JP2007306175A - Image forming apparatus and image processor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain the print out of edited image data through simple operation even if an image edition application is not provided in an image forming apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus 1 comprises an Scanner 12 for reading in the image data of a document, a connection port 18 for connecting a portable recording medium 100 removably, an interface 19 for inputting/outputting information to/from the portable recording medium 100, an operating/displaying part 15 receiving conditions for editing the image data of a document read out by means of the Scanner 12, and a System control part 10 for writing the conditions of edition received at the operating/displaying part 15 onto the portable recording medium 100 through the interface 19 together with the image data of a document read out by means of the Scanner 12, under the state of connecting the portable recording medium 100 to the connecting port 18. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that reads image data of a document and stores it in a portable recording medium, and an image processing apparatus that executes an editing process on the image data stored in the portable recording medium.

  When reading image data of a document, editing the read image data, and performing output processing (copy output, fax transmission, etc.), as in the “image forming apparatus” disclosed in Patent Document 1, the composite is previously performed. A method using an image editing function implemented in a machine is known. A method of transferring image data to a personal computer using a scanner, editing the image data using an image editing application operating on the personal computer, and then outputting the edited image data (printer output or direct fax output). There is also.

JP-A-8-32794

  However, in the case of a multifunction machine with an image editing function, edit information is entered on the manuscript using an editing board using a digitizer, a device using a liquid crystal display, or a marker pen. Thus, various devices for image editing such as an apparatus for performing editing processing are required. In addition, there are various user preferences for the image editing function, and there is a problem that the image editing function implemented in the conventional multi-function peripheral cannot sufficiently satisfy such various requests.

  In addition, the scanner → editing application → output method complicates operations because each function is independent, and a desired document cannot be found, or another document is edited or output by mistake. There is a possibility that an operation error will occur.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus and an image processing apparatus that are easy to operate and understand even with high functions and that can respond to various requests of users.

  The present invention has been made to achieve the above object. That is, the present invention reads the image data of the original by the reading means, the connection port for detachably connecting the portable recording medium, the interface for inputting / outputting information to / from the portable recording medium, and the reading means. An operation input unit for receiving editing conditions for image data of a document, and an interface for editing conditions received by the operation input unit together with image data of a document read by a reading unit with a portable recording medium connected to a connection port. And an image forming apparatus including control means for writing to a portable recording medium.

  In the present invention, when the image data of the document read by the reading means is stored in the portable recording medium, the editing conditions received by the operation input unit are also stored. Here, the editing conditions are conditions for various image editing, and include size conditions, color conditions, special effect conditions, and output conditions such as the number of copies of printed output and paper size. In addition, the portable recording medium stores the designation of application software that can execute the editing process according to the editing conditions and the application software itself as necessary.

  The present invention also provides a connection port for detachably connecting a portable recording medium, an interface for inputting / outputting information to / from the portable recording medium, and an interface when the portable recording medium is connected to the connection port. And an image processing apparatus that automatically reads image data and editing conditions from a portable recording medium and edits the image data according to the editing conditions.

  When a portable recording medium is connected to such an image processing apparatus, image data and editing conditions stored in the portable recording medium are automatically read via an interface, and editing according to the editing conditions is performed. Automatically execute the process. The image data after the editing process is stored again in the portable recording medium.

  In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, when a portable recording medium is connected to the connection port, the image data stored in the portable recording medium is automatically read by the control means via the interface and printed on the paper. Output.

  In other words, if the edited image data is stored in a portable recording medium, the edited image data can be automatically printed on paper by simply connecting the portable recording medium to the image forming apparatus. become. Further, the image data after being printed out is deleted from the portable recording medium as necessary.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, the input / output function of the image forming apparatus and the advanced editing function of the image processing apparatus can be used without being aware of the change of the apparatus. It is possible to execute a print output process from a sheet to a sheet with a good operability in a continuous flow.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a system configuration example of an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. In this embodiment, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory is taken as an example of the portable recording medium, but the same applies to other portable recording media.

