JP2007266962A - Image processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing system for outputting newest data at all times when the data are copied by managing update information of the data of a copy source such as catalogs and specifications. <P>SOLUTION: An image read means 200 reads an image recorded on a recording medium. An image forming means 201 forms an image on another recording medium according to the image read by the image read means 200. Then an image management information acquisition means 202 acquires image management information of a prescribed form from the image read by the image read means 200. An update data acquisition means 203 accesses a storage device 205 on the basis of the image management information acquired by the image management information acquisition means 202 to acquire newest update data associated with the image read by the image read means 200. Then the image forming means 201 forms update data acquired by the update data acquisition means 203 to an image in place of the image read by the image read means 200. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing system, and more particularly, to an image processing system that manages version upgrade information of materials such as catalogs and specifications so that the latest version of materials can be imaged during copying.

  For example, in sales activities for various industrial products, etc., and for providing services related to these products, catalogs and specifications of target products are distributed. Such materials as catalogs and specifications are copied by, for example, a salesman or a serviceman, and the copy is carried by the salesman or serviceman and distributed to customers.

Patent Document 1 discloses an image processing apparatus that enables an image to be copied again even when there is no original document when a document that has been copied once is printed again.
Here, the image processing apparatus reads an image from the external storage device and temporarily stores it in the RAM. Then, the printer outputs an image according to the print processing start instruction. Next, it is determined whether all the originals have been printed out. If all the printing has been completed, history information regarding reprinting is stored in an external storage device or another non-volatile memory device.
JP 2001-154541 A

  Catalogs and specifications such as the above are generally updated (version-up) by editing content such as additions and changes, and some products are frequently updated. is there. In addition to such updates by editing, materials related to materials such as catalogs and specifications are added, and the related materials are further updated.

However, the fact is that the update information is not sufficiently and reliably managed in the materials that are copied and used as described above.
For example, for materials such as catalogs and specifications that are held by salespeople as described above, customers can copy old materials before updating without knowing that the materials have been updated. May be distributed.
In addition, if the date of update or version information is not specified in the catalog or other materials, the salesman or serviceman who holds it will mistake the data as the latest material even though it is not the latest material. In some cases, it may be used.

  The image processing apparatus of Patent Document 1 saves the copy data when copying a document so that it can be reprinted without an original document. However, the image processing apparatus is updated daily as described above. There is no disclosure about the idea of managing the update information of materials and the like so that the latest materials can always be copied at the time of copying.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and manages update information of source materials such as catalogs and specifications so that the latest materials can always be output when these materials are copied. An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing system.

  In order to solve the above problems, the first technical means of the present invention includes an image reading means for reading an image recorded on a recording medium, and image formation on another recording medium in accordance with the image read by the image reading means. In an image processing system having an image forming unit that performs image management, an image management information acquisition unit that acquires image management information in a predetermined format from an image read by the image reading unit, and an image management information acquired by the image management information acquisition unit And an update data acquisition unit that accesses a predetermined storage device and acquires the latest update data related to the image read by the image reading unit, and the image forming unit includes the update data acquired by the update data acquisition unit Is characterized in that image formation is possible.

  According to a second technical means, in the first technical means, when the update data acquisition means accesses the storage device, the image forming means has update data relating to the image read by the image reading means in the storage device. Is characterized in that the obtained update data is image-formed, and if no update data exists, the image read by the image reading means is image-formed.

  According to a third technical means, in the second technical means, when there is related data set in association with the latest update data, the image forming means acquires the related data and forms an image. It is a feature.

  The fourth technical means is characterized in that, in the third technical means, whether or not to execute the update data acquisition process and the related data acquisition process can be set by the user.

  The fifth technical means is an informing means for notifying that the data is update data and / or related data when an image is formed according to the update data and / or related data in any one of the first to fourth technical means. It is characterized by having.

  According to a sixth technical means, in any one of the first to fifth technical means, the image management information includes the location information of the storage device that enables access to the storage device and an image to which the image management information is added. Image identification information for identifying the type of the image and update date information or version information of the image to which the image management information is added.

  A seventh technical means is characterized in that, in any one of the first to sixth technical means, the image management information is encoded by a two-dimensional code.

