JP2008017142A - Image processing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a composite machine 1 capable of comprehending its own operation history information by using only stored image data and decreasing the effect on the image data. <P>SOLUTION: The composite machine 1 for applying prescribed processing to image data and storing the processed image data to a server PC 2 generates a QR code of history information associated with processing contents of the image data and attaches the QR code to the image data and transmits the resulting image data to a server 2. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus that stores processed image data in an external apparatus.

  Conventionally, in image processing apparatuses such as scanners, digital cameras, personal computers, printers, copiers, and multi-function peripherals (MFPs), data such as processing contents, processing time, and transmission / reception destination can be confirmed later. In order to achieve this, some have a function of displaying a history of processing.

Further, in recent years, the processed image data itself can be confirmed later, and the image processing apparatus stores the image data in an external storage device in order to reduce the cost of the image processing apparatus and improve the safety of the image data. Has been proposed (for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2002-344688 A

  However, in the image processing apparatus configured as described above, when the operation history cannot be referred to because the image processing apparatus is not operated, when and how the image stored in the external storage device is It is not possible to confirm whether it was used for proper processing.

  Further, if the processing history information is written in the image data itself stored in the external storage device, a large area is required for writing the operation history information, and there is a problem that the image is greatly affected.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus that can grasp history information using only image data stored in an external storage device and can reduce the influence on the image.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image processing apparatus according to claim 1 is an image processing apparatus that performs predetermined processing on image data and accumulates the processed image data in an external device. A data code of history information relating to the processing content of the image data is generated, and the data code is added to the image data and transmitted to the external device.

  According to this configuration, the image processing apparatus performs predetermined processing on the image data, and the processed image data is stored in the external device. In addition, a data code of history information related to image data processing is generated by the image processing apparatus, and the data code is added to the image data and transmitted to the external apparatus.

  Thus, since the data code of the history information is added to the image data stored in the external device, by decoding the data code, without referring to the history information of the processing held by the image processing device, You can check when and what kind of processing the image data was used for.

  In addition, since the history information added to the image data is converted into a data code, the history information can be written with a smaller area compared to the case where characters and numbers are added as the history information as it is, so that the influence on the image data can be reduced. .

  An image processing apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is the image processing apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the data code is a two-dimensional code.

  According to this configuration, the image processing apparatus generates a two-dimensional code of history information regarding the processing content of the image data, adds the two-dimensional code to the image data, and transmits the image data to the external apparatus.

  As described above, since the data code added to the image data is a two-dimensional code, the history information of the process can be written with a smaller area than the barcode, so that the influence on the image can be further reduced. Further, since the two-dimensional code is a data code that does not use various colors like the three-dimensional code, it is possible to avoid complication of encoding (encoding) and decoding (decoding) processing.

  An image processing apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention is the image processing apparatus according to the first or second aspect, wherein the history information includes at least a processing type and a date and time, and the predetermined processing is facsimile communication. The history information further includes a telephone number of the communication partner, and when the predetermined process is an electronic mail communication, the history information further includes a mail address of the communication partner, and the predetermined process is scanned. The history information further includes a user name and a network name of the scan data storage destination. When the predetermined process is a printout, the history information further includes the user name and the printout request source. It includes a network name.

  According to this configuration, the history information includes at least the processing type and the date and time. When the predetermined process is facsimile communication, the history information further includes the telephone number of the communication partner. When the predetermined process is electronic mail communication, the history information further includes the mail address of the communication partner. When the predetermined process is scanning, the history information further includes the user name and the network name of the scan data storage destination. When the predetermined process is printout, the history information includes the user name and the network name of the printout request source.

  Thus, since the history information includes at least the processing type and the date and time, the history information held in the image processing apparatus can be searched from the data code attached to the image data. The history information further includes the telephone number of the communication partner in the case of facsimile communication, the mail address of the communication partner in the case of e-mail communication, and the user name and scan data storage destination in the case of scanning. In the case of printout, the user name and the network name of the printout request source are included, so that necessary history information can be added to the image data for each processing type.

  Here, “electronic mail communication” in the present invention is a concept including Internet facsimile communication.

  Hereinafter, a multifunction machine 1 will be described as an example of an image processing apparatus according to the present invention. The multifunction device 1 has a printout (printing) function, a copy (copying) function, a facsimile communication function, an Internet facsimile communication (I-Fax) function, a scanning function, and the like, and processing based on these functions is performed. The processed image data is stored in a storage device external to the multifunction device 1.