  That is, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is, for example, a multifunction device capable of reading, copying, and transmitting a document image. The system control unit 10, the image storage unit 11, the scanner 12, the printer 13, the fax unit 14, and the operation / A display unit 15, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 16, an image processing unit 17, a connection port 18 of the portable recording medium 100, and an interface 19.

  The System control unit 10 is a part that performs overall control processing of the image forming apparatus 1. Operation control relating to copying of image data and editing conditions to the portable recording medium 100 (hereinafter referred to as “image editing copy”), power OFF control, and the like, which are features of the present embodiment, are also executed here.

  The image storage unit 11 is a part for storing image data read from the scanner 12 or received image data. For example, a hard disk drive is used. The Scanner 12 is a part that reads a document image with a predetermined resolution. The Printer 13 is a print engine portion that prints and outputs an image on a sheet with a predetermined resolution. The FAX unit 14 is a part that performs facsimile communication of image data via a public line network (PSTN network / ISDN network).

  The operation / display unit 15 is a user interface portion having various operation keys and a display for operating the apparatus, and for example, a touch panel display is used. The RAM 16 is a memory that stores system data, communication information, and the like.

  The image processing unit 17 is a part that performs processing such as encoding, decoding, enlargement, and reduction of image data. The connection port 18 is a part for connecting the portable recording medium 100 in a detachable manner. The interface 19 is a part that inputs / outputs information to / from the portable recording medium 100 connected to the connection port 18. The portable storage medium 100 is a memory that stores image data, edited image data, and output instruction parameters. For example, a USB memory is used.

  In the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 does not perform the editing process when performing the desired editing process on the image data of the document read by the Scanner 12 or the image data captured from the outside and printing it out. The image forming apparatus 1 continuously performs the editing process with an external image processing apparatus (for example, a personal computer), and the image forming apparatus 1 prints and outputs the edited image data again without any unnecessary effort. It is characterized in that it can realize a proper operation.

  For this reason, the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment accepts editing process conditions when reading image data of a document, and copies the editing process conditions and output process conditions to the portable recording medium 100 together with the image data. Processing (image editing copy), image data that has been subjected to editing processing by an external image processing apparatus when the portable recording medium 100 is connected, and output processing conditions are automatically read and printed on paper. Processing (automatic output processing) is a characteristic processing. The process flow will be described later.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a system configuration example of the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. That is, the image processing apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment is, for example, a personal computer that can execute image editing. The system control unit 20, the image storage unit 21, the operation / display unit 22, the RAM 23, the image processing unit 24, and a portable storage medium. 100 connection ports 25 and an interface 26 are provided.

  The System control unit 20 performs overall control processing of the image processing apparatus 2. Machine operation control, power OFF control, and the like relating to automatic image editing processing (hereinafter referred to as “automatic editing processing”), which are features of this embodiment, are also executed here.

  The image storage unit 21 stores various data and application software. For example, a hard disk drive is used. The operation / display unit 22 has various operation keys for operating the apparatus and a display. The RAM 23 is a temporary storage unit serving as a work area when performing various processes such as image editing.

  The image processing unit 24 performs processing such as encoding, decoding, enlargement, and reduction for image data. The connection port 25 is a part that detachably connects the portable recording medium 100. The interface 26 is a part that inputs and outputs information with respect to the portable recording medium 100 connected to the connection port 25.

  In the image processing apparatus 2 of the present embodiment, when the portable recording medium 100 is connected to the connection port 25, the image data to be processed and the processing target image data stored in the portable recording medium 100 by the image editing copy in the image forming apparatus 1 The editing process conditions are automatically read to perform the automatic editing process, and the edited image data is written to the portable recording medium 100.

  When the portable recording medium 100 stores application software designation corresponding to the image data to be processed and the application software itself, the application software includes the image data and editing process conditions when the portable recording medium 100 is connected. The specified or application software itself is read, and the application software is automatically activated to automatically execute processing according to image data editing conditions. Thus, the user can perform image data editing processing only by connecting the portable recording medium 100 to the connection port 25 without performing troublesome operations.

