JP2008148159A - Data output control apparatus, data output control method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve user convenience by enabling data output processing to be performed if data are generated by a machine itself even in the case that a direct print function is invalidated, for example. <P>SOLUTION: A digital copy machine 100 stores the prepaid information of the cost required for the output processing of data with respect to an external memory 200 together with the data generated by the machine itself. The digital copy machine 100 then determines whether or not the prepaid information is stored in the external memory 200 and when the prepaid information is stored, the relevant data are outputted. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique applicable to, for example, media direct printing.

  In recent years, various digital copying machines have become widespread, and a system has been developed in which various interface devices are connected to the digital copying machine and image data can be output from a host computer.

  Currently, there is a function (Send) for sending image data scanned by a digital copying machine to a PC via a network (e-mail / file sharing, etc.). Similarly, a configuration in which scanned image data is directly stored in an external memory connected to the digital copying machine has been studied. This improves security because it does not go through a network, and it is possible to directly print without going through a PC in accordance with the study of the media direct function, thereby improving user convenience.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an image processing apparatus such as a copying machine capable of selecting a storage format of image data when transferring input image data to an external device such as a PC. When transferring image data to an external device, the image processing apparatus can select an image data format appropriate for the user.

JP 2004-194278 A

  However, when the direct print function is disabled, even if the image data is scanned by the same digital copying machine, it is not possible to execute the direct print using the external memory storing the image data.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is not to prohibit direct printing uniformly even when the direct printing function is disabled, for example, and to permit direct printing of data stored in the external storage device in a certain case. And improving user convenience.

According to a first aspect of the data output control device of the present invention, a determination unit that determines whether or not prepaid information required for the data output process is stored in an external storage device together with the data, and the external storage is performed by the determination unit. When it is determined that the prepaid information is stored in the apparatus, the apparatus includes output control means for outputting the data stored in the external storage device by an output means.
According to a second aspect of the data output control device of the present invention, there is provided data generation means for generating data, storage means for storing, together with the data, device information indicating the data output control apparatus in an external storage device, A determination unit that determines whether or not the device information indicating the data output control device is stored in an external device; and the determination unit determines that the device information indicating the data output control device is stored. And an output control means for outputting the data stored in the external storage device by an output means.
According to a third aspect of the data output control device of the present invention, there is provided data generation means for generating data, and storage means for storing, together with the data, group information indicating a group to which the data output control apparatus belongs to an external storage device Determining means for determining whether or not the group information indicating the same group as that of the data output control device is stored in the external device; and the same as the data output control device in the external storage device by the determination means Output control means for causing the output means to output the data stored in the external storage device when it is determined that the group information indicating the group is stored.
The data output device according to the present invention updates the data generation means for generating data and information indicating the content of the data output processing permitted in the data output device, and outputs the data according to the updated content Storage means for storing prepaid information required for processing in an external storage device together with the data.
According to a first aspect of the data output control method of the present invention, a determination step for determining whether or not prepaid information required for the data output processing is stored in an external storage device together with data, and the external storage is performed by the determination step. An output control step of causing the output means to output the data stored in the external storage device when it is determined that the prepaid information is stored in the device.
A data output control method according to a second aspect of the data output control method of the present invention is a data output control method by a data output control device, and includes a data generation step for generating data, and device information indicating the data output control device together with the data. A storage step for storing in the external storage device, a determination step for determining whether or not the device information indicating the data output control device is stored in the external device, and the data output control device according to the determination step. An output control step of outputting the data stored in the external storage device by an output unit when it is determined that the device information is stored.
A data output control method according to a third aspect of the data output control method of the present invention is a data output control method by a data output control device, and shows a data generation step for generating data and a group to which the data output control device belongs together with the data A storage step of storing group information in an external storage device; a determination step of determining whether or not the group information indicating the same group as the data output control device is stored in the external device; and the determination step When it is determined that the group information indicating the same group as the data output control device is stored in the external storage device, an output control step of causing the output means to output the data stored in the external storage device It is characterized by including.
The data output device control method of the present invention updates the data generation step for generating data, and information indicating the content of the data output process permitted in the data output device, and the information corresponding to the update content And a storage step of storing prepaid information required for data output processing together with the data in an external storage device.