  First, the configuration of the multifunction machine 1 will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the multifunction machine 1. This multifunction device 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 102, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 103, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 104, an operation unit 105, a display unit 106, and a document reading unit 107. , An image processing unit 108, a codec (CODER) 109, an image memory 110, a printer 111, a FAX communication unit 112, and a LAN-I / F (Local Area Network Interface) 113. 113 is communicably connected via a bus 114.

  The CPU 101 controls the operation of each unit of the multifunction machine 1 according to a control program stored in the ROM 102. The ROM 102 stores the control program and the like for the CPU 101 to control the operation of each unit of the multifunction machine 1. The RAM 103 stores various data such as setting information used for the operation of the multifunction device 1 in a readable and writable state. In this embodiment, the ROM 102 also stores a program capable of encoding (decoding) and decoding (decoding) information such as numbers and characters into a QR code (registered trademark) which is a kind of two-dimensional code. With this program, it is possible to encode history information relating to image data processing of the multifunction device 1 into a QR code.

  The HDD 104 stores operation histories of various processes performed by the multifunction device 1. Note that the image data itself used for various processes is not stored in the HDD 104 of the MFP 1 in this embodiment. As will be described later, this image data is held in the server PC 2 via the LAN 3. As a result, there is an effect that the storage capacity of the HDD 104 required for the multifunction machine 1 may be small.

  Although not shown, the operation unit 105 includes a start key for instructing the start of a document reading operation, a numeric keypad for inputting a facsimile number, the number of copies, etc., a cursor key for designating an operation target, and an operation decision. In addition to a determination key to be performed, other input keys for performing various settings for the device 1 are provided. The user can perform various processes of the multifunction device 1 by operating the operation unit 105. In addition, the user can operate a terminal such as a client PC 5 connected via the LAN 3 described later to print out It is also possible to perform processing such as Internet facsimile communication.

  The display unit 106 displays a touch panel type liquid crystal display (LCD) (operation panel) that displays various setting states and operation states of the device 1 with characters, graphics, and the like, and is turned on or off. An LED (Light Emitting Diode) lamp, a speaker that emits a predetermined warning sound, and the like are provided. The display unit 106 can also display history information stored in the HDD 104 of the multifunction device 1.

  An original reading unit 107 reads an image of an original and generates image data. Although not shown, for example, a flat bed scanner (FBS: Flat) that reads an original placed on a transparent original placing plate is used. Bed Scanner) and an automatic document feeder (ADF: Automatic Document Feeder) that conveys the document to read the document placed on the document tray.

  The image processing unit 108 performs processing such as color adjustment, color space conversion, and binarization on the image data output from the document reading unit 107. The codec 109 encodes (encodes) image data processed by the image processing unit 108 and image data input from an external device, and decodes (decodes) the encoded image data. The image data input to the codec 109 is encoded based on the JPEG, MH, MR, MMR, JBIG method, etc., and stored in the image memory 110.

  The printer 111 prints out the image data read from the image memory 110 and decoded by the codec 109.

  The FAX communication unit 112 performs facsimile communication of image data of a document, and includes a modem (MODEM: MODE-DEModulator) and an NCU (Network Control Unit) (not shown). The modem is, for example, a recommendation V.16 of ITU-T (International Telecommunication Union Telecommunication Standardization Sector). Modulation and demodulation of transmission / reception data according to the 34 standard or the like. The NCU is a line network control device that controls a telephone line to make or cut a call, and is connected to a PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) 6. The PSTN 6 is connected to the G3 facsimile apparatus 7 and the like in addition to the multifunction machine 1 so that the multifunction machine 1 can communicate image data with the G3 facsimile apparatus 7 and the like.

  The LAN-I / F 113 enables the multifunction device 1 to be connected to the LAN 3. A client PC 5 or the like is connected to the LAN 3, and the multifunction device 1 can communicate data with the client PC 5 or the like. The LAN 3 is connected to the Internet 8 via the router 4. Therefore, the multi-function device 1 can also perform Internet facsimile communication with the Internet facsimile apparatus 9 or the like connected on the Internet.

  Next, the network environment A in which the multifunction machine 1 is installed will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the multifunction device 1 is connected to a server PC 2, a router 4, a client PC 5, and the like through a LAN 3 so as to be able to communicate with each other.

