JP2007266746A - Image processing apparatus, and capacity determination method of storage medium provided to the image processing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing apparatus and the capacity determination method of a storage medium capable of issuing warnings to an image reading operation when a remaining capacity of the storage medium for storing read image data is small. <P>SOLUTION: The remaining capacity of the storage medium for storing image data read by a scanner is detected. The remaining capacity is compared with a preset threshold value. When the remaining capacity of the storage medium is less than the threshold value, deficiency of capacity of the storage medium is warned in response to the command of read operation start by the scanner. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus that stores read image data in a storage medium such as a hard disk. In particular, the present invention relates to an image processing apparatus that can warn of a lack of capacity of the storage medium and a capacity determination method for the storage medium.

  In recent years, a multifunction peripheral is known as an example of an image processing apparatus. The multifunction machine is a multifunction copying machine having a color copy function, a scan function, a print function, and the like. Generally, a multi-function peripheral has a built-in hard disk as a large-capacity storage medium. The hard disk stores an operating system (OS), various application programs, and the like. In addition, a file box area is secured on the hard disk. In the file box area, a file of image data obtained by reading a document image by the scan function is stored.

Conventionally, in this type of image processing apparatus, the following are known as hard disk capacity determination methods. First, an unused area of the hard disk is detected. Next, the capacity of the unused area is calculated as the remaining amount. Next, the remaining amount is compared with a predetermined value. If the remaining amount is greater than a predetermined value, the remaining amount is displayed as a percentage. If the remaining amount is less than a predetermined value, the remaining amount is displayed in units of sheets (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2003-078687 A

  In the conventional method, the user can know from the information displayed on the display unit whether the remaining capacity of the hard disk is large or small. However, the user does not always execute the scan operation after confirming the remaining capacity of the hard disk. There is a user who executes a scan operation even though the remaining capacity of the hard disk is small. If the scan operation is executed when the remaining capacity of the hard disk is small, an error occurs because the read original image data cannot be stored. At this time, the read image data is discarded.

  The present invention has been made based on such circumstances, and its purpose is to issue a warning for an image reading operation when the remaining capacity of the storage medium for storing the read image data is small. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image processing apparatus capable of performing the above and a method for determining the capacity of the storage medium.

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus for writing image data read by an image reading means such as a scanner to a storage medium such as a hard disk, a detection means for detecting the remaining capacity of the storage medium, and a storage medium detected by the detection means. Comparing means for comparing the remaining capacity with a preset threshold value, and when the remaining capacity of the storage medium falls below the threshold value by this comparing means, in response to an instruction to start a reading operation by the image reading means. Warning means for warning the storage medium capacity shortage.

  According to the present invention in which such measures are taken, a warning can be issued for an image reading operation when the remaining capacity of the storage medium for storing the read image data is small. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the image data from being discarded by executing the image reading operation even though the remaining capacity of the storage medium is small.

The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
This embodiment is a case where the present invention is applied to a multi-function peripheral which is an aspect of an image processing apparatus.

  FIG. 1 is an external view of the multifunction machine. A multi-function copier having a color copy function, a scan function, a print function, a fax function, etc., that is, a so-called multi-function machine has a plurality of paper feed cassettes 2 attached to the lower part of a main body 1. Each cassette 2 stores sheets of various sizes as recording media. A paper discharge tray 3 is formed on the upper portion of the main body 1. A sheet fed from the sheet feeding cassette 2 and on which an image is formed by a color copying function or a printing function is discharged to the sheet discharge tray 3.

  A document table 4 is provided further above the paper feed cassette 2. An automatic document feeder (ADF) 5 is provided at the top of the document table 4 so as to be opened and closed. An image of a document placed on the document table 4 is read by a scan function or a color copy function.

  A control panel 6 is provided on the front side of the document table 4. As shown in FIG. 2, the control panel 6 includes a touch panel 7 and an operation panel 8. A numeric keypad 81 is provided on the operation panel 8. Various function buttons such as a clear button 82, a start button 83, a stop button 84, a reset button 85, a fax button 86, a copy button 87, a scan button 88, and a filing box button 89 are provided.

  The fax button 86 is operated when using the facsimile function. The copy button 87 is operated when using the copy function. The scan button 88 is operated when using the scan function. The filing box button 89 is operated when taking out the stored image data. The start button 83 is operated when starting copy, scan, and fax operations. The stop button 84 is operated when stopping reading and copying operations of image data. The reset button 85 is operated when canceling the selected function.

