JP2011061685A - Image processor, method and program of managing image output - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To output a part of documents that satisfy set output conditions if a part exists and satisfy set output conditions when the set output conditions (printing mode) for each document is inconsistent and it is determined that output is not allowed when each document is provided with output conditions and combined to configure an output document. <P>SOLUTION: Through display means 121, output configuration information (user ID, output document ID, printing conditions) 105d of combined documents is pre-registered. When registering each document file constituting a combined output, management means 105 of output configuration information and output propriety determination means 112 determine whether combined images can be outputted, that is, whether printing conditions set for each combined document and printing conditions of output configuration information are not inconsistent, whether a printing means 111 operates normally, or the like, to determine whether output is allowed according to determined results. Even when it is determined that output of combined images is not allowed, if inconsistency is resolved by preparing a separate volume, a partial output is performed as separate volume combined images. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus (for example, a printer, an MFP, etc.) having a function of outputting document information as a visualized image through a medium such as paper, and more specifically, outputs a single image by combining a plurality of files. The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus having an output management function, a method for managing the image output, and a program for realizing the image output management function.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, printers, MFPs (Multi-Function Peripherals), and the like have been widely used as image processing apparatuses that perform processing for representing document information in the form of a visualized image on a paper medium.
Such an image processing apparatus is connected to a network and is also used by an external device on the network. The external device is a device that creates and uses document information such as a PC (Personal Computer) or a server, and forms an image processing system by exchanging data with the image processing apparatus.
In the above image processing system, in recent years, the usage forms of image processing apparatuses have also diversified, and a large number of users give various output conditions to documents created by using various means to request image output (printing). Therefore, processing functions corresponding to these requests are prepared. Such an image processing system normally handles a document to be processed in the form of a file of a predetermined format. The document file to be processed includes not only text but also images and graphics. Therefore, in the following description, “document” means the document file to be processed in the image processing system.

The image processing apparatus that accepts an image output request temporarily stores a plurality of received documents, and then combines the plurality of documents into one document (merge), and outputs the image of the merged document (print). There is a function to do. Also, an image output management function has been proposed in which it is determined whether or not a merge processing target document can be output when the above function is used, and if it is not determined that printing is possible.
Patent document 1 can be shown as a prior art which proposed said merge process. In Patent Document 1, for the purpose of reducing the workload of an operator instructing processing and improving efficiency, a plurality of document files are virtually combined as one document, and the document can be printed as it is combined. A document management method for doing this is shown. In the management by virtual merged document, if printing is disabled for individual documents to be merged or a subgroup of those documents, the document or subgroup for which the setting has been made cannot be partially printed. A configuration for making it into is shown.

By the way, the conventional merge processing management function determines whether or not printing is possible by checking a document that is set to be unprintable with respect to the document to be merged only when printing or registering the entire document. This is a function for managing the output according to the determination result. In addition, with this management function, when there is a contradiction in the setting of output conditions between the document (whole) combined by merge processing and the individual documents of the target document, management is performed so that printing is not performed.
Even when printing is not performed due to a contradiction that occurs in the setting of such output conditions, printing can be performed if correction for eliminating the contradiction is performed. However, in the prior art including Patent Document 1, the creator of each document has no means of knowing what correction should be performed on which document, and this determination cannot be made immediately. It is not easy to take measures to enable output of merge processing.

  In order to solve such problems, the applicant first registers each document to be used for combined image output processing in which individual documents created with output conditions are combined to create one document. In addition, the document registration (creation) person can confirm the relationship between the output condition assigned to each document and the output condition set for the combined image output document, and the user can easily take measures to enable output. An image processing apparatus having a combined image output management function that can be performed has been proposed (Japanese Patent Application No. 2009-167960, hereinafter referred to as “prior art”). This management function checks the output conditions (print mode) set for the combined image output when the document creator registers the document as a combined image. Without outputting the image, the user is notified of the document and urged to correct it.

However, the management function for combined image output in the prior art, when there is a document that is the cause of output failure of the combined image, the cause of the output failure of the document by the creator to correct the document It is necessary to remove. In other words, it is not possible to print out the combined image unless all documents are prepared after the correction of the document that has caused the output failure. For this reason, even if there are some documents that satisfy the output condition set in the combined image, there arises a problem that the user's request to obtain the output of that part cannot be satisfied.
The present invention solves the problems of the prior art and the prior art in the output management function for guaranteeing proper output in an image processing apparatus that combines individual documents created with output conditions and outputs them as a single document. The purpose of this is to create a document that satisfies the set output conditions when there is a contradiction in the output conditions (print mode) set for each document to be combined and it is determined that output is impossible. In other words, it is intended to be able to output this part even if all the documents are not prepared.

The present invention combines a file registration unit that registers an image output file, a file management unit that individually manages the registered image output file, and an image output file that is managed by the file management unit. Output configuration information registration means for registering output configuration information of the combined image constituting the image, output configuration information management means for managing the registered output configuration information, and output configuration information managed by the output configuration information management means An image processing apparatus having means for generating combined image output data when the file registration means registers each image output file used for the combined image in the file management means. Is added by the output condition indicated in the output configuration information of the combined image and the registered image output file. First output determination determined based on the output condition indicated in the force configuration information and the output condition set in the image output file to be registered, and the image output file determined as unusable in the first determination And the output condition set in the output condition indicated in the output configuration information of the combined image determined in advance and the image output file that configures the combined image, whether or not the combined image formed by the unregistered image output file is acceptable Output enable / disable determining means for performing a second enable / disable determination based on a condition, and the output configuration information registering means determines in advance before registering an image output file used for combined image output in the file managing means. The output configuration information of the combined image thus registered is registered, and the image output file determined each time the output permission determination unit determines that the combined image can be output in the first permission determination. The output conditions of the image output file determined each time the output permission determination unit determines that the output of the combined image is permitted in the second permission determination are separated. It is registered in the output configuration information of the combined image.
The present invention relates to an image output management method performed when files created with respective output conditions are combined, and individual image output files used for combined image output are registered in the file management means. A first output configuration information registration step for registering predetermined output configuration information for the combined image before registering an image output file used for output in the file management means; and each image output file used for the combined image Is registered in the file management means, whether to output a combined image is determined by the output condition and the registered image output file indicated in the output configuration information of the combined image registered in the first output configuration information registration step. A first determination as to whether or not to make a determination based on the output condition indicated in the added output configuration information and the output condition set in the image output file to be registered; The output configuration of the combined image registered in the first output configuration information registration step indicates whether or not the split combined image formed by the image output file and the unregistered image output file determined to be unusable in the first determination of availability. An output propriety determination step for performing a second propriety determination based on the output condition indicated in the information and the output condition set in each image output file constituting the separate volume combined image; and the output propriety determination step in the output propriety determination step A second output configuration information registration step of registering the output condition of the image output file determined every time when it is determined that the output of the combined image is possible in the determination of whether the output is 1 or not, and the output availability determination step; The third output configuration information for registering the output condition of the image output file determined every time when it is determined that the combined image can be output in the second determination of whether or not the output is combined in the output configuration information of the separate volume combined image A registration step, and a step of generating based on coupling the image output data to output configuration information corresponding to each combination image or fascicle combined image is managed by the output permission determination step.

