JP2013110534A - Multifunction machine and image reading device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To read a document with an optimum profile among a large number of profiles available.SOLUTION: A multifunction machine 1 comprises an image reading device 10 which reads a document and generates image data and a plurality of image data output devices 20 which output the image data. The image reading device 10 includes: a profile storage unit 181 in which a plurality of profiles with different reading parameters are stored beforehand; an image reading unit 11 which reads a document on the basis of the reading parameters of a profile selected by the user; a usage history update unit 143 which counts for each profile the number of times it has been used in the image reading device 11 and counts for each profile the number of times image data generated by the respective profiles have been output by each of the image data output devices 20; and a notification unit 30 which notifies the user of a profile which has been used a number of times together with the number of times of the output by each of the image data output devices 20 before the user selects any profile.

Description

  The present invention relates to a multifunction peripheral and an image reading apparatus that perform scanning using a profile in which setting information for reading a document surface such as a sentence or a photograph is described.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image reading apparatus (scanner) provided in a multifunction peripheral, a user places a document on a document placing table and presses a determination button for starting scanning, whereby the scanner reads the surface of the document.
At this time, the image reading apparatus performs scanning using a profile prepared in advance. This profile describes the reading parameters (reading setting information) for reading the document surface. For example, the resolution, density value, image quality pattern, contrast value, hue adjustment value, and saturation adjustment value at the time of reading are described. Etc. are described.

  A conventional image reading apparatus can start scanning by selecting one from a plurality of profiles having different reading parameters. For example, the user can select either a character reading profile or a photo reading profile by selecting whether to read a text document or a photo document so that the user can easily select a profile. Some image reading apparatuses can use a profile, but there are only two options, and it cannot be said that an optimum profile for reading a document can be selected.

JP 2009-253588 A

  Therefore, in order to be able to select an optimum profile, it is necessary to prepare a number of profiles having different reading parameters in the image reading apparatus. For example, several profiles having different combinations of density value and contrast value are prepared. Accordingly, the user can select a more optimal profile because the number of profile options increases.

However, it is difficult for a user who uses an image reading apparatus provided with a large number of profiles with different reading parameters to select an optimum profile for reading a document from a large number of profiles. In particular, for users who do not have specialized knowledge, it is not known which profile is the optimal profile, so select each profile and scan it to determine whether it is the optimal profile. Is forced to find the best.
As described above, an image reading apparatus in which a large number of profiles having different reading parameters are prepared has a problem that it takes time for the user to find an optimum profile for reading a document.

  In order to solve the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a multifunction peripheral and an image reading apparatus that read an original with an optimum profile from among a large number of profiles.

  In order to solve the above problems, a first invention is a multi-function machine comprising an image reading device that reads a document and generates image data, and a plurality of image data output devices that output the image data. The reading apparatus includes a profile storage unit that stores a plurality of profiles having different reading parameters in advance, an image reading unit that reads the document based on a reading parameter of a profile selected by a user, and each of the image reading units used in the image reading unit. A usage history update unit that counts the number of times the profile is used and the number of times each of the image data output devices that output image data generated using the profile is selected for each profile, and the profile is selected by the user. Before using the image data output device, the frequently used profile is output to each image data output device. And to the configuration and a notifying unit for notifying the user with the number.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image reading apparatus including a profile storage unit that stores a plurality of profiles having different reading parameters in advance and an image reading unit that reads a document based on a reading parameter of a profile selected by a user. A usage history update unit that counts the number of times each profile used in the image reading unit is used, and a notification unit that notifies the user of a profile that is frequently used before the user selects a profile. It was configured to include.

In order to select one profile from a large number of profiles, some kind of index is necessary. The first invention provides as an index the number of times a profile is used and the number of times each image data output apparatus outputs image data generated using the profile for each profile. The second invention provides the number of times the profile is used as an index.
The user can select one profile from a number of profiles according to the purpose of use with reference to this index.