  The touch panel 7 is used for setting operations of various functions such as copy, scan, and fax. Also, error indications such as out of paper and paper jam are displayed. In the present embodiment, a warning is issued via the touch panel 7 in response to a scan operation start command when the capacity of the hard disk 141 to be described later is small. The hard disk 141 is a storage medium for storing the read image data.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of the multifunction machine. The multifunction machine is provided with a CPU 10 corresponding to an image processing unit. Connected to this CPU 10 are ROM 11, volatile RAM 12, nonvolatile RAM 13, hard disk drive 14, panel control section 15, scanner control section 16, copy control section 17, printer control section 18, network control section 19 and facsimile control section 20. Has been.

  The ROM 11 stores various control programs necessary for the operation of the main body 1. In the volatile RAM 12, a memory area such as a page memory or an image memory is formed. The image memory is an area for temporarily storing image data read by the scan function. The page memory is an area for temporarily storing image data for image formation by the print function. Various setting data are stored in the nonvolatile RAM 13. The hard disk drive 14 has a built-in hard disk 141 that is a magnetic disk and its controller 142.

  The panel control section 15 controls the screen display of the touch panel 7 on the control panel 6. In addition, operation signals from the touch panel 7 and the operation panel 8 are captured.

  The scanner control section 16 controls a scan function using the scanner 21 corresponding to the image reading unit. The printer control section 18 controls a print function using the printer 22 corresponding to the image forming unit. The copy control section 17 controls a normal copy function using the scanner 21 and the printer 22.

  The network control section 19 controls data communication with an external terminal such as a personal computer via a local area network (LAN) 24 connected to the network interface 23. The facsimile control section 20 controls facsimile communication performed with an external terminal such as a facsimile terminal via a facsimile communication network 26 connected to the line interface 25.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the storage area of the hard disk 141 is divided into a system partition P1, an application partition P2, a data partition P3, and a backup partition P4. System-related programs such as an operating system (OS) are stored in the system partition P1. Various application programs are stored in the application partition P2. The data partition P3 stores image data read by the scan function. Backup data is stored in the backup partition P4.

  As shown in FIG. 5, a capacity data table area 131 and an operation pattern setting area 132 are formed in the nonvolatile RAM 13. In the capacity data table area 131, the total capacity A1 to A4, the used capacity B1 to B4, and the remaining capacity C1 to C4 are stored for each partition P1 to P4 of the hard disk 141. The total capacities A1 to A4 are determined when the partitions P1 to P4 are organized. The used capacities B1 to B4 are calculated from the sizes of data stored in the partitions P1 to P4, respectively. The remaining capacities C1 to C4 are calculated by subtracting the used capacities B1 to B4 from the total capacities A1 to A4 of the corresponding partitions P1 to P4.

  The operation pattern setting area 132 stores information for setting which one of the first to third patterns to be described later is selected. Incidentally, in this embodiment, the information for selecting the first pattern is “execution”, the information for selecting the second pattern is “confirmation”, and the information for selecting the third pattern is “deletion”.

  In the MFP having such a configuration, when the user operates the scan button 88, the scan function is selected. Next, when the user operates the start button 83, the CPU 10 starts a scan job whose main procedure is shown in the flowchart of FIG.

  First, in step ST1, the CPU 10 acquires the remaining capacity C3 of the data partition P3 from the capacity data table area 131 (detection means). Next, in step ST2, the CPU 10 compares the remaining capacity C3 with a preset threshold value L1 (comparison means).

  As a result, when the remaining capacity C3 is equal to or greater than the threshold value L1, the CPU 10 executes a scan job as step ST12. That is, the scanner 21 is scanned via the scanner control section 16 to read the image of the document placed on the document table 4 (image reading means). The read image data is stored in the image memory of the volatile RAM 12. The CPU 10 creates a file of the image data stored in the image memory. Then, the filed image data is written to the data partition P3 of the hard disk 141 as a storage medium (image processing means). Thus, the CPU 10 ends the scan job.

  When the remaining capacity C3 is smaller than the threshold value L1, the CPU 10 checks information set in the operation pattern setting area 132 as step ST3.

  When the information “execution” is set in the operation pattern setting area 132, the CPU 10 executes a warning process for the first pattern. That is, as shown in FIG. 7, the CPU 10 displays a warning message “HDD remaining low” as a step ST4 (warning means). Next, it waits for a fixed time (for example, 5 seconds) to elapse after the warning message is displayed as step ST5. If the predetermined time has elapsed, the CPU 10 executes a scan job as step ST12 (time control means).