  Even if there is a contradiction in the output conditions (print mode) set for each document to be combined and it is determined that the entire combined image cannot be output, if all documents satisfying the set output conditions are partial, all documents This part can be output even if there is no line, so that a combined image meeting the user's request can be output.

1 is a block diagram schematically showing a basic configuration of hardware of a multifunction peripheral (MFP) according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a control system of an MFP (FIG. 1) having a combined image output management function. It is a figure explaining the concept of the management form of each document file used for a combined image output. It is a figure which shows the transition of the input screen at the time of output composition information creation of a combined image. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a control sequence of output configuration information creation processing performed by an MFP control system (FIG. 2). It is a table which shows an example of the output structure information (initial time) which the output structure information management means of a control system (FIG. 2) manages. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a sequence of processing at the time of document registration performed by an MFP control system (FIG. 2). It is a table which shows an example of the document management information (at the time of a one part document registration) which the document management means of a control system (FIG. 2) manages. It is a table which shows an example of the output structure information (at the time of a one part document registration) which the output system information management means of a control system (FIG. 2) manages. It is a table which shows an example of the document management information (at the time of a one part document registration) which the document management means of a control system (FIG. 2) manages. It is a table which shows an example of the output structure information (at the time of a one part document registration) which the output system information management means of a control system (FIG. 2) manages. It is a table which shows an example of the document management information (at the time of a one part document registration) which the document management means of a control system (FIG. 2) manages. It is a table which shows an example of the user information which the user management means of a control system (FIG. 2) manages. It is a table which shows an example of the output structure information (at the time of document registration of a separate volume combined image) which the output structure information management means of a control system (FIG. 2) manages. It is a figure explaining the output result at the time of outputting a volume combined image.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of an image processing apparatus and an image output management method according to the present invention will be described taking a multifunction peripheral (MFP) as an example.
The MFP of this embodiment has a copy function, a printer, a facsimile (hereinafter also referred to as “FAX”), a scanner, and the like as a composite function. When processing an image using these functions, if the processing target is a document, image data is input by reading the image on the document surface with a scanner, and the processing target is externally connected via communication means. When input from a machine, the input is performed in the form of digitized image (print) data. In either case, the input image data is processed into general-purpose image data that can be applied to output, and in the same manner as usual, an image output file (hereinafter referred to as “document file” or simply “document” Are also managed). Note that data managed as an image output file is stored because an output condition is instructed by the user at the time of input, as in an existing copy function or printer function installed in this type of image processing apparatus. The image output file is provided with data indicating the output condition specified in the image data.

The output conditions given to the image output file specify conditions relating to the operation of the output unit such as the print engine (plotter) and paper feed unit of the controllable MFP. Paper (size, paper type, etc.) ), Number of copies, image output method for paper (scaling, double-sided, consolidation, editing, etc.), image processing conditions (color / monochrome selection, density, etc.), post-processing (sorting, stapling, etc.) The unit gives a control instruction by a control parameter to the related processing / operation unit according to the output condition instructed by the user.
However, since the state of the device changes over time, the MFP always performs a normal output operation when it is instructed to re-output based on the image output file that was previously stored when the image was output. There is no guarantee. In addition, image output files that are exchanged with an external device (PC, server, etc.) via a LAN (Local Area Network), etc., input from the external device, and stored, are not necessarily supported by the MFP. May be instructed.

The MFP of this embodiment has a function of combining image output files individually managed by the image storage device and outputting one combined image as an image output function, and an image for performing this combined image output. It has a function for generating output data (hereinafter referred to as “combined image processing function”).
The image output files to be processed by this combined image processing function include those accumulated through different processing processes as described above, and the output conditions assigned cannot be output by the MFP. When conditions are instructed, or normal output may be hindered by combining image output files.
Therefore, in this embodiment, the combined image output is managed. This management of combined image output will be described in detail later, but when registering an image output file as a file to be used for combined image output, there is a conflict with the output conditions specified for the files or the entire combined image. The presence / absence is determined, whether or not the combined image can be output is confirmed, and when it is determined that the output is impossible, the image output is not performed until the contradiction is resolved. The management of combined image output has the following functions. In other words, when it is determined that output is impossible due to inconsistency, if there is a partial document that satisfies the set output condition, this function can output this part even if all the documents are not complete. .

"Overview of MFP hardware configuration"
An outline of the configuration of the MFP to be applied will be described first.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing a basic configuration of hardware of the MFP according to the present embodiment.
In FIG. 1, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11 is a computing device for operating software (program), a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12 is a memory device for storing the program, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13 is for operating the program. This is a memory device that is used when storing or temporarily storing data, and constitutes a computer that functions as a main control unit.

  When the main control unit realizes a combined image output management (control) system (FIG. 2), which will be described later, by software, the computer configured by the CPU 11, the RAM 13, the ROM 12, and the like functions as an execution unit for the processing. (See the control sequence in FIGS. 5 and 8 to be described later). The CPU 11 reads a control / processing program or the like recorded (stored) in the ROM 12 at the time of execution of the process into the RAM 13 as a work memory, and drives the program to cause the CPU (computer) 11 to execute the process. Can function as. The medium for recording the program is not limited to the ROM, and a computer-readable recording medium such as an HDD, a CD (Compact Disk) -ROM, an MO (Magnet Optical Disk), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), or the like is used. be able to. Further, when the MFP is connected to a network such as the Internet, the program may be acquired by downloading via the network.

The image storage device 14 stores image data received from an external machine 25 such as a PC or a server via the scanner 18 for inputting image data and the LAN controller 16, or from the external FAX machine 21 via the FAX controller 21. For example, it is a storage device for storing using an HDD). In this embodiment, image data input as a processing target is stored and managed in this image storage device 14 as an image output file in units of processing requests, and is specified when it is reused for print output and data transmission. Read file from here. In particular, it becomes a storage location of an image output file used for outputting a combined image (see storage means 114 in FIG. 2 described later).
The non-volatile memory 15 is a non-volatile storage device used for storing various setting information such as initial setting values even when the power is turned off.
The LAN controller 16 is a controller for connecting to a network such as Ethernet (registered trademark) or a wireless LAN. In this embodiment, it is assumed that an image output file used for combined image output is received from the external device 25 such as a PC or a server via the LAN controller 16.
The FAX controller 21 is a controller for transmitting / receiving FAX data to / from a public line.

