JP2012182619A - Conference system, image processing device, image output method, and image output program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To output an image with less deterioration in image quality.SOLUTION: An MFP comprises: an HDD that stores data; a reduction unit 51 that reduces an image of the stored data to generate a reduced image; a transmission unit 53 that transmits the reduced image to plural sheets of electronic paper; a handwritten character reception unit 55 that receives a handwritten character from at least one of the plural sheets of electronic paper; a composition unit 61 that combines an image of each of the at least one received handwritten character with the image of the stored data to generate a composite image; and an output unit 65 that outputs the composite image.

Description

  The present invention relates to a conference system, an image processing device, an image output method, and an image output program. In particular, the conference system includes an image processing device that outputs an image of handwritten characters, the image processing device, and the image processing device. The present invention relates to an image output method and an image output program.

  2. Description of the Related Art A conference system is known in which a presenter displays an image stored in a personal computer at a conference or the like on a display device such as electronic paper used by a participant. In this case, the participant can confirm the contents of the presentation while viewing the image displayed on the electronic paper. Further, it is convenient that a memo is stored in association with an image by viewing the image displayed on the electronic paper and inputting characters by handwriting while superimposing the image on the image.

  Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-9107 discloses an electronic conference terminal that adds memo information written by attendees to a conference distribution material file, and displays information to be displayed in the distribution material file according to the progress of the conference. Document information storage means for storing, input means for receiving input of the memo information and the like by the attendee, memo information storage means for storing the memo information, storage contents of the document information storage means, and the memo information storage means Display information storage means for storing a screen on which the storage contents are superimposed, display means for displaying the storage contents of the display information storage means, storage contents of the document information storage means, and storage contents of the memo information storage means An electronic conference terminal comprising: a file writing means for creating a distribution material file with a memo from the superimposed display information It has been mounting.

However, when the conventional document management terminal is an electronic paper, the image displayed on the electronic paper has a lower resolution than the original image, and therefore, the handwritten image input on the electronic paper and the displayed image are displayed. Are associated with each other, and when outputting by other methods such as printing an image displayed on electronic paper, only an image with a degraded image quality compared to the original image can be output. There is.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-9107

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and one of the objects of the present invention is to provide a conference system capable of outputting an image with little deterioration in image quality.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus capable of outputting an image with little deterioration in image quality.

  Still another object of the present invention is to provide an image processing method capable of outputting an image with little deterioration in image quality.

  Still another object of the present invention is to provide an image processing program capable of outputting an image with little deterioration in image quality.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and according to one aspect of the present invention, the conference system is a conference system including a plurality of display devices and image processing devices, and the image processing device. A data storage means for storing data, a reduction means for generating a reduced image obtained by reducing an image of the stored data, a transmission means for transmitting the generated reduced image to a plurality of display devices, and a plurality of displays A handwritten character receiving means for receiving a handwritten character from at least one of the devices; a combining means for generating a combined image by combining an image of each of the received at least one handwritten character with an image of stored data; Output means for outputting the combined image, and each of the plurality of display devices displays receiving means for receiving the reduced image from the image processing device, and displaying the received reduced image. A display means, a handwritten character detection means for detecting a handwritten character based on a position designated by the user on the display surface of the display means, a handwritten character transmission means for transmitting the detected handwritten character to the image processing device, Is provided.

  According to this aspect, the image processing device generates a reduced image obtained by reducing the image of the stored data, transmits the reduced image to the plurality of display devices, receives handwritten characters from at least one of the plurality of display devices, and performs handwriting. A composite image obtained by combining the image of each character with the data image is generated and output. For this reason, unlike a reduced image transmitted to a plurality of display devices, a handwritten image is synthesized with an image of stored data and output, so that the image quality of the output image is superior to the reduced image. Therefore, it is possible to provide a conference system that can output an image with little deterioration in image quality.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, the image processing apparatus is an image processing apparatus capable of communicating with a plurality of display devices, and includes a data storage unit that stores data, and a reduced image obtained by reducing an image of the stored data. Reducing means for generating a generated image, transmitting means for transmitting the generated reduced image to a plurality of display devices, handwritten character receiving means for receiving a handwritten character from at least one of the plurality of display devices, and at least one received The image processing apparatus includes a synthesizing unit that generates a synthesized image obtained by synthesizing an image of each of the two handwritten characters with an image of stored data, and an output unit that outputs the generated synthesized image.

  According to this aspect, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of outputting an image with little deterioration in image quality.

  Preferably, a classification table storage unit that stores a classification table in which a plurality of users are classified into any of a plurality of groups, and a user that identifies a user who has input the handwritten character for each received at least one handwritten character A classifying unit that classifies at least one received handwritten character into one of a plurality of groups based on a classification table, and the combining unit is classified for each of the plurality of groups. A composite image obtained by combining the image of the handwritten character with the image of the stored data is generated, and the output means is combined by the combining means corresponding to the same group as the group into which each of the plurality of users is classified. Is output.

  According to this aspect, the received at least one handwritten character is classified into one of a plurality of groups, and the image of the handwritten character classified for each of the plurality of groups is combined with an image of the stored data. A synthesized image synthesized corresponding to the same group as the group into which each user is classified is output. For this reason, the same handwritten image can be seen among a plurality of users included in the group, and information can be shared.

  Preferably, a level table storage means for storing a level table in which a plurality of users are classified into any of a plurality of levels assigned a rank, and a plurality of outputs based on the level at which the plurality of users are classified by the level table The output means further includes a restriction means for restricting an output method selectable by each of a plurality of users from the method, and an output method selection means for selecting one of the output methods selectable from the plurality of output methods. Outputs the composite image using the selected output method.

  According to this aspect, the output method that can be selected by each of the plurality of users from the plurality of output methods is limited based on the level at which the plurality of users are classified by the level table. Can be different.

  Preferably, the synthesizing means includes an enlarging means for enlarging the received image of at least one handwriting in accordance with the resolution of the data image.

  Preferably, notification means for notifying completion of output by the output means is further provided.

  According to still another aspect of the present invention, an image output method is an image output method executed by an image processing device capable of communicating with a plurality of display devices, and is a reduced image obtained by reducing an image of data stored in advance. Generating a reduced image generated for display on a plurality of display devices, receiving handwritten characters from at least one of the plurality of display devices, and at least one received The method includes a step of generating a composite image obtained by combining a handwritten character image with an image of stored data, and a step of outputting the generated composite image.

  According to this aspect, it is possible to provide an image output method capable of outputting an image with little deterioration in image quality.