  An eighth technical means is any one of the first to seventh technical means, wherein the image processing system includes a storage device, and the image reading means, the image forming means, the image management information obtaining means, and the update data obtaining And a server device connected to the multi-function device via a communication line. The storage device is built in or connected to the server device.

  A ninth technical means is any one of the first to seventh technical means, wherein the image processing system includes a storage device, and the image reading means, the image forming means, the image management information acquisition means, and the update data acquisition The storage device is built in or connected to the multifunction device.

  According to a tenth technical means, in the image processing system according to the eighth or ninth technical means, the image information stored in the storage device includes image identification information in a predetermined format for identifying the type of image, and image update. It is managed by update history information including date information or image version information.

According to the present invention, update information of copy source materials such as catalogs and specifications can be managed, and the latest material can always be output when these materials are copied.
That is, according to the present invention, the image management information recorded on the original is read at the time of reading the original, and a predetermined storage device is searched based on the image management information. By printing the latest information, it is possible to easily obtain the latest information. Further, by making it possible to extract related data such as recall and complaint information from the search information of the copy source, it is possible to obtain all information related to the target product.

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a configuration example of a digital multi-function peripheral to which the image processing system of the present invention can be applied.
The digital multi-function peripheral 1 includes a device control unit 14 including a CPU that performs calculations and a RAM that stores temporary information associated with the calculations. The device control unit 14 includes a ROM that stores a control program for controlling the digital multi-function peripheral 1. The device control unit 14 is connected to a management unit 17 that is a memory that stores management information (various control information) for managing processing performed by the digital multi-function peripheral 1.

  Connected to the device control unit 14 is an image reading unit 11 that reads an image recorded on a recording sheet and generates image data. The image reading unit 11 is provided with a CCD 11a for taking a document image as image data, and a document detection sensor 11b for detecting the presence or absence of the document.

  The device control unit 14 is connected to an image forming unit 13 that forms image data on a recording sheet. The image forming unit 13 includes a memory 13a that temporarily stores image data, a printing unit (LSU) 13b that forms an image from the image data stored in the memory 13a and records the image on recording paper, and the printing unit 13b Feed trays 13c and 13d for forming are provided.

The digital multi-function peripheral 1 can temporarily store the image data generated by the image reading unit 11 in the memory 13a and then form an image with the printing unit 13b. The image data once stored in the memory 13a may be stored in the hard disk (HD) 16 after being encrypted by the encryption / decryption unit 13e. In this case, the image data read from the HD 16 is decrypted by the encryption / decryption unit 13e and read out to the memory 13a, thereby enabling transmission of the image data to the printing unit 13b. In this way, the digital multifunction device 1 functions as a copying machine.
The ROM of the device control unit 14 holds a program for decoding image management information for accessing update data held in the storage device. The device control unit 14 decodes the code image read by the image reading unit 11 and acquires image management information.

The device control unit 14 is connected to a FAX modem 18 that performs facsimile communication. The FAX modem 18 is connected to the public network N3.
The digital multi-function peripheral 1 receives the image data generated by the image reading unit 11 or acquired from the outside and stored in the memory 13 a or the HD 16 via another public line network N 3 connected to the FAX modem 18. Facsimile transmission to the apparatus 4 is possible. As a result, the Scan to FAX function can be realized.

  The digital multi-function peripheral 1 can receive image data transmitted from another facsimile machine 4 via the public line network N3 by the FAX modem 18 and form an image by the image forming unit 13. In this way, the digital multifunction machine 1 functions as a facsimile machine.

The device control unit 14 is connected to a communication unit (transmission / reception means) 15 for the digital multi-function peripheral 1 to transmit / receive information to / from the outside. The communication unit 15 can be connected to a communication network N1 such as an in-house LAN. A plurality of personal computers (PCs) 5 can be connected to the communication network N1.
In a normal state where the digital multi-function peripheral 1 is operating alone, the communication unit 15 is connected to the communication network N1 and exchanges information with the PC 5 via the communication network N1.

  The digital multi-function peripheral 1 can transmit the image data generated by the image reading unit 11 from the communication unit 15 to the PC 5. In this case, the digital multi-function peripheral 1 functions as a network scanner device. Note that when the generated image data is stored in the HD 16, the digital multi-function peripheral 1 functions as a simple scanner device.

  The digital multi-function peripheral 1 can receive image data transmitted from the PC 5 by the communication unit 15 and form an image by the image forming unit 13. In this way, the digital multifunction device 1 functions as a printer device.