The DCR 17 is a conversion device for converting image data (bitmap) input using functions such as a printer, a FAX, and a scanner into an image file stored in the image storage device 14.
The scanner 18 is a reading device for converting a document of a paper document into image data (bitmap).
The plotter 19 is a device that prints (prints out) image data on paper.
The card I / F (interface) 22 is an interface for connecting to a removable card-like recording medium such as an SD (Secure Digital) card and exchanging data with the medium. The recording medium connected here can be used in the same manner as the image storage device 14 and can be used as one of the storage locations of the image file when connected.
The operation display panel 20 functions as a user interface (hereinafter referred to as “UI”) under the control of the main control unit, and receives job processing requests and execution instructions by operations performed by the user through an operation screen of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) touch panel. It is a device having a so-called GUI (Graphical User Interface) function that accepts and informs the user of the job execution status. In this embodiment, the output configuration information of the combined image is created through the input screen of the display unit 121 (see FIGS. 2 and 5) provided on the operation display panel 20.
The internal bus 10 is a bus mainly used for exchanging data between the devices.

"Combined image output management system"
The function of managing the combined image output in this embodiment determines whether there is a contradiction with the output conditions specified for the files or the entire combined image when registering the image output file (document) used for the combined image output. If it is determined whether the combined image can be output and it is determined that output is not possible, if there is a partial document that satisfies the set output condition, the output of this part is output even if all the documents are not complete. The following processes (1) to (3) are performed as basic processing procedures (details will be described later) so that they can be performed.
Process (1): Output configuration information of data used for outputting the combined image (illustrated in FIG. 6 to be described later) is registered in advance. The output configuration information registered here is in an incomplete state because no individual image output file (document) is registered.
Process (2): When individual image output files (documents) used for combined image output are stored (registered), a combined image can be output, that is, a combined image combining the added image output files Alternatively, it is determined whether or not it is possible to register whether the output configuration information of the separate volume combined image can be registered. Note that when the combined image planned to be registered cannot be output according to the document to be registered, the separate volume combined image is obtained by dividing the document added to be registered at this time and the unregistered document from the entire scheduled combined image. This is a combined image configured as a separate volume (see the description of FIGS. 13 and 15 described later).
Process (3): An image output file (document) that is determined to be capable of outputting a combined image or a separate combined image is registered in the output configuration information of the combined image or the combined combined image.

A configuration example of the control system 100 for managing the combined image output according to the present embodiment provided with means for performing the above processing will be described with reference to FIG.
2, the document management means 101 manages means for managing document management information 101d of an image output file (document) stored (registered) in the storage means 114 (refer to the description of FIGS. 9, 8, and 14 to be described later). Thus, the above operations (2) and (3) are performed.
The output configuration information management unit 105 manages the output configuration information 105d of the combined image (refer to the description of FIGS. 6, 10, 11, and 13 described later), and operates through the above processes (1) to (3).
The output configuration information management unit 105 is connected to the display unit 121 that operates as an operation input unit of the combined image output manager and the image output file (document) to be combined when receiving registration of the output configuration information of the combined image. Data is exchanged between the document management means 101 and the document information registration means 103 for inputting information related to information.

The output configuration information management unit 105 is connected to the output availability determination unit 112 provided in the printing unit 111 for determining whether or not the output configuration information of the received combined image output data can be registered. Data exchange is performed with the user management means 107 that notifies the registrant (creator) of the image output file (document) or the like that has received the determination result of whether or not output is possible.
The user management means 107 is a means for managing user information 107d (refer to the description of FIG. 7 to be described later), and for image output that has become a cause of output failure prior to the registration of the combined volume image in the process (3). In order to notify a file (document) registration (creation) person, data is output between the output permission determination means 112 and mail transmission means 109 which notifies the registration (creation) person by e-mail. Exchange.
The mail transmission means 109 notifies the registrant (creator) who has an address in the external unit 25 via the LAN controller 16 that output (registration) is impossible by e-mail.

"Management form of each document composing the combined image"
Here, the management form of each image output file used for the combined image output will be described with a specific example. Hereinafter, the image output file is referred to as a document.
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the concept of the management form of each document used for combined image output.
As shown in FIG. 3, the documents created by each of A, B, C, D, and E are registered as documents used for combined image output in the MFP, that is, the file ID is stored in the storage unit 114 in the control system 100 of the MFP. (File IDs 1, 4, 3, 5, and 2 are assigned to the stored documents in FIG. 3 in association with A, B, C, D, and E) and are managed by the document management unit 101. Put down. In addition to the document content, the accumulated document is provided with output conditions required by the registrant (creator), for example, data indicating the image size, the number of pages, and the like.
Registration of a document by the registrant (creator) is performed by a method in which the registrant and the MFP can recognize the document as a combined image. That is, the registrant recognizes that the document to be registered is one of the documents constituting the predetermined combined image output, performs the registration operation, and the MFP receives the registration operation. An output document ID and a user ID of a formed image when combined (combined) into one image are assigned to each document. In order to perform such a registration procedure, output configuration information of combined image output data needs to be created in advance.

The output configuration information of the combined image output data is created in advance by the creator of the combined image (Mr. D in the example of FIG. 3) as information defining the configuration required for the combined image output, and output configuration information management means 105 under the control of 105. Therefore, the output configuration information created by the creator of the combined image is already prepared at the time of registering the created document. In the example of FIG. 3, the creator (Mr. A, B, C, D, and E) of each document for combined image output, the completion state (: not completed) of the output configuration information, and the print mode (number of copies) as the output condition : 2 copies, post-processing: stapling) and registered document information (file ID: 1) are managed as output configuration information and respond to the registration procedure by the registrant.
If the creator (register) indicated in the output configuration information to be managed has completed the registration procedure, and the output configuration information is in a completed state (detailed later, it is determined whether or not it can be registered in the output configuration information, and registered) If possible, combined image output data is generated based on the output configuration information, and image output (printing in this example) is performed.

"Creating output configuration information (before document registration)"
Next, a process for creating output configuration information that determines the configuration of the combined image output will be described.
The control system 100 (FIG. 2) that manages the combined image output creates output configuration information of the combined image output data before registering the document created by the registrant, as shown as process (1) above. Then, the created output configuration information is registered in advance. In the present embodiment, the control system 100 (FIG. 2) creates the output configuration information in accordance with the instruction of the combined image creator (that is, the output document manager) performed through the operation display panel 20 (display unit 121). The process can be executed.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the transition of the input screen of the display unit 121 when the output configuration information of the combined image is created.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a control sequence of output configuration information creation processing performed by the control system 100 (FIG. 2) that manages combined image output.
In the following, with reference to FIG. 4 and FIG.

In the control sequence of FIG. 5, the administrator of the output document (hereinafter simply referred to as “administrator”) relates to the output configuration information from various application (function) selection buttons displayed on the input screen of the display unit 121. An application (function) button is selected and pressed (step S101). In the initial screen (A) of FIG. 4, a button 212 displaying “collection” is shown as a button 212 for selecting an application (function) related to output configuration information. Note that “collection” is used as a word indicating an application that collects a plurality of created documents and collects them into one combined image and outputs (prints) the image. Note that when the “collection” function is selected and output configuration information creation processing is performed, an administrator name (here, Mr. D) may be input and used as management data.
When the display unit 121 detects that the “collection” button 212 has been pressed, the display unit 121 requests the output configuration information management unit 105 to acquire data that can list the output configuration information (collected documents) managed by the output configuration information 105 d (steps). S102).

