JP2008219634A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus which is capable of reducing a processing load required for transferring an image data file, and reducing image quality deterioration of the image data file caused by transfer. <P>SOLUTION: The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus 100 which is capable of performing file conversion processing for converting the form of a file to be transferred into a form processable at a transfer destination by utilizing a rasterize processing function, wherein form information indicating the form of the file to be transferred is acquired (S5004), the file form processable at the transfer destination is specified (S5005) and in the case where the acquired file form and the specified file form are not matched (S5006:N), the file converted by the file conversion processing (S5009) is transferred to the transfer destination (S5010) but in the case both the file forms are matched (S5006:Y), the file to be transferred is transferred to the transfer destination without performing the file conversion processing thereon (S5010). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to a technique for controlling image data transfer processing.

In recent years, an image forming apparatus connected to a network such as a LAN and having a function of transferring a file of image data via the network has been used.
In the transfer function, processing is performed for converting the file format of the file to be transferred into a file format that can be processed at the transfer destination.
In the file format conversion process executed at the time of transfer, a rasterizing process function performed by the image forming apparatus for executing the printing process is used.

Here, “rasterization processing” refers to processing for converting image data composed of characters and images into bitmap data composed of a set of points. The image forming apparatus creates a print image based on the bitmap data after the rasterizing process and executes a printing process for printing on the recording paper.
As for the image formability apparatus having the above transfer function, for example, when a file format of a transfer destination is registered in advance in Patent Document 1 and image data of a file to be transferred is received via a network, the received image data An image forming apparatus is disclosed that can create bitmap data by rasterizing the image, convert the created bitmap data into a file format of a registered transfer destination, and transfer the file to the transfer destination. .

Accordingly, the user does not need to install an application for converting the file format on his / her PC, and the desired file format can be obtained without performing a complicated operation for converting the file format on the PC. The image data can be transmitted to the transfer destination.
JP 2006-20025 A

  However, in the process of converting the file format for transfer, the rasterizing process performed by the image forming apparatus needs to perform a large amount of numerical calculations, so that the processing load on the CPU required to convert the file format is large. Therefore, there arises a problem that the performance of the entire image forming apparatus is lowered by the file format conversion process. For example, if the image forming apparatus is instructed to execute a printing process during a file format conversion process, the printing process will be delayed.

Also, depending on the file format of the file to be transferred, the image quality may be degraded due to the conversion of the file format.
In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of reducing processing load required for file transfer and reducing image quality deterioration of an image data file due to the transfer.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention performs a file conversion process for converting a file format of a file to be transferred into a file format that can be processed at a transfer destination by using a rasterization processing function necessary for a printing process. An image forming apparatus capable of acquiring format information indicating a file format of a file to be transferred, a specifying unit for specifying a file format of a file that can be processed at a transfer destination, and the format information If the specified file format does not match the specified file format, the file converted by the file conversion process is transferred to the transfer destination, and if both file formats match, the file conversion Transfer control means for transferring a transfer target file to a transfer destination without performing processing.

The specifying unit includes a transfer destination information acquisition unit that acquires transfer destination information indicating a file format that can be processed at the transfer destination, and a file format that specifies a file format that can be processed at the transfer destination based on the acquired transfer destination information. Specific means.
The specifying means includes a transfer method information acquisition means for acquiring transfer method information indicating a transfer method to a transfer destination and a file format defined for the transfer method, and a transfer method indicated by the acquired transfer method information. Based on the above, it is possible to have a file format specifying means for specifying a file format defined for a transfer method to a transfer destination as a file format that can be processed at the transfer destination.

  The transfer control means can transfer the transfer target file or the file converted by the file conversion process to a transfer destination via a network.

  By providing the above configuration, the present invention allows the transfer destination file to be transferred to the transfer destination without performing the file conversion process accompanied by the rasterization process when the file format of the transfer target file matches the file format that can be processed at the transfer destination. Since the transfer target file is transferred, the processing load required for the transfer can be reduced, and the image quality deterioration of the transfer target file due to unnecessary file conversion processing can be prevented.

