JP2009206580A - Image processing apparatus, image processing system, and image processing program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing apparatus, an image processing system and an image processing program, capable of easily changing set values of set items to be frequently changed. <P>SOLUTION: The image processing system 1 includes: scanners 2-1 to 2-n for analyzing a read image generated by optically reading an original document; printers 3-1 to 3-n for operating in accordance with operation conditions and printing various print data and setting sheets; and a network 4. A control section 30 of each printer 3 functions as a creating means 300 for creating set sheet information based on a frequency table 312, and an updating means 301 for updating the frequency table 312 based on change designating information in which a change of a set value is designated for the set sheet. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, an image processing system, and an image processing program.

  Conventionally, there has been proposed an image recording apparatus that creates a mark sheet that allows selection of setting values for a plurality of print setting items (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

The image recording apparatus is configured to create a mark sheet that visualizes and lays out setting values for a plurality of print setting items, and obtains setting values by reading analysis from the mark sheet on which the marking is written, and an image is obtained according to the setting values. Recording means for recording.
JP 2005-229199 A

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus, an image processing system, and an image processing program that can easily change setting values of setting items that are frequently changed compared to the case where the present configuration is not provided. It is to provide.

  In order to achieve the above object, one embodiment of the present invention provides the following image processing apparatus, image processing system, and image processing program.

[1] A storage unit that stores frequency information for each setting item each time setting values of a plurality of setting items that define operating conditions are changed, and the plurality of frequency information stored in the storage unit An image processing apparatus comprising: a creation unit that creates setting instruction information including all or a part of the setting items and a plurality of setting values corresponding to the setting items and the frequency information.

[2] The setting instruction information created by the creating means includes a plurality of setting items arranged in the order of frequency indicated by the frequency information, and a print output for designating setting values for the plurality of setting items. The image processing apparatus according to [1], which is image information.

[3] The image processing apparatus according to [1], wherein the creation unit creates the setting instruction information based on designated setting items as all or part of the plurality of setting items.

[4] The image processing according to [1], wherein the creation unit creates the setting instruction information based on the setting item in which a value indicated by the frequency information corresponding to the setting item exceeds a predetermined threshold. apparatus.

[5] In the above [1], the creation unit creates the setting instruction information based on a setting item whose rank is higher than a predetermined rank when the ranking is given to the setting items according to the frequency information. The image processing apparatus described.

[6] The image according to [1], wherein the creation unit calculates frequency information using a plurality of related setting items as one setting item, and creates the setting instruction information based on the calculated frequency information. Processing equipment.

[7] A storage unit that stores frequency information for each setting item each time setting values of a plurality of setting items that define operating conditions are changed, and the plurality of frequency information stored in the storage unit Creating means for creating setting instruction information comprising all or a part of the setting items, a plurality of setting values corresponding thereto, and the frequency information, and the setting instruction information created by the creating means in a storage medium Printing means for printing, reading means for reading change designation information designated to change the setting value with respect to the setting instruction information printed on the storage medium from the recording medium, and reading by the reading means An image processing system comprising: update means for updating the frequency information stored in the storage means based on the change designation information.

[8] Every time the setting values of a plurality of setting items that define operating conditions are changed, the frequency information is acquired from a storage unit that stores the frequency information for each setting item, and all of the plurality of setting items Alternatively, an image processing program for causing a computer to execute creation means for creating setting instruction information including a part, a plurality of setting values corresponding thereto, and the acquired frequency information.

  According to the image processing apparatus of the first aspect, it is possible to easily change the setting values of the setting items that are frequently changed as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided.

  According to the image processing apparatus of the second aspect, the setting value can be changed in order from the setting item whose frequency of change is high by visually recognizing according to the direction in which the setting items are arranged.

  According to the image processing apparatus of the third aspect, the setting items constituting the setting instruction information can be specified.

  According to the image processing apparatus of the fourth aspect, the setting items constituting the setting instruction information can be narrowed down by the predetermined threshold value.

  According to the image processing apparatus of the fifth aspect, the number of setting items constituting the setting instruction information can be made constant.

