JP2010050787A - Information processing apparatus, image forming apparatus, and information processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To input electronic information in various formats, to output the electronic information in various formats and to easily customize the input/output of the electronic information and information processing. <P>SOLUTION: Input sections 3, 5a, 11, 13 input electronic information in input formats different from one another in accordance with the input formats. An input conversion section 17 converts the electronic information from the input sections 3, 5a, 11, 13 into a common format. An information processing section 19 performs information processing on the electronic information converted into the common format. Output sections 5a, 9, 11, 13 output electronic information in output formats different from one another to the outside in accordance with the output formats. An output conversion section 21 converts the information-processed electronic information into output formats corresponding to the respective output sections and outputs the converted information to the output sections 5a, 9, 11, 13. A setting section 7 accepts settings of input/output correspondence. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an image forming apparatus, and an information processing method. For example, an information processing apparatus such as a computer, an image forming apparatus such as a multi function peripheral (MFP) equipped with the information processing apparatus, and an information processing method are improved. About.

  Conventionally, a multi-function machine having a copy function, a facsimile transmission / reception function, an electronic mail transmission / reception function, etc., for example, as shown in FIG. 4, performs individual data conversion processing according to output by switching selection of facsimile signals received by facsimile, Facsimile transmission (transfer) to another multifunction device or the like, printing (printing) on printing paper, or e-mail transmission is possible, and received electronic information can be output in a plurality of modes. In the figure, facsimile is abbreviated as “Fax” (the same applies hereinafter).

  As described above, as a configuration capable of outputting received electronic information in a plurality of modes, for example, there is a facsimile transfer system disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-178023 (Patent Document 1).

This patent document 1 is a facsimile transfer system in which a voice mail apparatus and a facsimile mail apparatus are connected to a private branch exchange that accommodates a public telephone line network, and an electronic mail apparatus is connected to the facsimile mail apparatus. The facsimile message data received from the facsimile terminal through the network to the private branch exchange can be automatically transferred between the voice mail device, the facsimile mail device, the electronic mail device, and the key telephone.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-178023

  However, the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 automatically transfers facsimile message data from a public telephone line network received through a private branch exchange as it is between the voice mail apparatus, facsimile mail apparatus and electronic mail apparatus. The received data cannot be changed or processed and mail transfer cannot be performed, and the received data received from an external computer cannot be transmitted by facsimile.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the received facsimile telegram data is transmitted by facsimile for data conversion processing (Fax to Fax), and for printing, data conversion processing for printing (Fax to Print), In order to send e-mail, it is necessary to perform data conversion processing (Fax to Mail) for e-mail, and the received electronic information cannot be transferred by any combination of input / output, but can be transferred only by a preset combination of input / output. In addition, it is difficult to change or process the received information and output it.

  In order to realize a configuration in which input electronic information is changed or processed and output in an arbitrary output form, in general, electronic information such as print data, facsimile data, and e-mail data is stored in each individual format or Since there is no compatibility depending on the protocol, input / output processing for each format is required, and it is necessary to prepare software and hardware for execution processing corresponding to the number of input / output combinations. There is.

  In recent years, in a multi-function peripheral having a copy function, a facsimile transmission / reception function, an electronic mail transmission / reception function, etc., for example, input electronic information such as a form in which electronic information received by facsimile is changed and transmitted in the form of an electronic mail. There are increasing demands for customization to enable output in any output form different from these input forms, and the contents tend to be diversified.

  Therefore, the present inventor, for example, prepares a common data format and interface inside the multifunction peripheral, and pays attention to the fact that they can be solved by separating the input electronic information change processing and input / output means, The present invention has been completed.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an information processing apparatus, an image forming apparatus, and an information processing method in which input / output of various electronic information can be customized by a simple operation. .

  In order to solve such a problem, a first information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a plurality of input units that input electronic information of different input formats corresponding to the input formats, and the input units from the input units. An input conversion unit that converts the electronic information into a common format and an information processing unit that processes the electronic information converted into the common format are provided.

  A second information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes an information processing unit that processes electronic information converted into a common format, and a plurality of electronic information that are output in different formats corresponding to the output format. An output unit; and an output conversion unit that converts the processed electronic information into an output format corresponding to each of the output units and outputs the output format to the output unit.

