JP2006262207A - Image processing method, program and system, and information storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform image processing of image information easily regardless of the apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: When input of image data is detected by monitoring whether the image data was inputted to the memory area being monitored of a attached USB memory, an image processing script existing in the memory area being monitored of the USB memory is called and image processing is performed by reading in an image processing program preset in the image processing script for the inputted image data and stored in the program storage area of the USB memory. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing method, an image processing program, an image processing system, and an information storage medium, and more particularly to a technique for performing image processing on image information input to an information storage medium.

  In recent years, MFPs (Multi-Function Peripherals) having a plurality of functions are being popularized in order to save space. In order to perform complex image processing at high speed in the MFP, it is necessary to use an ASIC. Currently, when complex image processing is performed on image data read by an MFP, there are many cases where image processing is performed on the PC side after being once transmitted to a PC (Personal Computer) or the like.

  This MFP is often provided with a function of transmitting and receiving image data (for example, Patent Document 1). Therefore, if image data is transmitted to a PC or the like using a transmission / reception function provided in the MFP, the user can perform image processing. In order to perform this image processing, the user needs to operate a PC or the like. However, when performing predetermined image processing, the user is forced to perform the same operation, and the user is required unnecessary trouble.

  On the other hand, when a program or shell script monitors a directory and an arbitrary file is input to this directory, the process defined for the monitored program or the like is started and the input file is processed. The processing procedure is well known. Therefore, if a function for outputting image data read by an image forming apparatus such as an MFP or a scanner to a predetermined directory is used, it is called from a monitored program or the like when the image data is input to this directory. Image processing can be executed.

  In addition, the storage capacity of information processing apparatuses such as PCs is expanding due to the advancement and advancement of technologies related to storage media. Accordingly, information storage media capable of carrying a large amount of data are becoming widespread. In addition, a technique has been proposed in which a program is stored in this information storage medium and the same environment is constructed regardless of the difference in the installed PC or the like (for example, Patent Document 2).

JP 2001-268328 A JP 2003-178017 A

  However, the technique described in Patent Document 1 relates to a technique for transmitting image data, and does not mention what kind of processing is performed after the transmission. When image processing is performed by combining this technology and a technology that performs processing when the directory is monitored and input, the transmission destination of the directory for image processing is set in the MFP, but the transmission destination is set. However, it is difficult to intuitively understand what image processing is performed in which directory.

  Also, when the destination is changed to set a predetermined directory to perform different image processing, the setting of the destination of the MFP and the program or script running on the PC must be changed. There is a problem that is low.

  On the other hand, the technique described in Patent Document 2 stores an e-mail program or the like that is particularly desired to construct the same environment even in different apparatuses. That is, there is no particular description about using it for other purposes such as image processing, and it is difficult to derive the use of such an information storage medium for image processing.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and provides an image processing method, an image processing program, an image processing system, and an information storage medium that can easily perform image processing on image information regardless of an apparatus. The purpose is to do.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the invention according to claim 1 is a monitoring step for monitoring whether image information is input to the first storage area of the mounted information storage medium; When it is detected that the image information is input by monitoring in the monitoring step, image processing to be executed is defined for the input image information, and is stored in the second storage area of the information storage medium. And a processing step of reading the stored image processing execution information and performing image processing.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the output according to the first aspect, wherein the image information processed in the processing step is output to the first storage area of the other information storage medium. And a processing step.

  The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1, wherein the image information processed by the processing step is stored in a third storage area of the information storage medium used as a storage destination of the image information. And an output processing step for performing output processing.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image output processing step of performing the process of outputting the image information processed by the processing step to an image processing apparatus that has input the image information. , Further comprising.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, when the processing step detects that the image information is input by monitoring in the monitoring step, a plurality of processing steps are performed. The image processing execution information specified by reading image processing execution information indicating the image processing execution information read from the image processing execution information is read to perform image processing.

  The invention according to claim 6 is the invention according to claim 5, wherein, when the processing step detects that the image information is input by monitoring in the monitoring step, the input device performs the plurality of image processing. The image processing execution information identified by reading the image processing procedure information generated by selecting the image information to be executed from the execution information is read to perform image processing.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the monitoring step is called by setting information read when the information storage medium is loaded, and the first step is performed. Monitoring of whether or not the image information is input to the storage area is started.

  The invention according to claim 8 is characterized in that the image processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 7 is executed by a computer.

  The invention according to claim 9 is an image processing system including an image information processing apparatus and an information storage medium, wherein the information storage medium includes a first readable / writable storage area and an image executed on the image information. The image processing execution information in which processing is defined and whether or not image information is input to the first storage area are monitored, and when the image information is input, the image processing execution information is read to read the image And a second storage area that stores monitoring execution information defined to execute processing, and the image information processing apparatus reads the monitoring execution information when the information storage medium is loaded. Monitoring means for monitoring whether or not image information has been input to the first storage area that is started, and when it is detected that the image information has been input by monitoring by the monitoring means, Characterized by comprising a processing means for performing image processing reads the image processing execution information to the image information.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a first readable / writable storage area, image processing execution information in which image processing to be executed on image information is defined, and image information in the first storage area. A second storage that stores monitoring execution information defined to read the image processing execution information and execute the image processing when the image information is input by monitoring whether or not the image information is input And an area.