  According to the first invention and the second invention, since an index for selecting a profile is provided, an optimum profile can be selected from a large number of profiles, and a document is read with the optimum profile. Can do.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing system according to a first embodiment. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a multifunction machine according to a first embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of a profile table. It is a figure which shows an example of a utilization log | history table. It is a figure which shows the screen flow in a scanning process. It is an example of a process menu screen. It is an example of a scan menu screen. It is an example of a new profile creation screen. It is an example of a profile detail creation screen. It is an example of a profile selection screen. It is an example of a profile information screen. It is an example of a profile edit screen. It is an example of a scan start confirmation screen. It is an example of a usage destination selection screen. It is an example of a process end screen. 6 is a flowchart of a scan processing operation of the scanner according to the first embodiment. FIG. 17 is a flowchart of the scan processing operation of the scanner according to the first embodiment following FIG. 16. FIG. 18 is a flowchart of the scan processing operation of the scanner according to the first embodiment following FIG. 17. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a profile editing process operation of the scanner according to the first embodiment. 5 is a flowchart of a new profile creation processing operation of the scanner according to the first embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the image processing system which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the multifunctional device which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the profile table which memorize | stores the profile from which only the resolution differs. It is a figure which shows an example of the utilization log | history table which memorize | stores the profile from which only the resolution differs.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as “the present embodiment”) will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Each figure is only schematically showing the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated example. Moreover, in each figure, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about the common component and the same component, and those overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.

<< First Embodiment >>
(Image processing system 100)
As shown in FIG. 1, the image processing system 100 including the multifunction device 1 according to the first embodiment includes a multifunction device 1, a network 2, an external device 3, and an external storage medium 4.
The multifunction machine 1 will be described later in detail.
The network 2 is, for example, a wired / wireless LAN (Local Area Network), ZigBee (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), or the like. The multifunction device 1 transmits and receives data to and from the external apparatus 3 via the network 2. Do.
The external device 3 is a computer such as a PC (Personal Computer) or a smartphone, and includes a monitor that enables a user to visually recognize an image.
The external storage medium 4 is, for example, a storage medium such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, smart media, an SD memory card, or an external HDD (Hard Disc Drive).

(Multifunction machine 1)
As shown in FIG. 2, the multifunction machine 1 includes a scanner 10 as an image reading device, an image data usage destination 20 as an image data output device, and an operation panel 30 as a notification unit and a display unit.

(Scanner 10)
The scanner 10 (image reading device) includes an image reading unit 11, a storage unit 18, and a control unit 19, and performs image processing on image data read and generated by the image reading unit 11, and uses the image data. 20 is a configuration unit that outputs to 20.
The control unit 19 is configured by a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and the storage unit 18 is configured by a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), an optical disk, and the like. The functions of the processing units constituting the control unit 19 are realized by the CPU developing and executing a program (not shown) stored in the storage unit 18.
In the first embodiment, the control unit 19 is a CPU that controls not only the scanner 10 but also the entire multifunction device 1, and the image data usage destination 20 (printer 21, facsimile 22, external storage connection unit 23) included in the multifunction device 1. The communication unit 24) and the operation panel 30 are controlled.

(Image reading unit 11)
The image reading unit 11 executes a scan (image reading operation), reads a surface image of a document placed on a reading table (not shown) by a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) array (not shown), and generates image data. . Further, an original document may be conveyed to a reading table using an ADF (Auto Document Feeder), and a surface image of the original document may be read by a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) array (not shown).
The image reading unit 11 executes scanning in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 19 (drive control unit 13 described later), generates image data, and outputs the image data to the image data processing unit 12.

(Control unit 19)
The control unit 19 includes an image data processing unit 12, a drive control unit 13, a profile processing unit 14, a usage purpose notification determination unit 15, a screen processing unit 16, and an input processing unit 17.

(Image data processing unit 12)
The image data processing unit 12 includes a screen processing unit 121 and a usage destination processing unit 122. The image data processing unit 12 performs image processing on the image data generated by the image reading unit 11 and outputs the processed image data to the image data usage destination 20. is there.

