JP2009171500A - Image reading apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image reading apparatus capable of selecting suitable data according to processing specified by a user. <P>SOLUTION: A printer 1 stores original PDL data 34 and original raster data 35 and creates a printed document 40 in which the original raster data 35, attribute information 32 and storing destination information 36 are printed. A network multifunction machine 2, when creating a copy document 50, reads out the printed document 40 and acquires the attribute information 32 and the storing destination information 36. A control part 21 confirms the existence of compatibility with the printer 1 with respect to the processing of the original PDL data 34 using the attribute information 32. When the compatibility exists, printing processing of the original PDL data 34 is performed. When there is no compatibility, a user selects an output destination of a copy document 50. When the output destination is the printer 1, the control part 21 instructs the printer 1 to perform the printing processing of the original PDL data 34. When the output destination is the network multifunction machine 2, the printing processing of the original raster data 35 is performed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus that reads a print document, creates image data, and acquires print data corresponding to the print document from the created image data.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there are network multifunction peripherals that store print data in a server or the like connected via a network when printing the print data based on an instruction from a personal computer (PC). The conventional network multifunction peripheral described above prints print data and code information for identifying print data stored in the server on a print sheet, and outputs a print document.

  When copying a print document, a conventional network multifunction peripheral scans the print document, extracts code information, and acquires print data corresponding to the code information from the server. A conventional network multifunction device prints print data acquired instead of image data to create a copy document.

  Usually, a conventional network MFP stores either PDL (Page Description Language) data described in a page description language or raster data obtained by rasterizing PDL data in a server or the like as print data.

  A server that stores PDL data and raster data as print data is disclosed in Patent Document 1. When transmitting print data to a printer or the like, the server according to Patent Document 1 selects data to be transmitted according to the data transfer rate to the transmission destination.

JP 2002-99393 A

  As described above, when receiving a print data transmission request from a conventional network multifunction peripheral, the server according to Patent Document 1 transmits data corresponding to the transfer speed. For this reason, when the conventional network multifunction peripheral stores the print data in the server according to Patent Document 1, the process designated by the user may not be executed.

  For example, consider a case where the user instructs printing of PDL data corresponding to a print document. When the transfer speed is high, the server according to Patent Document 1 transmits raster data as print data to a conventional network multifunction peripheral. Therefore, the conventional network multifunction peripheral cannot execute the PDL data printing process designated by the user.

  As described above, when the conventional network multifunction peripheral stores the PDL data and the raster data as print data in the server according to Patent Document 1, there is a problem that the process instructed by the user may not be executed.

  In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an image reading apparatus capable of selecting appropriate data in accordance with processing designated by a user.

  In order to solve the above problem, the invention according to claim 1 is a printing paper on which original data and identification information for identifying a plurality of data stored in a storage unit and used for printing the original data are printed. A scanner unit for creating scan image data, an extraction unit for extracting the identification information from the scan image data, an input unit for inputting instruction information for instructing the use of the scan image data, and the identification information And a data selection unit that selects data to be used from among the plurality of data stored in the storage unit based on the instruction information, and data selected by the data selection unit based on the instruction information And a data processing unit that performs processing.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image reading apparatus according to the first aspect, the plurality of data includes intermediate data in which the document data is described in a page description language, and raster data in which the intermediate data is rasterized. It is characterized by being.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image reading apparatus according to the second aspect, when the instruction information indicates a difference extraction process, the data selection unit stores the raster data as the data to be used. The data processing unit includes a difference extraction unit that extracts a difference between the scanned image data and the raster data acquired by the data selection unit.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image reading apparatus according to the second aspect, setting information relating to rasterization of the intermediate data is further printed on the printing paper, and the instruction information is included in the identification information. When the corresponding data printing process is instructed, the data selection unit is compatible with the intermediate data printing process between the data processing unit and the printing apparatus that has printed the document data on the printing paper. It is characterized in that whether or not there is any is confirmed based on the setting information.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image reading apparatus according to the fourth aspect, when the data processing unit has the compatibility, the data selection unit selects the intermediate data as the data to be used. The data processing unit includes a printing unit that performs a printing process using the intermediate data selected by the data selection unit.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image reading apparatus according to the fourth aspect, when the data processing unit does not have the compatibility, the data selection unit selects the raster data as the data to be used. The data processing unit includes a printing unit that performs a printing process using the raster data selected by the data selection unit.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image reading apparatus according to the fourth aspect, the printing paper is further printed with identification information for identifying a printing apparatus that has printed the document data on the printing paper. When the data processing unit does not have the compatibility, the data selection unit selects the intermediate data as the data to be used, and the data processing unit selects the printing device based on the specific information. And a print instructing unit for instructing the specified printing apparatus to perform a printing process using the intermediate data selected by the data selecting unit.