  The invention according to an eleventh aspect is the invention according to the tenth aspect, wherein the second storage area has setting information defined to read the monitoring execution information when the own medium is connected, Further, it is memorized.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, image processing is performed on condition that image information is input to the first storage area, and the image is processed without the user performing an operation for performing image processing. Since the process is performed, the convenience is improved.

  According to the invention of claim 2, if the information is output to the first storage area of the other information storage medium and the image information is input on the other information storage medium, the other information is monitored. Since the image processing can be executed in the same manner on the storage medium, a plurality of image processing can be performed by mounting a plurality of information storage media, and the user can select the image processing executed by the user in a visual combination. There is an effect that the property is improved.

  Further, according to the invention of claim 3, since the image information can be held in the information storage medium, the user can carry the image information by carrying the information storage medium. There is an effect of improving.

  According to the invention of claim 4, by outputting the image information subjected to the image processing to the image processing apparatus, the image processing apparatus can perform processing using the image information, so that convenience is improved. There is an effect.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the image processing procedure information for specifying the image processing information to be read from a plurality of pieces of image processing information is read when it is executed. Since the image processing procedure information only needs to be changed, the convenience is improved.

  According to the sixth aspect of the invention, since the user reads the image processing procedure information generated by selecting the image processing information from the input device, the information is read according to the user's request. Since the image processing to be executed can be changed, the convenience is improved.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, since monitoring is automatically started by wearing, image processing is performed when image information is input without any user operation. Therefore, there is an effect that convenience is improved.

  Moreover, according to the invention concerning Claim 8, the image processing method as described in any one of Claims 1-7 can be implement | achieved by utilization of a computer by making a computer read and to perform, The same effects as those of these image processing methods are achieved.

  According to the invention of claim 9, image processing is performed on condition that image information is input to the first storage area, and the user does not perform an operation for performing image processing. In both cases, since image processing is performed, the convenience is improved.

  According to the invention of claim 10, image processing is performed on the condition that image information is input to the first storage area in the information processing apparatus connected to the information storage medium. Holds information that allows the image processing to be performed without performing an operation for performing the image processing, and thus the convenience is improved.

  According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, since the information that automatically starts monitoring by holding the information storage medium is held, the image information can be input without any user operation. Then, since image processing is performed, there is an effect that convenience is improved.

  Exemplary embodiments of an image processing method, an image processing program, an image processing system, and an information storage medium according to the present invention are explained in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image processing system according to the present embodiment includes a PC 150 that performs image processing, and a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory 100 that is attached to the PC 150. Information can be transmitted and received between the PC 150 and the USB memory 100 according to the USB standard.

  Further, as shown in the figure, the PC 150 is connected to the MFP 10, the scanner 20, the keyboard 30, and the monitor 40 for inputting image data. With such a configuration, the PC 150 can call the image processing program stored in the USB memory 100 and perform image processing on the image data input from the MFP 10 or the scanner 20.

  Further, the MFP 10 and the PC 150 are connected so as to be able to transmit and receive information. In the present embodiment, the MFP 10 and the PC 150 are connected via a LAN (Local Aria Network). As an example other than the present embodiment, it is conceivable to connect via the Internet or USB, but any connection method may be used. Further, an apparatus that can use the image processing system according to the present embodiment via the LAN may be other than the MFP 10, for example, a digital camera that can be connected to the LAN.

  First, the MFP 10 has a function of transmitting and receiving image data to a storage area connected via a network. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a delivery destination selection screen for image data displayed on the operation panel of the MFP 10. As shown in the figure, by selecting the transmission destination displayed on the operation panel, the distribution destination of the image data can be determined. Alternatively, the IP address of the delivery destination may be input. Further, when selecting these distribution destinations, a user name and a password may be input. These distribution destinations include a monitoring target storage area 111 (described later) of the USB memory 100 connected to the PC 150 as a distribution destination. Thus, by setting the distribution destination in the monitoring target storage area 111 of the USB memory 100 connected to the PC 150, it is possible to automatically execute image processing to be described later using image distribution as a trigger.

  Also, the image data read by the scanner 20 can be automatically executed by using image distribution as a trigger by setting the output destination in the monitoring target storage area 111 of the USB memory 100 connected to the PC 150.

  Further, as another embodiment for setting a delivery destination other than the present embodiment, it is also conceivable that the delivery address and the like are centrally managed by the server PC, and the server PC makes settings for the network scanner. Furthermore, when a USB memory or the like is attached to the PC, a program for automatically setting a distribution destination may be held in the storage area of the USB memory. In this case, for example, when the USB memory is mounted, this program is activated, and the delivery destination is automatically set. As a method for automatically setting the delivery destination, for example, the program is automatically started by the autorun function of MS-Windows (registered trademark), and the delivery destination is automatically set for the MFP 10 via the network. Conceivable.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the USB memory 100 includes a RAM 101, a ROM serving as a program storage area 102, and a USB interface 103. In the USB memory 100, a setting file (not shown) for starting a resident monitoring program is stored in the program storage area 102. When the USB memory 100 is attached to the PC 150, the PC 150 starts the monitoring program by reading the setting file. As an example of this setting file, there is an autorun.inf file used for realizing the autorun function.