The display unit 121 receives the list data of the output configuration information 105d returned from the output configuration information management unit 105 in response to the acquisition request in step S102, and based on this data, the input screen (A) in FIG. Is switched to the input screen (B) for displaying the output configuration information list (output document list) list 213 (step S103). Note that the input screen (B) in FIG. 4 displays a list 213 in a state where the output configuration information is not yet registered. After registration, a plurality of output documents are displayed so as to be identified by ID (see output configuration information in FIG. 6 described later).
As shown in the input screen (B) of FIG. 4, the screen for displaying the list 213 is provided with a “new registration” button 214, and the display unit 121 detects pressing of this button 214 by the administrator. Then, the input screen (B) for displaying the list 213 is switched to the input screen (C) for registering the output configuration information of the combined image (step S104).
On the input screen (C) for registering the output configuration information of the combined image, for example, a “user registration” button 215 as an item button necessary for creating the output configuration information of the combined image, and “print” as the output condition A “mode setting” button 126 and the like are provided, which are operated when the administrator inputs such information. In the present embodiment, output document IDs for identifying a plurality of output documents are automatically numbered in the order of 1, 2, 3,... On the device side, so a button for assigning output document IDs. However, when an arbitrary symbol or the like is added as an output document ID by a user (administrator) input, it can be implemented by adding a button for this purpose.

When the display unit 121 detects the pressing of the “user registration” button 215 on the input screen (C) (step S105), the “user registration” button 215 is pressed as “new registration” to the output configuration information management unit 105. (Step S106).
The output configuration information management means 105 that receives this notification recognizes that it is a request for acquiring user information 107d at the time of new registration, that is, an acquisition request for all user information. However, since the output configuration information management unit 105 does not manage the user information 107d, the output configuration information management unit 105 makes a request to the user management unit 107 and acquires data that can list all user information from the user information 107d managed by the user management unit 107. This data is acquired (step S107).
The display unit 121 receives all user information data of the output configuration information acquired through the output configuration information management unit 105 in response to the acquisition request in step S106, and displays a list of users on the screen based on this data. (Step S108).
Next, the administrator performs an operation of selecting a user who is a creator of each document constituting a combined image for which output configuration information is to be created on the user list display screen displayed on the screen of the display unit 121. (Step S109).
The display unit 121 that detects the operation of the administrator who selects the user requests the output configuration information management unit 105 to describe the information of the selected user as the output configuration information of the combined image for which the user is to be created ( Step S110).

In addition, in parallel with the user selection in step S109, the administrator sets a print mode as an output condition for a combined image to be newly registered.
The setting procedure is as follows. When the “print mode setting” button 126 on the input screen (C) is pressed by the administrator (step S111), the display unit 121 that detects the pressing of this button causes the printing unit 111 to In order to obtain print mode information that can be output at present, an acquisition request for the information is made (step S112).
When the printing unit 111 that receives this request notifies the display unit 121 of information about a print mode that is currently available for output, the administrator sets a print mode that cannot be used based on the notified information. In order to prevent this, the setting input screen is reflected (step S113).
Next, the administrator inputs the print mode setting by operating the setting input screen displayed on the display unit 121 (step S114).
The display unit 121 that detects the print mode setting input operation notifies the output configuration information management unit 105 of the information of the print mode in which the setting input has been performed (step S115).
The output configuration information management means 105 that receives this notification describes the print mode in the output configuration information of the combined image for which the set print mode is to be created, and the setting may be changed. The input printing mode is set in the printing unit 111 (step S116).
The sequence described above is the procedure for creating output configuration information.

“Output configuration information”
FIG. 6 is a table showing an example of the output configuration information 105d managed by the output configuration information management unit 105.
The output configuration information 105d illustrated in FIG. 6 includes, for each combined image, an output document name as document management information, an output document manager name, the presence / absence of a registered user list and a list of separate combined images, and registration as document information. The document information and the data of each item of the print mode are stored in the storage device in the form of a database described in association with each other.
In the output configuration information 105d, the combined image is identified by the output document ID. In this embodiment, when the output configuration information of the combined image is newly registered by the administrator (see FIGS. 4 and 5) and the separate combined image Output configuration information is registered (see the description of FIGS. 13 and 15 described later), the output document ID is automatically assigned, and the assigned data (1, 2, 3,...) Use.
When the administrator newly registers the output configuration information, the output document manager name is, for example, an administrator described in the output configuration information 105d by inputting the password set in the administrator registration performed in advance. Get the name (administrator user ID).
The registered user list acquires the user ID attached to the registration request (step S110) of the user selected in step S109 by the administrator, and the output configuration information management unit 105 describes it in the registered user list of the output configuration information 105d. To do.
The registered document information acquires a file ID given when the creator (registerer) registers each created document constituting the combined image.
As the print mode, the administrator acquires the print mode as the output condition of the combined image to be newly registered set in step S114 by the administrator, and the output configuration information management unit 105 describes it in the output configuration information 105d.

"Management of combined image output during document registration"
Next, processing related to management of combined image output when individually created documents used for combined image output are stored (registered) will be described.
The control system 100 (FIG. 2) for managing the combined image output, when storing (registering) individually created documents, as shown in the processing (2) and processing (3) above, If there is a contradiction with the specified output condition for the entire combined image, check whether the combined image can be output, and if it is determined that output is not possible, the document that satisfies the set output condition If it is true, this part can be output even if all the documents are not prepared.
The partial combined image is output as a separate combined image. The procedure of this process is to check whether the document that cannot be output and the unregistered document are documents that satisfy the set output condition, separately from the document that has already been registered as output configuration information. That is, the same determination as the previous output permission (determining whether there is a contradiction with the output conditions instructed between the documents or the combined image), and confirm whether the separate volume combined image can be output, If output is possible, it is registered in the output configuration information as a separate volume combined image.
In the present embodiment, the control system 100 (FIG. 2) determines the combined image and volume according to a registration procedure performed by the creator of each document used for the combined image from the external device 25 (PC, server, etc.) through the LAN controller 16. A process related to management of output of combined images can be executed.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a control sequence of processing at the time of document registration performed by the control system 100 that manages output of combined images (including separate combined images).
Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 7, a process performed for managing the combined image output at the time of document registration will be described according to the procedure.
In the control sequence of FIG. 7, the creator of the document used for outputting the combined image (hereinafter simply referred to as “creator”) has the completed document in the server (external device 25 in FIG. 1). Is instructed to register a document to be used for outputting the combined image (step S201). At this time, the output document ID for specifying the combined image described in the output configuration information (see FIG. 6) created in advance by the output document manager for the server as information necessary for the procedure and the user ID of the creator To be notified.
In accordance with the creator's instruction, the server starts the process by making a request for registering the document file to which the output document ID of the combined image and the creator's user ID are added to the storage unit 114 of the MFP (step S202).
In response to the document file registration request from the server, the storage unit 114 requests the document management unit 101 that manages the file to start the registration procedure of the document file (step S203). At this time, the user ID of the creator added to the registered document file is passed to the document management unit 101.