  The image reading apparatus of the present invention selects either intermediate data or raster data stored in the storage unit in accordance with the content of processing on the scanned image data. Thereby, the image reading apparatus of the present invention can reliably execute the data processing based on the instruction information.

  In addition, the image reading apparatus according to the present invention confirms whether intermediate data can be processed when an instruction to print any one of a plurality of data corresponding to the identification information is given. As described above, since the image reading apparatus of the present invention selects and prints data that can be printed when copying a printing paper, it can surely print data corresponding to the identification information.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, a network multifunction peripheral will be described as an example of an image reading apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a network system including the configuration of the network MFP 2.

  The network system shown in FIG. 1 has a configuration in which a printer 1, a network multifunction device 2, a personal computer (PC) 3, and a file server 4 are connected to a local area network (LAN) 5.

  The printer 1 is a network printer that executes print processing based on a print instruction transmitted from the PC 3. The network multifunction device 2 is a multi-function device having a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, a facsimile (FAX) function, and the like. The PC 3 is a terminal device used by the user. The file server 4 stores original PDL data 34 and original raster data 35 (hereinafter referred to as “original data”) based on an instruction from the printer 1. The LAN 5 is provided with a router (not shown) for connecting to the Internet or another LAN.

  Next, the configuration of the printer 1 will be described. The printer 1 includes a control unit 11, a printer unit 12, and a communication unit 13.

  The control unit 11 includes an attribute information creation unit 111, a rasterization unit 112, a data storage unit 113, a code creation unit 114, an image composition unit 115, and a microprocessor (not shown). The microprocessor performs overall control of the printer 1.

  The printer unit 12 creates a print document 40 based on the print instruction transmitted from the PC 3. The communication unit 13 transmits / receives data to / from the network MFP 2, PC 3, and file server 4 connected to the LAN 5 using a protocol such as TCP / IP.

  Next, each functional unit included in the control unit 11 will be described. The attribute information creation unit 111 creates attribute information 32 in which various conditions for rasterizing the print data 31 are recorded. The print data 31 is data obtained by converting text data or the like stored in the PC 3 into PDL data by a printer driver installed in the PC 3.

  The rasterizing unit 112 rasterizes the print data 31 and creates raster data 33.

  The data storage unit 113 stores the original PDL data 34 and the original raster data 35 in the file server 4 and creates information for specifying the original PDL data 34 and the original raster data 35, respectively. The original PDL data 34 is the same data as the print data 31, and the original raster data 35 is the same data as the raster data 33.

  The code creation unit 114 creates a two-dimensional code 37 that records the attribute information 32 and the like. The image composition unit 115 synthesizes the raster data 33 and the two-dimensional code 37.

  Next, the configuration of the network multifunction device 2 will be described. The network multifunction device 2 includes a control unit 21, an operation unit 22, a touch panel display 23, a scanner unit 24, a printer unit 25, a FAX unit 26, and a communication unit 27.

  The control unit 21 includes a code processing unit 211, a data selection unit 212, a difference extraction unit 213, a rasterization unit 214, an image synthesis unit 215, and a microprocessor (not shown). The microprocessor performs overall control of the network multifunction device 2.

  The operation unit 22 includes a hardware key for inputting various instructions to the network MFP 2. The touch panel display 23 displays information related to the network MFP 2 and various operation menus. The user can perform various operations of the network multifunction peripheral 2 using the operation unit 22 and the touch panel display 23.

  The scanner unit 24 reads a print document 40 set in an auto document feeder (not shown), and outputs scanned image data 41, 41,... Corresponding to each page. The printer unit 25 prints image data received by the FAX unit 26.

  The FAX unit 26 performs facsimile communication via a public line network (not shown). The communication unit 27 transmits / receives data to / from each computer connected to the LAN 5 or the Internet using a protocol such as TCP / IP.

  Next, each functional unit included in the control unit 21 will be described. The code processing unit 211 extracts the two-dimensional code 37 from the scanned image data 41 and acquires various types of information recorded in the two-dimensional code 37. In addition, the code processing unit 211 creates a two-dimensional code 37 in which various extracted information is recorded.

  The data selection unit 212 selects the data stored in the file server 4 based on the instruction information input by the user, and acquires the selected data from the file server 4. The difference extraction unit 213 extracts a difference between the scan image data 41 and the original raster data 35.