  The communication network N1 is further connected to a wide area communication network N2 such as the Internet. The communication unit 15 can transmit / receive image data to / from the Internet facsimile machine 2 or external PC 3 connected to the wide area communication network N2. In this way, the digital multi-function peripheral 1 functions as an Internet facsimile machine, and also transmits a mail transmission apparatus that transmits an e-mail with image data attached thereto, or a data transmission apparatus that transmits image data using FTP (File Transfer Protocol). Function as.

The device control unit 14 is connected to an operation unit 12 that receives an operation instruction from a user. The operation unit 12 includes an input unit 12a such as a touch panel or a numeric keypad to which information such as a control command is input by a user's operation, and a display unit 12b such as a liquid crystal panel that displays information necessary for the operation. Yes.
An authentication code for authenticating the administrator or user (ie, operator) of the digital multi-function peripheral 1 is input to the operation unit 12. The authentication code may be input from an external device via the FAX modem 18 or the communication unit 15.
The device control unit 14 is connected to an erasing unit 19 for erasing data recorded and held in the HD 16.

As a feature of the embodiment according to the present invention, when the digital multifunction peripheral 1 copies the image data read by the image reading unit 11, if the read image includes predetermined image management information, the image A predetermined storage device is accessed based on the management information. If the storage device has the latest update data and related data related to the image, it can be acquired, and the acquired data can be printed out.
Hereinafter, a processing example relating to the present invention will be described in more detail.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an example of creating image management information applied to the image processing system of the present invention.
In order to effectively manage the image data in the image processing system, predetermined image management information is given to the material 100 such as the catalog and specifications shown in FIG. In this example, the image management information is encoded by a two-dimensional code 101 as shown in FIG. As the two-dimensional code 101, for example, a QR code can be applied.

  The image management information includes storage device position information for enabling the digital multi-function peripheral 1 to access a predetermined storage device, image identification information for identifying the type of image, update date information of the image, or Image version information is included. With this position information, the digital multi-function peripheral 1 can access a predetermined storage device. As the position information, for example, the address of the server holding the storage device and folder information can be used. As the image identification information for identifying the type of image, for example, a file name that can specify the type of catalog or specification can be used.

  As the image management information, not only the two-dimensional code as described above but also a one-dimensional barcode may be used. Any information that can be associated with the position information and the update information of the image can be adopted as appropriate. Since the two-dimensional code has a relatively large amount of information and can be arranged in a minimal space, it is suitable as image management information applied to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram for explaining functions of the image processing system of the present invention.
The image reading unit 200 reads an image recorded on a recording medium such as recording paper. The image reading unit 200 corresponds to the image reading unit 11 of the digital multifunction peripheral 1 of FIG.
Further, the image forming unit 201 can form an image on a recording medium such as a recording sheet according to the image read by the image reading unit 200. The image forming unit 201 corresponds to the image forming unit 13 of the digital multifunction peripheral 1 of FIG.

The image management information acquisition unit 202 acquires image management information in a predetermined format as shown in FIG. 2 from the image read by the image reading unit 200, for example. The update data acquisition unit 203 accesses the storage device 205 based on the image management information acquired by the image management information acquisition unit 202, and acquires the latest update data and related data related to the image read by the image reading unit 200. .
The image management information acquisition unit 202 corresponds to the device control unit 14 of the digital multi-function peripheral 1 of FIG. 1, and the update data acquisition unit 203 communicates according to the position of the device control unit 14 of the digital multi-function peripheral 1 and the storage device. Part 15 is applicable.

The storage device 205 may be, for example, an HDD or the like built in or connected to a server device connected to the digital multi-function peripheral 1 via a communication line, or may be an HDD or the like built in or connected to the digital multi-function peripheral 1. There may be.
The image forming unit 201 can form an image of the update data acquired by the update data acquiring unit 203.
At this time, when the update data acquisition unit 203 accesses the storage device 205, the image forming unit 201 stores update data regarding the image read by the image reading unit 200 in the storage device 205. The update data acquired from (1) is image-formed. If there is no update data in the storage device 205, an image read by the image reading means 200 can be formed.