  Here, the transfer destination information further indicates a compression format used for a file format that can be processed at the transfer destination, and the transfer control means is specified by the file format indicated by the format information and the file format specifying means. If the file format matches the file format and the compression format used for the file format indicated in the transfer destination information is irreversible compression, the file conversion process is performed without performing the file conversion process. In other cases, the file can be transferred, and the file converted by the file conversion process can be transferred to the transfer destination.

  The transfer method information further indicates a compression format used for a file format defined for the transfer method, and the transfer control means is specified by the file format indicated by the format information and the file format specifying means. If the file format matches and the compression format used for the file format indicated in the transfer method information is irreversible compression, the file to be transferred to the transfer destination without performing the file conversion process In other cases, the file converted by the file conversion process can be transferred to the transfer destination.

As a result, when the file format of the transfer target file matches the file format that can be processed at the transfer destination, and the compression format of the file format is irreversible compression, the file conversion process is performed at the time of transfer. Therefore, it is possible to effectively prevent image quality degradation of the file at the transfer destination.
The image forming apparatus includes a file acquisition unit that acquires a file to be transferred, a first storage unit that stores the acquired transfer target file, and a transfer that has been rasterized to perform the file conversion process. When the second storage means for storing the image data of the target file and the file converted by the file conversion process are transferred, the transfer after the rasterization process stored in the second storage means in response to the print instruction When an image based on the image data of the target file is printed and the transfer target file is transferred without the file conversion process being performed, the transfer target stored in the first storage unit according to the print instruction Print control means for rasterizing a file and printing an image based on the image data after the rasterization process; It can be and.

  As a result, even if the transfer target file is transferred without being converted, the transfer target file is stored at the time of acquisition, so that it is stored when there is an instruction to print the transfer target file. The file to be transferred can be rasterized and printed.

[Embodiment 1]
The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
<Configuration>
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a network to which an image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment is connected.

The image forming apparatus 100 is connected to a LAN (Local Area Network) 106. Personal computers (hereinafter referred to as “PCs”) 101 to 104 and the image forming apparatus 200 are connected to the LAN 107.
The LAN 107 is further connected to the Internet network 108 so that it can communicate with an external PC (here, the PC 105) and an image forming apparatus (here, the image forming apparatus 106) connected to the Internet network 108. The network is configured.

The LAN 107 may be wired or wireless.
Each of the image forming apparatuses 100, 106, and 200 has an e-mail address, and has an e-mail transmission / reception function.
Each PC connected to the LAN 107 stores files of various file formats created using various software for creating documents and drawings, and these files are connected to the LAN 107. The file sharing status that can be accessed from the device is set.

Accordingly, the image forming apparatus 100 can receive a file stored in a file sharing state on each PC from each PC via the network.
(Hardware configuration of image forming apparatus 100)
The image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment includes a microprocessor, ROM, RAM, a hard disk unit, an operation panel for inputting instructions (a panel including a touch panel, a plurality of input keys, a liquid crystal display, and the like), a scanner, and a laser. The printer is composed of an image printer such as a printer. A computer program is stored in the RAM or the hard disk unit. As the microprocessor operates according to the computer program, the image forming apparatus 100 achieves each function described in the following functional configuration. Here, the computer program is configured by combining a plurality of instruction codes indicating instructions for the computer in order to achieve a predetermined function.

(Functional configuration of image forming apparatus 100)
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the image transmission device 100. As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 100 includes an operation unit 11, a rasterization processing unit 12, a file conversion unit 13, a control unit 15, a network interface 16, a printing unit 17, a transfer destination information storage unit 18, and a print image data storage. A unit 19, a transfer target file storage unit 20, and an image reading unit 21.

(Operation unit 11)
A plurality of input keys and a liquid crystal display unit 111 (see FIG. 1) are provided, and a touch panel is laminated on the surface of the liquid crystal display unit. An instruction from the user is received by a touch input from the touch panel or a key input from an input key, and is notified to the control unit 15.
(Rasterization processing unit 12)
A file to be converted and a file to be printed received from a PC or an external image forming apparatus via the network interface 16 are acquired from the control unit 15, and the image data of the acquired file is rasterized. , Convert to bitmap data.