After starting the registration process, the storage unit 114 receives the image data of the registered document file from the server (step S204), stores this data, and requests the document management unit 101 to manage the image data (step S205). . The document management unit 101 associates the user ID of the creator with the image data, assigns a file ID, and creates document management information (registers a document).
“Document Management Information”
FIG. 8 is a table showing an example of the document management information 101d managed by the document management unit 101.
In the document management information 101d illustrated in FIG. 8, the document creator's user ID (Mr. A in the example shown in FIG. 8) and the image data constituting the file are associated with each registered image identified by the file ID. . The image data shown in FIG. 8 is data that can be handled in units of pages. If the file is a file of a plurality of pages, one file includes a plurality of pieces of image data (see FIG. 14 described later).
The relationship between the document management information 101d and the output configuration information 105d of the combined image shown in FIG. 6 is that the registered document information in the output configuration information 105d is a document to which the document combined by the file ID of the document management information 101d is combined. Only the number of is shown.

Returning to the sequence of FIG. 7, when the registration of the document file requested by the server is completed (step S206), the storage unit 114 stores the output document ID of the combined image in the document information registration unit 103 (in the example of FIG. Document ID: 1) and user ID (for example, user ID: 001 in the registered user list in FIG. 6) are passed to request registration of the document in the output configuration information 105d (step S207).
In response to this registration request, the document information registration unit 103 requests the document management unit 101 to search for a document based on the user ID (: 001) (step S208).
Upon receiving the request, the document management unit 101 searches the document management information 101d (see FIG. 8), acquires the document file ID (: 1) associated with the user ID (: 001) as a search result, This is transferred to the document information registration unit 103 (step S209).
Next, the document information registration unit 103 sets the received file ID (: 1) as a document file to be registered, and outputs the configuration information management unit 105 together with the output document ID (: 1) and the user ID (: 001). To request registration of the document in the output configuration information 105d (step S210).

“Judgment of output availability”
The output configuration information management unit 105 receives a registration request to the output configuration information 105d of the document file (file ID: 1), determines whether or not an output condition indicated by the output configuration information is satisfied, and registers if satisfied. If it does not satisfy the condition, registration is not performed.
In this embodiment, the process for determining whether to perform combined image output is performed by the output configuration information management unit 105 and the output permission determination unit 112 provided in the printing unit 111. The output configuration information management unit 105 conforms to a formal output condition (for example, the number of documents to be combined, the user ID of the document, etc.) of the output configuration information in which the document file to be registered defines the configuration of the combined image. It is determined whether it is a document, that is, whether an output document is established.
For example, it is confirmed whether or not the output document ID or user ID passed from the document information registration unit 103 exists in the output configuration information 105d (FIG. 6), and if these are in the output configuration information 105d, the output document ( ID: 1) is registered in the output configuration information 105d (FIG. 6). If either one is not in the output configuration information 105d, the document is not registered, and a sequence (not shown) in which the mail communication means 109 or the like notifies that the document has not been registered with the document creator of the output document. The process of managing this combined image output is exited.

On the other hand, the output permission determination unit 112 determines whether or not the document meets an output condition (for example, a print mode such as the number of copies and post-processing) related to the content of the image output.
According to the control sequence of FIG. 7, the output configuration information management unit 105 uses the file ID (: 1) of the document newly registered in the output configuration information 105d, the file ID string of the existing (registered) document, and the print conditions. The printing mode (in the setting example of FIG. 6, post-processing: staple, number of copies: 2) is passed to the printing unit 111 and a request for output permission is requested (step S211).
The printing unit 111 receives the output permission determination request and instructs the output permission determination unit 112 provided in the printing unit 111 to perform processing for determining whether to output the combined image (step S212).

Here, whether or not the combined image can be output is determined by each registered document constituting the combined image (in the setting example of FIG. 6, the registered user ID is the creator of each document (Mr. A, B, C, D, E)). “001, 002, 003, 004, 005” corresponding to the file IDs of the registered documents are 5 documents 1 to 5) one by one, and the following (1) to (1 3) Output conditions, that is, (1) Output conditions indicated in output configuration information predetermined for combined image output (in the example of FIG. 6, “staple, two copies” shown in the print mode)
(2) Output condition of one newly registered document in the currently determined document (documents with file IDs 1 to 5) (3) Registered document (that is, it is already determined that output is possible and output configuration information Based on the output condition indicated in the output configuration information added by the document (registered in 105d), it is determined whether or not the combined image can be output. That is, if the above output conditions are taken into the output configuration information, there is no contradiction between the print modes (output conditions), and whether or not the output unit such as the MFP print engine (plotter) or paper feed unit operates normally. Determine.
In order to make the above determination, the output permission determination unit 112 requests the document management unit 101 to search for an image parameter or the like added as an output condition to the registered document based on the file IDs 1 to 5 of the registered document (Step S1). S213).
Upon receiving the request, the document management unit 101 searches the document management information 101d, acquires the image parameters and the like added to each registered document as a search result, and passes this to the output availability determination unit 112 (step S214).

The determination process performed by the output permission determination unit 112 is performed in order of documents to be determined one by one in order of the print mode (image parameter etc.) set for the determination target document and output configuration information predetermined by the administrator. It is determined whether or not there is a contradiction with the print mode. If there is a contradiction, output is not possible. If no contradiction occurs, output is permitted, and it is determined whether output is possible.
In addition, in the case of a determination target having one or more documents that have already been determined to be output, that is, the second and subsequent documents to be determined, the image parameters (image size, Whether there is a contradiction between the print mode of the output configuration information added by the registered document (that is, the document that has already been determined to be output and registered in the output configuration information 105d), or the MFP It is determined whether an output unit such as a print engine (plotter) or a sheet feeding unit operates normally, and whether output is possible is determined according to the determination result.

