JP2007036837A - Image generation apparatus and information processing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system capable of easily acquiring image data required by a user, which shares image data with an apparatus connected to a network. <P>SOLUTION: Image data are retrieved by a keyword or a reduced image. When the image data are retrieved by the keyword or the reduced image, image data stored in an image forming apparatus connected to a network can be easily retrieved from an information processing apparatus connected to the same network. The system is not a centralized control system, the system can be constructed without requiring an exclusive server for control. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image generation apparatus, an information processing apparatus, and an image information system connected to an image information system via a network.

  When multiple copiers are installed in an organization such as a company, a network-type digital copier system has been proposed that can be shared with original data copied by any copier and used mutually. .

  In addition, a system has been proposed in which image data formed by an image forming apparatus or image data copied by a copying apparatus is stored, and the image data can be acquired by another terminal device connected via a network.

As another conventional example, Patent Document 1 can be cited.
JP 2002-44364 A

  However, in the conventional system, it is difficult to search for image data desired by the user. An object of the present invention is to provide a system in which image data desired by a user can be easily obtained in a system that shares image data with devices connected to a network.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an image generation apparatus connected to an image information system via a network, the image data storage means for storing image data obtained at the time of image generation, and the image Image information storing means for storing image information relating to data, image search information receiving means for receiving image search information from an information processing apparatus connected to a network, and searching for image data in the image generating apparatus from the image search information An image search means for transferring the image information stored by the image information storage means for the image data searched by the image search means to the image generation apparatus, and an image processing apparatus by the information processing apparatus. And an image transfer means for transferring the image data when requested to transfer the existing image data. It is a device.

  The image information may be an image generation device including a keyword.

  The image information may include reduced image data.

  The image information may include an image data name.

  The image information is an image generation apparatus characterized in that the image information is XML.

  The image search information may be an image generation apparatus including a keyword.

  An information processing apparatus connected to an image information system via a network, the image search information transfer means for transferring the image search information to an image generation apparatus connected to the same network, and the image generation apparatus An information processing apparatus comprising image information receiving means for receiving the image information transferred by the image information transferring means.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to easily search for image data in an image generation apparatus connected to the same network from an information processing apparatus connected to the network by performing a search using a keyword or a reduced image. Moreover, since it is not a centralized management system, it is possible to construct a system without a dedicated server for management.

  As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the image data in the image forming apparatus connected to the same network is processed from the information processing apparatus connected to the network by performing a search using a keyword or a reduced image. Can be easily searched. Moreover, since it is not a centralized management system, it is possible to construct a system without a dedicated server for management.

  Next, details of the present invention will be described in accordance with the description of the embodiments.

  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a digital copying machine that is an example of an image generation apparatus and an information processing apparatus according to the present invention.

  In the drawing, an automatic document feeder (ADF) 280 is provided at the top of the digital copying machine main body 100.

  The platen glass 201 is a table on which a document is placed, and the scanner 202 includes a document illumination lamp 203, a scanning mirror 204, and the like. The scanner 202 is reciprocated in a predetermined direction by a motor (not shown). The reflected light of the original passes through the lens 207 through the scanning mirrors 204 to 206 and forms an image on the CCD sensor in the image sensor unit 208. The exposure control unit 209 is configured by a laser, a polygon scanner, or the like, and applies laser light 219 modulated based on an image signal converted into an electrical signal by the image sensor unit 208 and subjected to predetermined image processing to the photosensitive drum 211. Irradiate. Around the photosensitive drum 211, a primary charger 212, a developing device 213, a transfer charger 216, a pre-exposure lamp 214, and a cleaning device 215 are provided.

  In the image processing unit 210, the photosensitive drum 211 is rotated in the direction of the arrow shown in the figure by a motor (not shown). After being charged to a desired potential by the primary charger 212, the laser from the exposure control unit 209 is used. Light 219 is irradiated to form an electrostatic latent image. The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 211 is developed by the developing unit 213 and visualized as a toner image.

  On the other hand, the transfer paper fed from the right cassette deck 221, the left cassette deck 222, the upper cassette 223 or the lower cassette 224 by the pickup rollers 225, 226, 227, 228 is fed to the main body by the feed rollers 229, 230, 231 and 232. Is transferred to the transfer belt by the registration roller 233, and the visualized toner image is transferred to the transfer paper by the transfer charger 216. After the transfer, the photosensitive drum is cleaned of residual toner by the cleaner 215, and the residual charge is erased by the pre-exposure lamp 214. The transferred transfer paper is separated from the photosensitive drum by the separation charger 217 and sent to the fixing device 235 by the transfer belt 234. In the fixing device, the image is fixed by pressure and heating, and is discharged out of the main body 100 by the discharge roller 236.