  According to the image processing apparatus of the sixth aspect, a plurality of related setting items can be handled as a set.

  According to the image processing system of the seventh aspect, it is possible to easily change the setting values of the setting items that are frequently changed as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided.

  According to the image processing program of the eighth aspect, it is possible to easily change the setting value of the setting item that is frequently changed as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is an overall view showing an example of a schematic configuration of an image processing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The image processing system 1 operates in accordance with predetermined operating conditions and first to n-th scanners 2-1 to 2-n that perform analysis processing on a read image generated by optically reading a document. First to n-th printers 3-1 to 3-n for performing print processing of print data and setting sheets, first to n-th printers 3-1 to 3-n, and first to n-th scanners 2- 1 to 2-n are connected to each other.

  Here, the setting sheet is a record of paper or the like based on setting sheet information (setting instruction information) in order to change setting values for a plurality of setting items that define the operating conditions of the printers 3-1 to 3-n. It is printed on a medium. The setting sheet information includes all or a part of selected setting items among the plurality of setting items, a plurality of setting values corresponding to these selected setting items, and frequency information. A specific example of the setting sheet and frequency information will be described later.

  In the present embodiment, the setting sheet is printed on paper based on the setting sheet information. However, the setting sheet information is displayed on the display screen via communication means such as e-mail. Alternatively, it may be output to an external recording medium such as a flash memory or an optical disk.

  The network 4 is a communication network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) that transmits and receives data by wired communication and wireless communication, and the Internet.

(Scanner)
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of the scanner 2, and shows each of the first to n-th scanners 2-1 to 2-n. The scanner 2 controls each unit, for example, a control unit 20 realized by a CPU or the like, a communication unit 21 connected to the network 4, for example, realized by a network interface card, and a touch panel superimposed on the surface of the display. For example, an operation display unit 22 having a touch panel display or a hard key such as a start key, and an image reading unit that optically reads a document with an image sensor or the like to generate a read image as digital data And an image analysis unit 24 that performs an analysis process for recognizing a pattern of a predetermined character, mark, or the like on the read image.

  The analysis processing by the image analysis unit 24 cuts out a pattern of a predetermined region in the read image, compares the character, mark, etc. included in the pattern with the recognition dictionary, for example, by the pattern matching method, and has the most similarity. The higher one is the analysis result.

(Printer)
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of the printer 3, and shows each of the first to n-th printers 3-1 to 3-n. The printer 3 is connected to the network 4 for controlling each unit, for example, a control unit 30 realized by a CPU or the like, a storage unit 31 realized by a ROM, RAM, hard disk or the like for storing various programs and data. The communication unit 32 realized by, for example, a network interface card, and the operation display unit 33 including a touch panel display and a hard key such as a start key, which are configured by superimposing a touch panel on the surface of the display, An image processing unit 34 that performs image conversion processing for converting print data into raster format image data, and a print processing unit 35 that performs printing processing for printing the image data converted by the image processing unit 34 on a recording medium such as paper. It consists of and.

  The storage unit 31 stores an image processing program 310, setting information 311, a frequency table 312 and the like.

  The setting information 311 stores the current setting value for each of a plurality of setting items as information for determining operating conditions. The set value may be selected from a plurality of selection candidates, or an upper limit or lower limit value or range may be designated by a numerical value or the like.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the frequency table. The frequency table 312 stores, as frequency information, the number of changes that are updated each time the setting value of the setting item is changed in the setting information 311 for each setting item. The number of changes may be a count of the number of times the set value has been changed within a predetermined period, or may be a count of the cumulative number of times from a predetermined timing to start counting to the present. The change determination as to whether or not the set value has been changed may be made by comparing the current set value with the set value after the change, or may be changed to a reference value that serves as a reference for the set value. It may be determined by comparing with the set value after the check.

  The control unit 30 operates according to the image processing program 310, thereby creating the setting sheet information based on the frequency table 312, and based on the change designation information in which the change of the setting value is designated for the setting sheet. , And functions as an update unit 301 that updates the frequency table 312.