  According to still another aspect of the present invention, an image output program is an image output method executed by a computer that controls an image processing device capable of communicating with a plurality of display devices, and stores an image of data stored in advance. A step of generating a reduced reduced image, a step of transmitting the generated reduced image for display on a plurality of display devices, a step of receiving handwritten characters from at least one of the plurality of display devices; And causing the computer to execute a step of generating a combined image obtained by combining the image of at least one handwritten character with the image of the stored data and a step of outputting the generated combined image.

  According to this aspect, an image output program capable of outputting an image with little deterioration in image quality can be provided.

It is a figure showing the whole conference system outline in one of the embodiments of the present invention. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an MFP. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of an electronic paper. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the function which CPU with which electronic paper is provided. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of functions of a CPU included in an MFP together with data stored in an HDD. It is a figure which shows an example of a user table. It is a figure which shows an example of an output method selection screen. It is a figure which shows an example of a delivery classification selection screen. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of an image output process. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of an output process classified by group.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall outline of a conference system according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, conference system 1 includes a multifunction peripheral (hereinafter referred to as “MFP”) 100 and five electronic papers 200, 200A, 200B, 200C, and 200D. MFP 100 and five electronic papers 200, 200A, 200B, 200C, and 200D are wirelessly connected to network 300 and can communicate with each other. The network 300 is connected to the Internet. Therefore, each of MFP 100 and the five electronic papers 200, 200A, 200B, 200C, and 200D can communicate with other computers connected to the Internet.

  The network 300 is a local area network (LAN). In place of the LAN, a wide area network, a public telephone line, the Internet, or the like may be used. Furthermore, the network 300 is not limited to wireless and may be wired. Further, although an example in which the MFP 100 and the five electronic papers 200, 200A, 200B, 200C, and 200D are connected via the network 300 is shown here, they may be connected by serial communication, parallel communication, or the like.

  The conference system 1 shows an example in which the electronic paper 200, 200A, 200B, 200C, and 200D is included as an example of a display device, but the number of units is not limited to this, and one or more units may be used. Since the five electronic papers 200, 200A, 200B, 200C, and 200D have the same configuration and functions, the electronic paper 200 will be described as an example unless otherwise specified.

  The conference system 1 according to the present embodiment is used in a conference or the like in which a plurality of people view the same image at the same time, a presenter operates the MFP 100 and the electronic paper 200, and participants participate in the electronic paper 200A, 200B, 200C, and 200D. Suitable for operation. The presenter stores data for presentation in the MFP 100 in advance, and transmits an image of the data (hereinafter referred to as “image data”) from the MFP 100 to each of the five electronic papers 200, 200A, 200B, 200C, and 200D. Since the five electronic papers 200, 200A, 200B, 200C, and 200D display images based on the image data received from the MFP 100, the presenter and the participant browse the same image at the same time.

  As long as the device displays an image, a display device including a liquid crystal display device (LCD), an organic ELD (Electroluminescence Display), or the like may be used instead of the electronic paper 200, 200A to 200D.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the MFP. Referring to FIG. 2, MFP 100 includes a main circuit 110, a document reading unit 123 for reading a document, an automatic document transport device 121 for transporting a document to document reading unit 123, and a document reading unit 123. An image forming unit 125 for forming a still image to be read and output on a sheet, a sheet feeding unit 127 for supplying the image forming unit 125 with a sheet, and an operation panel 129 as a user interface.

  The automatic document feeder 121 automatically conveys a plurality of documents set on the document feed tray one by one to a predetermined document reading position set on the platen glass of the document reading unit 123, and reads the document. The document whose document image is read by the unit 123 is discharged onto a document discharge tray. The document reading unit 123 includes a light source that irradiates light to the document conveyed to the document reading position and a photoelectric conversion element that receives light reflected by the document, and scans a document image corresponding to the size of the document. The photoelectric conversion element converts the received light into image data that is an electrical signal and outputs the image data to the image forming unit 125. The paper feed unit 127 conveys the paper stored in the paper feed tray to the image forming unit 125.

  The image forming unit 125 forms an image by a well-known electrophotographic method, and performs various data processing such as shading correction on image data received from the outside or image data input from the document reading unit 123. Then, based on the image data after the data processing, an image is formed on the sheet conveyed by the sheet feeding unit 127.

  The main circuit 110 includes a CPU 111, a communication interface (I / F) unit 112, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 113, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 114, an EEPROM (Electronically Erasable and Programmable ROM) 115, and a large capacity. A hard disk drive (HDD) 116 as a storage device, a facsimile unit 117, a network I / F 118, and a card interface (I / F) 119 to which a memory card 119A is attached are included. CPU 111 is connected to automatic document feeder 121, document reading unit 123, image forming unit 125, paper feed unit 127, and operation panel 129, and controls the entire MFP 100.

  The ROM 113 stores a program executed by the CPU 111 and data necessary for executing the program. The RAM 114 is used as a work area when the CPU 111 executes a program.

  Operation panel 129 is provided on the upper surface of MFP 100 and includes a display unit 129A and an operation unit 129B. The display unit 129A is a display device such as a liquid crystal display device or an organic ELD (Electroluminescence Display), and displays an instruction menu for the user, information about acquired display data, and the like. The operation unit 129 </ b> B includes a plurality of keys, and accepts input of various instructions, data such as characters and numbers by user operations corresponding to the keys. Operation unit 129B further includes a touch panel provided on display unit 129A.

  Communication I / F unit 112 is an interface for connecting MFP 100 to other devices. The interface may be connected to a serial communication cable, a parallel communication cable, or a video cable. The connection form may be wired or wireless.

  The HDD 116 stores data in a nonvolatile manner. The HDD 116 includes a plurality of storage areas, and the plurality of storage areas include a user area allocated for each user and a public area in which the user is not specified. The user area is an area that can be accessed on condition that the user assigned to the user area is successfully authenticated.

  The facsimile unit 117 is connected to a public switched telephone network (PSTN) and transmits facsimile data to the PSTN or receives facsimile data from the PSTN. The facsimile unit 117 stores the received facsimile data in the HDD 116 or outputs it to the image forming unit 125. The image forming unit 125 prints the facsimile data received by the facsimile unit 117 on a sheet. Further, the facsimile unit 117 converts the data stored in the HDD 116 into facsimile data, and transmits the facsimile data to a facsimile apparatus connected to the PSTN.