  A third information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a plurality of input units that input electronic information of different input formats corresponding to the input formats, and an input conversion unit that converts the electronic information from the input units into a common format A plurality of output units for outputting electronic information of different output formats to the outside corresponding to the output format, and converting the electronic information based on the common format into an output format corresponding to each output unit An output conversion unit that outputs to the unit, and a setting unit that receives setting of correspondence between each input unit and the output unit.

  A fourth information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a plurality of input units that input electronic information of different input formats corresponding to the input formats, and an input conversion unit that converts the electronic information from the input units into a common format An information processing unit that processes electronic information converted into the common format, a plurality of output units that output electronic information of different output formats to the outside corresponding to the output format, and the processed information An output conversion unit that converts information into an output format corresponding to each output unit and outputs the output format to the output unit; and a setting unit that receives a setting of a correspondence relationship between each input unit and the output unit. Yes.

  In the information processing apparatus of the present invention, the input unit may be an image reading unit, a reading storage unit, a facsimile receiving unit, an e-mail receiving unit, or a file receiving unit.

  In the information processing apparatus of the present invention, the output unit may be an image forming device, a writing storage unit, a facsimile transmission unit, an e-mail transmission unit, or a file transmission unit.

  The information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes these information processing apparatuses and has a configuration for forming an image based on image data.

  A first information processing method according to the present invention includes an input step of selectively inputting electronic information of different input formats, an input conversion step of converting electronic information from the input step into a common format, and the common format And an information processing step for processing the electronic information converted into the information.

  The second information processing method of the present invention includes an information processing step for processing electronic information converted into a common format, an output conversion step for converting the processed electronic information into different output formats, and individual outputs. An output step of selectively outputting the electronic information in the format to the outside.

  According to a third information processing method of the present invention, an input process for selectively inputting electronic information in different input formats, an input conversion process for converting the electronic information from the input process into a common format, and the common format Output conversion process for converting electronic information based on different output formats, output process for selectively outputting electronic information of individual output formats to the outside, electronic information of individual input formats and electronic information of those output formats And a setting step for receiving the setting of the correspondence relationship.

  According to a fourth information processing method of the present invention, an input step for selectively inputting electronic information in different input formats, an input conversion step for converting electronic information from the input step into a common format, and the common format An information processing process for processing the converted electronic information, an output conversion process for converting the processed electronic information into different output formats, and an output for selectively outputting the electronic information in each of these output formats to the outside And a setting step for accepting the setting of the correspondence between the electronic information of each input format and the output format.

  In the information processing method of the present invention, the input process may be input by an image reading unit, a reading storage unit, a facsimile receiving unit, an e-mail receiving unit, or a file receiving unit.

  In the information processing method of the present invention, the output process may be output by an image forming apparatus, a writing storage unit, a facsimile transmission unit, an e-mail transmission unit, or a file transmission unit.

  In such a first configuration according to the present invention, electronic information in different input formats is selectively input, the input electronic information is converted into a common format, and the electronic information converted into the common format is processed. Since information processing is performed, it is possible to input various electronic information by a simple operation and perform information processing, and input customization of electronic information is possible.

  In the second configuration of the present invention, information processing for processing electronic information converted into a common format is performed, the processed electronic information is converted into different output formats, and electronic information of individual output formats is externally provided. Since the information is selectively output, various outputs of the processed electronic information can be performed by a simple operation, and output customization of the electronic information is possible.

  In the third configuration of the present invention, electronic information in different input formats is selectively input, the electronic information from this input process is converted into a common format, and the electronic information based on the common format is converted into different output formats. Since the electronic information of each output format is selectively output to the outside and the setting of the correspondence between the electronic information of each input format and the electronic information of the output format is accepted, various electronic information is input, Various outputs of input electronic information can be performed by simple operations, and input / output customization of electronic information is possible.

  In the fourth configuration of the present invention, electronic information in different input formats is selectively input, the input electronic information is converted into a common format, the electronic information converted into the common format is processed, and information processing is performed. Converted to different output formats, selectively output the electronic information of each output format to the outside, and accept the setting of the correspondence between the electronic information of each of these input formats and the output format, Various electronic information can be input, input electronic information can be processed, various outputs of the processed electronic information can be performed by simple operations, input / output of electronic information and customization of information processing are possible .

