JP2007173948A - Image processor, image processing method, and program for carrying out image processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily confirm and update list data by performing handwriting modification of a list printed out and then reading the list again. <P>SOLUTION: The image processor comprises a means for encoding and visualizing various kinds of identification information on a list information sheet, a means for managing the various kinds of identification information printed out, a means for reading out the visualized identification information and user's handwriting modification, and a means for judging whether update by handwriting modification is valid or not from the identification information thus read out and the identification information under management. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus provided with an image reading apparatus, and in particular, a system using an image processing apparatus capable of performing batch update of registration information managed in the printing apparatus.

  Conventionally, it has been possible to print out a list of address book data, download fonts, download macros (form data), etc., and check the contents.

  The registered list information can be deleted and updated by menu operation from the operation panel.

For example, Patent Document 1 can be cited as a conventional example.
JP 2000-029644 A

  However, in the conventional example, it is possible to print out a list of address book data, download fonts, download macros (form data), etc., and check the contents, but editing work such as deleting or updating unnecessary data It was necessary to carry out one item at a time from the operation panel.

  Further, since the display area of the operation panel is limited, editing operations for a large number of data lists are complicated due to scroll operations, hierarchical display, and the like.

  Therefore, the present invention adds handwritten corrections to the printed list and re-reads it, reducing the troublesomeness caused by scroll operations and hierarchical display on a screen with a limited display area, such as an operation panel. An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing system capable of checking and updating data.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image processing system for printing and visualizing registered and stored list data on a recording sheet according to the present invention provides a machine identification information, an output date, and an expiration date on a printed list information sheet. Means for encoding and visualizing sheet identification information, means for recording and managing the identification information of the printed list information sheet as log information, visualization information of the output list information sheet and user handwriting correction The image reading means for reading, the identification information visualized from the read image data and the recognition means for recognizing the handwritten part of the user, the identification information visualized from the read image data and the record management Means for determining whether or not the update information on the list information sheet is valid from the log information, and the registered and stored list data. And performing a batch update of data.

  Further, switching control between a normal scan job and a maintenance job for performing batch update of list data by an updated list information sheet by determining a specific pattern on the list to be printed out is performed.

  Further, by setting the maintenance mode before outputting the list information update sheet and then outputting the list information update sheet, access to the device by other users is prohibited during the maintenance work.

A means for printing out a list of list data deleted after the list update process;
It is characterized by including.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the handwritten correction is made to the printed list and re-reading, thereby reducing the troublesomeness caused by the scroll operation and the hierarchical display on the screen with a limited display area such as the operation panel. Thus, it is possible to provide an image processing system that can easily check and update the list data, thereby improving user convenience.

Example 1
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image processing system showing an embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, an image processing apparatus 1000 is connected to a plurality of host apparatuses (host A) 2000 and (host B) 2001 via a network 4000. As the plurality of host devices (host A) 2000 and (host B) 2001, commercially available computers having a CPU, a display, a keyboard, a mouse, a hard disk, a memory, and an interface for network communication can be used.

  The image processing apparatus 1000 is roughly divided into a control unit 100 that performs overall control of various jobs executed by the image processing apparatus 1000, an operation unit 101 that directly receives instruction requests for various jobs from the user, and set by the user. A reading unit 102 that reads image information of a document and converts it into an electrical signal, and a printing unit 103 that forms a bitmap image generated by the control unit 100 on a physical sheet as a permanent visible image and prints it out. .

  In the control unit 100, the host I / F unit 104 transmits / receives data to / from a host device.

  The list generation unit 105 reads various list information, which will be described later, stored in the storage unit 108 and generates a print job including a plurality of pages.

  The list update unit 106 performs an update process on various list information stored in the storage unit 108 in accordance with an update instruction on the list read from the reading unit 102.

  The mode determination unit 107 determines whether or not update processing is possible based on various information set when the list is output from the list information pattern read from the reading unit 102.

  The image generation unit 109 performs conversion processing from the print job generated by the list generation unit 105 to bitmap data in units of pages.

  Next, processing for outputting a list information update sheet in accordance with an instruction from the operation unit 101 in the image processing system configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, the user selects list information to be printed out from a menu displayed on the operation unit 101. (S201)
Here, FIG. 3 shows list information that can be printed and managed by the storage unit 108 in the image processing system of this embodiment. As shown in the figure, each list information is given an identification ID for identifying the list information.