  Network I / F 118 is an interface for connecting MFP 100 to network 300. The CPU 111 can communicate with the electronic papers 200 and 200 </ b> A to 200 </ b> D connected to the network 300 via the network I / F 118. Further, when the network 300 is connected to the Internet, the CPU 111 can communicate with a computer connected to the Internet. Computers connected to the Internet include an e-mail server that transmits and receives e-mails. The network I / F 118 is not limited to the network 300, and may be connected to the Internet, a wide area network (WAN), a public switched telephone network, or the like.

  The card I / F 119 is loaded with a memory card 119A. The CPU 111 can access the memory card 119A via the card I / F 119, and can load a program stored in the memory card 119A into the RAM 114 and execute it. The program executed by CPU 111 is not limited to the program stored in memory card 119A, but may be a program stored in another storage medium, a program stored in HDD 116, or a network I / O. A program written in the HDD 116 by another computer connected to the network 300 via the F 118 may be used.

  The storage medium for storing the program is not limited to the memory card 119A, but an optical disc (MO (Magnetic Optical Disc) / MD (Mini Disc) / DVD (Digital Versatile Disc)), IC card, optical card, mask ROM, A semiconductor memory such as an EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM) or an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable ROM) may be used.

  The program here includes not only a program directly executable by the CPU 111 but also a source program, a compressed program, an encrypted program, and the like.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of electronic paper. Referring to FIG. 3, electronic paper 200 is connected to bus 31 to control CPU 201 as a whole, ROM 203 for storing programs executed by CPU 201, and work area of CPU 201. RAM 205 used as a memory, EEPROM (Electronically Erasable and Programmable ROM) 207 for storing data in a nonvolatile manner, display unit 209, touch panel 211 for accepting user operations, and communication I for connecting electronic paper 200 to the network / F213 and an external I / F 215 to which the memory card 215A can be connected.

  The display unit 209 is controlled by the CPU 201 to display an image. The ROM 203 stores a program executed by the CPU 201 or data necessary for executing the program. The RAM 2014 is used as a work area when the CPU 2011 executes a program. The EEPROM 207 stores a program or data in a nonvolatile manner.

  The touch panel 211 is made of a transparent member and is provided so as to be superimposed on the display surface of the display unit 209. When the user designates the display surface of the display unit 209, the coordinates of the designated position on the display surface are output. Note that the touch panel 211 can be provided on the back surface of the display unit 209 when the electrostatic induction method or the electromagnetic induction method is used, and in this case, the touch panel 211 does not need to be transparent.

  The communication I / F 213 is an interface for connecting the electronic paper 200 to the network 300. CPU 201 communicates with MFP 100 via communication I / F 213 to transmit and receive data. The communication I / F 213 can communicate with a computer connected to the Internet via a network.

  The external I / F 215 is an interface for communicating with an external device. Here, the external I / F 215 performs serial communication with an external device. When the memory card 215A is connected to the external I / F 215 as an external device, the CPU 201 can access the memory card 215A via the external I / F 215. In this example, the program executed by the CPU 201 is stored in the ROM 203, but the CPU 201 may load the program stored in the memory card 215A into the RAM 205 and execute it. The medium for storing the program executed by the CPU 201 is not limited to the memory card 215A, but an optical disc (CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read Only Memory), MO (Magnetic Optical Disc) / MD (Mini Disc) / DVD (Digital Versatile). Disc)), an IC card, an optical card, a mask ROM, an EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), and an EEPROM (Electronically EPROM).

  Further, the CPU 201 may load the program stored in the EEPROM 207 into the RAM 205 and execute it. In this case, another computer connected to the network 300 may rewrite the program stored in the EEPROM 207 of the electronic paper 200, or may write a new program. Further, the electronic paper 200 may download a program from another computer connected to the network 300 and store the program in the EEPROM 207. The program here includes not only a program directly executable by the CPU 201 but also a source program, a compressed program, an encrypted program, and the like.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of functions of a CPU included in electronic paper. The functions of the CPU 201 shown in FIG. 4 are formed in the CPU 201 when the CPU 201 executes a program stored in the ROM 203, the EEPROM 207, or the memory card 215A. Referring to FIG. 4, CPU 201 included in electronic paper 200 includes an image data receiving unit 251 that receives image data from MFP 100, a display control unit 253 that controls display unit 209, and a handwritten character detection unit that detects handwritten characters. 255, a handwritten character transmission unit 257 that transmits the detected handwritten character to MFP 100, and an output instruction transmission unit 259 that transmits an output instruction to MFP 100.

  Image data reception unit 251 controls communication I / F 213, and when communication I / F 213 receives image data from MFP 100, it outputs the received image data to display control unit 253. Here, the image data is data including a plurality of pages of images. When the user inputs an operation for designating a page on the touch panel 211, the display control unit 253 displays an image of the designated page on the display unit 209.

  Each of the images of a plurality of pages is given a page number and is specified by the page number. The page number is page identification information for identifying each of a plurality of pages of images included in the image data. The display control unit 253 displays an image on the display unit 209 based on the image data input from the image data reception unit 251, and outputs the page number of the image displayed on the display unit 209 to the handwritten character transmission unit 261. To do.

  The handwritten character detection unit 255 detects the instructed position if the user operates the touch panel 211 and points to an arbitrary position on the touch panel 211 after setting the electronic paper 200 to the handwriting mode. The handwritten character detection unit 255 detects the handwritten character by connecting the coordinates of the designated position. The handwritten character detection unit 255 outputs an image of the detected handwritten character to the display control unit 253 and the handwritten character transmission unit 257.

  When a handwritten character is input from the handwritten character detection unit 255, the display control unit 253 displays a composite image obtained by combining the image of the handwritten character with the image of the image data displayed so far on the display unit 209. A composite image obtained by superimposing a handwritten character image on the image data image is displayed on the display unit 209. Thereby, the user of the electronic paper 200 can recognize the position in the image of the handwritten character drawn by the user and the shape of the character.

  The handwritten character transmission unit 257 receives a page number from the display control unit 253 and receives an image of a handwritten character from the handwritten character detection unit 255. Handwritten character transmission unit 257 transmits a pair of a handwritten character image and a page number to MFP 100 via communication I / F 213.