Considering the case where the processing proceeds in the order of A, E, and C, first, a predetermined output configuration for the first file of Mr. A (user ID: 001) shown in the document management information 101d of FIG. It is determined whether printing is possible under information printing conditions (staple, 2 copies). In this case, if the file of Mr. A can be printed under the condition of (staple, 2 copies), the file ID “1” is registered in the registered document information of the output configuration information 105d as shown in FIG.
Proceeding to the next process, Mr. E registers the document, and determines the file of Mr. E (user ID: 005) of the document management information 101d in the state shown in FIG. When determining whether or not to output the file of Mr. B, since the printing conditions of the file of Mr. A who has already been determined are registered in the output configuration information 105d, it is necessary to determine these printing conditions as well. For example, A's file with A4 size and E's file with A3 size can be printed under the condition (staple, 2 copies), so it is determined that output is possible. As a result, Mr. E's file ID “2” is additionally registered in the registered document information of the output configuration information 105d shown in FIG. 9, and the registered document information of the output configuration information 105d is “1, 2” as shown in FIG. "

Subsequently, the file registered by Mr. C is determined. If the setting of Mr. C's file is A5 size, Mr. A's file of A4 size, Mr. B's file of A3 size, and Mr. C's file of A5 size cannot be output under the printing condition of “staple”. Therefore, output is impossible.
The document of Mr. C who has become unable to output is not registered in the registered document information of the output configuration information 105d, but is registered in the second and subsequent persons other than the first registrant (Mr. A) as in the document of Mr. C. The attempted document is not deleted, and the registered state is maintained as shown in the document management information 101d in FIG. 12 together with the registered documents of A and E that have been determined to be output so far. The reason for doing this is to deal with the processing of the separate volume combined image described later. Since it is determined that the registered documents of A and E can be output, they are continuously managed as registered documents, and the registered document information “1, 2” of the output configuration information 105d (FIG. 11) relating to these documents is also used as it is. Hold.

“When the output propriety result can be output”
In response to the output permission determination request requested by the output configuration information management unit 105 in step S211 in FIG. 7, the output permission determination result performed by the output permission determination unit 112 is sent to the output configuration information management unit 105 via the printing unit 111. (Steps S215, 216).
If all the registered documents included in the registered document information of the output configuration information 105d can be output as a result of the output permission determination at the present time (described as “OK” in FIG. 7), the combined image is printed. To do.
The procedure for executing the printing of the combined image is performed by the output configuration information management unit 105 using the output document ID registered in the output configuration information 105d (see FIG. 6) and the print mode as the print condition (in the setting example of FIG. 6, Post-processing: staple, number of copies: 2 copies, etc.) is passed to the printing unit 111, and printing (image output) is requested (step S217).
Upon receiving a print request, the printing unit 111 adds a printing condition for all files to be combined (all documents with file IDs 1 to 5 in the example of FIG. 6) (post-processing: staple in the example of FIG. 6). Printing is executed in accordance with the output configuration information 105d in which the number of print copies (including 2) is registered (step S218), and the process ends. Since the printing process itself is an existing technique, the description thereof is omitted.

“When the output availability judgment result cannot be output”
As described above, when all registered documents are determined to be outputable, if there is a document that is determined not to be output, it cannot be output as a combined image, but the document that is determined to be output is determined According to the result, the registered state is maintained in the output configuration information 105d (FIG. 11).
When the output is disabled, one of the processes performed to manage the output of the imaged image is to identify the document and the unregistered document that cause the output failure, and This is an operation that enables output. In the case of a combined volume image, when the planned combined image cannot be output, the document to be registered and the unregistered document are separated from the planned combined image, and the combined image composed of these documents is used as the combined volume image. This is a process that enables output.
In this processing procedure, the output configuration information of the separate volume combined image is newly created separately from the combined image (output document ID: 1 illustrated in FIG. 11) that has already been registered under the management of the output document ID. To generate. In other words, the user specified in the registered user list in the newly generated output configuration information is the creator of a document that has been registered but cannot be output, and an unregistered document. Is received under this output configuration information.

FIG. 14 is a table showing an example of the output configuration information managed by the output configuration information management unit 105 when registering a separate volume combined image.
The output document ID: 2 shown in the figure constitutes a separate volume combined image with respect to the output document ID 1 of the originally scheduled combined image.
The output configuration information of the output document ID: 2 shown in FIG. 14 is output when the processing proceeds in the order of A, E, and C illustrated above (refer to the document management information in FIG. 12). This is an example of a combined volume image composed of a document (user ID: 003) and an unregistered document.
In this example, Mr. C (user ID: 003) who has become unable to output and Mr. B (user ID: 002) and Mr. D (user ID: 004) who are the creators of consecutive unregistered documents before and after that are newly added. As a registered user of the output configuration information created in step 1, move to the registered user list. Note that, here, the split combined images are gathered in a continuous document, but it is considered that convenience can be improved by doing so.
Thereafter, an output document ID: 2 is created for the output configuration information of the separate volume combined image, and a new volume is created in the volume list column in the output configuration information (output document ID: 1) of the combined image based on the separate volume combined image. The output document ID: 2 of the separate volume combined image is set. In this way, the output configuration information (output document ID: 1) of the combined image that is initially planned becomes hierarchical.
Note that the output document name in the newly created output document ID: 2 is automatically named “Meeting Material-Volume 1” by the control system 100.

In addition, the registration document information in the output configuration information of the separate volume combined image (output document ID: 2) shown in FIG. 14 is created in the output configuration information (output document ID: 1) of the originally planned combined image that cannot be output. The document (file ID: 3) of the person (C) is registered.
Even in the output composition information of a newly created separate volume combined image, when registering a document, the target document, that is, the user's created document on the registered user list (output is disabled for output document ID: 1) Whether the document and the unregistered document satisfy the output condition based on the output configuration information set by the administrator. That is, the same determination as the output permission performed in the registration process of the output document ID: 1 (determining whether or not there is a contradiction with the output conditions specified in the output configuration information set by the administrator for the documents or combined images ) To confirm whether or not a separate volume combined image can be output, and if it can be output, it is registered in the output configuration information as a separate volume combined image. Note that the determination of whether to allow output in the separate volume combined image (output document ID: 2) can use the determination result obtained in step S216 for a document that cannot be output with the output document ID: 1. However, since it is not determined whether or not an unregistered document can be output, a process for determining whether or not output can be performed by the same processing as that performed for the document to be registered in the output configuration information having the output document ID: 1 ( Steps S211 to S216) are performed to obtain a determination result.

“Output of separate combined images (printing)”
The output permission / non-permission determination unit 112 determines whether or not output is possible in the separate volume combined image (output document ID: 2). As a result of the determination of output permission / rejection obtained, all registered documents (see FIG. In the output configuration information 14, if all registered documents (registered users: 002 to 004) can be output, printing of the combined volume image is executed.
The procedure for executing the printing of the separate volume combined image is as follows. The output configuration information management means 105 outputs the output document ID (output document ID: 2 in FIG. 14) registered in the output configuration information 105d and the print mode (FIG. 14). In this setting example, post-processing (stapling, number of copies: 2 copies, etc.) is transferred to the printing unit 111, and printing (image output) is requested (step S222).
The printing unit 111 receives a print request, and print mode (post processing: staple in the example of FIG. 14) to which the print conditions of all files to be combined (file IDs: documents 4, 3, and 5 in the example of FIG. 14) are added. The printing is executed in accordance with the output configuration information 105d registered (including the number of copies: 2) (step S223), and the process is terminated. Since the printing process itself is an existing technique, the description thereof is omitted.

FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining an output result when a combined volume image is output.
FIG. 15B is a diagram for explaining the print result of the output document ID: 2 in FIG. The output example in the figure is on the cover with the name of the output document “Conference material-Volume 1” on condition that the documents of the users (B, C, D) on the registered user list are registered respectively. In the example shown, the documents of the user (B, C, D) of the separate volume combined image are printed together.
Further, in this embodiment, in the output document ID: 1 in FIG. 14, the registered document is equivalent to the split combined image of the output document ID: 2 in that it constitutes a separate volume. Therefore, the output document ID: By instructing the output of 1, the registered document portion can be output. FIG. 15A is a diagram for explaining the print result of the output document ID: 1 in FIG. The output example in the figure is a part of the list on the registered user list, but the documents of the user (A, E) are registered, and the user (A, E) is provided on the condition that the registered document exists. ) And booklet information (described later) are printed together as an example.
Although not shown, it is possible to perform batch printing including an output document ID: 2 and a combined image of an output document ID: 2 according to a user instruction. In response to this batch printing instruction, the control system 100 prints out the output document ID: 1 according to the print mode, and then extracts the output document ID: 2 from the volume list of the output configuration information 105d, and the volume of the output document ID: 2. The combined image is output according to the print mode.

“Notification to the user of the output availability determination result”
The output enable / disable determining unit 112 performs an output enable / disable determination process (steps S211 to S216), and when the obtained output enable / disable determination result indicates that output is impossible, another process is performed to manage the output of the formed image. The operation is to notify the registrant (creator) of the document that caused the output failure and the reason for the output failure. This makes it possible for the registrant who receives this notification to take a measure to enable output by applying corrections to the document excluding factors that prevent output. Further, in this embodiment, as described above, when it is determined that output is impossible, a function for newly generating output composition information of a separate volume combined image is provided, so that this notification that this function can be used is received. Recognize by Therefore, it is not necessary to wait until the conditions of all the documents constituting the scheduled combined image can be registered and registered, and it is also a procedure for realizing the user's request to obtain output only from the part related to each creator. .
Note that this notification can be performed in the same manner when the determination result of whether or not output is possible for the combined book image becomes impossible.

The notification of the cause of the output failure is performed by the sequence output availability determination unit 115 in FIG. The output permission / non-permission determining means 115 obtains the registrant of the document that causes the output failure from the user ID (described in the registered user list of the output configuration information). The user ID can be obtained from user information 107d managed by the user management means 107. FIG. 13 is a table showing an example of the user information 107d. As shown in the figure, a user name and a mail address are associated with the user information 107d for each user identified by the user ID. By referring to this table, it is possible to know the mail address of the notification destination from the user information 107d.
Therefore, the output permission determination unit 115 acquires the registrant's e-mail address from the table of the user information 107d based on the user ID of the document that cannot be output. The mail transmission means 109 is requested to send an e-mail notifying the specified document and the reason why the output is impossible, and the mail is sent. Note that the procedure for notifying the registrant of the failure to output by e-mail is described in detail in the prior art described in the above section [Background Art] (Steps S226 to S228 in FIG. 7 of Japanese Patent Application No. 2009-167960). , S230 to S232), and can be implemented by referring to this description.
The above processing is processing performed to manage the output of the formed image when the output availability determination unit 115 determines that the output of the formed image is not possible. In the sequence of FIG. This is performed as output management based on a separate volume of the sequence described (step S221).

“Selection of process when output is impossible”
In the above-described embodiment, the process of notifying the user of the factors that cannot be performed at the time of the determination that the output is impossible and generating the output configuration information of the separate combined image are performed.
However, for example, depending on the user, there is a case where the output of the combined image that is initially planned is obtained and the output as a separate combined image is not necessary, or vice versa. As a means for adapting to such a case, in accordance with the user's instruction, only the process of notifying the user of the cause of the output failure or the like, or the process of newly generating the output composition information of the combined volume image is performed. Processing selection means is provided.
For this process selection, a method in which an instruction is given in advance by a user operation command from the display unit 121 provided as a user interface in the control system 100 or a command input from the external device 25 via a network can be employed. . For the input process selection command, a method of preparing a selection flag in the output configuration information and operating the flag may be used, or it may be handled as initial setting data of the apparatus.

“Output of volume information”
As described in “Output (printing) of separate volume combined image”, the combined image based on the combined volume image can be printed as in the case of outputting the combined volume image (example of the print result is shown in FIG. 15A). To do).
The combined image based on the separate combined image is printed on the condition that some of the users' documents listed in the registered user list of the output configuration information with the output document ID: 1 are registered (FIG. 15 ( As shown in the example of A), each document and volume information (described later) of the registered user (A, E) is printed together. In the case of the output configuration information of the output document ID: 1, since it is originally intended to print in a state where all documents are registered and registered, this is a process by a convenient method.
Therefore, when printing a part of the registered document among the combined images based on the separate volume combined image, the volume information is generated and output in addition to the output of the registered document. By outputting the volume information together, it means that there is a volume combined image connected to the combined image, and the configuration of the combined image can be grasped.

As the booklet information, it is appropriate to list the output document name given to the booklet combined image and the document name given to the registered document of each user constituting the booklet combined image.
The output document name of the separate volume combined image (in the example of FIG. 15, “Meeting material to volume 1”) is named by the control system 100 when the output configuration information of the volume combined image (output document ID: 2) is registered. . Further, the document name of the registered document (“Document 4, Document 3, Document 5” in the example of FIG. 15) is stored in each file of the document registered in the output configuration information of the separate volume combined image (output document ID: 2). This is information managed in the document management information as the corresponding document name. Thus, both the output document name of the combined image and the document name of the registered document are associated with the output configuration information.

Therefore, when the output of the output document ID: 1 which is a combined image is instructed, the volume combined image is recognized by referring to the volume list in the output configuration information of the output document ID: 1, Page that lists the output document name (in the example of FIG. 15, “Meeting Material—Volume 1”) and the document name of the registered document (“Document 2, Document 3, Document 4” in the example of FIG. 15) as the volume information. It can be attached and printed. The print data of the page listed as the separate volume information indicates a separate volume combined image (output document ID: 2) linked to the referenced volume list, and the output document name of the combined image and the document name of the registered document are the volume. It can be created based on information (data) registered in the output configuration information of the combined image.
However, when there is a user who thinks that the output of the page showing the above-described volume information is unnecessary, it is desirable to provide means for responding to the request. For this reason, an output operation that does not output the volume information is performed in response to a command by a user operation from the display unit 121 provided as a user interface in the control system 100 or a command performed via a network. This operation can be performed by ignoring the data of the volume list to be referred to for recognizing that the volume combined images are linked and not generating volume information.

