JP2010057101A - Image processing system, program and image processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing system, a program and an image processing method capable of reducing the burden on a user and mistakes in setting when putting together data of a plurality of formats having different applications and outputting the data. <P>SOLUTION: A data analyzing section 22 generates data analysis information for original data of a plurality of formats input from a communication control section 17, and an image processing section 13 integrates each of the original data of the plurality of formats into a selected single output format based on the generated data analysis information, and outputs the data. With this configuration, the only thing to do by a user is to select an output format to utilize the data analysis information of each of original data of the plurality of formats and the user can automatically output each of the original data with an output format desired by the user. Thus, since the user pays attention to only the output format, the burden on the user is reduced and mistakes in setting can be reduced that much. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

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

  In recent years, image processing apparatuses such as copiers, facsimile apparatuses, printer apparatuses, or multi-function peripherals called so-called MFPs (Multi Function Peripherals) that have these functions have been made multifunctional. Various function settings are possible.

  In this type of multi-function peripheral, settings related to document status such as document type and density, settings related to various image processing such as enlargement / reduction ratio, single-sided / double-sided, and margin size, stamp stamping, stapling, or punching The user can make settings related to various functions such as settings related to finishing processing such as drilling processing.

  In this type of multi-function peripheral, settings related to document status such as document type and density, settings related to various image processing such as enlargement / reduction ratio, single-sided / double-sided, and margin size, stamp stamping, stapling, or punching The user can make settings related to various functions such as settings related to finishing processing such as drilling processing.

  However, in a conventional multifunction machine, when such a finishing function is set and printing is started, the finished state cannot be confirmed until a print result is obtained. For example, in the finished state with punch holes, even if the punch hole position and the output image overlap, it is impossible to know the results until the actual printing is performed, resulting in a printing error and wasteful use of paper. The problem of end up occurs.

  Therefore, in order to solve such problems, the pre-scanned document image is processed with various functions such as finishing functions (printing paper, printing surface, punch, staple, etc.) before actual printing. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228867 proposes an image processing apparatus that displays a preview image of a result and allows a user to check an output result and change print settings as necessary.

  In addition, in the patent document 2 filed earlier, the present applicant displays a menu related to the position when a specific location in the preview image of the document is touched, and the function (printing paper, printing surface, punch, staple, Intuitive and convenient user interface in which the settings are immediately reflected in the preview image by selecting the output color, output density, paper, enlargement / reduction, simplex / duplex, consolidated printing, sort / stack, etc. Has proposed.

JP 2001-67347 A JP 2006-003568 A

  By the way, when data is received from an external device such as a personal computer and print processing is performed in the image processing apparatus, there are cases where a plurality of types of data having different applications are desired to be output together. In such a case, the user activates each application, sets the output, prints, and further combines them by staple binding or the like.

  However, there is a problem that when the print setting in each application is wrong, the appearance of the printed matter changes depending on the data (that is, every page). In particular, in an application that handles image data, there is a problem that if the data area is smaller than the size of the printing paper, an extra solid portion is formed. On the other hand, when the data area is larger than the size of the printing paper (for example, when printing a large table with a spreadsheet application), there is a problem that a necessary part is divided or a necessary part is not output.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and can reduce the burden on the user and reduce setting mistakes when outputting data in a plurality of formats with different applications together. An object is to provide an image processing system, a program, and an image processing method.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, an image processing system according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a data input means for inputting document data in a plurality of formats, and data relating to each input document data. Analysis means for generating analysis information; format display means for selectively displaying an output format of each document data; format selection means for selecting one of the displayed output formats; and Based on the data analysis information, format unifying means for unifying the document data in a plurality of formats into the selected one output format, and an image for outputting the document data in a plurality of formats unified in the output format Output means.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image processing system according to the first aspect, the analysis means includes a priority processing item for aligning the document data into a standard format that is a standard for format unification, and the priority processing. Generating the data analysis information in which the condition of the item is associated, and the format unifying unit uses the document processing setting item obtained from the data analysis information and the selected one output format, Unify data into the selected output format.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image processing system according to the first or second aspect, a preview generation unit that generates the document data in a plurality of formats unified as the output format as a preview image; Preview display means for displaying a preview image, and the image output means outputs the document data in a plurality of formats unified to the output format according to the contents of the preview image.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing system according to the third aspect, the image processing system further comprises setting means for receiving input of various processing settings for the preview image, and the preview generating means is configured to receive the setting means received by the setting means. A new preview image in which the processing setting is reflected in the preview image is generated.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing system according to the third or fourth aspect, the preview display unit displays the document processing setting item together with the preview image.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing system according to the fifth aspect, the preview display means displays the priority processing items for aligning in a standard format together with the preview image.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image processing system according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the analysis unit refers to an output setting in a standard format of each document data.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data input function for receiving input of a plurality of types of document data, an analysis function for generating data analysis information for each of the document data that has been input, and each document. A format display function for selecting the output format of data, a format selection function for selecting one of the displayed output formats, and a plurality of formats based on the data analysis information A computer executes a format unification function for unifying original data into the selected one output format, and an image output function for outputting the original data in a plurality of formats unified to the output format.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program for generating a data input function for receiving input of a plurality of types of document data and an output format of each of the document data, and generating data analysis information for each of the document data received. Based on the data analysis information, a format unification function for unifying each original data in a plurality of formats into the selected one output format, and a plurality of formats unified in the output format An image output function for outputting document data is executed by a computer.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the program according to the eighth or ninth aspect, the analysis function includes a priority processing item for aligning each document data with a standard format that is a standard for format unification, and the priority processing. The data analysis information in which the condition of the item is associated is generated, and the format unification function uses the document processing setting item obtained from the data analysis information and the selected one output format, and Unify data into the selected output format.