  The print processing unit 35 can use various methods such as an electrophotographic method, an inkjet method, and a thermal transfer method. Note that the print data may be data transmitted via a network 4 from an instruction device such as a computer (not shown).

(Operation of the first embodiment)
An example of the operation of the image processing system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, a case where the user uses the first scanner 2-1 and the first printer 3-1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

(1) Designation of Print Item First, when the user gives a change instruction to change the setting information 311 by operating the first printer 3-1 (FIG. 8: S1), the control unit 30 performs image processing. The print item designation sheet is printed via the unit 34 and the print processing unit 35 (S2).

  Here, FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the print item designation sheet. On this print item designation sheet 11A, a print item designation area 112, a totaling period designation area 113, and a setting item designation area 114 are printed in order from the top, and each of the designation areas 112 to 114 includes a plurality of selection candidates. A check box 110 is provided for the user to enter a check mark 111 for each selection candidate.

  In the print item specification area 112, “all items” for printing all setting items and the setting item specification area 114 are specified as two selection candidates for specifying print items that are setting items to be printed on the setting sheet. “Items that meet the following conditions” for printing the setting items are printed.

  In the total period specification area 113, selection candidates for specifying a predetermined period for totalizing the number of changes in the frequency table 312 can be selected at the same time as a period such as one day, one week, or one month, for example. “When device configuration is changed” is printed. When “when device configuration is changed” is selected, even when a period is selected, the configuration of the target printer (for example, addition of a tray unit or a duplex printing unit, etc.) is stored at a change timing. The number of changes for each setting item is initialized.

  In the setting item specification area 114, each setting item is printed as a selection candidate for selecting a print item when “an item satisfying the following conditions” is selected in the print item specification area 112. As the setting item, a plurality of selection candidates can be selected, and if none is selected, it is considered that “all items” is selected.

  Then, when the user enters a check mark 111 in a desired check box 110 on the print item specifying sheet 11A, sets the check mark 111 in the first scanner 2-1, and gives a reading instruction via the operation display unit. (S3) The control unit 20 reads the print item designation sheet 11A in which the check mark 111 is filled by the image reading unit 23, and generates a read image (S4).

  Next, the image analysis unit 24 performs an analysis process on the read image and recognizes the position where the check mark 111 is entered by the user, so that the print item designation area 112, the total period designation area 113, and the setting item Print item designation information indicating the contents designated by the user in the designation area 114 is acquired (S5).

  The control unit 20 transmits the print item designation information to the first printer 3-1 via the network 4 by the communication unit 21. Note that the printer 3 that is the transmission destination of the print item designation information may be designated by the operation display unit 22, for example, or specifies a transmission destination that is filled in or printed in a predetermined area of the print item designation sheet 11A. It may be acquired by the image analysis unit 24 based on the information.

(2) Printing of setting sheet The control unit 30 of the first printer 3-1 receives print item designation information transmitted from the first scanner 2-1, and prints a setting sheet based on the print item designation information. (S10). Details of the operation when printing the setting sheet in the first printer 3-1 will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 9.

  When the control unit 30 of the first printer 3-1 receives the print item designation information from the first scanner 2-1 (S <b> 100), the creation unit 300 displays the frequency table 312 stored in the storage unit 31. Reference is made to obtain the number of changes of each setting item (S101).

  Next, the creating unit 300 determines whether printing of “all items” is designated in the received print item designation information (S102), and if “all items” are designated (S102). : Yes), setting sheet information in which setting items are arranged in the descending order of the acquired number of changes is created. Then, the image processing unit 34 and the print processing unit 35 print the setting sheet based on the setting sheet information (S110).

  On the other hand, when the printing of “all items” is not designated (S102: No), the creating unit 300 determines whether one or more print setting items have been selected (S103). If one or more items are not selected (S103: No), it is considered that printing of “all items” is designated, and the process proceeds to step S110 described above.

  If at least one print setting item is selected in step S103 (S103: Yes), the creation unit 300 selects one setting item (S104), and the selected setting item is selected. Then, it is determined whether or not the print item is designated by the print item designation information (S105). If it is designated (S105: Yes), the print item is determined (S106). Is determined as a non-printing item (S107).