Next, the user inputs an expiration date at which the list information update sheet can be reloaded from the menu displayed on the operation unit 101. (S202)
When the setting input from the operation unit 101 by the user is completed, the list generation unit 105 reads the list information from the storage unit 108 based on the setting input from the operation unit 101, and generates a print job for printout. . (S203)
Subsequently, the generated print job is converted into bitmap data by the image generation unit 109, and printing output is performed from the printing unit 103. (S204)
When the print output of the list information update sheet is completed, the print job log of the list information update sheet is recorded in the storage unit 108. (S205)
Here, FIG. 4 is a print job log recorded in the storage unit 108. As shown in the figure, each print-out date and list information identification ID are managed in combination.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an output result when a font list is output as the list information update sheet in the present embodiment.

  Each list information update sheet 501 has a bar code part 502 for recording various information at the time of output, and a mark entry part 503 for describing a mark that the user instructs to delete from the list.

  Here, the barcode unit 502 includes a machine identification ID 504 for identifying the output machine, an output date 505, an input expiration date 506, a sheet identification ID 507, and a page number for identifying a page of a list consisting of a plurality of pages. 508 is recorded. As the machine identification ID 504, a serial number of the device, a MAC address held in the host I / F unit 104, or the like can be used.

  Next, a process for updating the list information managed in the storage unit 108 based on a deletion instruction from the user described in the output list information update sheet will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, the user sets the list information maintenance mode using the list information update sheet from the menu displayed on the operation unit 101. (S601)
Next, the list information update sheet in which the mark is entered in the mark entry unit 503 is set in the reading unit 102, and the list information update sheet is read. (S602)
When the reading process of the list information update sheet is completed, the mode determination unit 107 analyzes the list information image pattern. (S603)
First, the machine identification ID 504 is cut out from the barcode unit 502, and it is determined whether or not the list information update sheet is output from the device that has been read. (S604)
If the machine identification ID 504 does not match, an error is notified and the process is terminated. (S609)
If the machine identification ID 504 matches, the sheet identification ID 507 is cut out and it is determined whether the list information update sheet has already been read from the output log managed by the storage unit 108. (S605)
If the list information update sheet has already been read, an error is notified and the process is terminated. (S609)
If the list information update sheet has not yet been read, it is determined from the expiration date 506 and date information held in the device whether the expiration date has expired. (S606)
If it has already expired, an error is notified and the process is terminated. (S609)
If it is within the expiration date, the mark entry unit 503 determines whether there is a user instruction mark. (S607)
When there is an instruction mark from the user in the mark instruction unit 503, the list information managed by the storage unit 108 is updated. (S608)
(Example 2)
In the first embodiment, in order to distinguish it from a normal scan job, the list information update sheet is read after setting the maintenance mode in advance from the menu before reading. By recording a release key for switching from the maintenance mode to the maintenance mode, the list information can be automatically updated by reading the sheet.

  Processing for outputting a list information update sheet according to an instruction from the operation unit 101 in this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, the user selects list information to be printed out from a menu displayed on the operation unit 101. (S701)
Next, the user inputs his / her user ID from a menu displayed on the operation unit 101. (S702)
Next, the user inputs an expiration date at which the list information update sheet can be reloaded from the menu displayed on the operation unit 101. (S703)
When the setting input from the operation unit 101 by the user is completed, the list generation unit 105 generates a unique maintenance mode automatic switching release key code based on the user ID input from the operation unit 101 and the expiration date. (S704)
Subsequently, the list information is read from the storage unit 108 and a print job for printing out is generated. (S705)
Subsequently, the generated print job is converted into bitmap data by the image generation unit 109, and print output is performed from the printing unit 103. (S706)
When the print output of the list information update sheet is completed, the print job log of the list information update sheet is recorded in the storage unit 108. (S707)
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing identification information recorded in the barcode section 502 of the list information update sheet and a management table recorded and managed as a print job log in the storage section 108 in this embodiment.

  In FIG. 8, a barcode unit 502 includes a machine identification ID 801 for identifying the output machine, an output date 802, a sheet identification ID 803, a page number 804 for identifying a list page, and a maintenance mode automatic switching cancel key code. 805 is recorded.

  In the management table, an output date 806, a sheet identification ID 807, an expiration date 808, and a release key 809 that is the same as the release key code of the barcode unit 502 are recorded.