  According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the program according to any one of the eighth to tenth aspects, a preview generation function for generating each document data of a plurality of formats unified as the output format as a preview image; A preview display function for displaying the preview image, and the computer further executes the preview display function, wherein the image output function is configured to output the document data in a plurality of formats unified to the output format according to the content of the preview image. Output.

  According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the program according to the eleventh aspect, the computer further executes a setting function for receiving input of various processing settings for the preview image, and the preview generation function is based on the setting function. A new preview image in which the received processing setting is reflected in the preview image is generated.

  The invention according to claim 13 is the program according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the preview display function displays the document processing setting item together with the preview image.

  According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the program according to the thirteenth aspect, the preview display function displays the priority processing items for aligning with a standard format together with the preview image.

  According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the program according to any one of the eighth to fourteenth aspects, the analysis function refers to a print setting in a standard format of each document data.

  According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing method comprising: a data input step for inputting a plurality of types of document data; an analysis step for generating data analysis information for each input document data; and each document A format display step for selectively displaying an output format of data, a format selection step for selecting one of the displayed output formats, and each of a plurality of formats based on the data analysis information A format unification step for unifying the document data into the selected one output format, and an image output step for outputting the document data in a plurality of formats unified to the output format.

  According to the present invention, data analysis information relating to input document data in a plurality of formats is generated, and each document data in a plurality of formats is unified into a selected output format based on the generated data analysis information. In this way, the user simply selects the output format, and automatically outputs each document data in the output format desired by the user using the data analysis information concerning each document data in a plurality of formats. Therefore, since the user only has to pay attention to the output format, the burden on the user is reduced, and setting errors can be reduced accordingly.

  Exemplary embodiments of an image processing system, a program, and an image processing method according to the present invention will be explained below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In this embodiment, as an image forming system, a copy function, a facsimile (FAX) function, a print function, a scanner function, and an input image (a document image read by a scanner function or an image input by a printer or FAX function) are distributed. Applying a system composed of a multifunction device (image processing device) called MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) that combines the above and an external device such as a personal computer connected to the multifunction device (image processing device) via a network This is an example.

  FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 includes a scanner 11, an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) 111, a scanner controller 112, an image storage unit 12, an image processing unit 13, a printer 14 as a print processing unit, a printer controller 142, and a finishing process. Unit 141, operation display unit 15, operation display control unit 151, system control unit 16, communication control unit 17, data storage unit 21, and data analysis unit 22. The multifunction machine 10 is connected to the network 18 via the communication control unit 17. Then, the multifunction machine 10 reads the image of the document 19 and performs image processing, and then outputs it as a printed matter 20.

  The system control unit 16 is connected to each component unit and controls the entire multifunction machine 10. For example, the control is such as providing the scanner 11 with appropriate scanning area information for the selected paper size. The system control unit 16 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like (not shown), and the CPU is based on a program stored in the ROM. Various processes are executed by operating while using the work area.