  Next, until the setting item selected in step S104 becomes the last setting item (S108: Yes), the above steps S104 to S107 are repeated, and any one of the print item and the non-print item is set for all the setting items. To decide.

  That is, the operation when the creation unit 300 determines a print item is schematically shown in FIG. 6. Each setting item is displayed in accordance with whether or not each setting item is designated as a print item by the print item designation information. ), The print item 100 and the non-print item are separated. Then, as in the extraction table 313A of FIG. 6B, only the print item 100 is extracted, and the setting items are rearranged in the order of increasing number of times in the extraction table 313A, and the arrangement illustrated in FIG. A replacement extraction table 313B is created. When the number of changes is the same, for example, rearrangement may be performed based on accompanying information such as the date and time of the last change.

  Next, the creation unit 300 creates setting sheet information in which print items are arranged in the order of the number of changes, that is, the order of setting items in the sorted extraction table 313B. Then, the image processing unit 34 and the print processing unit 35 print the setting sheet based on the setting sheet information (S110).

  Here, FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a setting sheet on which print items are printed. On this setting sheet 12A, setting items 121A to 121E determined as print items are printed from the top in the descending order of the number of changes, and setting values are designated by check boxes 120 for these setting items 121A to 121E. Setting value designation areas 122A to 122E are printed.

  In the example of FIG. 7, the setting items 121A to 121E are arranged in descending order of the number of changes from the upper side of the setting sheet 12A. However, it is only necessary to identify the order in which the number of changes is large, and the direction is limited particularly from above. Absent. Further, the order information for identifying the order in which the number of changes is large may be printed in correspondence with each setting item without arranging the setting items in the order of the number of changes. In the setting sheet 12A, the check box 120 is provided for each setting value. However, the setting sheet 12A only needs to be able to specify each setting value. For example, the setting value is specified by enclosing a character string indicating the setting value. You may make it do.

(3) Update of setting information and frequency table The user enters a check mark in the check box 120 corresponding to the setting value to be changed on the setting sheet 12A in the same manner as the print item specifying sheet 11A. When a reading instruction is given to the scanner 2-1 (FIG. 8: S20), the image reading unit 23 generates a read image based on the setting sheet 12A (S21).

  Next, the image analysis unit 24 performs analysis processing on the read image, and based on the result of recognizing the position where the check mark is entered, change designation information that designates a change in the setting value for each setting item. Obtain (S22).

  Then, the control unit 20 transmits the acquired change designation information to the first printer 3-1 via the network 4.

  When the control unit 30 of the first printer 3-1 receives the change designation information from the first scanner 2-1, the update unit 301 sets the setting value of the setting item in the setting information 311 based on the change designation information. Is updated (S23). Also, the updating unit 301 updates the frequency table 312 with the number of changes to the setting item whose setting value has been updated, that is, performs an increment process of adding “1” to the current number of changes (S24), and ends. .

[Second Embodiment]
In the image processing system 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, compared to the first embodiment, the printer 3 prints setting items whose number of changes in the frequency table 312 exceeds a predetermined threshold. The configuration is different in terms of items, and other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

(Operation of Second Embodiment)
Next, an example of the operation of the image processing system 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

(1) Designation of Print Item The control unit 30 of the first printer 3-1 prints a print item designation sheet 11B illustrated in FIG. 10 based on a change instruction from the user. This print item designation sheet 11B is provided with a threshold designation region 115 in addition to the print item designation region 112 and the total period designation region 113 similar to those in FIG. In the threshold designation area 115, a plurality of check boxes 110 are printed in order to designate a threshold for the number of changes. FIG. 10 is an example of entry of the check mark 111 when “6” is designated as the threshold value.

  Next, when the user operates the first scanner 2-1 to give a reading instruction to the completed print item designation sheet 11B, the first scanner 2-1 moves to the print item designation sheet 11B. On the other hand, generation of a read image by the image reading unit 23 and analysis processing on the read image by the image analysis unit 24 are performed, and the contents designated by the user in the print item designation area 112, the total period designation area 113, and the threshold designation area 115 are displayed. The print item designation information shown is acquired. Then, the control unit 20 transmits the print item designation information to the first printer 3-1.