  The RAM 101 is a readable / writable storage area, and includes a monitoring target storage area 111 and an output destination storage area 112. The USB interface 103 is an interface for transmitting and receiving information when connected to the PC 150.

  The program storage area 102 refers to an area in which a monitoring program for monitoring the monitoring target storage area 111 described later and a plurality of image processing programs for performing image processing are stored. In other words, the program storage area 102 corresponds to a second storage area. When the monitoring program is connected to the PC 150, it is expanded on a storage area (not shown) of the PC 150 and executed.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the source of the monitoring program. As shown in the figure, when the monitoring program is activated, it resident and monitors whether image data is input to the monitoring target storage area 111. When it is determined that image data has been input, an image processing script described later is read and image processing is executed. In other words, the monitoring program corresponds to monitoring execution information.

  The monitoring program passes the file name of the image data as an argument when executing the image processing script. Thereby, image data to be processed can be specified in the image processing script.

  The image processing program A or the like is called when image data is input to a monitoring target storage area 111 to be described later, and is developed on a storage area (not shown) of the PC 150 to perform image processing. In other words, the image processing program A or the like corresponds to image processing execution information defining image processing to be executed. Further, which image processing program is called out from among a plurality of image processing programs is defined in the image processing script.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the monitoring target storage area 111 is a storage area to which image data to be processed is input, in other words, it corresponds to a first storage area. The monitoring target storage area 111 holds an image processing script generated in advance and image data when input.

  The image processing script is a script that is called when image data is input to the monitoring target storage area 111, and describes image processing to be executed on the input image data. In the present embodiment, the image processing script describes calling an image processing program A or the like to be executed on input image data and outputting the image processing program to a transmission destination. In other words, the image processing script corresponds to image processing procedure information. Note that the image processing script is not particularly limited as long as it can perform image processing on the input image data, and may be binary or the like in addition to the script.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the source of this image processing script. In the example shown in this figure, the image data to be processed in the monitoring target storage area 111 is loaded into the temporary storage area of the PC 150, and the image processing program A is activated for the loaded image data. In this example, the processing program C is started, and then the image processing program E is started to sequentially perform image processing. Finally, the image data subjected to the image processing is output to the output destination storage area 112 of the USB memory 100. Yes. The file name can be specified from an argument passed to the image processing script.

  As shown in the figure, by describing that the image processing program is called in the processing order in the image processing script, the image processing can be performed in the order desired by the user. An output destination can be defined at the end of the image processing script. By describing as shown in this figure, the output destination can be fixed in the output destination storage area 112. Furthermore, when it is desired to change the processing content, it can be easily rearranged by changing the order of the image processing programs to be called in the description of the image processing script. Further, the transmission destination can be easily changed by changing the transmission destination described last. The procedure for generating this image processing script will be described later.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the output destination storage area 112 is a storage area for storing image data after image processing is performed, in other words, corresponds to a third storage area. In the output destination storage area 112, when the output destination storage area 112 is designated as an output destination in the image processing script, image data that has been subjected to image processing is input, and thus the input image data is held. .

  Next, the configuration of the PC 150 configuring the image processing system will be described. The PC 150 includes a temporary storage unit 151, a monitoring unit 152, a processing unit 153, an output processing unit 154, an input processing unit 155, a display processing unit 156, a USB control unit 157, and a communication unit 158. After image processing is performed on the data, it is output to the output destination.

  The temporary storage unit 151 is a storage area in which image data to be subjected to image processing is loaded. When the image processing ends and image data is output to the output destination, the image data is deleted. Specifically, the temporary storage unit 151 may be a DRAM (Dynamic RAM), an SRAM (Static RAM), etc. In addition, an HDD, an optical disk, a memory card may be used, and any generally used storage means. Can be configured.

  The USB control unit 157 performs detection of a USB device such as the attached USB memory 100 and control of information transmission / reception. The USB control unit 157 includes a USB host controller or the like. The communication unit 158 transmits and receives information to and from other devices such as the MFP 10 connected to the LAN. In addition to the MFP 10, a device such as a network scanner is conceivable as a device connected via the LAN.

  The input processing unit 155 processes a signal input from an input device such as the keyboard 30 or the scanner 20. By processing the signal input from the input device, the user can select the image processing to be executed from the input device when generating the image processing script, and the image processing script can be generated. Further, image processing described later can be performed on the image data read by the scanner 20.

  The display processing unit 156 performs display processing on the monitor 40. The display processing target may be any data such as image data or screen data displayed when generating an image processing script.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen displayed when generating an image processing script. The image processing script generation screen 501 shown in the figure is obtained by reading a file for displaying the generation screen 501 when, for example, the USB memory 100 is first connected to the PC 150 or when the image processing to be executed is changed. Is displayed.

  When the user selects a desired processing program as pre-processing with the keyboard 30 from the display screen 501 shown in this figure, and selects a desired processing program as additional processing, it is called in the generated image processing script. An image processing program is determined. After the determination, the user presses the “Generate” button 502 on the keyboard 30 to call a program for generating an image processing script. This program generates an image processing script based on the above determination. The generation program outputs the generated image processing script to the monitoring target storage area 111 of the USB memory 100. Note that the folder selection in this figure sets the storage area to be monitored, and is determined as the monitoring target storage area 111 if there is no particular setting. It can also be used to specify an output destination when a plurality of USB memories are connected.