(File converter 13)
Bitmap data of a file to be converted after rasterization processing is converted into a file format that can be processed at the transfer destination, output to the control unit 15, and transmitted from the control unit 15 to the transfer destination via the network interface 16. To do.
(Control unit 15)
Control of the entire image forming apparatus 100, transfer file display processing, transfer destination display processing A, and transfer control processing A described later are performed.

(Transfer file display processing)
When a transfer processing execution instruction is input from the user via the operation unit 11, the file name of the file stored in the file sharing state and the file are stored from each PC connected to the LAN 107. The received PC name and the IP address of the PC are received, and the received file names are listed and displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 111 of the operation unit 11.

Here, the “file sharing state” refers to a state in which the file name, the PC name, and the IP address can be acquired from the shared file of each PC connected to the LAN 107.
It is assumed that the above list is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 111 as a GUI (Graphic User Interface) so that the user can specify and input each file.

(Transfer destination display processing A)
When a file name of a file to be transferred (hereinafter referred to as “file name to be transferred”) is designated by the user from the list displayed on the GUI and designation input is made via the operation unit 11, the transfer destination information The transfer destination information stored in the storage unit 18 is read out, and the transfer destination names indicated in the transfer destination information are listed and displayed on the liquid crystal display unit of the operation unit 11 on the GUI.

Thereafter, when the user inputs a transfer destination designation from the list of transfer destination names displayed on the GUI, a transfer control process A described later is executed.
Here, “transfer destination information” refers to information indicating a correspondence relationship between a transfer destination name, a file format that can be processed at the transfer destination, and a destination (IP address, e-mail address) of the transfer destination.

FIG. 3A is a diagram illustrating a specific example of transfer destination information. For example, when the transfer destination name is “PC101”, the file format that can be processed on the PC is “PDF (Portable Document Format)”, and the IP address of the destination of the PC is “192.170.0.3”. When the transfer destination name is “image forming apparatus 106”, the file format that can be processed in the image forming apparatus is “TIFF (Tagged Image File Format)”, and the e-mail address of the image apparatus is “
1173160259578_0.jp
".

(Network interface 16)
This is an interface for connecting to the LAN 107, and controls communication between the PCs 101 to 104 connected to the LAN 107, the image forming apparatus 200, the PC 105 connected to the Internet network 107, and the image forming apparatus 300. The communication control is performed using a predetermined protocol such as TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) / IP (Internet Protocol), SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol), FTP (File Transfer Protocol), or the like.

(Printer 17)
An image based on the rasterized bitmap data is printed on a recording sheet.
(Transfer destination information storage unit 18)
Stores transfer destination information.
(Print image data storage unit 19)
Rasterized bitmap data is temporarily stored and held.

(Transfer target file storage unit 20)
A file to be transferred received from a PC or an external image forming apparatus via the network interface 16 is temporarily stored and held.
(Image reading unit 21)
It consists of an image input device such as a scanner, irradiates images such as characters, drawings, tables, and photographs recorded on paper documents with an internal light source, and forms a reflected image on a solid-state image sensor with a lens. It converts into an image signal through a solid-state image sensor, and generates bitmap data.
<Operation>
(Transfer control processing A)
Next, the operation of the transfer control process A performed by the control unit 15 will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the above operation. The above operation will be described below with reference to FIG.

  When the transfer destination is designated from the list of transfer destination names displayed in the GUI in the transfer destination display process A (step S5001), the control unit 15 sets the designated transfer target file name in the transfer destination display process A. The transfer target file name is transmitted to the PC storing the transfer target file via the network interface 16 to request transmission of the transfer target file, and the transfer target transmitted from the PC in response to the request. The file is received via the network interface 16 (step S5002), and the received transfer target file is temporarily stored in the transfer target file storage unit 20 (step S5003), and then the designated transfer target file name is set. The file to be transferred specified by the extension included (eg, gif, jpeg, tiff, pdf). Information on the format is acquired (step S5004), and further, in the transfer destination display process, a file format that can be processed at the specified transfer destination is specified based on the read transfer destination information (step S5005). Are compared to determine whether they match (step S5006).