  When the information “confirmation” is set in the operation pattern setting area 132, the CPU 10 executes the warning process of the second pattern. That is, as shown in FIG. 8, the CPU 10 displays a warning message “HDD remaining low” as a step ST6 (warning means). Further, touch buttons “Yes” and “No” are displayed on the touch panel 7 as operation selection means for prompting the user to select whether to execute or cancel the scan. In step ST7, the CPU 10 waits for any one of the touch buttons to be touched (operation selection waiting unit).

  The user touches the button “Yes” when canceling the scan. When executing the scan, the button “No” is touch-operated. When the button “Yes” is touched, the CPU 10 deletes the current scan job as step ST8. If the button “No” is touched, a scan job is executed as step ST12 (operation control means).

  If the information “delete” is set in the operation pattern setting area 132, the CPU 10 executes a warning process for the third pattern. That is, as shown in FIG. 9, the CPU 10 displays a warning message “HDD remaining low” as a step ST9 (warning means). Further, touch buttons “Yes” and “No” are displayed on the touch panel 7 as deletion selection means for prompting the user to select whether or not to delete data stored in the hard disk 141. In step ST10, the CPU 10 waits for any one of the touch buttons to be touched (deletion selection waiting unit).

  The user touches the button “Yes” when deleting data on the hard disk 141. When not deleting, touch the button “No”. When the button “Yes” is touched, the CPU 10 deletes the data stored in the data partition P3 in the hard disk 141 in step ST11 (data deleting means). Thereafter, a scan job is executed as step ST12. If the button “No” is touched, a scan job is executed as step ST12. At this time, data on the hard disk 141 is not deleted.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the remaining capacity C3 of the hard disk 141 is detected in response to an instruction to start a document image reading operation by the scanner 21. The remaining capacity C3 is an area for storing image data read by the scanner 21, that is, a free capacity of the data partition P3. The remaining capacity C3 is calculated in real time from the total capacity A1 of the data partition P3 and the current used capacity B2.

  When the remaining capacity C3 is detected, the remaining capacity C3 is compared with a preset threshold value L1. If the remaining capacity C3 is equal to or greater than the threshold value L1, the scan job is executed unconditionally.

  On the other hand, when the remaining capacity C3 is equal to or less than the threshold value L1, a warning indicating that the remaining capacity of the hard disk 141 is low is issued before the reading operation is started. A warning is issued by displaying a predetermined warning message on the touch panel 7 provided on the control panel 6.

  Here, when the information “execution” is set in the operation pattern setting area 132, the scan job is automatically executed when a predetermined time elapses after the warning message is displayed. However, if the reset button 85 is operated within this time, the scanning operation is stopped. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the image data from being discarded by executing the scanning operation even though the remaining capacity of the hard disk 141 is small.

  If the information “confirmation” is set in the operation pattern setting area 132, buttons “Yes” and “No” prompting the user to select whether to execute or cancel the scan are displayed on the touch panel 7. . When the scan is not executed, the user touches the button “Yes”. Then, the scan job is canceled. Therefore, even in this case, it is possible to prevent the image data from being discarded by executing the scanning operation even though the remaining capacity of the hard disk 141 is small. In addition, since a button for instructing cancellation is displayed on the touch panel 7 together with a warning message, operability is good.

  When the information “delete” is set in the operation pattern setting area 132, the buttons “Yes” and “No” prompting the user to select whether or not to delete the data stored in the hard disk 141 are displayed. It is displayed on the touch panel 7. To delete data, the user touches the button “Yes”. Then, the data stored in the data partition P3 of the hard disk 141 is deleted. Thereafter, a scan operation is executed. Since the remaining capacity of the data partition P3 increases due to the data deletion, the scanned image data file is securely stored in the hard disk 141. Accordingly, in this case as well, it is possible to prevent the image data from being discarded by executing the scanning operation even though the remaining capacity of the hard disk 141 is small. In addition, since a button for instructing data deletion is displayed on the touch panel 7 together with a warning message, the operability is also excellent.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where three patterns are provided as warning patterns when the remaining capacity of the hard disk 141 is small is shown. However, as another embodiment of the present invention, an image processing apparatus including any one of these three patterns may be used. Alternatively, the image processing apparatus may include any two patterns and selectively set one of the patterns.