  Next, the flow of the image editing copy in the image forming apparatus 1, the automatic editing process in the image processing apparatus 2, and the automatic output process in the image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. In the following description, reference numerals not shown in the drawings refer to FIG. 1 or FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of image editing copy in the image forming apparatus. First, when it is detected that the portable recording medium 100 is connected to the connection port 18 of the image forming apparatus 1 (step S1), the operation / display unit 15 accepts image editing conditions and image output conditions (step S2). . For example, in the image editing conditions, a desired editing process (for example, size condition, color condition, special effect condition) to be performed on image data to be read is designated, and parameters for each condition are accepted. Further, the image output condition is a condition for performing print output on paper, and for example, the number of print copies and the paper size are accepted.

  Next, it is confirmed whether or not the portable recording medium 100 is connected (step S3). If it is not connected, an error message is displayed on the operation / display unit 15 (step S4). Note that instead of displaying an error message, a message prompting connection of the portable recording medium 100 may be displayed, and the process may be intermediated until the connection is established, and when connected, the process may proceed to the next step S5.

  On the other hand, if the portable recording medium 100 is connected, an input instruction parameter is received, and the image data of the document is read by the scanner 12 in accordance with this parameter (step S5). In reading the image data, the image data may be read from the outside in addition to the reading by the scanner 12.

  Then, the read image data is stored in the portable recording medium 100 through the interface 19 together with the image editing condition and the image output condition received earlier (step S6). Note that when storing image data, editing processing conditions, and output processing conditions in the portable recording medium 100, designation of application software capable of executing the editing processing and application software itself are stored in the portable recording medium 100. May be. As a result, the designated application software can be automatically executed on the image processing apparatus 2 side, and editing processing can be performed even if the application software for image editing is not installed on the image processing apparatus 2 side. Note that there may be a plurality of designations of application software and accumulation of application software itself.

  After the image editing copy is completed, the user removes the portable recording medium 100 storing the image data, the image editing conditions, the image output conditions, and the like from the connection port 18 and connects to the connection port 25 of the image processing apparatus 2. Performs automatic editing processing on image data.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of automatic editing processing in the image processing apparatus. When the portable recording medium 100 in which image data, image editing conditions, etc. are stored by image editing copy in the previous image forming apparatus 1 is connected to the connection port 25 of the image processing apparatus 2, automatic editing processing is started.

  First, when it is detected that the portable recording medium 100 is connected to the connection port 25 of the image processing apparatus 2 (step S11), the image data automatically stored in the portable recording medium 100 and the conditions for image editing processing are detected. Is read (step S12). Here, when the specification of the application software for executing the image editing is included as the condition of the image editing process or when the application software itself is stored, this is also read. When there are a plurality of designated application software and accumulated application software, all are read out.

  Next, the designated application software or the application software read from the portable recording medium 100 is activated (step S13). When a plurality of application software is specified or when a plurality of application software is read, a screen for selecting any one of the plurality of application software is displayed on the operation / display unit 22, One selection to be activated may be accepted.

  Then, using the activated application software, the read image data is automatically edited in accordance with the read image editing conditions (step S14). That is, conditions for editing, such as resizing of image data, trimming, color correction, contour enhancement, special effects, and the like, which are received in advance by the image forming apparatus 1 and stored in the portable recording medium 100 together with the image data, are automatically executed. .

  Then, the edited image data is stored in the portable recording medium 100 via the interface 26 (step S15). By such processing, the user can automatically execute editing of image data in accordance with the editing conditions designated in advance by the image forming apparatus 1 simply by connecting the portable recording medium 100 to the connection port 25 of the image processing apparatus 2. After the processing, the edited image data can be stored in the portable recording medium 100. That is, the user can connect the portable recording medium 100 without performing troublesome operations such as activation of application software corresponding to the image data, selection of image data, editing processing according to editing conditions, and accumulation of image data after editing. Thus, the image data editing process can be completed. Further, since the image editing process is performed by an image processing apparatus such as a personal computer, the processing capability of the personal computer or the like can be fully utilized to perform processing at high speed.