(2) Printing of setting sheet When the control unit 30 of the first printer 3-1 receives the print item designation information from the first scanner 2-1 (FIG. 13: S200), the creation unit 300 displays the frequency table. 312 (S201), if “all items” is designated in the received print item designation information (S202: Yes), all setting items are included as in the first embodiment. The setting sheet is printed by the image processing unit 34 and the print processing unit 35 (S210).

  On the other hand, when printing of “all items” is not designated (S202: No), the creating unit 300 determines whether or not a threshold value is designated in the print item designation information (S203). If the threshold is not specified (S203: No), it is considered that printing of “all items” is specified, and the process proceeds to step S210 described above.

  If a threshold value is specified in step S203 (S203: Yes), the creation unit 300 selects one setting item (S204), and the number of changes of the selected setting item, the threshold value, and the like. (S205), if the number of changes is equal to or greater than the threshold (S205: No), the item is determined as a print item (S206), and if the number of changes is less than the threshold (S205: Yes), Determine (S207). Then, until the last setting item is reached (S208: Yes), the above operation is repeated, and all the setting items are determined to be print items or non-print items.

  That is, when the operation for determining the print items is schematically shown in FIG. 11, the setting items are rearranged in the descending order of the number of changes in the frequency table 312 in FIG. 11A, and the rearrangement in FIG. A subsequent frequency table 314 is created, and in the frequency table 314 after the rearrangement, a setting item whose number of changes is the threshold 102, for example, “6” or more is determined as the print item 100, and a setting item less than the threshold 102 is set. The non-printing item 101 is determined.

  Then, the creating unit 300 creates setting sheet information in which the print items 100 are arranged in descending order of the number of changes, and the image processing unit 34 and the print processing unit 35 print the setting sheet 12B illustrated in FIG. 12 (S210). . On the setting sheet 12B, the setting items 121A to 121C determined as the print item 100 and the setting value designation areas 122A to 122C corresponding to the setting items 121A to 121C are printed in order of increasing number of changes.

  Note that the process of updating the setting information 311 and the frequency table 312 by the updating unit 301 based on the setting sheet 12B in which the check mark is entered is the same as that in the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

[Third Embodiment]
In the image processing system 1 according to the third embodiment of the present invention, as compared with the first embodiment, the printer 3 ranks the setting items in the descending order of the number of changes stored in the frequency table 312. When assigned, the setting item is determined to be a print item that has a higher rank than the predetermined rank, and other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

(Operation of the third embodiment)
Next, an example of the operation of the image processing system 1 according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

(1) Designation of Print Item The control unit 30 of the first printer 3-1 prints the print item designation sheet 11C illustrated in FIG. 14 based on a change instruction from the user. The print item designation sheet 11C is provided with a setting order designation area 116 in addition to the print item designation area 112 and the total period designation area 113 similar to those in FIG. A plurality of check boxes 110 are printed in the setting order designation area 116 in order to designate a setting order that is a boundary between print items and non-print items for the order assigned to each setting item. FIG. 14 is an example of entry of the check mark 111 when “5” is designated as the setting order in the setting order designation area 116.

  Next, when the user operates the first scanner 2-1 to give a reading instruction to the completed print item designation sheet 11C, the first scanner 2-1 moves to the print item designation sheet 11C. On the other hand, generation of a read image by the image reading unit 23 and analysis processing on the read image by the image analysis unit 24 are performed, and contents designated by the user in the print item designation area 112, the total period designation area 113, and the setting order designation area 116 Print item designation information indicating is acquired. Then, the control unit 20 transmits the print item designation information to the first printer 3-1.

(2) Printing of setting sheet When the control unit 30 of the first printer 3-1 receives the print item designation information from the first scanner 2-1 (FIG. 17: S300), the creating unit 300 displays the frequency table. 312 (S301), if “all items” is designated in the received print item designation information (S302: Yes), all setting items are included as in the first embodiment. A setting sheet is printed (S310).