  The program executed in the multifunction machine 10 is an installable or executable file and can be read by a computer such as a CD-ROM, flexible disk (FD), CD-R, DVD (Digital Versatile Disk). The program may be recorded on a recording medium. In this case, the CPU of the system control unit 16 reads the program from the storage medium and loads it on a main storage device (not shown), thereby causing the multifunction peripheral 10 to realize various functions. Further, the program may be provided by being stored on a computer connected to the network 18 such as the Internet and downloaded via the network. Alternatively, the program may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

  The communication control unit 17 is connected to a network 18 such as a LAN (local area network), the Internet, or a public line network that transmits and receives faxes, and transmits image data and other data to and from other devices connected to the network according to a communication protocol. It exchanges control data and the like. That is, the communication control unit 17 functions as an image input unit and an image output unit.

  The scanner controller 112 functions as an image input unit, receives an instruction from the system control unit 16, controls the scanner 11, and receives image data input.

  The scanner 11 is controlled by the scanner controller 112 and converts the image of the document 19 into digital image data. The ADF 111 can sequentially feed a set of multiple pages of documents to the reading position of the scanner 11 one by one. By using this ADF 111, the scanner 11 automatically and continuously prints multiple pages of documents. Can read. In addition, since the ADF 111 can invert not only a single-sided original printed on one side of a sheet but also a double-sided original printed on both sides and send it to the scanner 11, the scanner 11 can read a double-sided original. is there.

  The image storage unit 12 is a buffer memory that temporarily stores image data read by the scanner 11 in response to an instruction from the system control unit 16, image data input from the outside via the network 18, and the like. The image storage unit 12 generally corresponds to a RAM or the like. The multifunction machine 10 of this embodiment can form an image by processing both image data read from the scanner 11 provided therein and image data input from the outside via the network 18 or the like. The image storage unit 12 also stores image data processed by an image processing unit 13 described later.

  The image processing unit 13 receives a command from the system control unit 16 for multi-value data sent from the scanner 11 or the network 18 and temporarily stored in the image storage unit 12, and performs γ correction, MTF correction processing, and the like. Then, gradation processing such as slice processing and dither processing is performed to perform binarization (or multi-value processing). The image processing unit 13 also performs various types of image processing (enlargement / reduction, density / color adjustment, etc.) corresponding to the function set by the user, image area editing processing (area deletion, area movement, area inversion, etc.) Layout processing (double-sided / single-sided printing, aggregated printing, margin size adjustment, etc.), finished information generation processing that is a preview image of the finished state, and the like are performed.

  Such an image processing unit 13 includes a finish information generation unit 131, an input screen information generation unit 132, and a setting unit 133.

  The finish information generation unit 131 basically performs processing and various setting processes on a document image displayed on the display panel 15b described later according to setting values based on various item inputs for image data obtained by prescanning the document. Finished information (preview image) that simply represents the result is generated. The finish information generation unit 131 uses multi-value data temporarily stored in the image storage unit 12.

  The input screen information generation unit 132 includes finish information (preview image) generated by the finish information generation unit 131 and setting processing items for receiving various setting inputs for the finish information (preview image), and is displayed on the display panel 15b. Generate information.

  When the user inputs an input screen 400 (see FIG. 2) displayed on the display panel 15b from the touch panel 15a described later, the setting unit 133 receives the input signal and stores it in the image storage unit 12. The coordinate information related to the input image is acquired, and processing corresponding to the acquired coordinate information is set for the input screen information generation unit 132.

  Here, when the setting unit 133 receives a setting input signal, the finishing information generation unit 131 updates and generates finishing information again according to the received setting input signal, and outputs it to the input screen information generation unit 132. Further, the input screen information generation unit 132 generates input screen information for generating a screen for receiving a setting input from the user again based on the input signal received by the setting unit 133, and outputs the input screen information to the operation display control unit 151.

  The operation display control unit 151 receives input from the system control unit 16 and controls input / output of the operation display unit 15. For example, the operation display control unit 151 controls the output of the data processed by the image processing unit 13 to the touch panel 15a that is an operation unit included in the operation display unit 15 and the display panel 15b that is a display unit. More specifically, the operation display control unit 151 displays the input screen information generated by the input screen information generation unit 132 on the display panel 15b. Further, the operation display control unit 151 performs input control from the touch panel 15a. Although the display panel 15b and the touch panel 15a are illustrated separately in the drawing, they are integrally configured here.