  Output instruction transmission unit 259 receives an output instruction that the user inputs to touch panel 211, and transmits the received output instruction to MFP 100 via communication I / F 213. The output instruction transmission unit 259 displays an output instruction setting screen on the display unit 209 and receives an output instruction that the user inputs to the touch panel 211 according to the output instruction setting screen. Details of the output instruction transmission unit 259 will be described later.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of functions of the CPU included in the MFP, together with data stored in the HDD. The functions of the CPU 111 shown in FIG. 5 are formed in the CPU 111 when the CPU 111 executes a program stored in the ROM 113, the EEPROM 115, or the memory card 119A. Referring to FIG. 5, data 91 and user table 93 are stored in HDD 116. The data 91 includes image data that the document reading unit 123 reads and outputs the document. The data 91 includes data received from a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as “PC”) connected to the HDD 116 via the network 300. In this case, data generated by an application program executed on the PC is included. The user table includes a classification table that classifies a plurality of users into one of a plurality of groups, and a level table that classifies a plurality of users into one of a plurality of levels that are ranked.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user table. Referring to FIG. 6, user table 93 includes a user record for each user. The user record includes a user name item, a used electronic paper name item, a group name item, and a level item. In the user name item, user identification information for identifying a user is set. Here, the user identification information is a user name assigned to the user. In the item of used electronic paper name, device identification information for identifying one of the electronic papers 200, 200A to 200D used by the user is set. In the group name item, group identification information for identifying a group to which a user is assigned is set. A group is a set of a plurality of users that are predetermined in order to classify conference participants and share common attributes. For example, the group may be a company to which the user belongs, or may be a group in a company organization when a meeting is held within one company. Here, the group is a department to which the user belongs, the group identification information of the first department is “GROUP-A”, the group identification information of the second department is “GROUP-B”, and the group identification information of the third department is “GROUP-C”.

  In the level item, a level assigned in advance to the user is set. The level indicates a degree for limiting the method of outputting information, and the higher the level, the more the number of methods can be output. Here, the case where “LEVEL-1” having a high level and “LEVEL-2” having a low level are used is shown.

  For example, the first user record is a user record corresponding to a user to which user identification information “USER-A” is assigned, and the user is identified by the device identification information “PAPER-A”. , And belongs to the group identification information “GROUP-A” and indicates that the level “LEVEL-1” is assigned.

  Therefore, the user record associates the user identification information with the group identification information, and associates the user identification information with the level. In other words, the user table associates the plurality of user identification information with any of the plurality of group identification information, and associates the plurality of user identification information with any of the plurality of levels.

  Returning to FIG. 5, the CPU 111 reduces the image of the data 91 stored in the HDD 116, the transmission unit 53 that transmits the reduced image to the electronic paper 200, 200 </ b> A to 200 </ b> D, the electronic paper 200, The handwritten character receiving unit 55 that receives a handwritten character image from any one of 200A to 200D, the user identifying unit 57 that identifies a user who uses the electronic paper 200, 200A to 200D, and the handwritten character image are classified into groups. A handwritten character classification unit 59, a combining unit 61 that generates a combined image obtained by combining a handwritten character image with the image of data 91, an output method selecting unit 67 that selects an output method of the combined image, and a combined image according to the output method. And an output unit 65 for outputting.

  The reduction unit 51 reads the data 91 designated by the presenter from the data 91 stored in the HDD 116, and converts the data designated by the presenter into a reduced image having a low resolution, thereby generating a reduced image. The reduction unit 51 outputs the reduced image to the transmission unit 53. When the data 91 specified by the presenter is composed of a plurality of pages, a reduced image is generated for each of the plurality of pages, a reduced image of each of the plurality of pages is generated and output to the transmission unit 53. The presenter may operate the operation unit 129B to designate one of the data 91 stored in the HDD 116. When the presenter operates the electronic paper 200, the presenter 200 to the MFP 100 May be remotely operated to designate one of the data 91 stored in the HDD 116.

  The transmission unit 53 transmits the reduced image input from the reduction unit 51 to each of the electronic papers 200 and 200A to 200D via the network I / F 118. With reference to the user table stored in HDD 116, the reduced image is transmitted to the electronic paper specified by the device identification information set in the item of used electronic paper name in each of the plurality of user records included in the user table. As a result, the same reduced image is displayed on the electronic paper 200, 200A to 200D. When a transmission request is received from any of the electronic papers 200, 200A to 200D without referring to the user table, a reduced image is transmitted to the electronic paper 200, 200A to 200D that has transmitted the transmission request. You may make it do.

  When the network I / F 118 receives an image of a handwritten character from any of the electronic papers 200 and 200A to 200D, the handwritten character receiving unit 55 outputs the received image of the handwritten character to the handwritten character classifying unit 59, The device identification information of the electronic paper that has transmitted the image of the handwritten character among the electronic papers 200, 200 </ b> A to 200 </ b> D is output to the user specifying unit 57.

  The user specifying unit 57 specifies a user who uses the electronic paper specified by the device identification information input from the handwritten character receiving unit 55. Specifically, referring to the user table 93 stored in the HDD 116, a user record including device identification information input from the handwritten character receiving unit 55 is extracted, and the user identification information item of the extracted user record is extracted. The set user identification information is specified for the user who has drawn the handwritten character included in the received handwritten character image. Then, the user specifying unit 57 outputs the user identification information of the specified user to the handwritten character classifying unit 59.

  The handwritten character classifying unit 59 associates the image of the handwritten character input from the handwritten character receiving unit 55 with the user identification information input from the user specifying unit 57. Specifically, a set of handwritten character images and user identification information is temporarily stored in the RAM 114. When the handwritten character receiving unit 55 receives a handwritten character image from the electronic paper 200, 200A to 200D, the handwritten character classifying unit 59 stores a set of five handwritten character images and user identification information in the RAM 114. .

  The handwritten character classifying unit 59 classifies the plurality of sets stored in the RAM 114 into a group in which the users specified by the user identification information are classified. Specifically, with reference to the user table 93 stored in the HDD 116, the group identification information of the group into which the user specified by the user identification information is classified is acquired. Then, the five handwritten character images stored in the RAM 114 are associated with group identification information corresponding to the user identification information paired therewith. The handwritten character classification unit 59 combines a plurality of handwritten character images corresponding to the same group identification information, and outputs a combination of the combined handwritten character image and the group identification information to the combining unit 61.

  The combining unit 61 receives a set of handwritten character images and group identification information from the handwritten character classifying unit 59, and transmits the handwritten character images input from the handwritten character classifying unit 59 for each group identification information. Is combined with the image of the transmitted data to generate a combined image for each group identification information. The combining unit 61 includes an enlargement unit 63. The enlargement unit 63 enlarges the handwritten character image to have the same resolution as that of the data image. The combining unit 61 combines the enlarged handwritten character image and the data image to generate a combined image. The combining unit 61 outputs a set of group identification information and a combined image to the output unit 65.