  The file for displaying the image processing script generation screen and the program for generating the image processing script called from this file at the time of display may be stored in the USB memory 100 in advance, such as a CD-ROM. It may be acquired from a medium or through a network. The user can acquire these files and perform the above-described processing to generate an image processing script, monitor a folder in the USB memory, and perform image processing when image data is input. become.

  Furthermore, since the output format at the time of outputting can be set, it is selected according to the purpose of the output image data. In addition, an output destination can be set. When “print” is set, the image data is output from the MFP 10 connected to the PC 150. When “mail” is selected, the generated image data is transmitted to a preset mail address. When “save” is selected, the output destination is stored. It is stored in the area 112. Note that “nextUSB” that can be selected as an output destination will be described in the second embodiment.

  After setting the conditions of the image processing script to be generated on the screen 501, the image processing script as shown in FIG. 4 is generated in the monitoring target storage area 111 of the USB memory 100 by pressing the “Generate” button 502. Is done. As a result, an image processing script that can execute a plurality of selected image processes as one flow is generated. Thus, by connecting the USB memory 100 to the PC 150, the image processing script is called when the monitoring program confirms the input of the image data, and the processing set by the image processing script can be automatically executed.

  The monitoring unit 152 is generated on the main storage device by loading the monitoring program stored in the program storage area 102 of the USB memory 100 onto the main storage device on the PC 150 (not shown). The generated monitoring unit 152 monitors whether image data is input to the monitoring target storage area 111 of the USB memory 100 attached to the PC 150, and triggers the input when determining that the image data has been input. Read the image processing script. At this time, the monitoring unit 152 delivers the file name of the image data input as an argument to the image processing script.

  If the monitoring unit 152 determines that image data has been input, the processing unit 153 loads the image processing script stored in the monitoring target storage area 111 of the USB memory 100 onto a main storage device on the PC 150 (not shown). Is generated on the main storage device. The generated processing unit 153 moves the image data stored in the monitoring target storage area 111 to the temporary storage unit 151 and calls the image processing program defined in the image processing script to perform image processing.

  The image processing program called by the processing unit 153 may be any image processing program. For example, programs such as noise removal, image inclination correction, edge enhancement filter processing, smoothing filter processing, and resolution conversion processing are conceivable. . In addition, although different from the present embodiment, external output processing such as output in a PDF file format or output processing to a default printer may be included.

  The output processing unit 154 outputs the image data subjected to the image processing to an output destination defined in the image processing script. As output destinations output by the output processing unit 154 in the present embodiment, the MFP 10 connected to the PC 150, the output attached to a mail to the network, the output destination storage area 112 on the USB memory 100, and the like can be considered.

  FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram conceptually showing the image processing performed in the present embodiment. This figure shows the concept of processing performed when the image processing script shown in FIG. 4 is read into the PC 150. As shown in this figure, the monitoring program activated as the monitoring unit 152 monitors the monitoring target storage area 111, and when image data is input, the image data is loaded into the temporary storage unit 151. Then, the image processing program A called by the image processing script activated as the processing unit 153 performs processing on the image data stored in the temporary storage unit 151, and then the image processing program C is stored in the temporary storage unit 151. The processed image data is processed, and the image processing program E further processes the image data stored in the temporary storage unit 151. After the image processing is completed, the output processing unit 154 outputs the data to the output destination storage area 112 that is an output destination defined by the image processing script.

  In this way, the image processing program to be executed differs depending on the difference in the generated image processing script. In other words, if the same image processing script is used, the same image processing is always performed. That is, even when the MFP or PC from which image data is read is different, it is possible to construct an environment in which the same image processing is always performed by mounting the USB memory 100.

  Further, even when the MFP and PC are the same, the image processing can be changed by changing the USB memory to be mounted. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing that the image processing is changed by changing the USB memory attached to the PC 150 constituting the image processing system. As shown in this figure, when the USB memory 100A is attached, image processing A + C + E is performed on the image data output from the MFP 10. Of course, the USB memory 100B can be mounted instead of the USB memory 100A. When the USB memory 100B is attached, image processing B + D is performed on the image data output from the MFP 10. Thus, the user can change the image processing performed on the image data by changing the USB memory to be mounted.

  Furthermore, by clearly indicating the image processing to be executed in the case of the USB memory or the like, the user can easily perform a visually understandable task of changing the USB memory when changing the image processing. Image processing can be changed.

  A directory structure of the USB memory 100A and the USB memory 100B shown in FIG. 7 will be described. FIG. 8A is an explanatory diagram showing a directory structure of the USB memory 100A shown in FIG. FIG. 8-2 is an explanatory diagram showing the directory structure of the USB memory 100B shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B, there is no difference in the folder structure and the file names of the held files. Regardless of which USB memory is installed in the PC 150, the monitoring program is started to monitor the inimg folder. When image data is input to the inimg folder, the image processing script is read and processed. It will be. However, only the image processing program called by the image processing script is different.

  That is, even if the USB memory attached to the PC 150 is either the USB memory 100A or the USB memory 100B, there is no difference in the directory structure and file name when referenced from the PC 150. There is no need to change the processing due to the difference in the USB memory. In this embodiment, the transmission destination of the image data to be output to the MFP 10 is the monitoring target storage area 111 of the USB memory 100, that is, the inimg folder in the directory structure shown in FIGS. You can specify it.