Further, when there is other related data set in association with the latest update data in the storage device 205, the image forming unit 201 acquires the related data and forms an image.
Whether or not to execute the update data acquisition process and the related data acquisition process can be set by the user.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of image update history information stored and held in the storage device. Here, it is assumed that the storage device 205 is held in a remote server device, and the image information of the catalog and service material and its update history are stored in the storage device 205.
In the item of update history information, file names of catalog A, B, A service materials, etc., the version of those files, the date the file was updated, and related data associated with the file are set. Has been. The update history of catalogs and service materials is managed according to these setting items.

  The version upgrade of the catalog indicates that the image has been updated by editing the catalog image, such as changing, adding, or deleting. The related data indicates that there is related material such as service material associated with a specific version of the catalog. In addition, as related data, for example, various information related to the target product such as recall and complaint information can be set.

In the update history information stored and held in the storage device 205 as described above, either version information or update date information may be managed.
That is, the update history information is managed by update history information including image identification information in a predetermined format for identifying the type of image such as a file name, and image update date information or image version information. .

  The update data acquisition unit 203 uses the image management information acquired by the image management information acquisition unit 202 to determine whether the image is the latest one. As described above, the image management information includes the location information of the storage device that enables access to the storage device, the image identification information for identifying the type of image to which the image management information is assigned, and the image management information. The update date information of the corresponding image or version information of a predetermined format is included. Here, the image identification information is file names of catalogs A and B, service materials, and the like.

Therefore, the update data acquisition unit 203 updates the data corresponding to the file if the file has the same file name as the image management information and has an update date or version that is newer than the update date or version of the image management information. Get as data. At this time, if predetermined related data is associated with the update data, the related data is also acquired. In this case, when there is no latest update data to be acquired and there is only related data, only the related data is acquired.
Whether to execute the update data acquisition process and the related data acquisition process at this time can be individually set by the user.

  The update data acquisition unit 203 does not acquire the update data or related data to be acquired unless the storage device 205 has the update data and related data. In this case, the image forming unit 201 can form the image read by the image reading unit 200 as it is.

When the image forming unit 201 forms an image according to the update data or the related data, the notification unit 204 notifies that the update data or the related data has been formed.
Specifically, the notification unit 204 displays an image of information indicating that an image has been formed using update data and related data. In this case, the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 displays on the display unit 12b that image formation is based on update data and related data. Moreover, you may alert | report that it is an image formation by update data or related data using methods, such as a voice synthesis.

Next, an operation procedure at the time of image acquisition processing as described above will be described with reference to a screen example of the operation unit 12 of the digital multi-function peripheral 1.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation unit in the digital multifunction peripheral of FIG.
The operation panel 20 corresponds to the input unit 12a and the display unit 12b in FIG. The operation panel 20 is provided with a main key 21 including a start key 21a and a full release key 21b. In addition to these, a numeric keypad 22, a document filing key 23, a fax / image transmission key 24, a copy key 25, a job status key 26, a user setting key 27, and a touch panel 28 are provided.

  A document filing key 23, a fax / image transmission key 24, a copy key 25, and a job status key 26 are keys for displaying a GUI (graphical user interface) corresponding to each of these keys on the touch panel 28.

With the document filing key 23, the display on the touch panel 28 can be switched to a document filing mode screen. The document filing mode is a mode for recalling original image data stored in the HD 16 or the like as necessary and performing re-operation such as printing.
Further, a screen of a network scanner or a fax mode can be displayed on the touch panel 28 by the fax / image transmission key 24.

  A copy mode screen can be displayed on the touch panel 28 by the copy key 25. Further, the current job status can be displayed on the touch panel 28 by the job status key 26. As the job status, for example, a list of jobs being reserved / executed or completed can be displayed. On this screen, it is possible to confirm the contents of the job, move the printing order during reservation, or cancel a specific job.

  The user setting key 27 is a key for shifting the display screen of the touch panel 28 to the user setting screen. On the user setting screen, registration, correction, and deletion of document filing user names and folder names, or key operator programs and printer environment settings can be performed.

FIG. 5 shows a basic screen example of the touch panel 28 in the copy mode. On the basic screen of the copy mode, a document key 28a for displaying / setting the document detection function, a copy density key 28b for displaying / setting the copy density, and a paper key 28c for displaying / setting the sheet selection. Then, a magnification key 28d for displaying / setting the copy magnification is displayed.
Further, on this basic screen, a special function key 28e for setting special functions such as margin setting, frame erasing, large-volume original mode, tandem copy, double-sided copy key 28f for setting single-sided / double-sided copying, and copy finish A finishing key 28g for confirming the state on the screen and a filing key 28h for storing the read image data in the HD 16 or the like are displayed.