  The touch panel 15a detects a position where the pointer contacts electrically or magnetically on the panel. As a designation means (not shown) for the touch panel 15a, a human fingertip, a stylus pen, or other contact input tool (hereinafter referred to as a pointer) is applicable. That is, the user inputs various items including print settings by touching the touch panel 15a via such a pointer.

  In the present embodiment, description will be given by taking contact input to the touch panel 15a as an example, but only contact input is not necessarily an embodiment of the present invention. For example, in addition to the touch panel 15a, the operation display unit 15 may include a hard key that accepts a physical key pressed by an operator and performs input, and may give an instruction such as print execution. The display panel 15b may be a dedicated display device provided in the multifunction machine 10.

  The operation display unit 15 is controlled by the operation display control unit 151, receives input of setting contents via the touch panel 15a, and displays setting processing items of setting screens for setting finishing information (preview image) and screen finishing. To display.

  The operation display unit 15 displays functions to be executed by the multifunction machine 10 as setting processing items on the setting screen, and accepts setting input by the user from the displayed setting processing items. That is, when the pointer touches the touch panel 15a with respect to the area where the item can be selected, the operation display control unit 151 detects the coordinates of the pressed part and detects that the contact is in the selectable area. The corresponding item is accepted as selected. For example, the operation display unit 15 sets a reading condition in the scanner 11 according to the state of the document, a setting in the image processing unit 13 that performs processing such as image quality adjustment on the read image data, a setting of a printing condition in the printer 14, or The setting of the finishing processing unit 141 that performs finishing processing such as sorting, stapling, punching holes, etc. on the printed matter after printing is received.

  The printer controller 142 functions as an image output unit, and controls the printer 14 in response to a command from the system control unit 16.

  The printer 14 includes a finishing processing unit 141. The finishing processing unit 141 receives automatic setting or setting by the user, sort processing for sorting the printed matter 20 that has been subjected to printing processing by number of copies or page units, and stamp processing for stamping a predetermined stamp on the printing medium A finishing process such as a stapling process for aligning a plurality of print media and binding them with staples, or a punching process for punching holes for binding a plurality of print media to a binder or file is performed.

  When the system control unit 16 receives various settings as described above via the operation display control unit 151, the system control unit 16 performs the setting process requested by the image processing unit 13 on the original image data stored in the image storage unit 12. Reflected information is used to generate finished information (preview image), which is sent to the operation display unit 15 for display.

  FIG. 2 is a front view illustrating an example of finished information (preview image) generated by the multifunction device 10 by inputting image data. Finish information (preview image) 401 and setting processing items 402 are displayed on the display panel 15 b of the operation display unit 15. As the setting processing item 402, a menu 402a depending on the location on the finishing information (preview image) 401 such as stapling, punching, margin adjustment, frame erasing, stamp, and page number is displayed on the right side of the screen. Further, a menu 402b independent of contents such as output color, output density, paper, enlargement / reduction, single side / double side, aggregation, sort / stack, and background is displayed on the left side of the screen.

  When the operator touches with a pointer while looking at the finished information (preview image) 401 displayed on the display panel 15b, the touch panel 15a has a space in the finished state of the printed matter on the displayed finished information (preview image) 401. Accepts input of location information that is the target location. In such a case, the setting unit 133 analyzes the position information received by the touch panel 15a, and acquires coordinate information on the image touched by the pointer.

  The data storage unit 21 stores document data input from an external device such as the personal computer 100 via the communication control unit 17. Here, the manuscript data includes not only manuscript image data but also a file name attached to the data, an extension name for distinguishing the application to be used, a data format, and device information obtained by reading the data. Also included are a paper size, an aggregation instruction, a scaling factor, a margin setting, and the like attached to an output command from the application or the OS side.

  The data analysis unit 22 functions as an analysis unit, and executes data analysis processing on the document data stored in the data storage unit 21. Specifically, the file name attached to the data, the extension name, the data format, the device information from which the data was read, the paper size, the aggregation instruction, the scaling factor, the margin setting, etc. are analyzed.

  With this configuration, the multifunction machine 10 displays finish information (preview image) 401 on the display panel 15b provided in the operation display unit 15 of the multifunction machine 10 prior to actual copy printing, and the finish information is visually confirmed. After confirming the (preview image) 401, the settings can be changed as necessary to perform actual printing.