  Further, instead of the user arbitrarily selecting and setting the three patterns, any one pattern may be operated according to the remaining capacity of the storage medium. The embodiment in this case is referred to as a second embodiment. The processing procedure of the CPU 10 in the second embodiment is shown in the flowchart of FIG. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the process step same as FIG.

  First, the CPU 10 acquires the remaining capacity C3 of the data partition P3 from the capacity data table area 131 in step ST1. Next, the CPU 10 compares the remaining capacity C3 with a preset first threshold value L1 as step ST2.

  As a result, when the remaining capacity C3 is smaller than the first threshold value L1, the CPU 10 determines the level of the remaining capacity C3 as step ST21. When the remaining capacity C3 is equal to or greater than the second threshold value L2, which is smaller than the first threshold value L1, the warning process for the first pattern is executed. When the remaining capacity C3 is smaller than the second threshold value L2 and greater than or equal to the third threshold value L3 smaller than the second threshold value, the warning process of the second pattern is executed. When the remaining capacity C3 is smaller than the third threshold value L3, the third pattern warning process is executed.

  In the second embodiment, the first warning process is executed when the remaining capacity C3 becomes smaller than the first threshold value L1. That is, a warning message is displayed in response to the command to start the scanning operation. When a certain time elapses, a scan job is executed.

  When the remaining capacity C3 further decreases and becomes less than the second threshold value L2, the second warning process is executed. That is, a warning message is displayed in response to the command to start the scanning operation. Touch buttons “Yes” and “No”, which are operation selection means for executing or canceling the scan operation, are displayed on the touch panel 7. In this case, the scanning operation can be stopped by selecting the button “Yes”.

  When the remaining capacity C3 further decreases and becomes less than the third threshold value L3, the third warning process is executed. That is, a warning message is displayed in response to the command to start the scanning operation. In addition, touch buttons “Yes” and “No”, which are operation selection means for determining whether or not to delete data on the hard disk 141, are displayed on the touch panel 7. In this case, the data on the hard disk 141 is deleted by selecting the button “Yes”. As a result, the remaining capacity C3 of the hard disk 141 increases.

  Even in the second embodiment, it is possible to prevent the image data from being discarded by executing the image reading operation even though the remaining capacity of the hard disk 141 is small.

  Note that the storage medium for storing the image data is not limited to the hard disk. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the storage area of the hard disk 141 may not be divided into a plurality of partitions. In this case, the remaining capacity may be calculated from the total capacity and the used capacity of the entire hard disk, and this remaining capacity may be compared with a threshold value. Further, the used capacity may be compared with a predetermined threshold value, and if the used capacity exceeds the threshold value, a warning indicating that the remaining capacity is small may be issued.

  Further, the present invention is not limited to a multifunction machine. The present invention can be similarly applied to any image processing apparatus that has image reading means such as a scanner and stores the read image data in a storage medium such as a hard disk.

  In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, the constituent elements over different embodiments may be combined.

1 is an external view of a multifunction machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a control panel of the multifunction machine. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of the multifunction machine. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a partition structure of a hard disk built in the multifunction device. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing main memory areas formed in the nonvolatile RAM of the multifunction machine. 6 is a flowchart showing a main procedure of scan job processing executed by the CPU of the multifunction machine. The schematic diagram which shows the example of a warning display when the 1st warning pattern is selected. The schematic diagram which shows the example of a warning display when a 2nd warning pattern is selected. The schematic diagram which shows the example of a warning display when the 3rd warning pattern is selected. 9 is a flowchart showing another embodiment of scan job processing executed by a CPU.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Main body, 4 ... Document stand, 6 ... Control panel, 7 ... Touch panel, 10 ... CPU, 14 ... Hard disk drive, 21 ... Scanner, 22 ... Printer, 131 ... Capacity data table area, 132 ... Operation pattern setting area, 141 …hard disk.

Claims (12)