  When the user table shown in FIG. 6 is stored in the HDD 116, the user with the user identification information “USER-A” and the user with the user identification information “USER-D” belong to the group with the group identification information “GROUP-A”. Since it is classified, the image of the handwritten character drawn by the user of the user identification information “USER-A” and the image of the handwritten character drawn by the user identification information “USER-D”, in other words, the device identification information “PAPER” -A "electronic paper 200 and device identification information" PAPER-D "electronic paper 200C received from each of the two handwritten character images and the data image transmitted by the transmission unit 53, and a combined image The group identification information “GROUP-A” is output to the output unit 65.

  In addition, since the user of the user identification information “USER-B” and the user of the user identification information “USER-C” are classified into the group of the group identification information “GROUP-B”, the user identification information “USER-B” The image of the handwritten character drawn by the user and the image of the handwritten character drawn by the user identification information “USER-C”, in other words, the electronic paper 200A of the device identification information “PAPER-B” and the device identification information “ A combination of two handwritten character images received from each of the electronic paper 200B of “PAPER-C” and an image of data transmitted by the transmission unit 53, and group identification information “GROUP-B” Is output to the output unit 65.

  In addition, although the user of the user identification information “USER-E” is classified into the group of the group identification information “GROUP-C”, since it is one person, an image of handwritten characters drawn by the user of the user identification information “USER-E”, In other words, a composite image obtained by combining the handwritten character image received from the electronic paper 200D of the device identification information “PAPER-E” and the data image transmitted by the transmission unit 53, and the group identification information “GROUP- C ”is output to the output unit 65.

  The output method selection unit 67 transmits an output method selection screen to each of the electronic papers 200 and 200A to 200D, selects an output method designated by each user of the electronic papers 200 and 200A to 200D, and selects the selected output method. Output to the output unit 65. A plurality of output methods are determined in advance, and here, there are two methods, data transmission for transmitting the composite image data and printing for forming the composite image on a sheet.

  The output method selection unit 67 includes a restriction unit 69. The restriction unit 69 refers to the user table 93 stored in the HDD 116 and restricts the output methods that can be specified by each user of the electronic paper 200, 200A to 200D. Upon receiving the output method selection screen transmission request from one of the electronic papers 200, 200A to 200D, the restricting unit 69 transmits the output method selection screen transmission request of the electronic papers 200, 200A to 200D. The device identification information is specified, and a user record including the specified device identification information is extracted from the user table 93 stored in the HDD 116.

  The restriction unit 69 extracts the level set in the item of the level of the extracted user record, and restricts the output method according to the extracted level. Here, the level includes “LEVEL-1” having a high priority and “LEVEL-2” having a low priority. When the extracted level is “LEVEL-1”, the restricting unit 69 allows two output methods to be selected. When the extracted level is “LEVEL-2”, the restriction unit 69 makes it possible to select an output method for printing out of the two output methods, but does not make it possible to select an output method for data transmission. Since a user assigned “LEVEL-1” having a high priority can select two output methods, the user can select one of many output methods. However, “LEVEL-2” having a low priority is assigned. Since the selected user can only select the output method for printing out of the two output methods, the output method is limited. By limiting the output method, for example, a highly confidential document or a document prohibited from being copied may not be easily copied.

  When the output method selection unit 67 receives a transmission request for the output method selection screen from one of the electronic papers 200, 200A to 200D, the output method selection unit 67 generates an output method selection screen in which the output method determined by the restriction unit 69 can be selected. The generated output method selection screen is transmitted to the requesting device that has transmitted the transmission request for the output method selection screen among the electronic papers 200, 200A to 200D. When the output instruction is received from the requesting device, the output method selection unit 67 outputs a set of the received output instruction and the device identification information of the device that has transmitted the output instruction to the output unit 65. The output instruction specifies an output method. Here, the output method includes data transmission and printing. The output instruction specifies the type of data transmission when the output method is data transmission. Types of data transmission include electronic mail, file transfer, and file sharing.

  The output unit 65 receives a set of group identification information and a composite image from the combining unit 61, and receives a set of an output instruction and device identification information from the output method selection unit. The output unit 65 outputs a composite image for each user who uses the electronic paper 200, 200A to 200D by an output method designated by the user. Specifically, when a plurality of sets of output instructions and device identification information input from the output method selection unit 67 are input, the output unit 65 selects one of the plurality of sets as a processing target.

  Next, the output unit 65 extracts the user record including the device identification information included in the selected set from the user table 93 stored in the HDD 116, and is set in the group name item of the extracted user record. Get group identification information. Then, the output unit 65 specifies a composite image that is paired with the acquired group identification information from the set of group identification information and the composite image input from the composite unit 61.

  Then, the output unit 65 outputs the specified composite image according to the output instruction included in the set selected as the processing target. If the output instruction specifies data transmission as an output method and the type of data transmission specifies an e-mail, the output unit 65 generates an e-mail attached with the specified composite image and transmits the e-mail. The e-mail transmission destination address is an e-mail address assigned in advance to a user who uses the device identification information included in the combination of the output instruction selected as the processing target and the device identification information.

  If the output instruction specifies data transmission as an output method and the type of data transmission specifies file transfer, the output unit 65 transmits the composite image by FTP (File Transfer Protocol). The address of the transmission destination to which the composite image is transferred is an address assigned in advance to a user who uses the device identification information included in the combination of the output instruction selected as the processing target and the device identification information.

  If the output instruction specifies data transmission as the output method and the type of data transmission specifies file sharing, the output unit 65 performs setting for sharing the composite image using SMB (Server Message Block). For the setting for sharing the composite image by SMB, the composite image is stored in the HDD 116, and position identification information indicating the position where the composite image is stored is transmitted. The position identification information is a URL, for example. The transmission destination address of the position identification information is an address assigned in advance to a user who uses the device identification information included in the combination of the output instruction selected as the processing target and the device identification information. In addition, the composite image is stored in the user area assigned to the user who uses the apparatus identification information included in the combination of the output instruction selected as the processing target and the apparatus identification information among the plurality of user areas provided in the HDD 116. You may make it do.

  When the output instruction specifies printing as the output method, the output unit 65 outputs the composite image to the image forming unit 125 to form the composite image on a sheet.