  On the basic screen, a history print key 28i related to the present invention is displayed. By displaying the history print key 28 i, the user can confirm on / off of the history print function based on the image data read by the image reading unit 11. The history printing function is a function for acquiring update data and related data based on the update history information as shown in FIG. 4 to form an image (print output). A setting operation example will be described below with reference to a history printing process screen.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an authentication input screen for entering a setting screen for history print processing.
The history printing process can be set only by a key operator having a specific setting authority such as a service person or an administrator of the apparatus.
In this case, first, when the user setting key 27 shown in FIG. 5 is pressed, a user setting screen 30 as shown in FIG. 6A is displayed. On the user setting screen 30, setting item keys such as a total used number display 31, screen contrast 32, data list print 33, date / time setting 34, paper feed tray setting 35, destination registration 36 are displayed. Settings can be made according to each item according to the item key.

  The user setting screen 30 is further provided with a key operator program key 37, and when pressed, a key operator code input screen 40 as shown in FIG. 6B is displayed. Then, the key operator inputs a predetermined code to the key operator code input unit 41 (FIG. 6C).

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a menu screen of the key operator program.
When the code input on the key operator code input screen of FIG. 6C is authenticated, a key operator program menu screen 50 as shown in FIG. 7 is displayed. On the menu screen 50 of the key operator program, a department management key 51 for setting the number of sheets for each department and a limit on the number of used sheets, an energy saving setting key 52 for setting energy saving such as a save mode, key touch sound and auto An operation setting key 53 for performing settings related to operations such as a clear mode, a device setting key 54 for setting prohibition of use of peripheral devices, and a system management for performing settings for various system management such as an interface and a network A setting key 55 is provided.

  Further, on the menu screen 50 of the key operator program, a copy setting key 56 for setting various copy conditions such as density and magnification in the copy mode, and various conditions for fax transmission and image (image) transmission are set. A fax / image transmission setting key 57 for printing, a list that can be printed only by a key operator, a list / report print key 58 for printing a report, a key operator code change key 59 for changing a key operator code and a registration number, A product key input key 60 for inputting a product key (password) and a history print key 61 according to the present invention are provided.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a history print setting screen of the key operator program. When the history print key 61 in FIG. 7 is pressed, a history print setting screen 70 as shown in FIG. 8 is displayed.
In the history print setting screen 70, check boxes are set for the respective items of update data display 71, update data print 72, related data display 73, and related data print 74. In response to the check of these check boxes, the latest update data can be displayed / printed, and the related data can be displayed / printed.

  When the update data display 71 and the related data display 73 are enabled, a display indicating that the update data and the related data exist in the storage device 204 is displayed on the display screen of the touch panel 28. . At this time, the data amount (number of pages, etc.) of the update data and related data may be displayed, and an image of the data may be displayed by a thumbnail or the like.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a history print setting execution / cancellation screen. When the OK key 75 in FIG. 8 is pressed, a history print setting execution / cancellation setting screen 80 shown in FIG. 9 is displayed.
By pressing the execution key 81 on this screen, the state of the check box in FIG. 8 becomes valid, and by pressing the history printing stop key 82, the history printing process itself can be invalidated.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display screen of the touch panel after setting history printing with the execution key 81 on the setting screen 80 of FIG.
The history printing key 28i on the display screen 90 is displayed as “history printing on”, indicating that the history printing process is enabled.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a display example when an image to which image management information is added is read and copied. For example, in the state shown in FIG. 10, when an image recorded on a recording sheet is read by the image reading unit 12 and an image is formed (copied) by the image forming unit 13, the image management information as shown in FIG. Is added, the digital multifunction peripheral 1 starts the history printing process described above.