  In the present invention, if prepaid information, device information, or group information is stored in an external storage device together with data to be output, it is possible to provide control capable of performing output processing of the data. Therefore, for example, even when the direct print function is disabled, the above-described control is operated, so that direct printing is not prohibited uniformly and direct data stored in the external storage device in a fixed case. Printing can be permitted. Therefore, it is possible to improve user convenience. Note that the fixed case means a case where data to be output is stored in an external storage device together with prepaid information, device information, or group information.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments to which the invention is applied will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(First embodiment)
First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. First, the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Reference numeral 1 denotes an image processing apparatus, and FIG. 1 schematically shows an internal configuration thereof. Reference numeral 2 denotes a host computer, which is connected to the image processing apparatus 1 via an external I / F 4 by an interface cable 3.

  The image forming apparatus 21 is connected to the image processing apparatus 1 via the engine interface 19 by the interface cable 20. Although the image forming apparatus 21 is connected to the outside of the image processing apparatus 1 in this figure, the same applies to the case where it is built in the same housing.

  The first CPU 8 controls I / O other than the image forming apparatus 21 connected to the outside. Connected to the first CPU bus 5 are an external I / F 4 serving as an interface with the host computer 2, a first memory 9, an I / O bus controller 10 for controlling the I / O bus 11, and the like.

  A bus controller 7 is also connected to the first CPU bus 5 so that it can be coupled to the second CPU 6. The second CPU 16 will be described later. The I / O bus controller 10 controls general-purpose I / O such as a flexible disk drive 12, a hard disk drive 13, an LCD controller 14 and an operation unit (not shown) connected to the I / O bus 11.

  The second CPU 16 controls the image forming apparatus 21 connected thereto, and further develops image data stored in the frame memory 15. The second memory 17 is a program memory, and a control program is loaded from the hard disk drive 13 via the bus controller 7 when the power is turned on.

  The second memory 17 is also used for communication with the first CPU 8. An engine interface 19 is connected to the second CPU bus 6 and controls the image forming apparatus 21 while performing various settings. The video bus 18 is a dedicated bus for images, and the image data developed by the second CPU 16 and stored in the frame memory 15 is sent to the engine interface 19 through the video bus 18 and further to the image forming apparatus 21. Sent.

  Next, the image forming apparatus 21 connected to the image processing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  An engine interface 22 is connected to the image processing apparatus 1 via an interface cable 20. Image data sent from the image processing apparatus 1 is latent on the photosensitive drum 24, and an image is formed by the developing unit 23.

  In response to an instruction from the image processing apparatus 1, the paper feed control unit 26 feeds paper from the paper feed unit 29 or the intermediate paper discharge tray 28 and mounts paper on the transfer drum 25. Thereafter, the image formed on the photosensitive drum 24 is transferred onto a sheet mounted on the transfer drum 25, and the image is fixed by the fixing device 27. After the image is fixed, the paper is discharged to the paper discharge unit 30 or stored in the intermediate paper discharge tray 28 in accordance with an instruction from the image processing apparatus. Further, the image data read by the scanner 31 is processed by the control unit 32 and printed in the same manner as the image data sent from the image forming apparatus 1.

  Next, an outline of the present system will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 3, the digital copying machines 100 and 300 including the image processing apparatus 1 and the image forming apparatus 21 can store scanned data as PDF data. As a system of the digital copying machines 100 and 300, direct printing of PDF data is possible. However, here, the digital copying machine 100 is set so that the PDF direct print function can be used, and the digital multi-function peripheral 300 is set so that the PDF direct print function cannot be used. In this case, direct printing of PDF data generated by the digital multifunction peripheral 100 cannot normally be performed by the digital multifunction peripheral 300. In view of this, in this embodiment, the digital multi-function peripheral 100 combines an external memory (for example, a USB) that is an external storage device by combining PDF data obtained by scanning and prepaid information required for output processing of the PDF data. (Memory) 200. Note that one form of the license setting method is that a serviceman or the like sets validity / invalidity of direct printing by purchasing or not purchasing a license for the direct printer function. The image forming apparatus 21 has a configuration as an application example of the output unit of the present invention.