  The main body 100 is equipped with a deck 250 that can store, for example, 4000 transfer sheets. The lifter 251 of the deck 250 is raised according to the amount of transfer paper so that the transfer paper always contacts the pickup roller 252, and the transfer paper is sent to the main body by the paper feed roller 253. A multi-manual feed 254 capable of accommodating 100 transfer sheets is also provided.

  Further, the paper discharge flapper 237 switches between the transport path 238 side and the discharge path 243 side. In the lower conveyance path 240, the transfer sheet fed from the paper discharge roller 236 is turned over through the reverse path 239 and guided to the refeed path 241. Transfer paper fed from the left cassette deck 222 by the paper feed roller 230 is also guided to the refeed path 241. The refeed roller 242 refeeds the transfer paper to the image forming unit 210. The discharge roller 244 is disposed in the vicinity of the paper discharge flapper 237, and discharges the transfer paper switched to the discharge path 243 side by the paper discharge flapper 237 to the outside of the apparatus. During double-sided recording (double-sided copying), the paper discharge flapper 237 is raised and the copied transfer paper is guided to the refeeding path 241 via the transport path 238, the reverse path 239, and the lower feed path 240. At this time, all the trailing edge of the transfer paper is pulled out of the conveyance path 238 by the reverse roller 245, and is drawn into the reverse path 239 to the position where the transfer paper is engaged with the reverse roller 245, and the reverse roller 245 is reversely conveyed. Send to pass 240. When the transfer paper is reversed and discharged from the main body, the paper discharge flapper 237 is raised upward, and the reverse roller 245 pulls the transfer paper to the reverse path 239 to the position where the rear end of the transfer paper remains in the transport path 238. Is reversed so that the transfer paper is turned over and sent to the discharge roller 244 side.

  The paper discharge processing device 290 stacks the transfer paper discharged from the digital copying machine 100 one by one on the processing tray 294. When a part of the image formation is discharged, the transfer sheet bundle is stapled and discharged to the discharge tray 292 or 293 as a bundle. The paper discharge tray 293 is controlled to move up and down by a motor (not shown), and moves to the position of the processing tray before the image processing operation starts. The sheet tray 291 is loaded with separator sheets to be inserted between the discharged transfer sheets. The Z folding machine 295 Z-folds the discharged transfer paper. Further, the bookbinding machine 296 performs bookbinding by collectively folding a part of the discharged transfer paper and performing stapling. The bound paper bundle is discharged to a discharge tray 297.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an operation unit of a digital copying machine to which the present invention is applied. Reference numeral 301 denotes a numeric keypad, which is used for setting the number of image formations and inputting numerical values for method setting. On the facsimile setting screen, it is used for inputting a telephone number. The clear key 302 is used when invalidating the setting input with the numeric keypad 301. A reset key 303 is used to return a set method such as the number of formed images, an operation method, and a selected paper feed stage to a default value.

  A start key 304 is a key to be pressed when image formation is started. In the center of the start key 304, there are red and green LEDs (not shown) indicating whether or not image formation can be started. When image formation cannot be started, the red LED is lit and green when image formation can be started. LED lights up. A stop key 305 is used to stop the copying operation. A guide key 306 is a key that is pressed when a certain key function is unknown, and displays a description of the key whose function is unknown on the display panel 320. The interrupt key 307 is a key that is pressed when the user wants to perform other work during the image forming operation.

  The display panel 320 is composed of a liquid crystal or the like, and the display content changes according to the setting method in order to facilitate detailed method setting. Further, the surface of the display panel 320 is a touch sensor, and the function is executed by touching the inside of the function frame displayed in the panel.

  A copy function key 308, a fax function key 309, and a box function key 310 are used to switch between copy, fax, and box functions. When these keys are pressed, the display contents of the display panel 320 of the operation unit are displayed. Switch. When the copy function key is pressed, various settings relating to copying can be performed on a screen (not shown). When the fax function key is pressed, various settings relating to fax can be performed on a screen (not shown). A box function key 310 is a key to be pressed when storing image data in the storage unit 128 or printing out stored image data.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a digital copying machine to which the present invention is applied.