More specifically,
(1) Pre-scan the document.
(2) The image of the read original is displayed as a preview image on the screen.
(3) When a specific place on the preview image is touched, a menu of functions related to the position is displayed.
(4) When the user selects one of them, the effect is immediately reflected in the preview image.
(5) After confirming the final finished image on the screen, printing is started.
With this series of flows, reliable copying can be made possible.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 3, it is assumed that the punch 403 is selected by contact input among the setting process items 402 (402 a) displayed on the operation display unit 15 by the operator.

  When the operation display unit 15 detects a contact input from the punch 403 and the system control unit 16 receives the setting of the punch 403 via the operation display control unit 151, the input screen information generation unit 132 of the image processing unit 13 reads “ Punch areas that can be set in correspondence with “punch” are read out from the correspondence definition table that defines each processing item of the setting processing item 402 shown in FIG. 4 in association with a settable position, and the areas 404 and 405 that can be set are operated It is displayed on the display unit 15. Such a correspondence definition table is stored in the RAM of the system control unit 16 or the like. The form 404 and 405 in which punch holes are possible may be displayed in the finished information (preview image) 401, or may be superimposed on each other or displayed in an overwritten manner. Alternatively, it is possible to apply a form of expression such as changing the color of a possible area, blinking, or darkening the rest. The settable positions of the table shown in FIG. 4 are defined by coordinates for displaying two diagonal lines, and are defined by rectangles parallel to the main scanning and sub-scanning directions in which a line segment defined by the two points is a diagonal line. Is done. For example, “staple” defines a position determined by (0,0) and (40,40), and a position determined by (120,0) and (160,40).

  Then, the operator makes a selection input by touching the punch hole area 404 shown in FIG. The operation display unit 15 receives a contact input from the punch 403, and the finish information generation unit 131 of the image processing unit 13 generates finish information (preview image) by reflecting setting processing for performing punch hole processing in the received region. And sent to the operation display unit 15 for display. FIG. 5 shows finished information (preview image) 401 subjected to punch hole processing 406. From the finished information (preview image) 401 displayed in this way, a setting input such as correction is accepted. The accepted settings are reflected and displayed again, and if not accepted, print execution is accepted.

  Although not specifically shown here, when a specific place on the preview image is touched, a menu of functions related to the position is displayed, and when the user selects one of them, the effect is displayed on the preview image. You may make it reflect immediately.

  By the way, the MFP 10 according to the present embodiment is configured to be able to collectively output a plurality of types of document data having different applications received from an external device such as the personal computer 100.

  Here, the format unification process, which is a characteristic process realized by the CPU of the system control unit 16 operating based on the program stored in the ROM, will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  As a precondition for the format unification process, the user selects some original data on the personal computer 100, and sends the selected data to the data storage unit 21 of the multifunction machine 10 via the printer driver. It is necessary to memorize. In order to send data to the data storage unit 21 of the multifunction machine 10, the same operation as normal drag and drop may be performed using a printer driver.

  As illustrated in FIG. 6, when the system control unit 16 determines that the execution of the format unification process is declared by a predetermined key operation on the operation display unit 15 (Yes in step S1), the system control unit 16 stores the format in the data storage unit 21. The designation of the output order of the document data is accepted and stored in the data storage unit 21 as a document data management sequence (step S2). This is because it is necessary to designate one segment and the order of data when it is desired to combine document data into one. As a result, a single print unit can be set. The document data output order may be specified, for example, by displaying icons of a plurality of document data on the operation display unit 15 and in the order in which the user touches the icons.

  After receiving the designation of the output order of the document data, the system control unit 16 controls the input screen information generation unit 132 to generate input screen information to be displayed on the display panel 15b (step S3: format display means). In this embodiment, a list of examples of output formats is displayed. FIG. 7 shows an input screen 400 that displays a list of examples of output formats. As shown in FIG. 7, the input screen 400 displays a list screen 500 that displays a list of examples of output formats.

  By the way, in such a multifunction machine 10, many patterns can be considered as output formats. For example, even in the case of a single-sided standard format (for example, image data of an A4-size vertical single-sided document), there are a plurality of paper sizes of A3 size, A4 size, B4 size, and B5 size. However, the types of paper sizes that can be stored in the multifunction machine 10 are limited. Also, the size of filings often used by users is usually fixed. Therefore, the number of output format selection items displayed on the operation display unit 15 is not so large. For this reason, an output format item may be flagged so that only necessary items can be displayed. Then, the system control unit 16 controls the input screen information generation unit 132 to display only the output format permitted to be displayed by setting on the operation display unit 15 as a selection item.