  In the present invention, the image reading unit, the reading storage unit, the facsimile receiving unit, the e-mail receiving unit or the file receiving unit can be customized in image reading, storage information reading, facsimile, e-mail or file processing. It is.

  In the present invention, the image forming apparatus, write storage unit, facsimile transmission unit, e-mail transmission unit, or file transmission unit can be customized in image reading, electronic information writing, facsimile, e-mail or file processing. It is.

  Embodiments of an information processing apparatus, an image forming apparatus, and an information processing method according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The information processing apparatus and the information processing method according to the present invention will be described in the process of describing the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of a multifunction machine as an image forming apparatus according to the present invention, which is equipped with the information processing apparatus according to the present invention and implements the information processing method of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, the multifunction peripheral A has an image reading unit 3, a storage unit 5, an operation panel unit 7, a printing unit 9, a facsimile transmission / reception unit 11 and a data transmission / reception unit 13 connected to the main control unit 1 as a center. An image forming apparatus configured as described above. The multi-function machine A has other constituent elements, but is not a main part of the present invention, and thus description and illustration thereof are omitted. The function of the main control unit 1 will be described later.

  The image reading unit 3 is a known scanner that optically reads an image from a document under the control of the main control unit 1 and generates image data as electronic information subjected to filter processing and the like, and is an input unit in the present invention. The generated image data is sequentially stored in the storage unit 5 for each page of the document via the main control unit 1.

  The storage unit 5 is a readable / writable hard disk (HDD) that stores an operation application program of the main control unit 1, operation screen information for operating the multifunction peripheral A, and the like under the control of the main control unit 1.

  The storage unit 5 has a plurality of personal BOXes 5a as predetermined storage areas for each user, for example, and electronic information can be read from and written to the personal BOXs 5a via the main control unit 1 as will be described later. . The individual BOX 5a functions as an input unit and an output unit of the present invention.

  The operation panel unit 7 is a setting unit including a display unit including a known liquid crystal display disposed in the multi-function device A and a touch switch disposed so as to overlap the display unit. The operation status and various data in the multi-function device A are displayed, and as will be described later, the destination facsimile number, destination address information and personal identification information are input, and the correspondence between the plurality of input units and the plurality of output units It has a function of receiving the setting of the relationship and outputting it to the main control unit 1.

  Under the control of the main control unit 1, the printing unit 9 primarily feeds printing paper from a paper feed stage (not shown) and secondary feeds the transported printing paper, while giving instructions via the main control unit 1. The developed electronic information is developed into image image data, a toner image is formed based on the image data, and the toner image is transferred and fixed on a secondary fed paper to form an image by monochrome or full color printing. Printing engine. The printing unit 9 is an output unit in the present invention.

  The facsimile transmission / reception unit 11 is an interface unit that is connected to an external facsimile machine (none shown) via a public line under the control of the main control unit 1 and transmits / receives a facsimile signal according to a predetermined facsimile transmission protocol. is there.

  That is, when the facsimile transmission / reception unit 11 receives a facsimile signal from an external facsimile device, the facsimile transmission / reception unit 11 decodes the facsimile signal and outputs the decoded signal to the main control unit 1 and also outputs a transmission facsimile signal from the main control unit 1 to the external facsimile device. The facsimile signal is transmitted after being compressed. The facsimile transmission / reception unit 11 is an input unit and an output unit in the invention.

  The data transmission / reception unit 13 is connected to an external image forming apparatus, for example, a multi-function peripheral B via the network 15 under the control of the main control unit 1, and controls electronic mail, electronic files, and files according to a predetermined data transmission protocol. An interface unit for transmitting and receiving data and others.

  That is, the data transmission / reception unit 13 has a network reception function and e-mail transmission / reception (for example, POP3: post office protocol version 3, SMTP: simple mail transfer protocol) between the main control unit 1 and the outside via the network 15. ) Function, electronic file FTP (file transfer protocol) transmission / reception function for uploading HTML files and image files to the home page of the server, SMB (Server Message Block) transmission / reception function as a file sharing function and print sharing function, and the invention As well as an input unit and an output unit.