  The rasterizing unit 214 rasterizes the original PDL data 34 acquired by the data selecting unit 212. The image synthesis unit 215 synthesizes the rasterized original PDL data 34 and the two-dimensional code 37 created by the code processing unit 211.

  Hereinafter, operations of the printer 1 and the network multifunction device 2 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. In the following description, it is assumed that the print data 31 is composed of a single page.

  First, the operation of the printer 1 in the printing process of the print data 31 will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation flow of the printer 1 in the printing process of the print data 31. Note that the network MFP 2 is not involved in the print processing of the print data 31.

  First, the user operates the PC 3 to instruct the PC 3 to print text data stored in the PC 3. The printer driver of the PC 3 converts the text data into PDL data and creates print data 31. The print data 31 is transmitted from the PC 3 to the printer 1 via the LAN 5 together with a print instruction.

  The control unit 11 of the printer 1 starts the printing process of the print data 31 by receiving the print instruction and the print data 31 via the communication unit 13 (Yes in step S11). Specifically, the attribute information creation unit 111 creates attribute information 32 in which various conditions for rasterizing the print data 31 are recorded (step S12). The attribute information 32 is passed to the rasterizing unit 112 and the code creating unit 114.

  The attribute information 32 includes type information, creation source information, used font information, and the like. As the type information, a page description language name (such as PostScript) used in the original PDL data 34 is recorded. The creation source information is information indicating the creation source of the print document 40 and records the IP address, name, model name, and the like of the printer 1. The used font information is information in which the type of font actually used when the print data 31 is rasterized is recorded.

  Next, the rasterizing unit 112 rasterizes the print data 31 based on the attribute information 32 to create raster data 33 (step S13).

  The data storage unit 113 stores the print data 31 as original PDL data 34 in the file server 4 and the raster data 33 as original raster data 35 in the file server 4 (step S14). Thereafter, the data storage unit 113 creates the storage destination information 36 (step S15). In the storage destination information 36, the storage destinations of the original PDL data 34 and the original raster data 35 are recorded based on a format such as a URL (Uniform Resource Locator).

  Next, the code creation unit 114 creates a two-dimensional code 37 in which the attribute information 32 and the storage destination information 36 are recorded (step S16). As the two-dimensional code 37, for example, a QR code (registered trademark) can be used. The code creation unit 114 may create a one-dimensional code (bar code) instead of the two-dimensional code 37. The image composition unit 115 composes the raster data 33 and the two-dimensional code 37 to create composite raster data 38 (step S17).

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the combined raster data 38. As shown in FIG. 3, in the combined raster data 38, the raster data 33 and the two-dimensional code 37 are arranged at positions that do not overlap each other. Depending on the size of the printing paper, the two-dimensional code 37 may not be placed in the margin of the raster data 33. In this case, the attribute information creation unit 111 determines a reduction rate of the raster data 33 in advance and records it in the attribute information 32. The image composition unit 115 reduces the raster data 33 based on the attribute information 32 and combines the two-dimensional code 37 and the reduced raster data 33.

  The printer unit 12 prints the combined raster data 38 created by the image combining unit 115 (step S18), and outputs a print document 40. As a result, the print document 40 includes attribute information 32 indicating the creation conditions of the print document 40 and storage destination information indicating the storage destinations of the original PDL data 34 and the original raster data 35 used to create the print document 40. 36 are printed in the form of a two-dimensional code 37.

  Next, original data processing using original PDL data 34 or original raster data 35 will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of operations of the network MFP 2 in the original data processing.

  First, the user sets the print document 40 in an auto document feeder (not shown) of the scanner unit 24. The user operates the operation unit 22 or the touch panel display 23 to make settings related to original data processing. Thereby, the control unit 21 of the network MFP 2 acquires the instruction information for the original data processing (step S21). Examples of the original data processing include a difference extraction process between the original raster data 35 and the scanned image data 41, or a printing process of original data corresponding to the print document 40.

  After setting the original data processing, the user operates the operation unit 22 or the touch panel display 23 to input a scan start instruction. Based on the instruction to start scanning (Yes in Step S22), the scanner unit 24 reads the print document 40 and creates scan image data 41 (Step S23).

  The code processing unit 211 extracts the two-dimensional code 37 from the scanned image data 41 (step S24). The code processing unit 211 analyzes the two-dimensional code 37 and acquires the attribute information 32 and the storage destination information 36 recorded in the two-dimensional code 37 (step S25). The attribute information 32 and the storage location information 36 acquired by the code processing unit 112 are passed to the data selection unit 212.

  Next, the data selection unit 212 refers to the input instruction information and determines whether or not the user has instructed a difference extraction process as the original data process (step S26).