  When media direct printing is performed using the external memory, the data in the external memory 200 can be output as it is if the PDF direct printing function is enabled in the digital copying machine 300 to be output. However, as described above, if the PDF direct printing function is disabled in the digital copying machine 300, as described above, data in the external memory 200 cannot normally be directly printed. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, even if the direct print function is disabled, media direct printing is possible if prepaid information is recorded in the external memory 200.

  Next, the processing flow of this system will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the processing of the digital multi-function peripheral 100, and shows the flow of processing when the scanned data is saved in the external memory 200 as PDF data.

  First, in step S401, the digital copying machine 100 scans an image and generates PDF data. In step S <b> 402, the digital copying machine 100 selects whether to save the prepaid information for the PDF data in the external memory 200 together with the PDF data. This selection process is performed by determining the setting contents for the digital copying machine 100 by the user. That is, even if the digital copying machine 300 in which the direct print function is disabled is set to save the prepaid information when the PDF data is desired to be output, otherwise the prepaid information is not saved. The effect is set. S401 is a process as an example of a process of the data generation unit of the present invention.

  If it is selected not to output prepaid information in S402, in S405, the digital copying machine 100 stores only PDF data in the external memory 200, and ends the process. In this case, PDF data cannot be output by the digital multifunction peripheral 300 with the direct print function disabled.

  On the other hand, if output of prepaid information is selected in S402, the counter is incremented on the digital copying machine 100 side in the subsequent S403 by the number of output copies permitted in accordance with the prepaid information. Here, it is assumed that the user has purchased a license for the direct print function for the specified number of sheets, and the specified number of sheets for which direct printing is permitted is set in the digital multifunction peripheral 100. The counter counts the number of PDF data output sheets using the direct print function, and direct printing can be performed until the count value reaches a specified number. That is, to increase the counter by the number of output sheets permitted in accordance with the prepaid information means that the number of output copies is reduced from the number of direct prints permitted in the digital multifunction peripheral 100. The prepaid information has a meaning as a temporary license in which a part or all of the license of the digital multifunction peripheral 100 is allocated. On the other hand, the digital copying machine 300 can directly print PDF data for the number of sheets counted up here.

  In S403, after increasing the counter, the digital copying machine 100 stores the prepaid information together with the PDF data in the external memory 200 in S404, and ends the process. S403 and S404, or S404 is a process as an example of a process of the storage unit of the present invention.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the processing of the digital multi-function peripheral 300, and shows the flow of processing when directly printing PDF data stored in the external memory 200.

  First, in S501, the digital copying machine 300 checks whether the direct print function is valid. If the direct print function is valid, the digital copying machine 100 does not perform any special processing and outputs the PDF data stored in the external memory 200 in S504 using the direct print function, and ends the processing. On the other hand, if the direct print function is invalid in S501, the process proceeds to S502. Here, since the digital multi-function peripheral 300 assumes a case where the direct print function is invalid, the process proceeds from S501 to S502.

  In S <b> 502, the digital copying machine 300 checks whether prepaid information is stored in the attached external memory 200. S502 is a process as an example of a process of the determination unit.

  If the prepaid information is not stored in the external memory 200, the digital copying machine 300 displays that direct printing of the PDF data 200 is impossible in S505, and ends the process. On the other hand, when prepaid information is stored in the external memory 200, the digital copying machine 300 decrements the prepaid information in the external memory 100 by the number of copies in S503. Next, in S504, the digital multi-function peripheral 300 outputs PDF data by the direct print function, and ends the process. S504 is a process as an example of a process of the output control means of the present invention.

  As described above, in the above-described embodiment, when PDF data is stored in the external memory 200, the prepaid information is also stored in the external memory 200. Even when the direct print function is disabled due to the optional configuration of the digital copying machine 300, the digital multifunction peripheral 300 permits direct printing of the PDF data based on the prepaid information stored in the external memory 200. Yes. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to improve user convenience.