  In this state, when the system control unit 16 accepts selection of one output format by the user via the operation display control unit 151 (Yes in step S4: format selection unit), the system control unit 16 stores the selection in the data storage unit 21. Data analysis processing is executed by controlling the data analysis unit 22 for the document data being processed (step S5). More specifically, the data analysis process uses a conversion table T1 as shown in FIG. 8 for, for example, the print size and the print surface layout. The conversion table T1 shown in FIG. 8 selects priority processing items for aligning document data in a single-sided standard format (for example, image data of a vertical single-sided document of A4 size) according to the attribute of the document data. It is a thing. Specifically, in the conversion table T1, a priority process item and a condition of the priority process item are associated with a data format (here, an extension name attached to data). As a result, the print size of each document data, the layout of the print surface, and the like can be determined. That is, the data analysis unit 22 acquires data analysis information that is a priority processing item for each document data and conditions for the priority processing item.

  For example, the data format of the document data (extension: DOC) is associated with the priority processing item “page layout” and the condition “standard page size = document 1 page”. That is, the data analysis unit 22 searches for information associated with the data, and determines that the data format is document data (extension: DOC), on the condition that “standard page size = document 1 page”. Page layout is a priority processing item.

  The data format of the table data (extension: XLS) is associated with the priority processing item “size change by enlargement / reduction” and the condition “30% <magnification <300%”. That is, the data analysis unit 22 searches for information associated with the data, and if it is determined that the data format is tabular data (extension: XLS), the condition is “30% <magnification <300%”. The size change by enlargement / reduction is a priority processing item.

  The data format of the chart data (extension: TIF) is associated with the priority processing item “page layout according to the image size” and the condition “50%> paper size”. That is, the data analysis unit 22 searches for information associated with the data, and when it is determined that the data format is chart data (extension: TIF), the image size is set on the condition “50%> paper size”. The page layout corresponding to is set as a priority processing item. The priority processing item “page layout according to the image size” is a reduction process when the image size is larger than the print page surface, and an aggregation process when the image size is smaller than half the print page surface. If it is slightly smaller than the print page surface, it is determined as an initial value whether to print as it is or to match the print page size.

  In the present embodiment, the data analysis information for each document data is stored in association with the document data management sequence in the data storage unit 21.

  When the data analysis processing by the data analysis unit 22 in step S5 is completed, the system control unit 16 reads the data analysis information stored in association with the document data management sequence in the data storage unit 21 (step S6).

  In subsequent step S7, the system control unit 16 obtains a document processing setting item (VS) from the read data analysis information and the output format selected by the user. In the present embodiment, a conversion table T2 as shown in FIG. 9 is used. The conversion table T2 shown in FIG. 9 associates the output format selected by the user with the document format. For example, when the document data is an A4 single-sided original and the user selects a book format, the printing is set to “double-sided”.

  The obtained document processing setting item (VS) is transferred to the image processing unit 13 together with the document data of the required number of pages (step S8).

  Subsequently, the system control unit 16 controls the image processing unit 13 to process the document data using the document processing setting item (VS) so as to correspond to the output format selected by the user. The processing result is transferred to the image storage unit 12 (step S9).

  That is, the format unifying means is realized by steps S6 to S9.

  In subsequent step S10, the system control unit 16 controls the finish information generation unit 131 to generate finish information (preview image) on the document data image-processed by the image processing unit 13 and stored in the image storage unit 12. The generated finishing information (preview image) and document processing setting item (VS) are controlled by the input screen information generating unit 132 to generate input screen information, and the operation display control unit 151 is controlled to display the input screen information. 15 is displayed on the display panel 15b. Here, the functions of the preview generation means and the preview display means are executed.

  Here, FIG. 10 is a front view showing an example of finished information (preview image). As shown in FIG. 10, a document processing setting item (VS) 410 is displayed on the display panel 15 b of the operation display unit 15 in addition to the finishing information (preview image) 401 and the setting processing item 402. The example shown in FIG. 12 shows a case where the book format is selected by the user. As a result, when setting processing is performed by reading a group of documents at once, if the setting has changed depending on each document, the page of the finish information (preview image) 401 is moved and the finish information (preview image) of the corresponding page is moved. 401 is displayed, and the document processing setting item (VS) 410 can also be confirmed. Of course, if necessary, the processing of the corresponding page can be reset.