  When the difference extraction process is instructed (Yes in step S26), the data selection unit 212 acquires the original raster data 35 based on the storage destination information 36 (step S27). This is because the original raster data 35 and the scanned image data 41 are compared on a pixel basis. The difference extraction unit 213 performs difference extraction processing using the original raster data 35 and the scanned image data 41 (step S28), and ends the processing shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, when the difference extraction process is not instructed (No in step S26), the data selection unit 212 refers to the input instruction information and determines whether or not the original data printing is instructed (step S29). ).

  If the printing of the original data is not instructed (No in step S29), the detailed description is omitted, but the network MFP 2 executes other processing instructed by the user and ends the processing shown in FIG. . On the other hand, when printing of original data is instructed (Yes in step S29), the network multifunction device 2 performs original data printing processing (step S30) and ends the processing shown in FIG.

  Next, the original data printing process in step S30 will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation flow of the network MFP 2 in the original data processing (step S30).

  First, the data selection unit 212 confirms whether or not the network multifunction device 2 is compatible with the printer 1 for rasterizing the original PDL data 34 corresponding to the storage destination information 36 (step S301). The compatibility check is performed based on the type information of the attribute information 32, the used font information, and the like.

  When the network MFP 2 is compatible (Yes in step S301), the data selection unit 212 acquires the original PDL data 34 from the file server 4 based on the storage destination information 36 (step S302). The rasterizing unit 214 rasterizes the original PDL data 34 based on the attribute information 32 acquired by the code processing unit 211 (step S303), and creates raster data 44.

  The code processing unit 211 creates a two-dimensional code 37 in which the attribute information 32 and the storage destination information 36 are recorded (step S304), and passes it to the image composition unit 215. The image composition unit 215 composes the two-dimensional code 37 and the raster data 44 created by the rasterize unit 214 (step S305) to create composite raster data 46. Similar to the synthesized raster data 38 shown in FIG. 3, raster data 44 and a two-dimensional code 37 are arranged in the synthesized raster data 46. The printer unit 25 prints the combined raster data 46 (step S306), and outputs a copy document 50 as a copy of the print document 40.

  As described above, when the processing of the original PDL data 34 is compatible with the printer 1, the network MFP 2 rasterizes the original PDL data 34 and outputs the copy document 50. As a result, the network multifunction peripheral 2 can create raster data 44 according to the performance of the printer unit 25, so that it can create a copy document 50 with no deterioration in image quality compared to a case where the print document 40 is simply copied. Can do.

  Here, the description returns to step S301. If the network multifunction device 2 is not compatible (No in step S301), the data selection unit 212 displays an output destination selection screen on the touch panel display 23 (step S307). That is, the data selection unit 212 causes the user to select whether the output destination of the copy document 50 is the network multifunction device 2 operated by the user or the printer 1 that has created the print document 40. The user designates the output destination of the copy document 50 by operating the operation unit 22 or the touch panel display 23.

  When the output destination is designated as the network MFP 2 (No in step S308), the data selection unit 212 acquires the original raster data 35 from the file server 4 based on the storage destination information 36 (step S309). The data selection unit 212 passes the acquired original raster data 35 to the image composition unit 215 as raster data 44. The network multifunction device 2 creates the copy document 50 by performing the processing shown in steps S304 to S306.

  In this case, the image quality of the copy document 50 created from the original raster data 35 may be degraded from the image quality of the print document 40. This is because the image composition unit 215 may create the composite raster data 46 after changing the resolution of the original raster data 35 according to the performance of the printer unit 25. However, by using the original raster data 35, it is possible to create a copy document 50 with less deterioration in image quality than a normal copy document.

  On the other hand, when the output destination is designated as the printer 1 in step S308 (Yes in step S308), the data selection unit 212 specifies the creation source of the print document 40 (step S310). Specifically, the data selection unit 212 specifies that the creation source of the print document 40 is the printer 1 based on the creation source information of the attribute information 32.

  Next, the data selection unit 212 creates a print instruction message 47 including the attribute information 32 and the storage destination information 36 (step S311). The print instruction message 47 is transmitted to the printer 1 that is the creation source of the print document 40 via the LAN 5 (step S312).

  Upon receiving the print instruction message 47, the printer 1 performs print processing of the original PDL data 34. Specifically, the printer 1 acquires the original PDL data 34 from the file server 4 based on the storage destination information 36 of the print instruction message 47. The printer 1 rasterizes the original PDL data 34 based on the attribute information 32 of the print instruction message 47. By printing the rasterized original PDL data 34, the same document as the print document 40 is output from the printer 1.