In the above embodiment, the output document name of the combined image and the document name of the registered document are represented as the volume information. However, by adding information that can be used as a document headline, the usability can be improved. As a headline, it is possible to adopt a method in which the first page of a document is collectively described.
In addition to the document heading, by adding a document name and a page number expressed with a certain word meaning such as a title, the usability can be further enhanced.
However, it is desirable to provide means for responding to a request when there is a user who thinks that one of the booklet information based on the document headline and the booklet information based on the document name and the number of pages is unnecessary. For this reason, the control system 100 is selected to output only one piece of volume information in response to a command by a user operation from the display unit 121 provided as a user interface or a command performed via a network. By making it possible to refer to the amount of data for generating the heading of each image output file constituting the separate volume combined image at the time of this selection, it provides a judgment material for selecting an operation desired by the user. be able to.
Note that the input selection command may use a method of preparing a selection flag in the output configuration information and operating the flag, or may be handled as initial setting data of the apparatus.

Further, when the volume information is output, if the print mode in the output configuration information of the output document ID: 1 is double-sided printing, the volume information is printed on the back side of the printing paper of the user A document in the example of FIG. May be printed, or the document of user E may be printed on the back side of the print paper for the volume information.
Such inconvenience can be avoided if the user designates in advance that the printed materials of the documents of the users A and E and the print paper of the volume information are separately printed, and it is desirable to adopt this method. For the setting for performing this operation, a flag for selecting the operation may be prepared in the output configuration information, and a method of operating the flag may be used, or it may be handled as initial setting data of the apparatus.

  11 .... CPU, 12 .... ROM, 13 .... RAM, 14 .... Image storage device, 16 .... LAN controller, 19 .... Plotter, 20 .... Operation display panel, 25 ... External unit, 100 ... Control System 101, Document management means 103, Document information registration means 105, Output configuration information management means 107, User management means 109, Mail transmission means 111, Printing means 112, Output Acceptability determination means, 114... Storage means, 121.

JP 2006-139611 A

Claims (12)

File registration means for registering an image output file;
A file management means for individually managing registered image output files;
Output configuration information registration means for registering output configuration information of a combined image constituting an output image by combining the image output files managed by the file management means;
Output configuration information management means for managing the registered output configuration information;
An image processing apparatus having means for generating combined image output data based on output configuration information managed by the output configuration information management means,
When each image output file used for a combined image by the file registration unit is registered in the file management unit, whether or not a combined image is output is registered in the output condition indicated in the predetermined combined image output configuration information, registration Output based on the output condition indicated in the output configuration information added by the completed image output file and the output condition set in the image output file to be registered, and output by the first availability determination Whether or not a separate combined image constituted by an image output file determined to be unusable and an unregistered image output file is determined based on the output conditions indicated in the output structure information of the predetermined combined image and each of the combined combined images An output permission / non-permission determining means for performing a second permission / non-permission determination based on an output condition set in the image output file;
The output configuration information registration unit registers output configuration information of a predetermined combined image before registering an image output file used for combined image output in the file management unit. The output condition of the image output file determined every time it is determined that the combined image can be output in the determination of whether or not the image can be output is registered in the output configuration information of the combined image, and the output enable / disable determining unit combines the output conditions in the second determination An image processing apparatus that registers an output condition of an image output file determined every time it is determined that an image can be output in output configuration information of a separate combined image. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1,
A communication means for a user who registers an image output file;
The output propriety determining means identifies an image output file and an unregistered image output file that are the factors that make output impossible when it is determined that the combined image cannot be output in the first propriety determination,
The communication means notifies the user of an image output file and an unregistered image output file that are specified as a result of the first determination as to whether or not output is possible. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2,
Comprising an instruction input means for receiving an instruction of a processing condition of the combined image output;
When the output enable / disable determining unit determines that the output of the combined image is not possible in the first enable / disable determination and determines that the output of the split combined image is possible in the second enable / disable determination, the output combination information of the separate combined image is output to the output configuration information. Means for selecting whether to register the image output file or to notify the result of the first determination as to whether or not the combined image cannot be output because the execution is suspended. An image processing apparatus comprising: The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The output configuration information registration unit registers data indicating that the output configuration information of the separate volume combined image is registered in the output configuration information of the combined image based on the separate volume combined image. . The image processing apparatus according to claim 4,
Comprising an instruction input means for receiving an instruction of a processing condition of the combined image output;
The means for generating the combined image output data performs an operation of ignoring data indicating that the output configuration information of the separate volume combined image registered in the output configuration information of the combined image is in accordance with an instruction of the instruction input unit. An image processing apparatus that performs the processing. In the image processing device according to claim 4 or 5,
The data indicating that the output configuration information of the separate volume combined image is registered is data for generating the headline of each image output file constituting the separate volume combined image by the combined image output data generating means. An image processing apparatus. The image processing device according to any one of claims 4 to 6,
The image processing apparatus characterized in that the data indicating that the output composition information of the separate volume combined image is registered is a document name and the number of pages of each image output file constituting the separate volume combined image. In the image processing device according to claim 6 or 7,
Comprising an instruction input means for receiving an instruction of a processing condition of the combined image output;
As data indicating that the output composition information of the separate volume combined image is registered, data for generating a heading of each image output file constituting the separate volume combined image, and each image output file constituting the separated volume combined image An image processing apparatus, wherein either the document name or the number of pages is selected by an instruction from the instruction input unit. The image processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein
An image processing apparatus characterized in that, when the selection by the instruction input means is performed, the amount of data for generating a headline of each image output file constituting a separate volume combined image can be referred to.   A file registration unit, a file management unit, an output configuration information registration unit, an output configuration information management unit, a unit for generating combined image output data, the image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9 having a computer A program for functioning as each means of output permission determination means.   A computer-readable recording medium on which the program according to claim 10 is recorded. An image output management method that is performed when files created by adding output conditions to each other are combined and individual image output files used for combined image output are registered in the file management means,
A first output configuration information registration step of registering predetermined output configuration information for the combined image before registering an image output file used for combined image output in the file management means;
When registering each image output file used for a combined image in the file management means, the output indicated by the output configuration information of the combined image registered in the first output configuration information registration step indicates whether the combined image can be output. A first determination as to whether or not to be determined based on the condition, the output condition indicated in the output configuration information added by the registered image output file, and the output condition set in the registered image output file; The output configuration information of the combined image registered in the first output configuration information registration step indicates whether or not a separate combined image composed of the image output file determined to be unusable by the determination and the unregistered image output file. An output propriety determination step for performing a second propriety determination based on the output condition and the output condition set for each image output file constituting the separate volume combined image;
The second output configuration information registration step of registering the output condition of the image output file determined every time when it is determined that the output of the combined image is possible in the first availability determination in the output availability determination step in the output configuration information of the combined image. When,
Third output configuration information registration for registering the output condition of the image output file determined every time when it is determined that the output of the combined image is permitted in the second availability determination in the output availability determination step in the output configuration information of the separate volume combined image Process,
An image output management method comprising: generating combined image output data based on output configuration information corresponding to each combined image or separate volume combined image managed in the output permission determination step.

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