  After the automatic editing process is completed, the user removes the portable recording medium 100 storing the edited image data from the connection port 25 and connects it to the connection port 18 of the image forming apparatus 1 to automatically output the image data. I do.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of automatic output processing in the image forming apparatus. When the portable recording medium 100 in which the image data edited in the previous image processing apparatus 2 is stored is connected to the connection port 18 of the image forming apparatus 1, the automatic output process is started.

  First, when it is detected that the portable recording medium 100 is connected to the connection port 18 of the image forming apparatus 1 (step S21), the edited image data and the image output automatically stored in the portable recording medium 100 are output. Are read (step S22). Note that after the image output conditions are read out, the image output conditions may be displayed on the operation / display unit 15 to enable confirmation and change.

  Next, the edited image data that has been read out is printed out on the paper from the printer 13 in accordance with the read image output conditions (step S23). As a result, the edited image data is printed on the paper.

  Thereafter, the image data, the edited image data, the image output condition, and the image editing condition are deleted from the portable recording medium 100 (step S24). In this deletion, confirmation may be performed as necessary. By such processing, the user automatically designates the edited image data in advance simply by connecting the portable recording medium 100 storing the edited image data to the connection port 18 of the image forming apparatus 1. Printing on paper is possible under print processing conditions.

  In the series of operations shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, even when the image forming apparatus 1 has no special image editing application software or hardware, the user can input images simply by inputting conditions and inserting / removing the portable recording medium 100. Data can be edited and printed.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a system configuration example of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. It is a block diagram explaining the system configuration example of the image processing apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of image editing copy in the image forming apparatus. It is a flowchart explaining the flow of the automatic edit process in an image processing apparatus. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of automatic output processing in the image forming apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image forming apparatus, 2 ... Image processing apparatus, 10 ... System control part, 11 ... Image storage part, 12 ... Scanner, 13 ... Printer, 14 ... FAX part, 15 ... Operation / display part, 16 ... RAM, 17 ... Image processing unit, 18 ... connection port, 19 ... interface, 20 ... System control unit, 21 ... image storage unit, 22 ... operation / display unit, 23 ... RAM, 24 ... image processing unit, 25 ... connection port, 26 ... interface , 100 ... portable recording medium

Claims (10)

Reading means for reading image data of a document;
A connection port for detachably connecting a portable recording medium;
An interface for inputting and outputting information to and from the portable recording medium;
An operation input unit for receiving an editing condition for image data of a document read by the reading unit;
Control for writing the editing conditions received by the operation input unit to the portable recording medium via the interface together with the image data of the original read by the reading unit in a state where the portable recording medium is connected to the connection port. And an image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the editing condition includes designation of application software capable of executing editing processing. The control means performs a process of writing application software capable of executing an editing process according to an editing condition received by the operation input unit to the portable recording medium together with the image data of the document and the editing condition. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. A connection port for detachably connecting a portable recording medium;
An interface for inputting and outputting information to and from the portable recording medium;
When the portable recording medium is connected to the connection port, image data and editing conditions are automatically read from the portable recording medium via the interface, and the image data is edited according to the editing conditions. An image processing apparatus comprising: control means for processing. When the information stored in the portable recording medium includes designation of application software corresponding to the image data and the editing conditions, the control means executes editing processing on the image data by the application software The image processing apparatus according to claim 4. When the application data corresponding to the image data and the editing condition is included in the information stored in the portable recording medium, the control means executes an editing process on the image data by the application software. The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein: The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the control unit stores the edited image data in the portable recording medium via the interface after the editing process on the image data is completed. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.
When the portable recording medium is connected to the connection port, the control means automatically reads out the image data stored in the portable recording medium via the interface and prints it out on paper. An image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8.
When a print output condition is stored in the portable recording medium, the control unit reads the print output condition and executes the print output according to the condition. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8.
The image forming apparatus, wherein the control unit erases the image data printed out from the portable recording medium after printing out on the paper.

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