  On the other hand, when the printing of “all items” is not designated (S302: No), the creating unit 300 determines whether the setting order is designated (S303). If the setting order is not designated (S303: No), it is considered that printing of “all items” is designated, and the process proceeds to step S310 described above.

  In the above step S303, when the setting order is specified (S303: Yes), the creation means 300 selects one setting item (S304), and the order and setting assigned to the selected setting item. The rank is compared (S305). If the rank is the same as or higher than the set rank (S305: No), the print item is determined (S306). If the rank is lower than the set rank (S305: Yes) ) And determined as a non-printing item (S307). Then, until the last setting item is reached (S308: Yes), the above operation is repeated, and all the setting items are determined to be print items or non-print items.

  That is, when the operation for determining the print items is schematically shown in FIG. 15, ranks are given to the frequency table 312 in FIG. 15A in descending order of the number of changes, and the setting items are arranged in the rank order. Instead, the rearranged frequency table 315 of FIG. 15B is created. Then, in the frequency table 315 after the rearrangement, the setting item whose order is the setting order 103, for example, the setting item higher than or equal to “fifth” is determined as the print item 100, and the setting item lower than the setting order 103 is not set. The print item 101 is determined.

  Then, the creation unit 300 creates setting sheet information in which the print items 100 are arranged in the order of rank, and the image processing unit 34 and the print processing unit 35 print the setting sheet 12C illustrated in FIG. 16 (S310). On the setting sheet 12C, setting items 121A to 121E determined as the print item 100 and setting value designation areas 122A to 122E corresponding to the setting items 121A to 121E are printed in the order of rank.

  Note that the process of updating the setting information 311 and the frequency table 312 by the updating unit 301 based on the setting sheet 12C in which the check mark is entered is the same as that in the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

[Fourth Embodiment]
Compared to the second embodiment, the image processing system 1 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention performs grouping that aggregates a plurality of related setting items into one setting item, and performs a plurality of grouping target items. In the case where the number of additions to the set items is added and the number of changes exceeds a predetermined threshold, the set items are determined as print items as a set, and the other configuration is the second embodiment. It is the same.

  For example, when the setting value of one setting item is changed, the setting values of the other setting item are changed together or restrictions on the setting value occur. Say something. The plurality of related setting items is not limited to two, and may be three or more.

(Operation of the fourth embodiment)
Next, an example of the operation of the image processing system 1 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

(1) Designation of Print Item The control unit 30 of the first printer 3-1 prints the print item designation sheet 11D illustrated in FIG. 18 based on a change instruction from the user. This print item designation sheet 11D is provided with a grouping designation area 117 for designating whether or not to perform grouping, in addition to the print item designation area 112, the total period designation area 113, and the threshold designation area 115 similar to those in FIG. ing.

  Next, when the user operates the first scanner 2-1 to give a reading instruction to the printed print item designation sheet 11D, the first scanner 2-1 moves to the print item designation sheet 11D. On the other hand, generation of a read image by the image reading unit 23 and analysis processing on the read image by the image analysis unit 24 are performed, and the user in the print item specifying area 112, the total period specifying area 113, the threshold specifying area 115, and the grouping specifying area 117 is performed by the user. Acquire print item specification information indicating the specified content. Then, the control unit 20 transmits the print item designation information to the first printer 3-1.

(2) Printing of setting sheet When the control unit 30 of the first printer 3-1 receives the print item designation information from the first scanner 2-1 (FIG. 21: S400), the creating unit 300 displays the frequency table. 312 (S401), if “all items” is designated in the received print item designation information (S402: Yes), all setting items are included as in the first embodiment. A setting sheet is printed (S411).

  On the other hand, when printing of “all items” is not designated (S402: No), the creation unit 300 determines whether grouping is designated (S403), and when grouping is designated. (S403: Yes), grouping is performed to collect related setting items into one setting item (S404).

  Next, the creating unit 300 determines whether or not a threshold value has been designated (S405). If no threshold value is designated (S405: No), it is considered that printing of “all items” has been designated. The process proceeds to step S411 described above.