  The main control unit 1 includes a CPU, a ROM that stores a startup program for the CPU, and the like. The image reading unit 3, the storage unit 5, the operation panel unit 7, the printing unit 9, and the application program stored in the storage unit 5 The facsimile transmission / reception unit 11 and the data transmission / reception unit 13 are controlled to perform a part of their functions.

  Further, the main control unit 1 is converted into a common format, and an input conversion unit 17 that converts electronic information from the image reading unit 3 as an input unit, the personal BOX 5a, the facsimile transmission / reception unit 11 and the data transmission / reception unit 13 into a common format. The information processing unit 19 that processes the electronic information, the personal BOX 5a as the output unit, the printing unit 9, the facsimile transmission / reception unit 11 and the data transmission / reception unit 13 are converted into output formats, and the processed electronic information is It has a function as the output conversion unit 21 that selectively outputs to the output unit.

  That is, the input conversion unit 17 reads the image data from the above-described image reading unit 3, personal BOX 5a, facsimile transmission / reception unit 11 and data transmission / reception unit 13, received facsimile signal, received e-mail, received electronic file, received file control signal, etc. The input electronic information is converted into a predetermined common format.

  The common format is a conventionally known one or a rule arbitrarily created when the present invention is implemented. The information processing unit 19 changes, processes, and expands the input electronic information converted into the common format and outputs the information. Will do.

  The information processing unit 19 adds image processing such as smoothing and page layout change or processing on each page, destination facsimile number, destination address information, or personal identification information to the electronic information converted into the common format. It has information processing functions such as data control such as GUI (graphical user interface) processing and replication processing. These information processings are performed by the information processing unit 19 based on input information from the operation panel unit 7.

  The output conversion unit 21 outputs the electronic information processed by the information processing unit 19 or the electronic information not processed but converted to a common format as a personal BOX 5a as an output unit, the operation panel unit 7, the printing unit 9, and facsimile transmission / reception. It has a function of converting to an output format corresponding to the unit 11 or the data transmitting / receiving unit 13 and outputting to the output unit.

  The operation panel unit 7 described above includes the read image data, received facsimile signal, received e-mail, received electronic file, received file control signal from the image reading unit 3, personal BOX 5a, facsimile transmission / reception unit 11 and data transmission / reception unit 13. Based on the selection and external setting of whether to output the processed electronic information to the personal BOX 5a as the output unit, the operation panel unit 7, the printing unit 9, the facsimile transmission / reception unit 11 or the data transmission / reception unit 13 The main control unit 1 selectively controls the output of electronic information according to the correspondence between individual input units and output units.

  FIG. 2 shows an input form from the image reading unit 3, personal BOX 5a, facsimile transmission / reception unit 11 and data transmission / reception unit 13 as an input unit, an information processing form by the information processing unit 19, and an output unit in the multifunction machine A of the present invention. 6 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a correspondence relationship between output forms to a personal BOX 5a, a printing unit 9, a facsimile transmission / reception unit 11 or a data transmission / reception unit 13 as a personal computer.

  Next, the operation of the MFP A according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  For example, when a selection instruction is given from the operation panel unit 7 to perform image processing on the scanned (scanned) image data of the image reading unit 3 and print (output) the image data in the printing unit 9, as illustrated in FIG. 3 is converted into a common format by the input conversion unit 17, and the information processing unit 19 performs image processing such as page layout on the converted electronic information and outputs it to the output conversion unit 21. Then, the output conversion unit 21 converts the electronic information converted into the common format into a format corresponding to the printing unit 9, and outputs this to the printing unit 9.

  Then, the printing unit 9 develops the input electronic information into image image data, forms a toner image based on the image data, and transfers and fixes the toner image on a printing paper to be fed and conveyed to make monochrome or full color. Print. This example is similar to a conventional printing operation.

  Further, when a selection instruction is given from the operation panel unit 7 to process (scan) image data of the image reading unit 3 and store it in the personal BOX 5a, as shown in FIG. 3B, reading from the image reading unit 3 ( Scan) image data is converted into a common format by the input conversion unit 17, and the information processing unit 19 applies destination identification information to the converted electronic information and outputs it to the output conversion unit 21. The converted electronic information is converted into a format according to the personal BOX 5a, and the output conversion unit 21 converts it into the personal BOX 5a.