  For example, if a setting is made so that the network drive “G” is assigned when the USB memory is attached to the PC 150, the image transmission destination from the MFP 10 or the scanner 20 is set to “G: \\ root \ inimg \”. Even if the USB memory is replaced, it is not necessary to change the setting of the MFP 10 or the scanner 20.

  As a result, image processing corresponding to the attached USB memory is performed on the image output from the MFP 10.

  Next, processing from when the USB memory 100 is mounted in the image processing system according to the present embodiment configured as described above to when the monitoring program for monitoring the monitoring target storage area 111 is started will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a procedure of the above-described processing in the image processing system according to the present embodiment.

  First, the user attaches the USB memory 100 to the PC 150 (step S901). Next, the PC 150 recognizes the installation of the USB memory 100 (step S902). Then, the PC 150 executes the monitoring program held in the USB memory 100 in accordance with the setting file read when the attachment is recognized (step S903).

  The monitoring target storage area 111 can be automatically monitored by mounting the USB memory 100 according to the processing procedure described above. Note that the above-described processing procedure shows an example of the processing procedure from the installation according to the present embodiment to the activation of the monitoring program, and the present invention is not limited to this processing procedure.

  Next, a process from monitoring whether image data is input to outputting the image data in the PC 150 according to the present embodiment configured as described above will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the above-described processing procedure in the PC 150 according to the present embodiment.

  First, the monitoring unit 152 monitors whether image data is input to the monitoring target storage area 111 (step S1001). Next, the monitoring unit 152 determines whether image data has been detected (step S1002). If the monitoring unit 152 determines that no image data has been detected, no particular process is performed (step S1002: No).

  If the monitoring unit 152 determines that image data has been detected (step S1002: Yes), the image processing script is read to generate the processing unit 153 (step S1003). At this time, the input image file name is acquired, and the image file name is passed as an argument of the image processing script.

  Then, the processing unit 153 loads the image data specified by the transferred file name into the temporary storage unit 151 in accordance with the designation of the image processing script (step S1004). In this case, all of the input image data may be loaded, or the image data may be sequentially loaded part by part.

  Then, the processing unit 153 calls the image processing program specified in the image processing script, and performs image processing on the image data loaded in the temporary storage unit 151 (step S1005). Note that this image processing is performed by the number defined in the image processing script.

  After the image processing ends, the output processing unit 154 outputs the image data subjected to the image processing to an output destination defined in the image processing script (step S1006). The output destination includes, for example, the output destination storage area 112 of the USB memory 100, the MFP 10, or transmission attached to an email.

  Next, the monitoring unit 152 determines whether or not the user has input an end signal from a keyboard or the like (not shown) (step S1007).

  When it is determined that the end signal is not input (step S1007: No), the monitoring unit 152 performs the monitoring from the monitoring target storage area 111 again (step S1001).

  If it is determined that an end signal has been input (step S1007: Yes), the monitoring program is ended and monitoring by the monitoring unit 152 is ended.

  According to the processing procedure described above, when image data is input to the monitoring target storage area 111, it is possible to detect this and perform image processing defined in the image processing script. The above-described processing procedure shows an example of the processing procedure from monitoring whether image data is input according to the present embodiment to outputting the image data. The present invention is applied to this processing procedure. It is not limited.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the PC 150. The PC 150 according to the present embodiment includes a control device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 1101, a storage device such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) 1102 and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 1103, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), a CD. (Compact Disk) An external storage device 1104 such as a drive device, a display device 1105 such as a display device, an input device 1106 such as a keyboard and a mouse, a communication interface 1107 connected to a network, and a bus 1108 for connecting them. It has a hardware configuration using a normal computer.

  The image processing program group including the monitoring program, the image processing script, and the image processing program executed by the PC 150 according to the present embodiment is a file in an installable format or an executable format, and is a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD) , Recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-R, DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), and the like.

  In addition, the image processing program group executed by the PC 150 of the present embodiment may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by being downloaded via the network. Further, the image processing program group executed on the PC 150 of the present embodiment may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

  Further, the image processing program group according to the present embodiment may be provided by being incorporated in advance in a ROM or the like.

  The image processing program group executed by the PC 150 according to the present embodiment has a module configuration including the above-described units (monitoring unit, processing unit, output processing unit), and the CPU includes the above recording medium as actual hardware. By reading out and executing the image processing program group from the above, each unit is loaded on the main storage device, and a monitoring unit, a processing unit, and an output processing unit are generated on the main storage device.

  In the present embodiment, the monitoring program, the image processing program, and the image processing script are divided and held in the USB memory. However, an integrated image processing program that combines them may be held. In this case, in order to specify the image processing executed by the integrated image processing program or the output destination, a setting file in which these are defined may be read. This setting file may be generated by inputting necessary items on the screen shown in FIG. 5, for example, and may be stored in the monitoring target storage area.

  The present embodiment is not limited to generating an image processing script defining an image processing program to be executed on a readable / writable RAM, and may be a ROM that can be written once. Further, if it is desired to change the image processing to be executed, it may be written in the ROM.