  The server PC 2 receives and stores image data used for various processes from the multifunction machine 1. The router 4 relays data flowing on the LAN 3 to the Internet 8 and relays data flowing on the Internet 8 to the LAN 3. The client PC 5 transmits a printout request together with the image data to the multifunction device 1, stores data in the scan processing performed by the multifunction device 1, and transmits an Internet facsimile communication request together with the image data to the multifunction device 1. To do.

  Further, the multifunction device 1 can transmit and receive image data such as a document to and from the Internet facsimile apparatus 9 connected to the Internet 8 by Internet facsimile communication via the Internet 8 or the like by the router 4. . The multi-function device 1 can send and receive image data such as a document to and from the G3 facsimile apparatus 7 via the PSTN 6 by facsimile communication.

  The multi-function device 1 performs processes such as printout, copy, facsimile communication, Internet facsimile communication, and scanning with the above-described configuration. That is, when image data attached with a printout request is input from the client PC 5 or the like via the LAN 3, the CPU 101 encodes the input image data by the codec 109 in accordance with a program stored in the ROM 102. And stored in the image memory 110. Then, at a predetermined processing timing, the image data stored in the image memory 110 is decoded (decoded) by the codec 109 and printed out by the printer 111. When the printout process is completed, the multi function device 1 starts a process image accumulation process for transmitting image data to the server PC 2 and stores history information in the HDD 104.

  When a copy setting and start key are input to the operation unit 105, the CPU 101 causes the document reading unit 107 to read an image of the document and generate image data in accordance with a program stored in the ROM 102. The image processing unit 108 performs processing such as color adjustment, color space conversion, and binarization on the read image data, and the codec 109 encodes (encodes) the image data. Remember. After that, the CPU 101 reads the encoded image data from the image memory 110 at a predetermined processing timing, decodes (decodes) the image data using the codec 109, and prints it out using the printer 111. When the copy process is completed, the multi function device 1 starts a process image accumulation process for transmitting image data to the server PC 2 and stores history information in the HDD 104.

  When the facsimile setting and start key are input to the operation unit 105, the CPU 101 causes the document reading unit 107 to read an image of the document and generate image data according to a program stored in the ROM 102. The image data read by the image processing unit 108 is subjected to processing such as color adjustment, color space conversion, binarization, and the like, and the codec 109 encodes (encodes) the image data and stores it in the image memory 110. Let Thereafter, the CPU 101 reads the encoded image data from the image memory 110 at a predetermined processing timing, decodes (decodes) the image data using the codec 109, and outputs the decoded image data to the PSTN 6 using the FAX communication unit 112. When the facsimile processing is completed, the multi function device 1 starts processing image storage processing for transmitting image data to the server PC 2 and stores history information in the HDD 104.

  When an Internet facsimile setting and a start key are input to the operation unit 105, the CPU 101 causes the document reading unit 107 to read an image of the document and generate image data according to a program stored in the ROM 102. The image processing unit 108 performs processing such as color adjustment, color space conversion, and binarization on the read image data, and the codec 109 encodes (encodes) the image data. Remember. After that, the CPU 101 reads the encoded image data from the image memory 110 at a predetermined processing timing, decodes it by the codec 109, and outputs it to the LAN 3 by the LAN-I / F 113. When the Internet facsimile processing is completed, the multi-function device 1 starts processing image storage processing for transmitting image data to the server PC 2 and stores history information in the HDD 104.

  When the scan setting and start key are input to the operation unit 105, the CPU 101 causes the document reading unit 107 to read an image of the document and generates image data according to a program stored in the ROM 102. Then, the image data read by the image processing unit 107 is subjected to processing such as color adjustment, color space conversion, binarization, etc., and the image data is encoded by the codec 109 and stored in the image memory 110. Let Thereafter, the CPU 101 reads the encoded image data from the image memory 110 at a predetermined processing timing, decodes (decodes) the image data using the codec 109, and outputs the decoded image data to the client PC 5 or the like via the LAN-I / F 113. When the scanning process ends, the multi-function device 1 starts a process image accumulation process for transmitting image data to the server PC 2 and stores history information in the HDD 104.

  Next, history information stored in the HDD 104 by the multifunction machine 1 will be described. FIG. 3 shows a history information table stored in the HDD 104 of the multifunction machine 1. In this history information table, history information of processing of the multifunction device 1 is recorded in the order of processing performed by the multifunction device 1. In the history information recorded here, the type indicating the type of processing and the date and time of processing are recorded in all processing, and if the processing is Internet facsimile communication, it is different from transmission / reception, the mail address of the communication partner The user name is recorded. If the process is facsimile communication, the transmission / reception, the telephone number of the communication partner, and the number of pages of image data are recorded. When the process is copying, the number of pages of image data is recorded. When the process is scanning, the storage destination of the scanned data, the number of pages, and the user name are recorded. If the process is printout, the network name, the number of pages, and the user name from which the copy request is made are recorded.