  If the file formats match (step S5006: Y), a file transfer process is performed to transfer the transfer target file temporarily stored in the transfer target file storage unit 20 to the transfer destination (step S5006). S5010) If the two file formats do not match (step S5006: N), the transfer target file temporarily stored in the transfer target file storage unit 20 is output to the rasterization processing unit 12 to be transferred. The file is rasterized (step S5007), the rasterized bitmap data is temporarily stored in the print image data storage unit 19 (step S5008), and the rasterized bitmap data is converted into a file. Output to the unit 13 and the bitmap data is designated as After was converted into processable file format in the previous (step S5009), the process proceeds to step S5010.

After the process of step S5010, the control unit 15 performs a print control process described later (step S5011).
By performing the above transfer control processing A, rasterization processing and file conversion processing can be omitted for transfer target files whose file format can be processed at the transfer destination among the transfer target files. It is possible to reduce the processing load required for the entire control process and to prevent image quality deterioration of the transfer target file due to unnecessary rasterization processing and file conversion processing.

FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing a difference in transfer control processing between transfer control processing A in the image forming apparatus 100 and transfer control processing in the conventional image forming apparatus 1.
FIG. 4A is a diagram schematically showing the flow of transfer control processing of a transfer target file in the conventional image forming apparatus, and FIG. 4B is the transfer control processing A in the image forming apparatus 100. It is the figure which showed the flow of this. Reference numeral 401 denotes a transfer source apparatus, reference numerals 402 to 404 denote transfer destination apparatuses, reference numeral 405 denotes that the file format of the transfer target file is “JPEG”, and reference numerals 406 to 408 denote The file format that can be processed at the transfer destination is shown (here, as an example, the file format in the device having the transfer destination of reference numeral 402 is “JPEG”, the file format in the transfer destination of the device having reference numeral 403 is “TIFF”, This indicates that the file format in the apparatus denoted by reference numeral 404 is “GIF”).

  As shown in FIG. 4A, in the conventional image forming apparatus 1, rasterization processing and file conversion processing are performed on the transfer target file input from the transfer source device 401 regardless of the file format. In the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment, the file format (JPEG) of the transfer target file is processed at the transfer destination as shown in FIG. When the file format matches (JPEG), the file to be transferred is transferred to the transfer destination as it is without being subjected to rasterization processing and file conversion processing.

(Print control process)
Next, the operation of the print control process performed by the control unit 15 will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the above operation.
When the control unit 15 receives a print instruction for a transfer target file from the user via the operation unit 11 after the process of step S5010 shown in FIG. 5 (step S6001: Y), the transfer control process shown in FIG. In step S6002, it is determined whether or not the file format has been converted (step S6002). If the file format has been converted (step S6002: Y), the print unit 17 is instructed to print the image data storage unit 19. In step S6004, an image based on the bitmap data after rasterization processing of the transfer target file is stored on the recording paper. If there is no such conversion (step S6002: N), the transfer target file storage is performed. The transfer target file temporarily stored in the unit 20 is output to the rasterization processing unit 12, and the raster file of the transfer target file is output. To perform the's processing (step S6003), after temporarily stored and held in the print image data storing unit 19 the bit map data after the rasterizing process, the process proceeds to step S6004.

[Embodiment 2]
In the first embodiment, in the transfer control process A, whether to convert the file to be transferred is determined based on whether the file format of the transfer target file matches the file format that can be processed at the transfer destination. However, in the second embodiment, whether or not to perform file conversion of the transfer target file depends on whether or not the file format of the transfer target file matches the file format determined by the transfer method of the transfer target file. This is different from the first embodiment in that it is determined.