  In the present embodiment, the input image data is loaded into the temporary storage unit 151. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the monitoring target storage area is loaded as a virtual memory of the PC 150. It is not necessary to do.

  With the configuration described in the above-described embodiment, if the image forming apparatus or scanner such as an MFP having a transmission / reception function is used, the USB memory is retained even if the apparatus itself does not have a function to perform image processing. It is possible to acquire image data that has been subjected to image processing by the image processing program being performed. Thereby, image data corresponding to complicated needs can be provided. In addition, since the image processing can be performed only by connecting the USB memory, convenience is improved.

  In this embodiment, since image processing is performed using an image processing program stored in a USB memory, a program for performing image processing by the MFP 10, the scanner 20, and the PC 150 that inputs image data is stored. Even if it is not, image processing can be performed, so convenience is improved. Further, the operation of installing the image processing program or the like on the PC 150 can be omitted.

  If the transmission destination folder is fixed, the user can automatically perform image processing without changing the setting. Furthermore, the convenience can be improved because different image processing can be performed only by replacing the USB memory without changing the settings of the MFP 10 and the PC 150. Furthermore, since the user can change the image processing simply by attaching or detaching the USB memory, it is possible to provide image processing that is visually easy to understand.

  Also, when image processing is performed on the PC 150, input by an input device such as a mouse or a keyboard is not required. Therefore, it is suitable for many users such as users who are not accustomed to using a personal computer or those who are visually impaired. An easy-to-understand interface can be provided.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the monitoring program and the image processing program are held in the ROM 102, but this can prevent the monitoring program and the image processing program from being erased by mistake. Further, although different from the present embodiment, the image processing program may be stored in the RAM area. This makes it possible to add and insert new programs. This improves user convenience.

  Further, even if different MFPs and PCs are inserted, the same image processing is performed if the same USB memory is inserted, so that the environment setting according to the location is not required, and the convenience is improved.

(Second Embodiment)
In the image processing system according to the first embodiment, the case where there is one USB memory 100 attached to the PC 150 has been described. You may carry out sequentially. Therefore, in this embodiment, a case will be described in which a USB hub is connected to the PC 150 and a plurality of USB memories are attached.

  FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing system according to the second embodiment. The image processing system according to the first embodiment described above is that a plurality of USB memories are added via a USB hub, and the PC 1250 is changed to a monitoring unit 1251 that is different in processing from the monitoring unit 152. The output processing unit 154 differs from the output processing unit 154 in that the processing is changed to an output processing unit 1252 that is different in processing. In the following description, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  A USB hub 1210 is connected to the PC 1250, and a plurality of USB memories 1201A to 1201N can be connected to the USB hub 1210. Then, image processing using the image processing script held by the USB memories 1201A to 120N is performed in the order of the USB memories 1201A to 120N mounted on the USB hub 1210.

  The USB memory 1201A to USB memory 1201N are not particularly changed in the area, program, and the like held with the USB memory 100 of the first embodiment. The generated script is also an image processing script generated from the screen example shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the output destination in FIG. 5 is set to “nextUSB”.

  The image processing script for which “nextUSB” is selected is output to the monitoring target storage area 111 of the USB memory mounted on the USB hub 1210 next to the USB memory after the image processing is completed.

  FIG. 13 is a conceptual diagram conceptually showing image processing performed for each USB memory performed in the present embodiment. In this figure, the USB memory 1201A is defined by an image processing script so as to perform image processing A, the USB memory 1201B performs image processing B, the USB memory 1201C performs image processing C, and the USB memory 1201D performs image processing D.

  In this figure, it is assumed that the USB memory 1201A, the USB memory 1201B, the USB memory 1201C, and the USB memory 1201D are attached to the USB hub 1210 in this order. In this case, the image data moves in the order of the monitoring target storage area 111 of the USB memory 1201A, the monitoring target storage area 111 of the USB memory 1201B, the monitoring target storage area 111 of the USB memory 1201C, and the monitoring target storage area 111 of the USB memory 1201D. That is, the input image data is processed in the order of image processing A, image processing B, image processing C, and image processing D.

  Next, a method for specifying the monitoring target storage area 111 of the output destination USB memory will be described. First, since the directory structure is the same for any USB memory, if only the drive number of the output destination USB memory can be specified, the monitoring target storage area 111 of the USB memory as the transmission destination can be specified.

  When the OS (Operating System) of the PC 150 is MS-Windows (registered trademark), the drive numbers of the USB memory are assigned in the order of installation. For example, in the mounting order described above, the USB memory 1201A has a drive number “H”, the USB memory 1201B has “I”, the USB memory 1201C has “J”, and the USB memory 1201D has “K”. Thus, if the drive number of the USB memory itself can be specified, the drive number of the next USB memory as the transmission destination can be specified. This is because the alphabet letter next to the alphabet letter indicating its drive number indicates the next drive number.

  This own drive number can be obtained by using a predetermined command. As a result, the monitoring target storage area 111 of the USB memory as the transmission destination can be specified. In the present embodiment, the acquisition of its own drive number is performed immediately before transmitting image data to the next USB memory.

  Then, the result of image processing performed in the USB memory 1201A is transferred to the USB memory 1201B, and the image processing defined by the image processing script of the USB memory 1201B is performed. Similarly, by transferring the results to the USB memory 1201C and the USB memory 1201D and executing them, the USB memory with image processing can be performed in the order.