  For example, when the MFP 1 transmits an Internet facsimile communication at 10: 8: 34 on June 26, 2006, “000” is recorded in the job ID item and “I-Fax” is displayed in the type item. , “2006/06/26/10: 08: 34” in the date / time item, “send” in the transmission / reception item, “someone@xx.co.jp” in the communication partner (mail address) item, “Yama” is recorded in the item. After that, when the MFP 1 scans at 11: 3: 15 on June 26, 2006, “001” is recorded in the job ID item, “Scan” in the type item, and the date and time item "2006/06/26/11: 03: 15", the scan data storage destination item is "192.168.182.213" which is the private IP address, the page item is "1", and the user name item "Kawa" is recorded in After that, the job ID items are recorded from 002 in the order in which the MFP 1 processes them.

  Note that such a history information table can record, for example, up to 1000 history information in this embodiment. When new processing is performed after the recorded history information reaches 1000, the oldest history information record is deleted, the job ID is shifted, and new processing history information is recorded in the job ID 999. . That is, the history information recorded in the job ID 000 is deleted, the history information recorded in the job ID 999 from the job ID 001 is changed to a job ID having a smaller number, and then the new processing history information is changed to the job ID. Recorded in ID999.

  The history information recorded in the HDD 104 can be confirmed by operating the multifunction device 1 to display the history information table on the liquid crystal display device of the display unit 106. Further, by operating the client PC 5 and accessing the multifunction device 1, the history information table can be displayed on the liquid crystal display of the client PC 5 for confirmation.

  Next, the configuration of the server PC 2 that receives image data in the processed image storage process from the multifunction machine 1 will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the server PC 2. The server PC 2 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 201, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 202, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 203, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 204, an operation unit 205, a display unit 206, a LAN-I / F (Local Area network interface) 207, and the units 201 to 207 are communicably connected via a bus 208. In addition, since these structures are structures with which well-known PC (personal computer) is provided, the detail is abbreviate | omitted. When the processed image data is received from the Internet facsimile machine 1, the processed image data is stored in the HDD 204.

  Next, the processed image accumulation process will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the processed image accumulation process. The processed image storage process is a process of transmitting processed image data to the server PC 2 when the multi-function device 1 performs any one of facsimile communication, copy, printout, scanning, and Internet facsimile communication. is there.

  When the multifunction device 1 processes the image data, it first determines whether the processing of the image data is facsimile communication (S101). If it is determined that the communication is facsimile communication (S101: YES), a QR code which is a kind of two-dimensional code is created based on the processing type, processing date and time, and the telephone number of the other party (S102), and the process proceeds to step 107.

  Specifically, for example, the processing type “facsimile communication”, the processing date and time “2006/06/26/10: 08: 34”, and the destination telephone number “075-xxx-xxx-xxx” Character and numeric information is converted into a character code for QR code such as “S-JIS” to form QR code bit string data. Next, by adjusting the bit string data, the size and shape of the two-dimensional code image are adjusted according to a predetermined procedure, and a QR code image having a finally adjusted shape (square) and size is created.

  On the other hand, if it returns to step 101 and it is judged that it is not facsimile transmission / reception (S101: NO), it will be judged whether a process is a copy next (S103). If it is determined to be a copy, a QR code is created based on the process type copy and the process date and time, and the process proceeds to step 107.

  If it is determined in step 103 that the process is not a copy (S103: NO), it is then determined whether or not the process is a printout (S105). If it is determined that the process is a printout (S105: YES), a QR code is created based on the process type Print, the process date and time, the user name, and the network name of the print request source.

  In step 107, an image file is created based on the image data that has been transmitted / received, copied, or printed out by facsimile. That is, the image data used for facsimile communication or copy processing is not in a file format, and is converted into a file format that can be saved by the server PC 2 or the like. Further, since the image data file format used for the printout process cannot be viewed on the server PC 2 or the like, the file format is converted to a viewable file format. Specifically, the codec 109 converts the image data into an image file such as a pdf format. At this time, the file format is not limited to the pdf format, and may be a tiff format, a jpeg format, or other image formats. At this time, the file name includes information on the processing date and time. In the scan, Internet facsimile communication, and printout processes described later, this process is not performed because the image data is in a file format. The file name of data used for scanning, Internet facsimile communication, and printout processing also includes processing date and time information. When an image file is created in step 107, the process proceeds to step 112 thereafter.