  The user looks at the finishing information (preview image) 401 displayed on the display panel 15b of the operation display unit 15 and confirms whether the setting satisfies the request. When there is a setting item to be added or changed, the user instructs change of the processing item from the setting processing item 402 displayed on the display panel 15b of the operation display unit 15. If there is an instruction to change (Yes in step S11: setting means), the processes in steps S6 to S10 are repeated. That is, when an additional setting is input from the user, the document processing setting item (VS) 410 is updated, and finished information (preview image) 401 is created and displayed again.

  On the other hand, when there is no change instruction and the start key (not shown) of the operation display unit 15 is operated (Yes in step S12), the system control unit 16 controls the printer controller 142 to the printer 14. A setting instruction is issued together with the processed image, and the processed image is printed out (step S13).

  When the print output ends, the system control unit 16 clears the data storage unit 21 and the image storage unit 12 (step S14).

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, data analysis information related to input document data in a plurality of formats is generated, and each document data in a plurality of formats is selected based on the generated data analysis information. By unifying the output format, the user simply selects the output format, and automatically uses the data analysis information for each manuscript data in multiple formats in the desired output format. Since each manuscript data can be output, the user only needs to pay attention to the output format, so that the burden on the user is reduced and setting errors can be reduced accordingly.

  Specifically, in the past, in order to output (print) document data in a plurality of formats, each application was opened, print settings were made, and a print instruction was given. The document data in a plurality of formats is dragged and dropped to the multifunction peripheral (image processing apparatus) 10 at the same time, and the document data in a plurality of formats is output only by selecting the output format on the multifunction peripheral (image processing apparatus) side ( Printing).

  It is also possible to execute processing by accessing a document data group to be output (printed) with a unified output format from a multifunction peripheral (image processing apparatus) 10 having an image output function.

  By the way, when using the printer function of the multifunction machine 10 from an external device such as the personal computer 100, it is usual to use software called a printer driver for using the printer function. Usually, a printer driver determined for the multifunction machine 10 is used. From this, it can be seen that the multifunction device 10 and the printer driver are integrated. When using the printer function of the multifunction machine 10, software called a printer driver is installed in the personal computer 100. In this case, when a print output is instructed from the personal computer 100 side to the multifunction device 10, print data and a print format are passed to the printer driver. At this time, the multifunction device 10 and the printer driver can be viewed as one device.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the print size and the layout of the print surface are determined on the multifunction device 10 side, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, on the printer driver side installed in the personal computer 100 You may make it determine printing size, arrangement | positioning of a printing surface, etc. More specifically, the printer driver displays a list screen 500 as shown in FIG. 7 to allow the user to select the print format of the output data, and also outputs the output format selection information to the system control unit 16 of the multifunction machine 10. To pass.

  Further, not only the setting of the output format is executed by the printer driver, but also a part of the function of the data analysis unit 22 of the multifunction machine 10 can be performed on the printer driver side. The print data on the personal computer 100 side may have more information than the information sent to the multifunction device 10. In addition, the setting of the normal print format is information that the personal computer 100 has only. If such information is used, the function of the data analysis unit 22 of the multifunction machine 10 can be supported. For example, the output data information obtained on the personal computer 100 side includes the data type based on the file extension, the character size of the data to be used, and the fineness of the image. In particular, when a large table created by spreadsheet software and an image created for a projector are output on printing paper of the same size, the size of characters may be greatly different. For example, data used in presentation software may have a character size that is many times the normal size. Normally, these are usually reduced and collectively printed when printing. As described above, by having a format that is usually printed and used as separate data, it is possible to provide an adjustment parameter for mixing with output data of other applications.

  FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing an output adjustment table. FIG. 11 shows an output adjustment table for storing adjustment parameters in a standard format for each data format. As shown in FIG. 11, as a standard output format, document data (extension: DOC) by document software prints one page of data on one side of print paper, but chart data (extension: extension) by presentation software. PPT) can be defined as printing two pages of data on one side of the printing paper.

  When the output image is subjected to aggregation processing, data that falls within the standard format is input as one page of the aggregated image. For example, in the case of two-page aggregation, document data (extension: DOC) is output for two pages per page, but chart data (extension: PPT) is output for four pages per page. Become. In the 4-page aggregation, 4 pages of document data (extension: DOC) and 8 pages of chart data (extension: PPT) are output on one side of the printing paper. Of course, it is also possible to make a condition determination that only one page is output per page depending on the size of the character even with the same chart data (extension: PPT). Similarly, in the case of a table or an image, the number of pages to be packed per standard page can be changed depending on the size of characters used and the overall size.