  As described above, when the network multifunction peripheral 2 is not compatible with the printer 1 for rasterizing the original PDL data 34, the user can designate the printer 1 as an output destination of the copy document 50. As a result, the user can create the same document as the print document 40 without using a device other than the network multifunction device 2.

  As described above, the network multifunction peripheral 2 according to the present embodiment acquires original data in a format suitable for processing specified by the user. Thereby, the network MFP 2 can reliably execute the process specified by the user.

  In the present embodiment, the example in which the printer 1 creates the print document 40 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the network multifunction device 2 may create the print document 40. In this case, the control unit 21 of the network MFP 2 includes an attribute information creation unit 111 and a data storage unit 113. Further, since the network multifunction device 2 can be the creation source of the print document 40, the network multifunction device 2 may specify the creation source of the print document 40 before executing the process shown in step S301. When the creation source of the print document 40 is the network multifunction device 2, the data selection unit 212 may skip the processing shown in step S301 and proceed to step S302.

  In the above embodiment, the example in which the two-dimensional code 37 is printed on the copy document 50 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the network MFP 2 may not print the two-dimensional code 37 on the copy document 50. In this case, the process shown in step S304 can be omitted.

  In the above embodiment, the example in which the print data 31 is configured by a single page has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The print data 31 may be composed of a plurality of pages. In this case, the printer 1 creates a print document 40 in which the two-dimensional code 37 is printed only on the first page, or a print document 40 in which the two-dimensional code 37 is printed on all pages. As a result, the network MFP 2 can acquire the original PDL data 34 or the original raster data 35 corresponding to the print document 40 without reading all the pages of the print document 40.

1 is a configuration diagram of a network system including a configuration of a network multifunction peripheral according to an embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a printer. It is a figure which shows an example of synthetic | combination raster data. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the network multifunction peripheral during original data processing. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the network multifunction peripheral during original data printing processing.

Explanation of symbols

1 Printer 2 Network MFP 3 PC (Personal Computer)
4 File server 11, 21 Control unit 12, 25 Printer unit 22 Operation unit 23 Touch panel display 24 Scanner unit 111 Attribute information creation unit 112, 214 Rasterization unit 113 Data storage unit 114 Code creation unit 115, 215 Image composition unit 211 Code processing Unit 212 Data selection unit 213 Difference extraction unit

Claims (7)

A scanner unit that scans print paper on which document data and identification information for identifying each of a plurality of data stored in the storage unit and used for printing the document data are printed, and creates scan image data;
An extraction unit for extracting the identification information from the scanned image data;
An input unit for inputting instruction information for instructing the use of the scanned image data;
A data selection unit that selects data to be used from among the plurality of data stored in the storage unit based on the identification information and the instruction information;
A data processing unit that performs processing related to the data selected by the data selection unit based on the instruction information;
An image reading apparatus comprising: The image reading apparatus according to claim 1,
2. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of data are intermediate data in which the document data is described in a page description language, and raster data obtained by rasterizing the intermediate data. The image reading apparatus according to claim 2,
When the instruction information indicates a difference extraction process, the data selection unit acquires the raster data as the data to be used from the storage unit,
The data processing unit
A difference extraction unit that extracts a difference between the scanned image data and the raster data acquired by the data selection unit;
An image reading apparatus comprising: The image reading apparatus according to claim 2,
The printing paper is further printed with setting information relating to rasterization of the intermediate data,
When the instruction information instructs to print data corresponding to the identification information,
The data selection unit checks whether the data processing unit and the printing apparatus that has printed the document data on the printing paper are compatible with respect to the printing process of the intermediate data based on the setting information. An image reading apparatus. The image reading apparatus according to claim 4.
When the data processing unit has the compatibility, the data selection unit selects the intermediate data as the data to be used,
The data processing unit
A printing unit that performs a printing process using the intermediate data selected by the data selection unit;
An image reading apparatus comprising: The image reading apparatus according to claim 4.
When the data processing unit does not have the compatibility, the data selection unit selects the raster data as the data to be used,
The data processing unit
A printing unit that performs a printing process using the raster data selected by the data selection unit;
An image reading apparatus comprising: The image reading apparatus according to claim 4.
The printing paper is further printed with specific information for specifying a printing apparatus that has printed the document data on the printing paper.
When the data processing unit does not have the compatibility, the data selection unit selects the intermediate data as the data to be used,
The data processing unit
A printing instruction unit that identifies the printing apparatus based on the identification information and instructs the identified printing apparatus to perform a printing process using the intermediate data selected by the data selection unit;
An image reading apparatus comprising:

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