  Here, referring to FIG. 4, in CPU 201 provided in electronic paper 200, output instruction transmission unit 259 transmits an output method selection screen transmission request to MFP 100 based on an instruction from the user, and output transmitted by MFP 100. Receive the method selection screen. Output instruction transmission unit 259 displays an output method selection screen received from MFP 100 on display unit 209 and determines an output method instructed by the user.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of an output method selection screen. FIG. 7A shows an output method selection screen for a user with a high priority level, and FIG. 7B shows an output method selection screen for a user with a low priority level. Referring to FIG. 7A, output method selection screen 301 includes a button 303 for selecting data transmission as an output method and a button 305 for selecting printing. It is possible to specify either data transmission or printing as the output method. Referring to FIG. 7B, output method selection screen 311 includes a button 305 for selecting printing as the output method. Only printing can be specified as the output method.

  Returning to FIG. 4, when the output instruction transmission unit 259 receives the output method selection screen 301 shown in FIG. 7A, the output instruction selection unit 301 displays the output method selection screen 301 on the display unit 209 and selects one of the buttons 303 and 305. The specification of is accepted. When the user selects the button 303, the output instruction transmission unit 259 displays a distribution type selection screen shown in FIG. 8 on the display unit 209. The distribution type selection screen may be received from the MFP 100 according to the instruction of the button 303, or may be received together with the output method selection screen 301 as a sub screen of the output method selection screen 301.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a distribution type selection screen. Referring to FIG. 8, distribution type selection screen 321 is a screen for selecting the type of data transmission. Here, the types of data transmission include transmission by e-mail, file transfer, and file sharing. The distribution type selection screen 321 includes a button 323 for designating transmission by electronic mail as a type of data transmission, a button 324 for designating file transfer, and a button 325 for designating file sharing.

  Returning to FIG. 4, when data transmission is designated as the output method, the output instruction transmission unit 259 accepts the type of data transmission designated by the user according to the distribution type selection screen 321 displayed on the display unit 209, An output instruction for instructing data transmission of the accepted type is transmitted to MFP 100. Further, when printing is designated as the output method, the output instruction transmission unit 259 transmits an output instruction for instructing printing to the MFP 100 without displaying the distribution type selection screen 321 on the display unit 209.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of image output processing. The image output process illustrated in FIG. 9 is a process executed by the CPU 111 when the CPU 111 included in the MFP 100 executes the image output program. Referring to FIG. 9, CPU 111 determines whether or not data designation has been accepted (step S01). It is determined whether the presenter has specified any of the data 91 stored in the HDD 116 by remotely operating the MFP 100 using the electronic paper 200. The process waits until data designation is accepted (NO in step S01). If data designation is accepted (YES in step S01), the process proceeds to step S02.

  In step S02, the designated data is read from HDD 116. In the next step S03, selection of any of a plurality of pages included in the read data is accepted, and page data of the accepted page is selected as a processing target. In the next step S04, a reduced image is generated by reducing the image of the page data. The reduced image is generated in order to reduce the image quality of the data image. Then, the reduced images are transmitted to the electronic papers 200, 200A to 200D via the network I / F 118, respectively (step S05). Thereby, a reduced image is displayed in each of the electronic papers 200, 200A to 200D.

  In the next step S06, it is determined whether an image of a handwritten character has been received. The network I / F 118 determines whether or not an image of handwritten characters has been received from any of the electronic papers 200 and 200A to 200D. If an image of a handwritten character is received, the process proceeds to step S07; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S11 after processing. In step S07, the user who has input the handwritten character image is specified. Specifically, among the electronic papers 200, 200A to 200D, the device identification information of the electronic paper that has transmitted the handwritten character image received in step S06 is acquired, and a user record including the acquired device identification information is acquired. The user is specified by extracting from the user table stored in the HDD 116 and acquiring user identification information set in the user name item of the extracted user record.

  In the next step S08, it is determined whether or not the resolution of the handwritten character image received in step S06 matches the resolution of the data image read in step S02. If the resolutions of the handwritten character image and the data image do not match, the process proceeds to step S09. If the resolutions match, the process proceeds to step S10.

  In step S09, the image of the handwritten character is enlarged, and the process proceeds to step S10. Thereby, the resolution of the image of a handwritten character is made to correspond to the resolution of the data read in step S02. In step S10, the handwritten character image is temporarily stored in the RAM 114 in association with the page number and the user identification information of the user specified in step S07.

  In step S11, it is determined whether a transmission request for the output method selection screen has been received. It is determined whether or not the network has received a transmission request for an output method selection screen from one of the electronic papers 200, 200A to 200D. If a transmission request is received, the process proceeds to step S12. If not, the process proceeds to step S17.

  In step S12, the user who has requested transmission of the output method selection screen is specified. Specifically, among the electronic papers 200, 200A to 200D, the device identification information of the electronic paper that has transmitted the transmission request received in step S11 is specified, and a user record including the specified device identification information is stored in the HDD 116. The user is identified by extracting the user identification information set in the item of the user name of the extracted user record and extracting from the user table that has been extracted.

  In step S13, the level is determined. By acquiring the level set in the item of the level of the user record extracted in step S12, the level assigned to the user specified in step S12 is determined. In the next step S14, an output method selection screen corresponding to the level determined in step S13 is generated, and the generated output setting screen is used as the transmission request received in step S11 among the electronic papers 200, 200A to 200D. Is sent to the electronic paper that has sent.

  The output method selection screen is displayed on the electronic paper that has transmitted the transmission request received in step S11 among the electronic papers 200, 200A to 200D. Here, a case where the electronic paper 200A transmits a transmission request will be described as an example. When the user of electronic paper 200A inputs an output method to electronic paper 200A according to the output method selection screen displayed on electronic paper 200A, electronic paper 200A returns an output instruction including the output method input to MFP 100 to MFP 100. . In the next step S15, the output instruction transmitted by the electronic paper 200A is received. In the next step S16, the received output instruction is temporarily stored in the RAM 114 in association with the user identification information specified in step S12.

  In the next step S17, it is determined whether a page switching instruction is accepted. If the presenter inputs a page feed instruction or a page return instruction by remotely operating MFP 100 using electronic paper 200, a page switching instruction is accepted. If a page switching instruction is accepted, the process proceeds to step S18; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S19.

  In step S18, the page data to be processed is switched according to the page switching instruction accepted in step S17, and the process returns to step S03.

  On the other hand, in step S19, it is determined whether an end instruction has been accepted. If the presenter inputs an end instruction by remotely operating MFP 100 using electronic paper 200 to end the conference, the end instruction is accepted. If an end instruction is accepted, the process proceeds to step S20. If not, the process returns to step S06.