A storage medium;
Image reading means for reading an image of a document;
Image processing means for writing image data read by the image reading means to the storage medium;
Detecting means for detecting a remaining capacity of the storage medium;
Comparing means for comparing the remaining capacity of the storage medium detected by the detecting means with a preset threshold value;
Warning means for warning that the capacity of the storage medium is insufficient in response to an instruction to start a reading operation by the image reading means when the remaining capacity of the storage medium falls below the threshold value by the comparison means;
An image processing apparatus comprising: A time control means for starting a reading operation by the image reading means after a predetermined time has elapsed since the warning by the warning means was issued;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: An operation selection waiting unit for enabling an operation selection unit to execute or stop the image reading operation by the image reading unit in response to the warning issued by the warning unit;
An operation control means for starting a reading operation by the image reading means when execution is selected by the operation selecting means, and for stopping the reading operation when stopping is selected;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: Deletion selection waiting means for enabling deletion selection means for determining whether or not to delete data in the storage medium in response to a warning issued by the warning means;
A data deletion unit for deleting data stored in the storage medium when deletion is selected by the deletion selection unit;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:   A first pattern for starting a reading operation by the image reading means after a predetermined time has elapsed since the warning by the warning means is issued, and an image by the image reading means in response to the warning by the warning means being issued. The operation selecting means for executing or canceling the reading operation is enabled, and when the operation selecting means is selected to execute, the reading operation by the image reading means is started and it is selected to stop. In this case, a second pattern for stopping the reading operation and a deletion selecting unit for enabling or not deleting data of the storage medium in response to the warning issued by the warning unit are enabled, and the deletion selecting unit If the deletion is selected by at least two of the third patterns for deleting the data stored in the storage medium With patterns, the image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the selectively set to any one of the patterns.   A first pattern for starting a reading operation by the image reading means after a predetermined time has elapsed since the warning by the warning means is issued, and an image by the image reading means in response to the warning by the warning means being issued. The operation selecting means for executing or canceling the reading operation is enabled, and when the operation selecting means is selected to execute, the reading operation by the image reading means is started and it is selected to stop. In this case, a second pattern for stopping the reading operation and a deletion selecting unit for enabling or not deleting data of the storage medium in response to the warning issued by the warning unit are enabled, and the deletion selecting unit And a third pattern for deleting data stored in the storage medium when deletion is selected by the above-mentioned comparing means, When more remaining capacity of the storage medium is below the threshold, the image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein operating the one of the patterns in accordance with the remaining capacity of the storage medium. A method for determining the capacity of the storage medium of an image processing apparatus configured to store image data read by an image reading unit in a storage medium,
Detecting the remaining capacity of the storage medium;
Comparing the detected remaining capacity of the storage medium with a preset threshold;
When the remaining capacity of the storage medium falls below the threshold value, the storage medium is warned of a lack of capacity of the storage medium in response to an instruction to start a reading operation by the image reading means. Capacity judgment method.   8. The storage medium capacity determination method according to claim 7, wherein a reading operation by the image reading unit is started after a lapse of a predetermined time after the storage medium shortage warning is issued. Enabling an operation selection means for executing or stopping the image reading operation by the image reading means in response to the warning of insufficient storage capacity of the storage medium;
The reading operation by the image reading unit is started when it is selected by the operation selecting unit, and the reading operation is stopped when it is selected to cancel. Item 8. A storage medium capacity determination method according to Item 7. In response to the warning of insufficient storage medium capacity being issued, enabling the deletion selection means whether to delete the data of the storage medium,
8. The storage medium capacity determination method according to claim 7, wherein when the deletion selection means selects deletion, the data stored in the storage medium is deleted.   A first pattern for starting the reading operation by the image reading unit after a lapse of a certain time after the storage medium capacity warning is issued, and an image by the image reading unit in response to the warning being issued. The operation selecting means for executing or canceling the reading operation is enabled, and when the operation selecting means is selected to execute, the reading operation by the image reading means is started and it is selected to stop. In this case, the second selection pattern for canceling the reading operation and the deletion selection unit for determining whether or not to delete the data on the storage medium are made effective when the warning is issued, and the deletion selection unit deletes the data. And at least two patterns out of the third pattern for deleting the data stored in the storage medium, Capacity determining method of claim 7, wherein the storage medium One of the characterized in that a pattern so as to selectively set.   A first pattern for starting the reading operation by the image reading unit after a lapse of a certain time after the storage medium capacity warning is issued, and an image by the image reading unit in response to the warning being issued. The operation selecting means for executing or canceling the reading operation is enabled, and when the operation selecting means is selected to execute, the reading operation by the image reading means is started and it is selected to stop. In this case, the second selection pattern for canceling the reading operation and the deletion selection unit for determining whether or not to delete the data on the storage medium are made effective when the warning is issued, and the deletion selection unit deletes the data. A third pattern for deleting data stored in the storage medium when the storage medium is selected, and the remaining capacity of the storage medium satisfies the threshold value. Around time, capacity determining method of a storage medium according to claim 7, characterized in that so as to operate one of the patterns in accordance with the remaining capacity of the storage medium.

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