  If the updated image data exists in the storage device 205, notification information “updated data exists and updated data is printed” as shown in FIG. 11 is displayed. In this case, it is assumed that the update data display 71 and the update data print 72 are checked in the history print setting screen 70 of FIG. When the OK key 91 on the display screen 90 is pressed, the digital multi-function peripheral 1 acquires update data from the storage device 205 and forms (prints out) the update data in place of the read image.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram showing another display example when an image to which image management information is added is read and copied. When the above-described history printing process is started in the digital multi-function peripheral 1 and related data exists in the storage device 205, notification information “related data exists and related data is printed” as shown in FIG. indicate. In this case, it is assumed that the related data display 73 and the related data print 74 are checked in the history print setting screen 70 of FIG.

  When the OK key 91 on the display screen 90 is pressed, the digital multi-function peripheral 1 acquires update data from the storage device 205 and forms (prints out) related data in addition to the read image. When the read image is replaced with update data, related data is printed out in addition to the update data.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram showing still another display example when an image to which image management information is added is read and copied. When the above-described history printing process is started in the digital multi-function peripheral 1 and the update data and related data files do not exist in the storage device 205, a “designated file does not exist as shown in FIG. 13 is copied. "Do you want to do it?"

  In this case, if the OK key 91 on the display screen 90 is pressed, the read original image is copied (image formation) as it is, and if the cancel key 92 is pressed, the copy of the read original image is also canceled.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining a processing example when an image to which image management information is added is read and copied. Here, description will be made with reference to the functional blocks of FIG.
First, a document image is read by the image reading means 200 (step S1). The image management information acquisition unit 202 determines whether image management information such as a two-dimensional code is included in the document image (step S2).

Next, the image management information acquisition unit 202 extracts the position information of the storage device 205 from the read image management information, and specifies the storage destination of the data (update data, related data) (step S3). As the image identification information, a file name of data is specified here (step S4).
Then, the update data acquisition unit 203 accesses the storage location of the specified data (step S5), and determines whether there is a file with the specified file name (step S6).

  If there is no specified file in the storage device 205, an error message is displayed on the display screen (step S17), and it is determined whether or not to continue copying (the image read by the image reading means is copied as it is) (step S18). . Here, for example, a screen 90 as shown in FIG. 13 is displayed to request user input regarding copying. If the copy is to be continued, normal copy processing is performed (step S19), and the copy is terminated.

If there is a file specified from the read image data in step S6, the update data acquisition unit 203 further searches for a version upgrade file in the storage device 205 (step S7). Here, the update date information and version information included in the image management information are used to search for the upgrade file stored in the storage device 205 (step S8).
If there is a version upgrade file as a result of the search, a message to that effect is displayed (step S9). If there is no upgrade file, the process proceeds to step S18 to determine whether to continue copying.

After displaying the message of the upgrade file, it is further determined whether printing is possible (step S10). Here, for example, it is detected whether or not the OK key 91 or the cancel key 92 on the display screen 90 shown in FIG. 11 is pressed, and whether or not printing is possible is determined accordingly.
If printing is not performed, the process is terminated. If printing is performed, the image forming unit 201 prints the file (step S11).

Further, the update data acquisition unit 203 searches whether there is a file of related data in the storage device 205 (steps S12 and S13). If there is a file of related data, after displaying a message (step S14), it is further determined whether printing is possible (step S15). Here, for example, it is detected whether or not the OK key 91 or the cancel key 92 on the display screen 90 shown in FIG. 12 is pressed, and whether or not printing is possible is determined accordingly.
If printing is not performed, the process is terminated. If printing is performed, a file of the related data is printed by the image forming unit 201 (step S16).