  In step S20, the group output process is executed, and the process proceeds to step S21. Although details of the group-by-group output process will be described later, this is a process of outputting a composite image in which a data image and a handwritten character image are combined for a plurality of groups. In step S <b> 21, the user of electronic paper 200, 200 </ b> A to 200 </ b> D, who is a conference participant, is notified that the output process in step S <b> 20 has ended. For example, a message “Data output has been completed.” Is transmitted to each of the electronic papers 200, 200A to 200D. As a result, messages are displayed on the electronic papers 200, 200A to 200D, respectively, so that it is possible to notify the participants of the conference that the output of data has been completed.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of output processing by group. The group-by-group output process is a process executed in step S20 of FIG. Referring to FIG. 10, one of a plurality of groups is selected as a processing target (step S31). By selecting one group identification information from among the plurality of group identification information respectively set in the group name item of the plurality of user records included in the user table 93 stored in the HDD 116, the selected group identification The group specified by the information is selected for processing.

  In the next step S32, users belonging to the group selected in step S31 are specified. All of the user records in which the group identification information selected in step S31 or step S39 described later is set as the group name item from among the plurality of user records included in the user table 93 stored in the HDD 116 are extracted. Then, user identification information set in the item of user name is extracted in each of all extracted user records. The user specified by the extracted user identification information is a user belonging to the group selected in step S31 or step S39 described later.

  In the next step S33, all the images of the specified user's handwritten characters are extracted. Specifically, from the set of handwritten character images and user identification information stored in the RAM 114, all the handwritten character images that are paired with the user identification information of the user specified in step S32 are extracted. . Then, it is determined whether or not the resolution of the extracted handwritten character image is smaller than the resolution of the data set as the processing target. If the extracted handwritten character image includes a handwritten character image whose resolution is smaller than the data resolution, the process proceeds to step S35; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S36. In step S35, the image of the handwritten character is enlarged. The enlargement ratio is determined so that the resolution of the image of the handwritten character matches the resolution of the data.

  In the next step S36, an image of handwritten characters is synthesized with the data image. When a plurality of handwritten character images are extracted in step S33, all of the plurality of handwritten character images are synthesized. If step S35 is executed and the handwritten character image is enlarged, the enlarged handwritten character image is synthesized. Thus, a composite image is generated by combining the handwritten character image and the data image.

  In the next step S37, a set of the group identification information of the group selected in step S31 or step S39 described later and the composite image generated in step S36 is temporarily stored in the RAM 114.

  In the next step S38, it is determined whether there is a group that is not set as a processing target. If there is a group that is not set as a processing target, the process proceeds to step S39. If not, the process proceeds to step S40. In step S39, a group not selected as a processing target is selected as a processing target, and the process returns to step S32.

  In step S40, one of the output instructions temporarily stored in RAM 114 is read. In step S16 of FIG. 9, one set of the output instruction and user identification information temporarily stored in the RAM 114 is read. Then, the group to which the user who issued the output instruction belongs is specified (step S41). A group of users specified by the user identification information included in the set of the output instruction and user identification information read in step S40 is specified. Specifically, from the user table 93 stored in the HDD 116, the user identification information included in the combination of the output instruction read in step S40 and the user identification information is set in the item of the user name. A user record is extracted, and group identification information set in the group name item of the extracted user record is acquired.

  In the next step S42, the composite image of the specified group is read out from the composite images temporarily stored in the RAM 114. Specifically, a composite image that is paired with the group identification information of the group specified in step S41 is read out from the combination of the composite image temporarily stored in the RAM 114 and the group identification information.

  In the next step S43, the composite image is output according to the output instruction read in step S40. When the output instruction includes a printing output method, the composite image is output to the image forming unit 125, and the composite image is formed on a sheet. When the output instruction includes an output method of data transmission, the composite image is transmitted according to the type of data transmission. If the type of data transmission is electronic mail, an electronic mail attached with a composite image is generated, and the generated electronic mail is transmitted via the network I / F 118. As the e-mail address of the e-mail transmission destination, an e-mail address predetermined for the user identification information paired with the output instruction read in step S40 is used. If the type of data transmission is file transfer, the composite image is transferred to the file via the network I / F 118. The file transfer destination is an address predetermined for the user specified by the user identification information paired with the output instruction read in step S40. If the type of data transmission is file sharing, a setting is made to share the composite image with SMB (Server Message Block). For example, the composite image is stored in the user area assigned to the user specified by the user identification information paired with the output instruction read out in step S40 among the plurality of user areas provided in the HDD 116, and combined. The position identification information indicating the position where the image is stored is transmitted. The position identification information is a URL, for example. The transmission destination of the position identification information is a predetermined address for the user specified by the user identification information paired with the output instruction read in step S40.

  In the embodiment described above, MFP 100 has been described as an example of an image processing apparatus. However, a display image output method that causes MFP 100 to execute the image output processing illustrated in FIGS. Needless to say, the present invention can be understood as an image output program to be executed by the CPU 111 of the computer.

  In the present embodiment, a plurality of users are classified according to the department to which the user belongs by the user table 93, and a plurality of handwritten images of each of the plurality of users are classified and synthesized for each group. However, a combination of combining a plurality of handwritten images of a plurality of users according to levels may be varied. For example, a composite image obtained by combining images handwritten by a user who is assigned a priority level lower than the level assigned to the user is handwritten by a user who is assigned a priority level higher than the level assigned to the user. The images may not be combined. Specifically, the composite image to be transmitted to the user “LEVEL-1” having a high priority is combined with all the handwritten images of each of the plurality of users, and the user “LEVEL-2” having a low priority is combined. You may make it synthesize | combine only the handwritten image of the user of "LEVEL-2" among the several handwritten images of each of several users for the synthesized image to transmit. Specifically, the composite image transmitted to the user of “LEVEL-2” is only the image handwritten by the user of the user identification information “USER-C” and the image handwritten by the user of the user identification information “USER-D”. Is synthesized. Therefore, the user of the user identification information “USER-C” and the user of the user identification information “USER-D” are handwritten by the users of the user identification information “USER-A”, “USER-B”, and “USER-E”. I can't see the image.