1 is a functional block diagram of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a front view which shows an example of finishing information (preview image). It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the state as which the setting process item was selected. It is a schematic diagram which shows the correspondence definition table of a process item and a setting possible position. It is a front view which shows an example of the finishing information (preview image) to which the punch hole process was performed. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a format unification process. It is a front view which shows the input screen which displayed the example of the output format as a list. It is a schematic diagram which shows the conversion table T1. It is a schematic diagram which shows the conversion table T2. It is a front view which shows an example of finishing information (preview image). It is a schematic diagram which shows an output adjustment table.

Explanation of symbols

17 Image input means, image output means 22 Analysis means 112 Image input means 142 Image output means

Claims (16)

Data input means for inputting document data in a plurality of formats;
Analysis means for generating data analysis information relating to each input document data;
Format display means for selectively displaying an output format of each document data;
Format selecting means for selecting one output format from the displayed output formats;
Based on the data analysis information, format unifying means for unifying the original data of a plurality of formats into the selected one output format,
Image output means for outputting each document data in a plurality of formats unified to the output format;
An image processing system comprising: The analysis unit generates the data analysis information in which each of the document data is associated with a priority processing item for aligning the document data with a standard format that is a standard for format unification, and a condition of the priority processing item,
The format unifying unit unifies the image data into the selected one output format using document processing setting items obtained from the data analysis information and the selected one output format.
The image processing system according to claim 1. Preview generating means for generating each document data in a plurality of formats unified as the output format as a preview image;
Preview display means for displaying the preview image;
Further comprising
The image output means outputs the document data in a plurality of formats unified to the output format according to the content of the preview image;
The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the image processing system is an image processing system. Setting means for receiving input of various processing settings for the preview image;
The preview generation unit generates a new preview image in which the processing setting received by the setting unit is reflected in the preview image;
The image processing system according to claim 3. The preview display means displays the document processing setting item together with the preview image;
The image processing system according to claim 3 or 4, The preview display means displays the priority processing items for aligning with a standard format together with the preview image.
The image processing system according to claim 5. The analyzing unit refers to an output setting in a standard format of each document data;
The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the image processing system is an image processing system. A data input function that accepts input of manuscript data in multiple formats;
An analysis function for generating data analysis information relating to each document data that has received an input;
A format display function for selectively displaying the output format of each document data;
A format selection function for selecting one of the displayed output formats from the output format;
Based on the data analysis information, a format unification function for unifying the original data of a plurality of formats into the selected one output format;
An image output function for outputting the document data in a plurality of formats unified to the output format;
A program that causes a computer to execute. A data input function for receiving input of a plurality of document data and an output format of each document data;
An analysis function for generating data analysis information relating to each document data that has received an input;
Based on the data analysis information, a format unification function for unifying the original data of a plurality of formats into the selected one output format;
An image output function for outputting the document data in a plurality of formats unified to the output format;
A program that causes a computer to execute. The analysis function generates the data analysis information associating a priority processing item for aligning each document data with a standard format as a standard for unifying the format, and a condition of the priority processing item,
The format unification function unifies the image data into the selected one output format by using a document processing setting item obtained from the data analysis information and the selected one output format.
10. The program according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that A preview generation function for generating each document data in a plurality of formats unified as the output format as a preview image;
A preview display function for displaying the preview image;
Is further executed by the computer,
The image output function outputs each document data in a plurality of formats unified to the output format according to the content of the preview image.
The program according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein: Causing the computer to further execute a setting function for receiving input of various processing settings for the preview image;
The preview generation function generates a new preview image in which the processing setting received by the setting function is reflected in the preview image;
12. The program according to claim 11, wherein: The preview display function displays the document processing setting item together with the preview image.
13. The program according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that: The preview display function displays the priority processing items for aligning with a standard format together with the preview image.
The program according to claim 13. The analysis function refers to a print setting in a standard format of each document data.
The program according to any one of claims 8 to 14, characterized in that: A data input process for inputting manuscript data in a plurality of formats;
An analysis step for generating data analysis information relating to each input document data;
A format display step for selectively displaying the output format of each document data;
A format selection step for selecting one output format from the displayed output formats;
Based on the data analysis information, a format unifying step for unifying the document data of a plurality of formats into the selected one output format,
An image output step of outputting each document data in a plurality of formats unified to the output format;
An image processing method comprising:

Images