Hereinafter, parts different from the first embodiment will be described, and description of common parts will be omitted.
<Configuration>
FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 110 according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10, the image forming apparatus 110 includes an operation unit 11, a rasterization processing unit 12, a file conversion unit 13, a control unit 25, a network interface 16, a printing unit 17, a transfer method information storage unit 28, and a print image data storage. A unit 19, a transfer target file storage unit 20, an image reading unit 21, and a transfer destination address information storage unit 22.

In FIG. 10, the same components as those in the image forming apparatus 100 of the first embodiment are given the same numbers.
(Transfer method information storage unit 28)
Transfer method information is stored.
Here, “transfer method information” refers to information indicating the correspondence between the transfer method of the transfer target file and the file format defined for the transfer method.

  FIG. 3B is a diagram illustrating a specific example of the transfer method information. In FIG. 3B, the file format defined when the transfer method is “Internet FAX” is “TIFF”, and the file format defined when the transfer method is “E-mail”. “JPEG (Joint Photographic Expert Group)” and the file format defined for the case where the transfer method is “FTP” is “GIF (Graphic Interchange Format)”.

  The file format is set by the user in advance and is associated with the transfer method, except for those defined in the standards (IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force), RFC (Request for Comments) 2306) such as “Internet FAX”. Can be registered in the transfer method information storage unit 28. For example, when the transfer method is electronic mail or FTP, the file format is not limited to the file format shown in FIG. 3B, and other file formats (for example, PDF, JPEG, etc.) can be set and registered. A plurality of file formats may be set and registered for one transfer method.

(Transfer destination address information storage unit 22)
Stores forwarding address information. Here, “forwarding address information” refers to information indicating the correspondence between the forwarding name and the forwarding destination (IP address, e-mail address).
(Control unit 25)
Control of the entire image forming apparatus 110, transfer file display processing similar to that in the first embodiment, and transfer method display processing A and transfer control processing B described later are performed.

(Transfer method display process A)
When the transfer target file name is designated by the user from the list displayed on the GUI by the transfer file display process similar to that of the first embodiment and designated via the operation unit 11, the transfer method information storage unit 28. The transfer method information stored in the transfer method information is read out, and the transfer methods indicated in the transfer method information are listed and displayed on the liquid crystal display unit of the operation unit 11 as a GUI.

When a plurality of file formats are registered for one transfer method, the transfer method and the file format set for the transfer method may be associated with each other and displayed on the list. For example, “e-mail 1: JPEG” or “e-mail 2: PDF” may be displayed.
<Operation>
Next, the operation of the transfer control process B performed by the control unit 25 will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the above operation. Hereinafter, the operation will be described with reference to FIG.

  When the transfer method is designated from the transfer method list displayed on the GUI in the transfer method display process A (step S7001), the control unit 25 stores the transfer destination address information stored in the transfer destination address information storage unit 22. , The transfer destination name and the transfer destination are associated with each other, displayed as a list on the liquid crystal display unit of the operation unit 11 (step S7002), and from the list from the user via the operation unit 11. When the designation of the destination of the transfer destination is received (step S7003), the same processes as the processes of steps S5002 to S5004 shown in FIG. 5 are performed in the same order as shown in FIG. In A, the file format defined for the designated transfer method based on the read transfer method information is changed to a file format that can be processed at the transfer destination. Was identified as (step S7004), then the same processing as the processing in steps S5006~ step S5011 shown in FIG. 5, carried out in the same order as shown in FIG.

[Embodiment 3]
In the first embodiment, in the transfer control process A, whether to convert the file to be transferred is determined based on whether the file format of the transfer target file matches the file format that can be processed at the transfer destination. However, in the third embodiment, when the file formats match, it is further determined whether or not to convert the file to be transferred depending on whether or not the file format is an irreversible compression format. However, this is different from the first embodiment.

Hereinafter, parts different from the first embodiment will be described, and description of common parts will be omitted.
<Configuration>
FIG. 11 is a functional block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 120 according to the third embodiment. As shown in FIG. 11, the image forming apparatus 120 includes an operation unit 11, a rasterization processing unit 12, a file conversion unit 13, a control unit 35, a network interface 16, a print unit 17, a transfer destination file information storage unit 38, print image data. The storage unit 19, the transfer target file storage unit 20, and the image reading unit 21 are configured.