  Next, returning to step 105, if it is determined that the process is not a printout (S105: NO), it is then determined whether the process is a scan (S108). If it is determined that the process is a scan (S108: YES), a QR code is created based on the process type scan, the process date and time, the user name, and the private IP address of the scan data storage destination (S109). Proceed to 112.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 108 that the process is not scanning (S108: NO), it is then determined whether or not the process is Internet facsimile communication (S110). If it is determined that the process is Internet facsimile communication (S110: YES), a QR code is created based on the process type I-Fax, the process date and time, and the destination mail address (S111), and the process proceeds to step 112.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 110 that the process is not Internet facsimile communication (S110: NO), the process is terminated as it is.

  In step 112, the created QR code is added to the image data (S112), and an image data file for storage is created. Then, the created image data file is transmitted to the server PC 2 (S113), the image data file is saved, and the process is terminated.

  In this way, the image data file for storage transmitted to the server PC 2 is composed of the document data 21 and the QR code 22 as shown in FIG. When it is necessary to check the stored image data file, the “date and time” when the image data is processed is specified by the history information of the multifunction device 1 recorded in the HDD 104 of the multifunction device 1. Then, referring to the file name of the stored image data file, the “date and time” image data file in which the image data was processed is specified and confirmed by the server PC 2.

  However, for example, when a failure of the Internet facsimile apparatus or the number of records that can be managed in the history information table is exceeded, the history information table indicates what processing the image data stored in the server PC 2 was used for. Cannot be grasped using. In such a case, the QR code added to the image data is used to display what process the image data is used for.

Here, a two-dimensional code such as a QR code will be described. A two-dimensional code is a two-dimensional arrangement of black and white cells, and can express information with a much larger amount of data than a bar code having information only in one direction. In addition, three-dimensional codes that can hold information in three directions of vertical, horizontal, and color by arranging cells of various colors in both vertical and horizontal directions have been developed. Since it can be expressed in two colors, conversion (encoding) and restoration (decoding) do not become complicated, and the scanning accuracy of the reader may be low when the code image is read by the reader.

  Next, a process for displaying what process the image data is used for using the QR code added to the image data will be described with reference to FIG. According to FIG. 7, the CPU 201 of the server PC 2 determines whether or not there is a request for history information of image data (S201). That is, it is determined whether the user has operated the server PC 2 to make a history information request for image data. If it is determined that there is a request for image data history information (S201: YES), the process proceeds to step 202. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is no request for history information of image data (S201: NO), the processing is terminated as it is.

  In step 202, the image data file is analyzed. That is, QR code data incorporated at a predetermined position in the image data file is decoded into the original image data. Then, the QR code that has become image data is further decoded (S203), and image history information is extracted. Then, as shown in FIG. 8, the history information of the image data is displayed on the liquid crystal display of the server PC 2 and the process is terminated. FIG. 8 shows that the image data (2006602-10084.tif) for which history information is requested is transmitted from the user “yama” to “someone@xx.co.jp” by Internet facsimile communication on June 26, 2006 at 10:00. It indicates that the image data was transmitted at 8 minutes 34 seconds.

  In addition, embodiment of this invention is not restricted to the above-mentioned form, You may change variously. For example, in this embodiment, a QR code is used as a data code attached to image data. However, other two-dimensional codes such as PDF417, MaxiCode, VeriCode, and DataMatrix may be used. Further, by using these two-dimensional codes, necessary information can be attached to the image data without complicating the processing. For example, a three-dimensional code may be used.

  In this embodiment, only predetermined history information is added to the QR code. However, any information may be added. For example, the operator may arbitrarily add data such as remarks and comments. In this way, for example, it is possible to add information such as the circumstances at the time of processing and who distributed the printed paper.

  Furthermore, the structure which can set arbitrarily the information which can be added to a data code may be sufficient. For example, it can be set to add information indicating whether or not the other party has received image data in transmission of Internet facsimile communication.

  In addition, as a configuration further including a QR code reader, when printing on a paper medium or the like, printing is performed with a QR code attached, so that not only when the data is stored in an external device such as the server PC 2. Also, history information can be attached to an image stored on a paper medium. That is, when the attached QR code is read and decoded by a QR code reader, when the processed image printed with the QR code attached is used for what kind of processing, I can know.