  Furthermore, in addition to classifying the handwritten images to be synthesized by group, the handwritten images to be synthesized may be varied depending on the level within the group. For example, for “GROUP-A”, two users of user identification information “USER-A” and “USER-D” are classified, and the user level of the user identification information “USER-A” is “LEVEL”. -1 ”and the user level of the user identification information“ USER-D ”is“ LEVEL-2 ”. In this case, the composite image corresponding to the user of the user identification information “USER-A” is handwritten by the user of the user identification information “USER-A” and the user of the user identification information “USER-D”. A composite image obtained by combining the image with the user identification information “USER-D” is combined with an image handwritten by the user with the user identification information “USER-D”. An image handwritten by a user who is assigned a priority level higher than the level assigned to the user is a composite image obtained by combining images handwritten by the user assigned a priority level lower than the level assigned to the user. You may make it not synthesize | combine.

  As described above, in the conference system 1 according to the present embodiment, the MFP 100 generates a reduced image obtained by reducing the image of the data stored in the HDD 116 and transmits the reduced image to each of the five electronic papers 200 and 200A to 200D. A handwritten character is received from any of the five electronic papers 200, 200A to 200D, a composite image obtained by combining the image of the handwritten character with the image of the data is generated, and output by an output method designated by the user. For this reason, unlike the reduced images transmitted to the five electronic papers 200, 200A to 200D, a synthesized image obtained by synthesizing the handwritten image with the stored data image is output, so the image quality of the synthesized image is higher than that of the reduced image. Are better. For this reason, an image with little deterioration in image quality can be output.

  In addition, a classification table in which five users respectively using five electronic papers 200, 200A to 200D are classified into one of three groups is stored, and handwritten characters input by each of the five users are stored. The image is classified into the same group as the group into which the user is classified, and a handwritten character image is combined with the data image for each group, thereby generating a combined image for each group and outputting the image for each group. For this reason, the same handwritten image can be seen between users belonging to the group, and information can be shared.

  Since the level table included in the user table limits the output methods that each of the five users can select from a plurality of output methods based on the level at which the five users are classified, the output method that can be selected by the user Can be different.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

<Appendix>
(1) The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the output unit includes an image forming unit that forms the composite image on a recording medium.
(2) The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the output unit includes an image transmission unit that transmits the composite image to a predetermined transmission destination for each of the plurality of users.
(3) The output means includes position transmission means for transmitting position identification information indicating a position where the composite image is stored to a predetermined transmission destination for each of the plurality of users. An image processing apparatus according to claim 1.

1 conference system, 51 reduction unit, 53 transmission unit, 55 character reception unit, 57 user identification unit, 59 handwritten character classification unit, 61 composition unit, 63 enlargement unit, 65 output unit, 67 output method selection unit, 69 limit unit, 91 data, 93 user table, 110 main circuit, 111 CPU, 112 communication I / F unit, 113 ROM, 114 RAM, 115 EEPROM, 116 HDD, 117 facsimile unit, 118 network I / F, 119 card I / F, 119A Memory card, 121 automatic document feeder, 123 document reading unit, 125 image forming unit, 127 paper feeding unit, 129 operation panel, 129A display unit, 129B operation unit, 200, 200A, 200B, 200C, 200D electronic paper, 201 CPU , 203 ROM, 205 RAM, 207 EEPROM 209 Display unit, 211 touch panel, 213 communication I / F, 215 external I / F, 215A memory card, 251 image data reception unit, 253 display control unit, 255 handwritten character detection unit, 257 handwritten character transmission unit, 259 output instruction transmission Part, 261 handwritten character transmission part, 300 network.

Claims (8)

A conference system including a plurality of display devices and image processing devices,
The image processing apparatus includes:
Data storage means for storing data;
Reduction means for generating a reduced image obtained by reducing the image of the stored data;
Transmitting means for transmitting the generated reduced image to the plurality of display devices;
Handwritten character receiving means for receiving handwritten characters from at least one of the plurality of display devices;
Combining means for generating a combined image obtained by combining the image of each of the received at least one handwritten character with the image of the stored data;
Output means for outputting the generated composite image,
Each of the plurality of display devices
Receiving means for receiving a reduced image from the image processing device;
Display means for displaying the received reduced image;
A handwritten character detecting means for detecting a handwritten character based on a position designated by the user on the display surface of the display means;
A conference system comprising: handwritten character transmission means for transmitting the detected handwritten character to the image processing apparatus. An image processing device capable of communicating with a plurality of display devices,
Data storage means for storing data;
Reduction means for generating a reduced image obtained by reducing the image of the stored data;
Transmitting means for transmitting the generated reduced image to the plurality of display devices;
Handwritten character receiving means for receiving handwritten characters from at least one of the plurality of display devices;
Combining means for generating a combined image obtained by combining the image of each of the received at least one handwritten character with the image of the stored data;
And an output unit that outputs the generated composite image. Classification table storage means for storing a classification table in which a plurality of users are classified into any of a plurality of groups;
User identification means for identifying a user who has input the handwritten character for each received at least one handwritten character;
A handwritten character classification means for classifying the received at least one handwritten character into any of the plurality of groups based on the classification table;
The synthesizing unit generates a synthesized image obtained by synthesizing the image of the handwritten character classified for each of the plurality of groups with the image of the stored data.
The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the output unit outputs the synthesized image synthesized by the synthesizing unit corresponding to the same group as the group into which each of the plurality of users is classified. Level table storage means for storing a level table in which the plurality of users are classified into any one of a plurality of levels to which ranking is given;
Limiting means for limiting the output methods that can be selected by each of the plurality of users from a plurality of output methods based on the level at which the plurality of users are classified by the level table;
Output method selection means for selecting one of the output methods that can be selected from the plurality of output methods;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the output unit outputs the composite image by using the selected output method.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the synthesizing unit includes an enlarging unit that enlarges the received image of at least one handwriting in accordance with a resolution of the image of the data.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising notification means for notifying completion of output by the output means. An image output method executed by an image processing apparatus capable of communicating with a plurality of display devices,
Generating a reduced image obtained by reducing an image of data stored in advance;
Transmitting the generated reduced image for display on the plurality of display devices;
Receiving handwritten characters from at least one of the plurality of display devices;
Generating a composite image by combining the received image of at least one handwritten character with the image of the stored data;
Outputting the generated composite image. An image output method comprising: An image output method executed by a computer that controls an image processing device capable of communicating with a plurality of display devices,
Generating a reduced image obtained by reducing an image of data stored in advance;
Transmitting the generated reduced image for display on the plurality of display devices;
Receiving handwritten characters from at least one of the plurality of display devices;
Generating a composite image by combining the received image of at least one handwritten character with the image of the stored data;
An image output program for causing the computer to execute the step of outputting the generated composite image.

Images