perform resolution conversion are obtained from the settings related to resolution conversion set by the user. The parameters include resolution conversion rate. Next, if necessary, in order to change the color of the image, parameters to be set in a look-up table (hereinafter referred to as LUT) built in the image processing unit 203 are obtained (step 1003). This operation is performed on all the data stored in the hard disk 209, such as 403 img20021219_001_001.bmp, 404 img20021219_001_002.bmp, 405 img20021219_001_003.bmp, 406 img20021219_001_004.bmp, 407 img20021219_001_005.bmp, If it is determined in step 1004 that all the images have been processed, the next operation is performed. Further, in step 1005, the CPU 210 processes the XML data of FIG. 5 created as described above, and additionally writes the data after resolution conversion as shown in FIG. 9 in the XML data. Here, <image process> and </ image process> tags are added to indicate that there are image processing settings to be performed depending on the original image data. By adding new <image process>, </ image process> tags in this way, the side interpreting this XML data can understand that multiple processing is possible depending on the use of the image data. become. Next, <defalut> and </ defalut> are added, and the link destination of the original image data before image processing is described. Next, <S010>, </ S010> are added, and processing for changing the resolution conversion magnification is described. First, the URL of the digital copier that actually performs image processing is described in the place surrounded by <imgURL> / </ imgURL> tags. Next, in a place surrounded by <imgINST> / </ imgINST> tags, a setting for converting to a resolution of 100 dpi with a description that can be interpreted by a digital copying machine is described, for example, RESOLUTION 100: 00. Multiple tags of <imgINST> / </ imgINST> can be listed in parallel, and it is also possible to describe the contents to be set in the LUT such as LUT XXX XXX XXX XXX as shown in FIG. is there. As described above, after the modification of the XML data is finished, the CPU 210 finishes all the processes related to resolution conversion.

  Next, the case where data is displayed on the print or PDA side using the XML data generated as described above will be described.

  First, when printing with a digital copying machine, the XML data is read out and printed according to the flowchart shown in FIG. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a procedure for creating drawing data to be printed by the printer unit 202 based on the XML data stored in the RAM 212. In Step 1101, the XML data is analyzed, and if the document end tag (</ document>), rendering ends. On the other hand, if it is determined in step 1101 that it is not a document end tag, the tags in the page tags (<page> to </ page>) are sequentially analyzed (step 1102), and the associated image data is expanded and processed (step 1103). ), An expansion process is performed on the page memory area of the RAM 212 (step 1104). Thereafter, the document end tag is determined again (step 1101). When the document end tag is recognized, the bitmap data developed in the page memory area of the RAM 212 is transferred in the order of image formation by the printer unit 202 and printed. (Step1105).

  Next, a case where data is transferred to a PDA or the like via the IC memory card 106 will be described. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the contents to be processed when the CPU 210 transfers XML data and bitmap image data to the IC memory card 106. First, the CPU 210 sequentially calls the file img20021219_001_001.bmp of 403, img20021219_001_002.bmp of 404, img20021219_001_003.bmp of 405, img20021219_001_004.bmp of 406, img20021219_001_005.bmp of 407 from the hard disk 209 (step 1201) to the IC memory card Writing is performed on the data (step 1202). Next, the CPU 210 reads XML data from the hard disk 209 (step 1203). For the read XML data, the link destination information of the image data enclosed by the <imgURL> and </ imgURL> tags is updated to the location information in the IC memory card for each of the previously transferred image data (Step1204). Then, the rewritten XML data is transferred to the IC memory card (step 1205), and all the processes are finished.

  When the IC memory card 106 in which bitmap data and XML data are written as described above is inserted into a portable terminal such as a PDA and image data is displayed on the operation unit on the PDA side by an application on the PDA side, the PDA is built-in Alternatively, it is assumed that an external network I / F or the like is used to connect to the LAN 101 or the Internet line 102 so that communication with the digital copying machines 103, 104, and 105 is possible. Here, the PDA reads the XML data from the IC memory card 106 storing the XML data shown in FIG. 9, and first there is a processing setting for converting the resolution from the <S010>, </ S010> tags. Next, it is determined that an image processing request can be made to the digital copying machine having the URL described in the <imgURL> tag. Next, the image processing command set in <imgINST> is transmitted to the digital copying machine, and then the image data itself including the <default> / </ default> tag is transmitted, so that the CPU 10 of the digital copying machine Uses the image processing unit 203 to perform resolution return and color conversion using the LUT, and returns image data on which image processing has been performed again to the PDA side. In this way, it is not necessary to perform time-consuming processing on the PDA side, and it is possible to cause the digital copying machine to easily perform image processing and display an image of the image processing result.

  As described above, setting information for image processing of image data is generated using XML data according to the specifications of a mobile terminal used by a user such as a PDA, and when necessary via a network or the like By sending image processing setting information and image data to the digital copier, it is possible to display images optimally on the PDA without increasing the CPU load on the PDA by performing image processing on the digital copier. .

(Second embodiment of the invention)
The image forming system according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described below. In addition, in 2nd embodiment, about the structure similar to 1st embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and the detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The difference from the first embodiment is that an extension I / F 1301 is added to the internal configuration of the digital copying machine as shown in FIG. 13 to enable direct communication with an external PDA 1302.