  In the present embodiment, the multifunction device 1 having the Internet facsimile communication function has been described as an example of the “electronic mail communication” function of the present invention. For example, in addition to the Internet facsimile communication, a normal electronic mail communication function is provided. It may be a multi-function machine having a configuration. Even in this case, the generation of QR codes for history information, the addition of QR codes, the contents of history information, and the like may be the same as those in Internet facsimile communication.

  According to the above embodiment, history information is added to the image data stored in the server PC 2 as a QR code. Therefore, by decoding (decoding) the QR code, the history information table held by the multifunction device 1 is referred to. Without doing so, it is possible to confirm when and what processing the image data was used for.

  Further, since the history information added to the image data is converted into a QR code, the operation history information can be written with a smaller area compared to the case where characters and numbers are added as history information as it is, and the influence on the image data can be reduced. .

  In particular, since the QR code is a two-dimensional code, the operation history information can be written in a smaller area than the bar code, so that the influence on the image can be further reduced. In addition, since a two-dimensional code such as a QR code is a data code that does not use various colors like a three-dimensional code, it is possible to avoid complication of encoding (encoding) and complex (decoding) processing.

  Further, since the history information includes at least the processing type and the date / time, the history information held in the image processing apparatus can be searched from the data code attached to the image data. The history information further includes the telephone number or mail address of the communication partner in the case of facsimile communication, the user name and the private IP address of the scan data storage destination in the case of scanning, and the case of printout. Includes the user name and the private IP address of the printout request source, so that necessary history information can be added to the image data for each processing type.

  The “predetermined process” in the present invention corresponds to each process of fax, Internet fax, copy, scan, and printout in the present embodiment, but is not limited thereto. The present invention can be applied to all processes performed using image data. The “external device” in the present invention corresponds to the server PC 2 of the present embodiment, but is not limited thereto. The present invention can be applied to any device configured on a LAN and capable of storing image data. In addition, the “image processing apparatus” in the present invention corresponds to the multifunction machine 1 of the present embodiment, but is not limited thereto. For example, the present invention can be applied to an apparatus used for processing image data such as a scanner, a digital camera, a personal computer, a printer, and a copying machine. The “history information” in the present invention is processing history information of the image processing apparatus. In this embodiment, the “history information” is transmitted according to the type of processing in addition to the type indicating the type of processing and the date and time of processing. Corresponding to reception type, communication partner's e-mail address, user name, communication partner's phone number, number of image data pages, scanned data storage destination, copy request source network name, but limited to this is not. Various information used for processing of the image processing apparatus can be applied. Further, “facsimile communication” in the present invention corresponds to facsimile communication in this embodiment, and performs communication using PSTN. The “e-mail communication” in the present invention corresponds to Internet facsimile communication (I-Fax) in the present embodiment, and communicates using the Internet. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and may be e-mail communication performed using, for example, ordinary e-mail software. The “network name” in the present invention corresponds to the private IP address in the present embodiment, but is not limited thereto, and may be unique identification information representing a terminal in the LAN.

  The present invention is applicable to an apparatus that performs Internet facsimile communication, for example.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a multifunction machine 1 as an example of an image processing apparatus according to the present invention. 2 is a block diagram showing a network environment A in which a multifunction machine 1 is installed. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a history information table recorded in the HDD 104 of the multifunction machine 1. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of server PC2 in which processed image data is accumulate | stored. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process for transmitting history information to a server PC after a predetermined process is performed in the multifunction machine. It is the figure which opened the processed image data file to which QR code was attached. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process which confirms history information from the accumulate | stored image data. It is drawing which shows the confirmation screen of log | history information.

Explanation of symbols

1 MFP (image processing device)
2 Server PC
22 QR code 101 CPU
204 HDD

Claims (3)

An image processing apparatus that performs predetermined processing on image data and stores the processed image data in an external device,
Generating a data code of history information relating to the processing of the image data;
An image processing apparatus, wherein the data code is added to the image data and transmitted to the external apparatus.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the data code is a two-dimensional code. The history information includes at least a processing type and a date and time,
When the predetermined process is facsimile communication, the history information further includes a telephone number of a communication partner,
When the predetermined process is email communication, the history information further includes a mail address of a communication partner,
When the predetermined process is scanning, the history information further includes a user name and a network name of a scan data storage destination,
3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the predetermined processing is printout, the history information further includes a user name and a network name of a printout request source.

Images