  In the present embodiment, the prepaid information obtained by transferring a part or all of the number of direct prints permitted in the digital multi-function peripheral 100 is taken as an example. However, the prepaid information of the present invention is not limited to this. For example, if a license that restricts the expiration date of direct printing has been purchased in the digital multifunction peripheral 100, prepaid information obtained by transferring a part or all of the expiration date is also included in the scope of the present invention. In this case, the information is updated so that the expiration date of the direct print permitted in the digital multifunction peripheral 100 is shortened by the transfer of the license. Further, the prepaid information for the amount of money paid may be additionally charged to the external memory 200.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the first embodiment, a method has been proposed in which the prepaid information is stored together with the PDF data in the external memory 200 to perform direct printing on the digital copying machine 300 in which the direct printing function is not effective. On the other hand, in the second embodiment, the digital copying machine 100 that has performed scanning proposes a method that enables direct printing of PDF data of an image that has been scanned by itself. Only the differences from the first embodiment will be described below.

  The outline of this system will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 6, the digital copying machine 100 can store scanned data as PDF data. Although the system of the digital copying machine 100 can directly print PDF data, the digital copying machine is set so that the PDF direct printing function cannot be used by setting the license. In this case, normally, PDF data cannot be directly printed even if direct printing is performed. However, in this embodiment, the PDF data obtained by scanning and the device information indicating the device that performed the scanning are externally combined. Save to memory.

  When media direct printing is performed using the external memory 200, if the PDF direct printing function is enabled in the digital copying machine 100 to be output, the output can be performed as it is. On the other hand, even if the PDF direct print function is not enabled in the digital copying machine 100, the digital copying machine 100 that has generated the PDF data, that is, the digital copying machine that matches the device information stored in the external memory 200 If it is 100, media direct printing is possible.

  Next, the processing flow of this system will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a process for storing PDF data of a scanned image in the external memory 200.

  In step S701, the digital copying machine 100 scans an image and generates PDF data. In step S <b> 702, the digital multi-function peripheral 100 selects whether to store the device information in the external memory 200 together with the PDF data of the scanned image. This selection process is performed by determining the setting contents for the digital copying machine 100 by the user. That is, in the digital copying machine 100 that has generated the PDF data, if the PDF data is to be output, a setting is made to save the device information; otherwise, a setting is made not to save the device information. Is done. S701 is a process as an example of a process of the data generation unit of the present invention.

  If it is selected not to output the device information in S702, in S704, the digital copying machine 100 stores only the PDF data in the external memory 200 and ends the process. In this case, PDF data cannot be output when the direct print function is not valid. If the output of device information is selected in S702, the digital copying machine 100 stores the device information together with the PDF data in the external memory 200 in S703, and ends the process. S38 is a process as an example of a process of the storage unit of the present invention.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a process for directly printing the image data stored in the external memory 200.

  First, in step S801, the digital copying machine 100 checks whether the direct print function is valid. If the direct print function is valid, the digital copying machine 100 does not perform any special processing, outputs PDF data by the direct print function in S803, and ends the processing.

  On the other hand, if the direct print function is invalid in S801, the digital copying machine 100 stores the device information of the digital copying machine 100 that is going to output to the attached external memory 200 in the subsequent S802. Check whether or not. S802 is a process that is an example of a process of the determination unit of the present invention.

  If the device information is not stored in the external memory 200, the digital copying machine 100 displays that direct printing of PDF data is not possible in S804, and ends the process. On the other hand, if the device information is stored in the external memory 200 in S802, the digital copying machine 100 outputs PDF data by the direct print function in S803, and ends the processing. S803 is a process as an example of a process of the output control unit of the present invention.

  As described above, in the above-described embodiment, when PDF data is stored in the external memory 200, the device information is also stored in the external memory 200. Even if the direct print function is not enabled depending on the optional configuration of the digital copying machine 100, media direct printing of the PDF data generated by itself is permitted based on the device information stored in the external memory 200. . Therefore, user convenience can be improved.

(Third embodiment)
In the second embodiment described above, a method has been proposed in which direct printing is permitted even if the direct printing function is not effective in the scanned digital copying machine 100. On the other hand, a plurality of digital copiers are grouped, and group information indicating the group is stored in the external memory 200 together with the PDF data. If the group information indicates the same group as that of the digital copying machine 100, direct printing can be permitted.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example in which image data read by the digital copying machine 100 is converted into PDF data and the PDF data is output to the external memory 200 is described. However, the image data is converted into a format such as TIFF or JPEG, You may output to the external memory 200.