  Next, a process for updating the list information managed in the storage unit 108 based on a deletion instruction from the user described in the output list information update sheet will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, the user sets the list information update sheet in which the mark is entered in the mark entry unit 503 in the reading unit 102, and reads the list information update sheet. (S901)
When the reading process of the list information update sheet is completed, the mode determination unit 107 analyzes the list information image pattern. (S902)
First, it is determined whether or not the barcode portion 502 including the maintenance mode automatic switching cancel key code 805 is recorded in the image pattern. (S903)
When the barcode unit 502 is not recorded, the barcode is processed as a normal scan job.

When the bar code portion 502 is recorded, the mode automatically shifts to the maintenance mode using the list information update sheet according to the release key code 805. (S904)
Subsequently, the machine ID ID 504 is cut out from the barcode unit 502, and it is determined whether or not the list information update sheet is output from the device that has read. (S905)
If the machine identification ID 504 does not match, an error is notified and the process is terminated. (S911)
If the machine identification ID 504 matches, the sheet identification ID 507 is cut out and it is determined whether the list information update sheet has already been read from the output log managed by the storage unit 108. (S906)
If the list information update sheet has already been read, an error is notified and the process is terminated. (S911)
If the list information update sheet has not yet been read, it is determined from the date information held in the device whether it has expired. (S907)
If it has already expired, an error is notified and the process is terminated. (S911)
If it is within the expiration date, the mark entry unit 503 determines whether there is a user instruction mark. (S908)
When there is an instruction mark from the user in the mark instruction unit 503, the list information managed by the storage unit 108 is updated. (S909)
(Example 3)
In the first and second embodiments, the user can arbitrarily set the expiration date of the list information update sheet. However, by preparing a table for managing list information that can be updated for each user in the device in advance. The update process of the list information can be limited only to a specific user, and the expiration date can also be limited.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a management table for managing accessible list information for each user in this embodiment.

  In FIG. 10, by managing each user ID 1001, the sheet identification ID 1002, and the expiration date 1003 in association with each other, it is possible to limit the update process of the list information only to a specific user and also limit the expiration date.

Example 4
In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the maintenance mode is set when the list information update sheet is read. However, the list information update sheet is output after the maintenance mode is set before the list information update sheet is output. Thus, it can be configured to prohibit other users from accessing the device during the maintenance work.

(Example 5)
In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the list information update processing result by reading the list information update sheet has not been notified to the user, but a list of list information deleted after the update processing is printed out. You can also

1 is a configuration diagram of an image processing system showing an embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence which outputs a list information update sheet | seat in Example 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the list information which can be printed out in Example 1 of this invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a print job log recorded and managed in the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the output result of the list information update sheet | seat output in Example 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence which updates list information by the reading of a list information update sheet | seat in Example 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence which outputs a list information update sheet | seat in Example 2 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the barcode information and print job log which are recorded in Example 2 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence which updates list information by the reading of a list information update sheet | seat in Example 2 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the access management table for every user managed in Example 3 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1000 Image processing apparatus 100 Control unit 101 Operation unit 102 Reading unit 103 Printing unit 105 List generation unit 106 List update unit 107 Mode determination unit 108 Storage unit

Claims (4)

An image processing system that prints and outputs registered and stored list data on recording paper,
Means for coding and visualizing machine identification information, output date, expiration date, and sheet identification information on a list information sheet to be printed;
Means for recording and managing the identification information of the printed list information sheet as log information;
Image reading means for reading the identification information visualized in the output list information sheet and the user's handwritten correction;
Recognition means for recognizing identification information visualized from the read image data and a handwritten part of the user;
Means for determining whether or not the update information on the list information sheet is valid from the identification information visualized from the read image data and the log information recorded and managed;
An image processing system characterized in that the list data registered and stored is collectively updated. The image processing system according to claim 1,
An image processing system that controls switching between a normal scan job and a maintenance job that performs batch update of list data using an updated list information sheet by determining a specific pattern on the list to be printed out. The image processing system according to claim 1,
An image processing system characterized in that, by setting a maintenance mode before outputting a list information update sheet and outputting the list information update sheet, access to devices by other users is prohibited during maintenance work. The image processing system according to claim 1,
A means for printing out a list of list data deleted after list update processing,
An image processing system comprising:

Images