  If a threshold value is specified in step S405 (S405: Yes), the creation unit 300 selects one setting item (S406), and compares the number of changes of the selected setting item with the threshold value. If the number of changes is greater than or equal to the threshold (S407: No), the item is determined as a print item (S408). If the number of changes is less than the threshold (S407: Yes), the item is determined as a non-print item. (S409). Then, until the last setting item is reached (S410: Yes), the above operation is repeated, and all the setting items are determined as a print item or a non-print item.

  That is, FIG. 19 schematically illustrates an operation when determining a print item. In the frequency table 312 illustrated in FIG. 19A, “timeout” and “timeout time” are grouping items to be grouped. In the case of 104, it is treated as one setting item as in the frequency table 316A after grouping illustrated in FIG. 19B, and the number of changes is the number obtained by adding the number of changes before grouping. Become. Then, in the frequency table 316B after rearrangement in FIG. 19C in which the setting items are rearranged in the descending order of the number of changes in the frequency table 316A after grouping, the number of changes is a threshold value 102, for example, “3” or more. The item is determined as the print item 100, and the setting item less than the threshold 102 is determined as the non-print item 101.

  Then, the creating unit 300 creates setting sheet information in which the print items 100 are arranged in descending order of the number of changes, and the image processing unit 34 and the print processing unit 35 print the setting sheet 12D illustrated in FIG. 21 (S411). . The setting sheet 12D is printed with the same contents as in the second embodiment.

  Note that the process of updating the setting information 311 and the frequency table 312 by the updating unit 301 based on the setting sheet 12D in which the check mark is entered is the same as that in the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

[Other embodiments]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in each of the above-described embodiments, the setting sheet targets the operating conditions of the printer 3. However, if the apparatus operates according to the determined operating conditions, for example, the scanner 2 or the multifunction machine is used. You may make it a target.

  In each of the above embodiments, the print item designation sheet is printed in response to the change instruction. However, the screen equivalent to the print item designation sheet is displayed on the operation display unit 22 of the scanner 2 or the operation display unit 33 of the printer 3. May be displayed.

  In each of the above embodiments, the frequency table 312 is individually provided for the printer 3. However, for example, one frequency table may be provided for a plurality of printers 3, or a user or a plurality of frequency tables may be provided. A frequency table may be provided for each management unit such as a group of users.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the creating unit 300 and the updating unit 301 of the printer 3 are realized by the control unit 30 and the image processing program 310. However, a part or all of them are applied to an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC: ASIC). It may be realized by hardware such as Application Specific IC).

  The image processing program used in each of the above embodiments may be read from a recording medium such as a CD-ROM into a storage unit in the apparatus, or stored in the apparatus from a server connected to a network such as the Internet. You may download to the department.

  In addition, the constituent elements of the above embodiments can be arbitrarily combined without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the image processing system 1 in each of the above embodiments only needs to have the functions and data of the scanner 2 and the printer 3 as a whole. For example, the image analysis unit of the scanner 2 is provided in the printer 3. It may be provided, or the creation unit 300 of the printer 3 may be provided in the scanner 2. Also, those functions, data, etc. may be provided in one device such as a multifunction device, for example, or divided into three or more devices (for example, a configuration in which a management device such as a server is further added). May be provided.

  In the fourth embodiment, the print item is determined by using the threshold for the number of times of grouping as in the second embodiment, but when the print item in each of the above embodiments is determined. These operations can be arbitrarily combined. For example, a threshold value and a setting order may be combined, or further grouping may be performed.