  As a more detailed example, edge enhancement filter processing is performed in the image processing script of the USB memory 1201A, smoothing filter processing is performed in the image processing script of the USB memory 1201B, resolution conversion processing is performed in the image processing script of the USB memory 1201C, and image processing of the USB memory 1201D. A case where PDF processing is defined in the script will be described.

  In this case, as described above, when the USB memory 1201A, USB memory 1201B, USB memory 1201C, and USB memory 1201D are attached to the USB hub 1210 in this order, 1) edge enhancement, 2) smoothing, 3) resolution conversion, 4 ) Processed in the order of PDF.

  When the USB memory 1201C, the USB memory 1201A, the USB memory 1201B, and the USB memory 1201D are mounted in this order, processing is performed in the order of 1) resolution conversion, 2) edge enhancement, 3) smoothing, and 4) PDF conversion.

  As described above, the USB memory according to the present embodiment designates the next USB memory as the output destination. However, only the USB memory 1201D that performs the process lastly, the user can use a device other than the next USB memory as the output destination. It shall be specified.

  Returning to FIG. 12, the monitoring unit 1251 of the PC 1250 loads the monitoring program stored in the program storage area 102 of the USB memories 1201A to 120N onto the main storage device (not shown) on the PC 1250, as in the first embodiment. As a result, it is generated on the main storage device. When a plurality of USB memories are attached, a plurality of monitoring programs corresponding to the respective USB memories are loaded onto the main storage device on the PC 1250 (not shown), and the monitoring unit 1251 is generated on the main storage device. Will be.

  As a result, the monitoring unit 1251 individually monitors the monitoring target storage areas 111 of all the mounted USB memories.

  As in the first embodiment, when image data is input to each monitoring target storage area 111, the processing unit 151 reads an image processing script that exists for each USB memory, and stores the image processing script in each image processing script. Image processing is performed by calling a defined image processing program.

  The output processing unit 1252 outputs the image data on which the image processing has been performed to an output destination defined in the image processing script. As output destinations output by the output processing unit 1252 in the present embodiment, the MFP 10 connected to the PC 1250, the output attached to a mail to the network, the output destination storage area 112 on the USB memory 1201A, and the next attachment. The USB memory monitoring target storage area 111 may be considered. This output destination is described in the image processing script as in the first embodiment. When the output destination is the next mounted USB memory, a command for acquiring its own drive number is described in the image processing script. As a result, the next USB memory can be specified when the image processing script is executed.

  In addition, the processing procedure from the installation of the USB memory 1201A performed in the image processing system according to the present embodiment configured as described above to the start of the monitoring program for monitoring the monitoring target storage area 111, the image Since the processing procedure from monitoring whether data is input to outputting image data is the same as the processing procedure of FIGS. 9 and 10 shown in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  Further, the present embodiment is not limited to using a USB hub when a plurality of USB memories are mounted. That is, it is only necessary that a plurality of USB memories can be connected to the PC, and a plurality of USB memories may be directly attached to the PC, or a plurality of USB memories may be connected to a peripheral device that can be recognized from the PC.

  Further, the present embodiment is not limited to acquiring the drive number immediately before transmission. For example, the drive number may be acquired in advance at the time of mounting.

  By inserting the USB memory into the PC 1250 in the order of image processing to be performed, a user interface that is intuitively understandable for the user can be provided.

  Further, when performing complex image processing, if it can be realized by a combination of simple image processing, it can be easily realized by a combination of a plurality of USB memories, so that convenience is improved.

  In the above embodiment, the USB standard is used as the data transfer method between the USB memory and the PC. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any method such as the IEEE 1394 standard, wireless communication, or infrared transfer method can be used. It may be used.

  In the above-described embodiment, the information storage medium is not limited to the USB memory, but may be any removable storage medium that includes a readable / writable storage area and further includes a readable storage area if possible. As such a storage medium, for example, a CD-RW, an externally attachable HDD, an SD memory card, and the like are conceivable.

(Modification)
Moreover, it is not limited to each embodiment mentioned above, The various deformation | transformation which is illustrated below is possible.

(Modification 1)
In the above-described embodiment, the image data is loaded into the temporary storage unit 151 and then the image processing program is sequentially called to perform the image processing. However, the image processing is not limited to such a processing procedure. . Therefore, in this modification, a case will be described where image processing programs are called in parallel.

  FIG. 14 is a conceptual diagram showing the concept of image processing performed in this modification. Assume that processing and a folder are associated with each other as shown in the figure. First, a plurality of folders corresponding to each image processing called by the image processing program is created in the output destination storage area 112 in advance. When image data is input to the monitoring target storage area 111, the monitoring program starts image processing by outputting the image data to the folder 1. For example, processing A always monitors folder 1 and performs processing when image data is input, and processing C similarly monitors folder 3 and performs processing when image data is input. According to the order of processing, the result of process A is placed in folder 3, the result of process C is placed in folder 5, and the result of process E is placed in the output destination storage area 112 as the final result. I can do it.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a part of the source of the image processing script according to the present modification. In the example shown in this figure, for the image processing program A, the image processing program C, and the image processing program E, the output destination is set as an environment variable, and then the image processing program A, the image processing program C, and the image processing program E are simultaneously executed. Trying to call. The image processing program A and image processing program C set specific output destinations, and the image processing program E sets standard output destinations. The image processing program E is output to the output destination storage area 112 by setting a standard output destination. As a result, the image processing program A, the image processing program C, and the image processing program E are activated, monitor the folders assigned to them, and output them to the output destination set after the image processing. Finally, after the image processing program E finishes the image processing, the image processing program E outputs to the output destination storage area 112 and the image processing ends.