  Further, when the facsimile signal received by the facsimile transmission / reception unit 11 is image-processed from the operation panel unit 7 and an e-mail transfer and print selection instruction is given, the facsimile received by the facsimile transmission / reception unit 11 as shown in FIG. 3C. The signal is converted into electronic information in a common format by the input conversion unit 17, and the information processing unit 19 performs processing for assigning destination address information to the converted electronic information and outputs it to the output conversion unit 21, so that the common format is obtained. The converted electronic information is converted into a format corresponding to the data transmission / reception unit 13 and the printing unit 9, and is output to the data transmission / reception unit 13 and the printing unit 9.

  Then, the data transmitting / receiving unit 13 transmits the electronic mail to the destination address according to a predetermined protocol, while the printing unit 9 performs a printing process.

  Such a process corresponds to the information processing method according to the present invention.

  As described above, the MFP A of the present invention includes the image reading unit 3, the personal BOX 5a, the facsimile transmission / reception unit 11, and the data transmission / reception unit as a plurality of input units for inputting electronic information of different input formats corresponding to the input format. 13, an input conversion unit 17 that converts the electronic information from these input units into a common format, an information processing unit 19 that processes the electronic information converted into the common format, and electronic information in different output formats Individual BOX 5a as a plurality of output units to be output to the outside corresponding to the output format, operation panel unit 7, printing unit 9, facsimile transmission / reception unit 11 and data transmission / reception unit 13, and information processing electronic information as individual output units Output conversion unit 21 that converts the output format according to the output format and outputs the output format to the output unit, and those Operation panel for receiving a setting of a correspondence between the radical 19 and the output section is provided with (setting unit) 7, a.

  Therefore, various electronic information can be input, input electronic information can be processed, various output forms of the processed electronic information can be performed by simple operations, and input / output of electronic information and customization of information processing can be performed. It becomes easy.

  As the above-described MFP A according to the present invention, the image reading unit 3 as an input unit, a personal BOX 5a, a facsimile transmission / reception unit 11 and a data transmission / reception unit 13, a personal BOX 5a as an output unit, an operation panel unit 7, a printing unit 9, Although the configuration including the facsimile transmission / reception unit 11 and the data transmission / reception unit 13 and the input conversion unit 17, the information processing unit 19, and the output conversion unit 21 has been described, the present invention is not limited to this.

  For convenience, when the above-described configuration is the fourth configuration, for example, a configuration including a plurality of input units 3, 5 a, 11, 13, an input conversion unit 17, and an information processing unit 19 is a first configuration, The configuration including the processing unit 19, the plurality of output units 5 a, 9, 11, 13 and the output conversion unit 21 is a second configuration, and the input units 3, 5 a, 11, 13, the input conversion unit 17, and the plurality of outputs The configuration including the units 5a, 9, 11, and 13, the output conversion unit 21, and the setting unit 7 can be a third configuration.

  In the first configuration according to the present invention, various electronic information can be input by simple operations, information processing can be performed, and input customization of the electronic information is possible. In the second configuration of the present invention, information Various outputs of processed electronic information can be performed by simple operations, and output customization of electronic information is possible.

  Furthermore, in the third configuration of the present invention, various electronic information can be input, various outputs of the input electronic information can be performed by simple operations, and input / output customization of the electronic information can be performed.

  By the way, in the present invention, the input unit is not limited to the image reading unit 3, the personal BOX 5a, the facsimile transmission / reception unit 11 and the data transmission / reception unit 13, but other input units are possible, and the output unit is also the personal BOX 5a, The operation panel unit 7, the printing unit 9, the facsimile transmission / reception unit 11, and the data transmission / reception unit 13 are not limited, and other input units are possible.

  The personal BOX 5a as the input unit and the output unit may be an external storage medium such as a USB (universal serial bus) memory that can be connected from the outside, as long as it is a read storage unit or a write storage unit. It can be implemented.