  In the copying machine, a scanner unit 4201, an operation unit 4202, a printer unit 4203, and a card reader 4204 are connected to the controller unit 4001. As an external input, a LAN line 4003 is connected to the network unit 4103 and a telephone line 4004 is connected to the modem unit 4105.

  In the controller unit 4001, the CPU 4110 is connected to the communication line 4002, and via the communication line 4002, a scanner image processing unit 4102, a printer image processing unit 4107, an operation unit I / F 4104, an expansion unit I / F 4108, a network unit 4103, HDD 4109, RAM 4111, ROM 4112, and image conversion unit 4113 are connected. The scanner unit I / F 4101 is connected to the scanner image processing unit 4102, and the printer unit I / F 4106 is connected to the printer image processing unit 4107. The operation of each unit will be described below based on the signal processing flow.

  Image data input from the scanner unit 4201 is subjected to image processing by the scanner image processing unit 4102 via the scanner I / F unit 4101 and then stored in the RAM 4111. A control command input from the scanner unit 4201 is transferred to the CPU 4110. Printer data input from the LAN 4003 is drawn by the drawing unit 4114 via the network unit 4103 and then transferred to the RAM 4111. A control command input from the network unit 4103 is transferred to the CPU 4110. Facsimile data input from the telephone network 4004 is transferred to the RAM 4111 via the modem unit 4105. A control command input from the modem unit 4105 is transferred to the CPU 4110.

  These image data stored in the RAM 4111 are processed by the image conversion unit 4113 based on control commands input from the scanner unit 4201, the network unit 4103, the modem unit 4105, and the operation unit 4202 under the control of the CPU 4110. After image processing such as rotation processing and scaling processing is performed, it is transferred to the printer unit 4203 via the printer image processing unit 4107 and the printer unit I / F 4106 or from the telephone network 4004 via the modem unit 4105. Transferred.

  When the CPU 4110 receives a command for requesting display on the operation unit 4202 among the control commands input from the scanner unit I / F 4101 and the modem unit 4105, the CPU 4110 displays the specified display content on the operation unit I / F. The image is displayed on the display / operation unit 4202 via 4104. Further, when an operation operation is performed by the user in the operation unit 4202, the operation information is input to the CPU 4110 via the operation unit I / F 4104. The CPU 4110 transfers operation information input from the operation unit I / F 4104 to the scanner unit I / F 4101 and the modem unit 4105, or performs image input / output control based on the operation information.

  The network unit 4103 can transmit and receive data using a communication protocol.

  A control program of the CPU 4110 that performs such control is stored in the ROM 4111, and the CPU 4110 operates based on the control program on the ROM 4112. The ROM 4112 stores a compression / decompression module that compresses / decompresses image data. The RAM 4111 is used as a work area for the CPU 4110.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing when performing a copying operation in the digital copying machine to which the present invention is applied.

  First, the user sets a document on an automatic document feeder (ADF) 280. After the original is set, a copy operation is performed from the operation unit 114. At this time, by inputting a keyword in advance, it becomes possible to register the keyword in image information generated later (5001).

When the user performs a copying operation, the scanner unit 4201 performs a document reading process. (5002)
When a document reading process is performed by the scanner unit 4201, an image signal is transmitted from the scanner unit 4201 to the scanner image processing unit 4102 through the scanner unit I / F 4101. The electric signal transmitted to the scanner image processing unit 4102 is subjected to image processing and then stored as image data in the RAM 4111 (5003).

  After the image data is generated, the image data is subjected to image processing for printing by the printer image processing unit 4107, and then transferred to the printer unit 4203 through the printer unit I / F 4106. Upon receiving the image data, the printer unit 4203 performs printing on the paper set in the copying apparatus (5004).

  After the image data is generated, the image data stored in the RAM 4111 is stored in the HDD 4109 (5005).

  After saving the image data, image information is generated based on the image data. The image information includes a user name, device name, date / time, means, paper size, duplex, number of copies, image data format, image data size, number of pages, reduced image, and image file name, and is described in XML ( Figure 1). The image data stored in the RAM 4111 is converted in resolution and gradation by the image conversion unit 4113 to generate a reduced image. This XML is stored in the HDD 4109 (5006).

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing processing when facsimile reception is performed in the digital copying machine to which the present invention is applied.

  First, the modem unit 4004 receives facsimile data (6001).