In FIG. 11, the same components as those in the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.
(Destination file information storage unit 38)
Stores registration destination file information.
Here, “transfer destination file information” indicates a correspondence relationship between a transfer destination name, a file format that can be processed at the transfer destination, a compression format of the file format, and a destination (IP address, e-mail address) of the transfer destination. Information.

  FIG. 3C is a diagram showing a specific example of transfer destination file information. For example, when the transfer destination name is “PC101”, the file format that can be processed by the PC is “PDF”, the compression format of the file format is the “reversible compression” format, and the IP address of the destination of the PC When the address is “192.170.0.3” and the transfer destination name is “PC103”, the processable file format is “JPEG” in the image forming apparatus, and the compression format of the file format is “JPEG”. This indicates that the IP address of the transfer destination is “192.170.0.5”.

(Control unit 35)
Control of the entire image forming apparatus 120, transfer file display processing similar to that in the first embodiment, and transfer destination display processing B and transfer control processing C described later are performed.
(Transfer destination display process B)
When the user designates the transfer target file name from the list displayed on the GUI by the transfer file display process and inputs the designation of the transfer target file name via the operation unit 11, the transfer destination file information storage unit 38 stores the transfer target file name. The stored transfer destination file information is read, and the transfer destination names indicated in the transfer destination file information are listed and displayed on the liquid crystal display unit of the operation unit 11 on the GUI.

Thereafter, when a transfer destination is designated by the user via the operation unit 11, a transfer control process C described later is executed.
<Operation>
Next, the operation of the transfer control process C performed by the control unit 35 will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the above operation. The above operation will be described below with reference to FIG.

  Processing similar to the processing in steps S5001 to S5006 shown in FIG. 5 is performed in the same order as that shown in FIG. 5, and can be processed at the designated transfer destination based on the read transfer destination file information. It is determined whether or not the compression format of the file format is an irreversible compression format (step S8001). If the compression format is not an irreversible compression format (step S8001: N), the same processing as the processing of steps S5007 to step 5011 shown in FIG. Are performed in the same order as shown in FIG. 5, and in the irreversible compression format (step S8001: Y), the same processes as those in steps 5010 and 5011 shown in FIG. 5 are performed in the order shown in FIG. Do in the same order.

[Embodiment 4]
In the second embodiment, it is determined whether or not to perform file conversion of the transfer target file depending on whether or not the file format of the transfer target file matches the file format determined by the transfer method of the transfer target file. However, in the fourth embodiment, when the file formats match, it is further determined whether or not to convert the file to be transferred depending on whether or not the file format is an irreversible compression format. This is different from the second embodiment.

Hereinafter, parts different from the second embodiment will be described, and description of common parts will be omitted.
<Configuration>
FIG. 12 is a functional block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 130 according to the fourth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 12, the image forming apparatus 130 includes an operation unit 11, a rasterization processing unit 12, a file conversion unit 13, a control unit 45, a network interface 16, a printing unit 17, a transfer related file information storage unit 48, print image data. The storage unit 19 includes a transfer target file storage unit 20, an image reading unit 21, and a transfer destination address information storage unit 22.

In FIG. 12, the same components as those in the image forming apparatus 110 according to the second embodiment are given the same numbers.
(Transfer-related file information storage unit 48)
Transfer related file information is stored.
Here, “transfer-related file information” refers to information indicating a transfer method of a transfer target file, and a correspondence relationship between a file format defined for the transfer method and a compression format of the file format.

  FIG. 3D is a diagram showing a specific example of transfer-related file information. In FIG. 3D, the file format defined for the case where the transfer method is “Internet FAX” is “TIFF”, the compression format of the file format is the “reversible compression” format, and the transfer method is The file format specified for the case of “e-mail” is “JPEG”, the compression format of the file format is the “lossy compression” format, and the transfer method is “FTP”. It is indicated that the file format is “GIF” and the compression format of the file format is the “reversible compression” format.