  Another object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus, and a computer such as the system reads and executes the program codes from the storage medium. Is also achieved.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the program code itself and the storage medium storing the program code constitute the present invention.

  As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a flexible disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

  In addition, the case where the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized by performing part or all of the actual processing by an OS or the like running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code read by the computer. It is.

  Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the CPU or the like performs actual processing based on the instruction of the program code, and the above-described processing is performed. The case where the functions of the embodiment are realized is also included.

1 is a diagram schematically showing an internal configuration of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating an internal configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the outline | summary of the system which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the system which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the system which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the outline | summary of the system which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the system which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the system which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 Image processing device 2 Host computer 3 Interface cable 4 External I / F
5 First CPU bus 6 Second CPU bus 7 Bus controller 8 First CPU
9 First memory 10 I / O bus controller 11 I / O bus 12 Flexible disk drive 13 Hard disk drive 14 LCD controller 15 Frame memory 16 Second CPU
Reference Signs List 17 Second Memory 18 Video Bus 19, 22 Engine Interface 20 Interface Cable 21 Image Forming Device 23 Developer 24 Photosensitive Drum 25 Transfer Drum 26 Paper Feed Control Unit 27 Fixing Unit 28 Intermediate Paper Output Tray 29 Paper Feed Unit 30 Paper Output Unit 31 Scanner 100, 300 Digital copier 200 External memory

Claims (10)

Determining means for determining whether prepaid information required for the data output process is stored in the external storage device together with the data;
And an output control unit that causes the output unit to output the data stored in the external storage device when the determination unit determines that the prepaid information is stored in the external storage device. Data output control device. Data generation means for generating data;
Storage means for storing, together with the data, device information indicating the data output control device in an external storage device;
Determining means for determining whether or not the device information indicating the data output control device is stored in the external device;
And an output control means for outputting the data stored in the external storage device by the output means when the determination means determines that the device information indicating the data output control apparatus is stored. Data output control device. Data generation means for generating data;
Storage means for storing, together with the data, group information indicating a group to which the data output control device belongs to an external storage device;
Determining means for determining whether or not the group information indicating the same group as the data output control device is stored in the external device;
When the determination unit determines that the group information indicating the same group as the data output control device is stored in the external storage device, the output unit outputs the data stored in the external storage device And a data output control device. Data generation means for generating data;
The information indicating the content of the data output processing permitted in the data output device is updated, and prepaid information required for the data output processing according to the updated content is stored in the external storage device together with the data. And a data output device. A determination step of determining whether prepaid information required for the data output process is stored in the external storage device together with the data;
An output control step of causing the output means to output the data stored in the external storage device when it is determined in the determination step that the prepaid information is stored in the external storage device. Data output control method. A data output control method by a data output control device,
A data generation step for generating data;
A storage step of storing, together with the data, device information indicating the data output control device in an external storage device;
A determination step of determining whether or not the device information indicating the data output control device is stored in the external device;
An output control step of causing the output means to output the data stored in the external storage device when it is determined in the determination step that the device information indicating the data output control device is stored. Data output control method. A data output control method by a data output control device,
A data generation step for generating data;
A storage step of storing, together with the data, group information indicating a group to which the data output control device belongs to an external storage device;
A determination step of determining whether or not the group information indicating the same group as the data output control device is stored in the external device;
When it is determined in the determination step that the group information indicating the same group as the data output control device is stored in the external storage device, the data stored in the external storage device is output by an output unit. A data output control method comprising: an output control step. A method for controlling a data output device, comprising:
A data generation step for generating data;
The information indicating the content of the data output processing permitted in the data output device is updated, and prepaid information required for the data output processing according to the updated content is stored in the external storage device together with the data. A data output device control method.   A program for causing a computer to execute the data output control method according to any one of claims 5 to 7.   A program for causing a computer to execute the method for controlling the data output device according to claim 8.

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