When the facsimile reception is performed, the modem unit 4004 causes the image conversion unit 4113 to generate image data from the facsimile data. (6002)
After the image data is generated by the image conversion unit 4113, the image data is transferred to the RAM 4111 (6003).

  After the image data is generated, the image data is subjected to image processing for printing by the printer image processing unit 4107, and then transferred to the printer unit 4203 through the printer unit I / F 4106. Upon receiving the image data, the printer unit 4203 prints on the paper set in the copying apparatus (6004).

  After the image data is generated, the image data stored in the RAM 4111 is stored in the HDD 4109 (6005).

  After saving the image data, image information is generated based on the image data. The image information includes a user name, device name, date / time, means, paper size, duplex, number of copies, image data format, image data size, number of pages, reduced image, and image file name, and is described in XML ( Figure 1). The image data stored in the RAM 4111 is converted in resolution and gradation by the image conversion unit 4113 to generate a reduced image. This XML is stored in the HDD 4109 (6006).

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing processing when receiving print data in the digital copying machine to which the present invention is applied.

First, the network unit 4004 receives print data (7001).
When print data is received, the print data is stored in the RAM 4111 and the CPU 4110 interprets the print data. After interpreting the print data, the drawing unit 4112 generates image data in the RAM 4111. (7002)
After the image data is generated by the image conversion unit 4113, the image data is transferred to the RAM 4111 (7003).

  After the image data is generated, the image data is subjected to image processing for printing by the printer image processing unit 4107, and then transferred to the printer unit 4203 through the printer unit I / F 4106. Upon receiving the image data, the printer unit 4203 prints on the paper set in the copying apparatus (7004).

  After generating the image data, the image data stored in the RAM 4111 is stored in the HDD 4109 (7005).

  After saving the image data, image information is generated based on the image data. The image information includes a user name, device name, date / time, means, paper size, duplex, number of copies, image data format, image data size, number of pages, reduced image, and image file name, and is described in XML ( Figure 1). The image data stored in the RAM 4111 is converted in resolution and gradation by the image conversion unit 4113 to generate a reduced image. This XML is stored in the HDD 4109 (7006).

  FIG. 8 is a screen displayed when a copying operation is performed by the digital copying machine to which the present invention is applied.

  By pressing the portion of the copy 8001 on the screen, a copy operation process is selected. After selecting the copying operation, the keyword input operation is selected by pressing the keyword 8002 portion before pressing the start key 304 in the operation unit 4202.

  FIG. 9 is a screen displayed when a keyword input operation is performed on the digital copying machine to which the present invention is applied.

  When a keyword input operation is selected, a keyword input screen is displayed. A search keyword can be entered in the input field 9001. A keyword can be input by an input key 9002. When the OK9003 portion is pressed after the keyword is input, the keyword input process is started. When the history 9004 part is pressed, a list of keywords input in the past is displayed. When the cancel 9005 portion is pressed, the keyword input process is cancelled.

  FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing search processing in the image information system according to the present invention.

  It is assumed that image data is stored in the copier A, and a search is performed from the copier B. The copying machine B requests the copying machine A to search for image data (10001). At this time, information such as a keyword, date / time, user, device name, and input means can be added as image search information.

  When receiving the image search request, the copying machine A searches the image information (XML data) stored in the apparatus based on the image search information. After the search is completed, the image information for the search is transmitted to the copier B (10002).

  The copying machine B requests the copying machine A to transfer desired image data by designating the image file name from the image information (10003).

  The copier A transfers the requested image file to the copier B (10004).

  FIG. 11 is a screen displayed when a transmission operation is performed in the digital copying machine to which the present invention is applied.

  By pressing the copy 11001 portion on the screen, the transmission operation process is selected. After selecting the transmission operation, a list of print data that can be currently transmitted is displayed at 11002. A keyword search operation is selected by pressing the search 11003 portion.

  FIG. 12 shows a screen displayed when a keyword search operation is performed on the digital copying machine to which the present invention is applied.

  When a keyword search operation is selected, a keyword search screen is displayed. A search keyword can be input in the input field 12001. The keyword can be input with the input key 12002. When the OK12003 part is pressed after entering the keyword, the search process is started. If the search process is started without inputting a keyword, the entire image search process is performed. When the history 12004 portion is pressed, a list of keywords input in the past is displayed. Pressing the cancel 12005 part cancels the keyword search process.

  FIG. 13 shows a screen displayed after the search process in the digital copying machine to which the present invention is applied.