(Control unit 45)
The entire control of the image forming apparatus 130, the transfer file display process similar to that in the first embodiment, and the transfer method display process B and transfer control process D described later are performed.
(Transfer method display process B)
When a transfer target file name is designated by the user from the list displayed on the GUI by the transfer file display process similar to that of the first embodiment and designated via the operation unit 11, the transfer related file information storage unit The transfer-related file information stored in 48 is read, and the transfer methods indicated in the transfer-related file information are listed and displayed on the liquid crystal display unit of the operation unit 11 on the GUI.
<Operation>
Next, the operation of the transfer control process D performed by the control unit 45 will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the above operation. Hereinafter, the operation will be described with reference to FIG.

After each processing of step S7001 to step S7003, step S5002 to step S5004, step S7004, and step S5006 shown in FIG. 7 is performed in the same order as shown in FIG. 7, it is designated based on the read transfer related file information. It is determined whether the compression format of the file format determined for the transfer method is an irreversible compression format (step S9001). If it is not an irreversible compression format (step S9001: N), step S5007 to step shown in FIG. Each process of 5011 is performed in the same order as the order shown in FIG. 7, and when it is an irreversible compression format (step S9001: Y), each process of steps 5010 and 5011 shown in FIG. 7 is performed in this order.
<Supplement>
The image forming apparatuses 100 to 400 according to the present invention have been described based on the first to fourth embodiments, but the present invention is of course not limited to this embodiment.
(1) In the first to fourth embodiments, the input of the print instruction in the print control process is performed after the process of step S5010 shown in FIGS. 5 to 9, but before the process (for example, the transfer target file) It may be when a name is specified). Also in this case, the print control process can be executed according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 6 after the file transfer process shown in step S5010.
(2) In the first to fourth embodiments, in the transfer file display process, the execution instruction of the transfer process and the GUI display of the list of each file name are performed via the operation unit 11. It is also possible to display the above list on the GUI and instruct transfer execution from each PC.

Similarly, in each transfer destination display process A of the first embodiment and the transfer destination display process B of the third embodiment, a GUI display of a list of transfer destination names for specifying a transfer destination is displayed on each PC. A transfer destination may be designated from each PC.
Similarly, the transfer method display processing A of the second embodiment and the transfer method display processing B of the fourth embodiment display a GUI display of a list of transfer methods for inputting the transfer method on each PC. It is also possible to specify the transfer method.
(3) In the first to fourth embodiments, the image forming apparatus side designates and acquires the transfer target file, designates the transfer destination, and designates the transfer method. However, from the PC connected to the LAN 107, The transfer destination file is specified for the image forming apparatus (100, 110, 120, 130) (the transfer method is further specified for the image forming apparatus 110, 130), the transfer target file is transmitted, and the image forming apparatus In addition, a corresponding transfer control process (a transfer control process performed by the image forming apparatus among the transfer control processes A to D) may be executed. Here, it is assumed that transmission of the transfer target file from the PC to the image forming apparatus is performed using a direct print function for transmission without using a printer driver.

Further, in the above, instead of the PC, the same designation as above is performed from another image forming apparatus connected to the LAN 107 to execute the transfer control process, and the transfer target file is transmitted. The corresponding transfer control process may be executed.
(4) In the first embodiment, the transfer destination information is stored in the image forming apparatus 100. However, the transfer destination information is stored in an external server connected to the LAN 107, and the external server. It is good also as acquiring transfer destination information from.

Similarly, in the second, third, and fourth embodiments, transfer method information, transfer file information, and transfer-related file information stored in the image forming apparatuses 110, 120, and 130 are also stored in the external server. It is good also to leave.
(5) In the first embodiment, in the transfer destination information, the file format that can be processed at the transfer destination is singular, but it may be plural.

  In the case of a plurality of files, if the file format of the transfer target file matches one of a plurality of file formats that can be processed at the transfer destination in step S5006 of the operation of the transfer control process A shown in FIG. The file transfer process can be performed without performing file conversion on the target file (step S5010).