  The steps from image data transfer from an external host computer or the like to dividing the image data area, cutting out the image area, and generating XML data in accordance with the flowchart shown in FIG. It is the same. Next, the description after the image data transfer request is directly notified from the PDA 1302 to the CPU 210 in the digital copying machine via the extension I / F 1301 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The CPU 210 first receives the model information of the PDA 1302 that is also transmitted from the PDA 1302 when the image data transfer request from the PDA 1302 is requested (Step 1402). This model information does not include information on the display unit of the PDA, and the CPU 210 calculates the resolution conversion rate of the image data based on this information (Step 1403). Then, the resolution conversion setting is stored in the hard disk 209 or the like (Step 1403). When the PDA1302 is directly connected to the digital copying machine in this way, it is not necessary for the user to manually set the resolution conversion, and the setting is automatically made inside the digital copying machine according to the connected external device. Is possible. After the resolution conversion setting is stored, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 10, XML data having setting information for image processing for a portable terminal such as a PDA performed on the bitmap data is generated. According to this flowchart, data is transferred to a memory (not shown) inside the PDA 1302, and at this time, the link destination information of the image data in the XML data is also updated, and the XML data is also transferred. The operation for displaying data on the PDA side is performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

  As explained above, it has an I / F that can be directly connected to an external portable device such as PDA1302, and it is possible to acquire information of the connected external device and automatically set resolution conversion, The user does not need to set up manually.

(Other embodiments)
Note that the present invention can be applied to a system including a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), or a device (for example, a copying machine, a facsimile device, etc.) including a single device. You may apply to.

  In addition, an object of the present invention is to supply a recording medium in which a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is recorded to a system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus records the recording medium. Needless to say, this can also be achieved by reading and executing the program code stored in. In this case, the program code itself read from the recording medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM or the like is used. be able to.

  In addition, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but the OS running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code performs the actual processing. Needless to say, a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the processing is also included.

  Further, after the program code read from the recording medium is written in the memory provided in the extension function board inserted in the computer or the function extension unit connected to the computer, the function extension is performed based on the instruction in the program code. It goes without saying that the CPU or the like provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

1 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of an image processing system of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing details of the inside of the multifunction peripherals 103, 104, and 105. 6 is a flowchart for generating a structured document by an XML generation unit 206; An example of image data input to the XML generation unit 206. An example of XML data output by the XML generation unit 206. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation when reading data from the memory card 106. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation when data is written to the memory card 106. Operation unit screen for setting resolution conversion. An example of XML data created by CPU210. The flowchart in the operation | movement which adds image process setting information to XML data. The flowchart which shows the procedure for printing based on XML data. 5 is a flowchart showing the order of writing data to the memory card 106. The block diagram which showed roughly the structure of the image processing system of 2nd embodiment. The flowchart for calculating | requiring the setting of resolution conversion.

Claims (9)

  An image forming apparatus that can receive image data from an external device such as a host computer and convert the received image data into a structured document described in a structured description language, or a structured description language from an external device such as a host computer. In the image forming apparatus that processes the described text area and image area data and generates a structured document, the data is transferred to an external portable terminal such as a mobile phone or a PDA, or an externally connected storage device. Image processing for adding image processing designation for designating what kind of image processing is applied to individual data such as text and image data described in the description to the data described in the structured description An image format comprising: designation designating means; and image processing processing means for converting image data in accordance with the image processing designation means System.   First image data conversion setting means for setting characteristics of an external portable terminal such as a mobile phone or a PDA that transfers data described in the structured description language or an externally connected storage device according to a user instruction The image forming system according to claim 1, further comprising:   External device connection means for connecting external devices such as mobile phones and PDAs, or external devices such as external connection storage devices, and for reading information of external devices connected by external device connection means An external device information reading means, and in accordance with the information inserted by the external device information reading means, a conversion means for converting individual image data such as sentences and images in the data described in the structured description language. 2. The image forming system according to claim 1, further comprising a second image data conversion setting unit for changing the setting.   Further, in the data described in the structured description language, the image processing designation method designated by the image processing designation designation unit based on the information set by the first image data conversion setting unit is structured. The image forming system according to claim 2, wherein the image forming system is added to data described in a description language.   Further, in the data described in the structured description language, the image processing designation method designated by the image processing designation designation unit is structured based on the information set by the second image data conversion setting unit. 4. The image forming system according to claim 3, wherein the image forming system is added to data described in a description language.   When the data described in the structured description language to which the converted image data is added is read and the image data is printed, the image data is not referred to the image processing designation method designated by the image processing designation designation unit. The image forming system according to claim 4, wherein the image forming system is printed.   When the data described in the structured description language to which the converted image data is added is read and the image data is printed, the image data is not referred to the image processing specification method specified by the image processing specification specifying means. The image forming system according to claim 5, wherein the image forming system is printed.   Read the data described in the structured description language with the converted image data added, and display the image data on an external mobile terminal such as a mobile phone or PDA, or separate the data stored in the external connection storage device. 5. The image data after image processing is displayed with reference to the image processing designation method designated by the image processing designation designation means when displayed on the external device. Image forming system.   Read the data described in the structured description language with the converted image data added, and display the image data on an external mobile terminal such as a mobile phone or PDA, or separate the data stored in the external connection storage device. 6. The image data after image processing is displayed with reference to the image processing designation method designated by the image processing designation designation means when displayed on the external device. Image forming system.

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