  When the search process ends, a search result list 13001 is displayed. A list 13002 in which black and white are inverted is the currently selected image data. When the save portion 13003 is pressed, the selected image data is saved in the apparatus. When the portion of the print 13004 is pressed, the selected image data is printed. When the transmission portion 13005 is pressed, various transmission operations such as facsimile transmission are performed on the selected image data. When the preview 13006 portion is pressed, preview processing of the selected image data is performed.

  FIG. 14 shows a screen displayed when preview processing is performed after search processing in the digital copying machine to which the present invention is applied.

  When preview processing is selected, a preview screen 14001 is displayed. On the screen 14002, the selected image data is displayed. When the portion of the previous page 14003 is pressed, the image of the previous page is displayed. When the portion of the next page 14003 is pressed, the image of the next page is displayed. Pressing the close 14005 portion returns to the search result screen.

  As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the image data in the image forming apparatus connected to the same network is processed from the information processing apparatus connected to the network by performing a search using a keyword or a reduced image. Can be easily searched. Moreover, since it is not a centralized management system, it is possible to construct a system without a dedicated server for management.

  Note that the present invention can be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), but an apparatus (for example, a copier, a facsimile machine, etc.) composed of a single device. ).

It is a figure at the time of expressing the image information in this invention by XML. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a digital copying machine as an example of an image generation apparatus and an information processing apparatus according to the present invention. It is a figure which shows the operation part of the digital copying machine to which this invention is applied. 1 is a configuration diagram of a digital copying machine to which the present invention is applied. 3 is a flowchart showing processing when a copying operation is performed in a digital copying machine to which the present invention is applied. 3 is a flowchart showing processing when performing facsimile reception in a digital copying machine to which the present invention is applied. 6 is a flowchart showing processing when receiving print data in a digital copying machine to which the present invention is applied. 5 is a screen displayed when a copying operation is performed in a digital copying machine to which the present invention is applied. 7 is a screen displayed when a keyword input operation is performed on a digital copying machine to which the present invention is applied. It is a sequence diagram which shows the search process in the image information system in this invention. 6 is a screen displayed when a transmission operation is performed in a digital copying machine to which the present invention is applied. 5 is a screen displayed when a keyword search operation is performed in a digital copying machine to which the present invention is applied. 6 is a screen displayed after a search process in a digital copying machine to which the present invention is applied. 7 is a screen displayed when a preview process is performed after a search process in a digital copying machine to which the present invention is applied.

Explanation of symbols

100 Digital copier body
201 platen glass
202 scanner
203 Original illumination lamp
204-206 Scanning mirror
207 lens
208 Image sensor
209 Exposure control unit
210 Image processing unit
211 Photosensitive drum
212 Primary charger
213 Developer
214 Pre-exposure lamp
215 Cleaning device
216 Transfer charger
219 Laser light
221 Right cassette deck
222 Left cassette deck
223 Upper cassette
224 Lower cassette
225-228 Pickup roller
229 to 232 Paper feed roller
233 Registration Roller
234 Transfer belt
235 Fuser
236 Discharge roller
237 Output flapper
238 Transport path
239 Reverse path
240 Lower transfer path
241 Refeed path
242 Refeed roller
243 Output path
244 Discharge roller
245 Reverse roller
280 Automatic Document Feeder (ADF)
290 Paper Discharge Processing Device
291 Paper tray
292 to 293 Output tray
294 Processing tray
295 Z folding machine
296 bookbinding machine
297 Output tray

Claims (7)

  An image generation apparatus connected to an image information system via a network, an image data storage unit that stores image data obtained at the time of image generation, an image information storage unit that stores image information related to the image data, Image search information receiving means for receiving image search information from an information processing apparatus connected to the network, image search means for searching for image data in the image generation apparatus from the image search information, and image search means. Image information transfer means for transferring the image information stored by the image information storage means of the received image data to the image generation apparatus, and when transfer of image data in the image generation apparatus is requested by the information processing apparatus, An image generation apparatus comprising image transfer means for transferring the image data.   2. The image generation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image information includes a keyword.   2. The image generation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image information includes reduced image data.   2. The image generation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image information includes an image data name.   2. The image generation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image information is XML.   3. The image generation apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image search information includes a keyword.   An information processing apparatus connected to an image information system via a network, the image search information transfer means for transferring the image search information to an image generation apparatus connected to the same network, and the image information of the image generation apparatus An information processing apparatus comprising image information receiving means for receiving the image information transferred by the transfer means.

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