  As described above, the image processing method, the image processing program, the image processing system, and the information storage medium according to the present invention are useful as a technique for performing image processing, and in particular, automatically with respect to transmitted image information. It is suitable for a technique for performing preset image processing.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing system according to a first embodiment. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a delivery destination selection screen for image data displayed on the operation panel of the MFP according to the first embodiment. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which showed an example of the source | sauce of the monitoring program hold | maintained at the USB memory concerning 1st Embodiment. It is the figure which showed an example of the source of the image processing script produced | generated by the USB memory concerning 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which showed the example of a screen displayed when producing | generating the image processing script concerning 1st Embodiment. It is the conceptual diagram which showed notionally the image processing performed in 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which showed changing image processing by changing the USB memory with which it mounts with respect to PC concerning 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which showed the directory structure of one USB memory used when performing image processing. It is explanatory drawing which showed the directory structure of the other USB memory used when performing image processing. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure from when a USB memory is mounted to when a monitoring program for monitoring a monitoring target storage area is started in the image processing system according to the first embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process from monitoring whether the image data in the PC concerning a 1st embodiment is inputted to outputting image data. It is a figure showing hardware constitutions of PC concerning a 1st embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the image processing system concerning 2nd Embodiment. It is the conceptual diagram which showed notionally the image processing performed for every USB memory performed in 2nd Embodiment. 10 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a concept of image processing performed in Modification 1. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a part of a source of an image processing script according to Modification 1. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

10 MFP
20 Scanner 30 Keyboard 40 Monitor 100, 100A, 100B, 1201A to N USB memory 101 RAM
102 Program storage area 103 USB interface 111 Monitoring target storage area 112 Output destination storage area 150, 1250 PC
151 Temporary Storage Unit 152, 1251 Monitoring Unit 153 Processing Unit 154, 1252 Output Processing Unit 155 Input Processing Unit 156 Display Processing Unit 157 USB Control Unit 158 Communication Unit 501 Image Processing Script Generation Screen 502 “Generate” Button 1101 CPU
1102 ROM
1103 RAM
1104 External storage device 1105 Display device 1106 Input device 1107 Communication interface 1108 Bus 1210 USB hub

Claims (11)

A monitoring step of monitoring whether image information has been input to the first storage area of the mounted information storage medium;
When it is detected that the image information is input by monitoring in the monitoring step, image processing to be executed is defined for the input image information, and is stored in the second storage area of the information storage medium. Processing steps for reading stored image processing execution information and performing image processing;
An image processing method comprising:   The output processing step of performing a process of outputting the image information processed by the processing step to the first storage area of another information storage medium, further comprising: Image processing method.   An output processing step of performing a process of outputting the image information processed in the processing step to a third storage area of the information storage medium used as a storage destination of the image information. The image processing method according to claim 1.   The image processing method according to claim 1, further comprising: an image output processing step of performing a process of outputting the image information processed in the processing step to an image processing apparatus that has input the image information. .   In the processing step, when it is detected that the image information is input by monitoring in the monitoring step, image processing procedure information indicating the image processing execution information read from a plurality of image processing execution information is read. The image processing method according to claim 1, wherein the image processing is performed by reading the specified image processing execution information.   The processing step is generated by selecting the image information to be executed from the plurality of pieces of image processing execution information by the input device when detecting that the image information is input by monitoring in the monitoring step. 6. The image processing method according to claim 5, wherein the image processing execution information specified by reading the image processing procedure information is read to perform image processing.   The monitoring step is called by setting information read when the information storage medium is loaded, and starts monitoring whether or not the image information is input to the first storage area. The image processing method according to any one of 1 to 6.   An image processing program that causes a computer to execute the image processing method according to claim 1. In an image processing system comprising an image information processing apparatus and an information storage medium,
The information storage medium is
A first readable and writable storage area;
Image processing execution information in which image processing to be executed on the image information is defined, and whether or not image information is input to the first storage area and the image information is input A second storage area that stores monitoring execution information defined to read image processing execution information and execute the image processing;
With
The image information processing apparatus
Monitoring means for monitoring whether image information is input to the first storage area, which is started by reading the monitoring execution information when the information storage medium is mounted;
Processing means for performing image processing by reading the image processing execution information for the input image information when it is detected that the image information is input by monitoring by the monitoring means;
An image processing system comprising: A first readable and writable storage area;
Image processing execution information in which image processing to be executed on the image information is defined, and whether or not image information is input to the first storage area and the image information is input A second storage area that stores monitoring execution information defined to read image processing execution information and execute the image processing;
An information storage medium comprising:   11. The information storage medium according to claim 10, wherein the second storage area further stores setting information defined to read the monitoring execution information when the own medium is connected.

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