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and in particular, can be used as a technique for controlling image data transfer processing.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a network to which an image forming apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 1 is connected. 3 is a functional block diagram showing a functional configuration of the image transmission device 100. FIG. Specific examples of transfer destination information, transfer method information, transfer destination file information, and transfer related information are shown. FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically showing a difference in transfer control processing between transfer control processing in the image forming apparatus 100 and transfer control processing in the conventional image forming apparatus 1. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement of the transfer control process A which the control part 15 performs. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a print control process performed by a control unit 15. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement of the transfer control process B which the control part 25 performs. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement of the transfer control process C which the control part 35 performs. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement of the transfer control process D which the control part 45 performs. 5 is a functional block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an image forming apparatus 110 according to Embodiment 2. FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an image forming apparatus 120 according to Embodiment 3. FIG. FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a fourth embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

1, 100, 106, 110, 120, 130, 200 Image forming apparatus 11 Operation unit 12 Rasterization processing unit
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 13 File conversion part 15, 25, 35, 45 Control part 16 Network interface 17 Print part 18 Transfer destination information storage part 19 Print image data storage part 20 Transfer object file storage part 21 Image reading part 28 Transfer method information storage part 38 Transfer file Information storage unit 48 Transfer related file information storage unit 101, 102, 103, 104, 105 PC
107 LAN

Claims (7)

An image forming apparatus capable of performing file conversion processing for converting a file format of a file to be transferred into a file format that can be processed at a transfer destination using a rasterization processing function necessary for print processing,
An acquisition means for acquiring format information indicating a file format of a file to be transferred;
A specifying means for specifying the file format of a file that can be processed at the transfer destination;
When the file format indicated in the format information does not match the specified file format, the file converted by the file conversion process is transferred to the transfer destination, and when both file formats match, An image forming apparatus comprising: a transfer control unit that transfers a transfer target file to a transfer destination without performing the file conversion process. The specifying means is:
Transfer destination information acquisition means for acquiring transfer destination information indicating a file format that can be processed at the transfer destination;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a file format specifying unit that specifies a file format that can be processed at the transfer destination based on the acquired transfer destination information. The transfer destination information further indicates a compression format used for a file format that can be processed at the transfer destination,
The transfer control unit is a compressed format used for the file format, in which the file format indicated in the format information matches the file format specified by the file format specifying unit, and indicated in the transfer destination information. If the file is irreversible compression, the transfer target file is transferred to the transfer destination without performing the file conversion process, and otherwise, the file converted by the file conversion process is transferred to the transfer destination. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2. The specifying means is:
Transfer method information acquisition means for acquiring transfer method information indicating a transfer method to a transfer destination and a file format defined for the transfer method;
A file format specifying means for specifying a file format defined for a transfer method to a transfer destination based on the acquired transfer method information as a file format that can be processed at the transfer destination. The image forming apparatus according to 1. The transfer method information further indicates a compression format used for the file format defined for the transfer method,
The transfer control means is a compressed format used for the file format, in which the file format indicated by the format information matches the file format specified by the file format specifying means, and indicated by the transfer method information. If the file is irreversible compression, the transfer target file is transferred to the transfer destination without performing the file conversion process, and otherwise, the file converted by the file conversion process is transferred to the transfer destination. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4. The image forming apparatus includes:
A file acquisition means for acquiring a file to be transferred;
First storage means for storing the acquired transfer target file;
Second storage means for storing image data of a transfer target file subjected to rasterization processing in order to perform the file conversion processing;
When the file converted by the file conversion process is transferred, an image based on the image data of the transfer target file after the rasterization process stored in the second storage unit is printed according to the print instruction,
When the transfer target file is transferred without performing the file conversion process, the transfer target file stored in the first storage unit is rasterized according to the print instruction, and the image after the rasterization process is processed. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a print control unit that prints an image based on the data. The image forming apparatus is connected to a network, acquires a file to be transferred via the network,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transfer control unit transfers the transfer target file or the file converted by the file conversion process to a transfer destination via a network.

Images