FIG. 1 is an overall view showing an example of a schematic configuration of an image processing system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of the scanner. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of the printer. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the frequency table. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print item designation sheet according to the first embodiment. 6A shows an example of a frequency table, FIG. 6B shows an example of an extraction table in which print items are extracted from FIG. 6A, and FIG. 6C shows FIG. ) Is an example of an extraction table that is rearranged in order of the number of changes. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a setting sheet on which setting items determined as print items are printed. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation in the image processing system. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the printer according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print item designation sheet according to the first embodiment. FIG. 11A shows an example of a frequency table, and FIG. 11B shows an example of an extraction table in which FIG. 11A is rearranged in order of the number of changes. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a setting sheet on which setting items determined as print items based on a threshold value are printed. FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the printer according to the second embodiment. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print item designation sheet according to the third embodiment. FIG. 15A shows an example of a frequency table, and FIG. 15B shows an example of an extraction table in which FIG. 15A is rearranged in order of rank. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of a setting sheet on which setting items determined as print items according to the setting order are printed. FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the printer according to the third embodiment. FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print item designation sheet according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 19A shows an example of a frequency table, FIG. 19B shows an example of an extraction table obtained by grouping with respect to FIG. 19A, and FIG. 19C shows FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the extraction table which rearranged b) in order of the frequency | count of change. FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an example of a setting sheet on which setting items determined as print items by grouping are printed. FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the printer according to the fourth embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image processing system, 2, 2-1 to 2-n ... Scanner, 3, 3-1 to 3-n ... Printer, 4 ... Network, 11A-11D ... Print item designation | designated sheet, 12A-12D ... Setting sheet | seat DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 20 ... Control part, 21 ... Communication part, 22 ... Operation display part, 23 ... Image reading part, 24 ... Image analysis part, 30 ... Control part, 31 ... Memory | storage part, 32 ... Communication part, 33 ... Operation display part, 34 ... Image processing unit, 35 ... Print processing unit, 100 ... Print item, 101 ... Non-print item, 102 ... Threshold, 103 ... Setting order, 104 ... Grouping item, 110 ... Check box, 111 ... Check mark, 112 ... Print item Designated area, 113 ... Total period designated area, 114 ... Setting item designated area, 115 ... Threshold designated area, 116 ... Setting order designated area, 117 ... Grouping designated area, 120 ... Check box , 121A to 121G ... setting items, 122A to 122G ... set value designation area, 300 ... creation means, 301 ... update means, 310 ... image processing program, 311 ... setting information, 312 ... frequency table, 313A ... extraction table, 313B ... Extraction table after rearrangement, 314, 315 ... Frequency table after rearrangement, 316A ... Frequency table after grouping, 316B ... Frequency table after rearrangement

Claims (8)

Storage means for storing frequency information for each setting item each time a setting value of a plurality of setting items for defining operating conditions is changed;
Creating means for creating setting instruction information including all or a part of the plurality of setting items in which the frequency information is stored in the storage unit, and a plurality of setting values and the frequency information corresponding thereto; Image processing device.   The setting instruction information created by the creating unit is image information for printout in which the plurality of setting items are arranged in the order of the frequency indicated by the frequency information and setting values for the plurality of setting items can be respectively specified. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the creation unit creates the setting instruction information based on designated setting items as all or part of the plurality of setting items.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the creation unit creates the setting instruction information based on the setting item in which a value indicated by the frequency information corresponding to the setting item exceeds a predetermined threshold.   The image processing according to claim 1, wherein the creation unit creates the setting instruction information based on a setting item whose rank is higher than a predetermined rank when a ranking is given to the setting items according to the frequency information. apparatus.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the creation unit calculates frequency information using a plurality of related setting items as one setting item, and generates the setting instruction information based on the calculated frequency information. Storage means for storing frequency information for each setting item each time a setting value of a plurality of setting items for defining operating conditions is changed;
Creating means for creating setting instruction information composed of all or a part of the plurality of setting items in which the frequency information is stored in the storage means, and a plurality of setting values and the frequency information corresponding thereto;
Printing means for printing the setting instruction information created by the creating means on a storage medium;
Reading means for reading from the recording medium change designation information designated to change the setting value with respect to the setting instruction information printed on the storage medium;
An image processing system comprising: an update unit that updates the frequency information stored in the storage unit based on the change designation information read by the reading unit.   Each time the setting values of a plurality of setting items that define operating conditions are changed, the frequency information is acquired from storage means for storing the frequency information for each of the setting items, and all or part of the plurality of setting items And an image processing program for causing a computer to execute creation means for creating setting instruction information including a plurality of setting values corresponding thereto and the acquired frequency information.

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