  Further, in the information processing apparatus and the information processing method mounted on the multifunction peripheral (image forming apparatus) A according to the present invention, the same effects as those of the multifunction peripheral A described above can be obtained.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention, which is equipped with an information processing apparatus according to the present invention and performs an information processing method according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an operation concept of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. It is a figure explaining operation | movement of the image forming apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a figure explaining operation | movement of the conventional image forming apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

1 Main control unit 3 Image reading unit (input unit)
5 storage unit 5a personal BOX (reading storage unit, writing storage unit, input / output unit)
7 Operation panel section (setting section)
9 Printing section (output section)
11 Facsimile transceiver (input / output unit)
13 Data transceiver (input / output unit)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 15 Network 17 Input conversion part 19 Information processing part 21 Output conversion part A, B Multifunction machine (Image forming apparatus, information processing apparatus)

Claims (13)

A plurality of input units for inputting electronic information of different input formats corresponding to the input format;
An input conversion unit for converting the electronic information from the input unit into a common format;
An information processing unit that processes the electronic information converted into the common format;
An information processing apparatus comprising: An information processing unit for processing electronic information converted into a common format;
A plurality of output units for outputting electronic information of different output formats to the outside corresponding to the output formats;
An output conversion unit for converting and outputting to the output unit;
An information processing apparatus comprising:
The processed electronic information is converted into an output format corresponding to each output unit. A plurality of input units for inputting electronic information of different input formats corresponding to the input format;
An input conversion unit for converting the electronic information from the input unit into a common format;
A plurality of output units for outputting electronic information of different output formats to the outside corresponding to the output formats;
An output conversion unit that converts the electronic information based on the common format into an output format corresponding to each output unit and outputs the output format to the output unit;
A setting unit that accepts the setting of the correspondence between each of the input units and the output unit;
An information processing apparatus comprising: A plurality of input units for inputting electronic information of different input formats corresponding to the input format;
An input conversion unit for converting the electronic information from the input unit into a common format;
An information processing unit that processes the electronic information converted into the common format;
A plurality of output units for outputting electronic information of different output formats to the outside corresponding to the output formats;
An output conversion unit that converts the processed electronic information into an output format corresponding to each output unit and outputs the output format to the output unit;
A setting unit that accepts the setting of the correspondence between each of the input units and the output unit;
An information processing apparatus comprising: The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the input unit is an image reading unit, a reading storage unit, a facsimile receiving unit, an e-mail receiving unit, or a file receiving unit. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the output unit is an image forming apparatus, a writing storage unit, a facsimile transmission unit, an e-mail transmission unit, or a file transmission unit. An image forming apparatus comprising the information processing apparatus according to claim 1 and forming an image based on image data. An input process for selectively inputting electronic information in different input formats;
An input conversion step for converting the electronic information from the input step into a common format;
An information processing step for processing the electronic information converted into the common format;
An information processing method comprising: An information processing step for processing electronic information converted into a common format;
An output conversion step of converting the processed electronic information into different output formats;
An output step of selectively outputting electronic information of each of the output formats to the outside;
An information processing method comprising: An input process for selectively inputting electronic information in different input formats;
An input conversion step for converting the electronic information from the input step into a common format;
An output conversion step of converting the electronic information based on the common format into different output formats;
An output step of selectively outputting electronic information of each of the output formats to the outside;
A setting step for accepting the setting of the correspondence between the electronic information of each input format and the electronic information of the output format;
An information processing method comprising: An input process for selectively inputting electronic information in different input formats;
An input conversion step for converting the electronic information from the input step into a common format;
An information processing step for processing the electronic information converted into the common format;
An output conversion step of converting the processed electronic information into different output formats;
An output step of selectively outputting electronic information of each of the output formats to the outside;
A setting step for accepting the setting of the correspondence between the electronic information of each of the input formats and the output format;
An information processing method comprising: The information processing method according to claim 8, 10 or 11, wherein the input step is performed by an image reading unit, a reading storage unit, a facsimile receiving unit, an e-mail receiving unit or a file receiving unit. 13. The information processing method according to claim 9, wherein the output step is performed by an image forming apparatus, a writing storage unit, a facsimile transmission unit, an e-mail transmission unit, or a file transmission unit.

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