1 is a diagram for explaining a configuration example of a digital multi-function peripheral to which an image processing system of the present invention can be applied. It is a figure for demonstrating the creation example of the image management information applied to the image processing system of this invention. It is a functional block diagram for demonstrating the function of the image processing system of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the update history information of the image memorize | stored and hold | maintained at a memory | storage device. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation unit in the digital multifunction peripheral of FIG. 1. It is a figure which shows the example of an authentication input screen for entering into the setting screen of a log | history printing process. It is a figure which shows the example of a menu screen of a key operator program. It is a figure which shows the log | history print setting screen of a key operator program. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a screen for executing / stopping history print settings. It is a figure which shows the display screen of a touch panel after setting log | history printing with the execution key on the setting screen of FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a display when reading and copying the image to which the image management information was provided. It is a figure which shows the other example of a display when reading and copying the image to which the image management information was provided. It is a figure which shows the other example of a display when reading and copying the image to which the image management information was provided. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process example when reading and copying the image to which the image management information was provided.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Digital multifunction device, 2 ... Internet facsimile machine, 3, 5 ... PC, 4 ... Facsimile machine, 11 ... Image reading part, 11a ... CCD, 11b ... Document detection sensor, 12 ... Image reading part, 12 ... Operation part, 12a ... input unit, 12b ... display unit, 13 ... image forming unit, 13a ... memory, 13b ... printing unit, 13c, 13d ... tray, 13e ... encryption / decryption unit, 14 ... device control unit, 15 ... communication unit, 16 ... HD, 17 ... management unit, 18 ... FAX modem, 19 ... erasing means, 20 ... operation panel, 21 ... primary key, 21a ... start key, 21b ... all release key, 22 ... tenkey, 23 ... document filing key, 24 ... Fax / image transmission key, 25 ... Copy key, 26 ... Job status key, 27 ... User setting key, 28 ... Touch panel, 28a ... Document key 28b ... copy density key, 28c ... paper key, 28d ... magnification key, 28e ... special function key, 28f ... double-sided copy key, 28g ... finishing key, 28h ... filing key, 28i ... history printing key, 30 ... user setting screen, 31 ... Total number of used sheets display, 32 ... Screen contrast, 33 ... Data list print, 34 ... Date / time setting, 35 ... Paper feed tray setting, 36 ... Destination registration, 37 ... Key operator program key, 41 ... Key operator code Input unit 50 ... menu screen 51 ... department management key 52 ... energy saving setting key 53 ... operation setting key 54 ... device setting key 55 ... system management setting key 56 ... copy setting key 57 ... fax / image Send setting key, 58 ... List / report print key, 59 ... Key operator Code change key, 60 ... Product key input key, 61 ... History print key, 70 ... History print setting screen, 71 ... Display of update data, 72 ... Print of update data, 73 ... Display of related data, 74 ... Display of related data Print, 75 ... OK key, 80 ... Setting screen, 81 ... Execution key, 90 ... Display screen, 91 ... OK key, 92 ... Cancel key, 200 ... Image reading means, 201 ... Image forming means, 202 ... Acquisition of image management information Means 203... Update data acquisition means 204 204 Notifying means 205 205 Storage device.

Claims (10)

Image reading means for reading an image recorded on a recording medium;
In an image processing system having image forming means for forming an image on another recording medium according to an image read by the image reading means,
Image management information acquisition means for acquiring image management information in a predetermined format from the image read by the image reading means;
Based on the image management information acquired by the image management information acquisition means, having access to a predetermined storage device, and having update data acquisition means for acquiring the latest update data relating to the image read by the image reading means,
The image processing system, wherein the image forming unit is capable of forming an image of the update data acquired by the update data acquiring unit. The image processing system according to claim 1,
When the update data acquisition unit accesses the storage device and the update data regarding the image read by the image reading unit exists in the storage device, the image forming unit displays the acquired update data as an image. An image processing system formed to form an image read by the image reading means when the update data does not exist. The image processing system according to claim 2,
The image forming system, when there is related data set in association with the latest update data, acquires the related data and forms an image. The image processing system according to claim 3.
An image processing system characterized in that a user can set whether or not to execute the update data acquisition process and the related data acquisition process. The image processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
An image processing system comprising an informing means for informing that update data and / or related data is formed when an image is formed according to the update data and / or related data. The image processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The image management information is provided with location information of a storage device that enables access to the storage device, image identification information for identifying the type of image to which the image management information is assigned, and the image management information. An image processing system comprising update date information or version information of a recorded image. The image processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The image processing system, wherein the image management information is coded by a two-dimensional code. The image processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The image processing system includes the storage device,
A multifunction device having the image reading unit, the image forming unit, the image management information acquisition unit, and the update data acquisition unit, and a server device connected to the multifunction device via a communication line. ,
The image processing system, wherein the storage device is built in or connected to the server device. The image processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The image processing system includes the storage device,
The image reading unit, the image forming unit, the image management information acquisition unit, and the update data acquisition unit are configured by a multifunction peripheral,
The image processing system, wherein the storage device is built in or connected to the multifunction peripheral.   10. The image processing system according to claim 8, wherein the image information stored in the storage device includes image identification information in a predetermined format for identifying the type of image, image update date information, or image version information. An image processing system characterized by being managed by update history information including:

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