  The screen processing unit 121 is a component that processes the image read by the image reading unit 11 into image data that can be displayed on the display unit of the operation panel 30. The screen processing unit 121 processes image data in a file format such as JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) or PNG (Portable Network Graphics).

  The usage destination processing unit 122 scans image data so that the image data usage destination 20 corresponding to the usage destination information acquired from the input processing unit 17 can process the image data (scanned image data) read by the image reading unit 11. It is the component which processes. For example, if the usage destination information is the printer 21, the usage destination processing unit 122 processes the scan image data using a color profile or the like that is compatible with the model of the usage destination printer 21. The usage destination processing unit 122 starts processing in response to an image processing start instruction from the input processing unit 17.

  The image data processing unit 12 outputs the image data processed by the usage destination processing unit 122 to the image data usage destination 20 corresponding to the usage destination information. At this time, the image data processing unit 12 outputs a processing completion notification to the usage purpose notification determination unit 15.

(Drive control unit 13)
The drive control unit 13 is a component that controls the image reading unit 11. The drive control unit 13 controls the image reading unit 11 including a CCD array and a motor based on profile data stored in a profile table 181 (FIG. 3) described later in accordance with a scan execution start instruction from the input processing unit 17. Then, scanning (image reading operation) is executed, and the image data processing unit 12 is made to output the image data.

(Profile processing unit 14)
The profile processing unit 14 includes a profile generation / editing processing unit 141, a monitoring processing unit 142, and a usage history update processing unit 143 as a usage history update unit.

(Profile generation editing processing unit 141)
The profile generation / edit processing unit 141 is a configuration unit that creates a new profile and edits the profile stored in the profile table 181 (FIG. 3) based on the input data from the input processing unit 17.

(Monitoring processing unit 142)
The monitoring processing unit 142 is a component that outputs a monitoring start notification or a monitoring end notification in response to an instruction from the input processing unit 17.
When the monitoring processing unit 142 acquires a scan execution start instruction from the input processing unit 17, the monitoring processing unit 142 outputs a monitoring start notification to the use purpose notification determination unit 15. On the other hand, when a processing end instruction is acquired from the input processing unit 17, a monitoring end notification is output to the usage purpose notification determination unit 15.

(Usage history update processing unit 143)
The use history update processing unit 143 (use history update unit) used by the image reading unit 11 stored in the use history table 182 (FIG. 4) when acquiring the use purpose notification from the use purpose notification determination unit 15. The profile usage count (1823), trial count (1824), and usage count (1826-1829) are incremented.

(Usage purpose notification determination unit 15)
When the usage purpose notification determination unit 15 acquires the monitoring start notification from the monitoring processing unit 142, the usage purpose notification determination unit 15 sets the monitoring flag to ON. On the other hand, when a monitoring end notification is acquired from the monitoring processing unit 142, the monitoring flag is turned OFF.
When the usage purpose notification determination unit 15 receives a processing completion notification from the scanner 10 (image data processing unit 12) or the image data usage destination 20 (printer 21, facsimile 22, external storage connection unit 23, communication unit 24). Check the monitoring flag. If the monitoring flag at this time is ON, the usage purpose notification determination unit 15 outputs the usage purpose notification to the profile processing unit 14. On the other hand, if the monitoring flag is OFF, the usage purpose notification determination unit 15 discards the acquired processing completion notification.

(Screen processing unit 16)
The screen processing unit 16 is a configuration unit that converts image data into screen data that can be displayed on the display unit of the operation panel 30. Details of the screen displayed by the screen processing unit 16 on the display unit of the operation panel 30 will be described later.

(Input processing unit 17)
The input processing unit 17 is a component that converts information input via the operation panel 30 into processable data and outputs it as an instruction.
On the operation panel 30, after a profile selection button 1201 or a new creation button 1202 on the scan menu screen 1200 shown in FIG. 7 to be described later is pressed, a screen for creating or editing a profile displayed on the operation panel 30 is displayed. The input processing unit 17 outputs the data input by the user to the profile generation / editing processing unit 141.

  In addition, when the start button 1804 of the scan start confirmation screen 1800 shown in FIG. 13 to be described later is pressed on the operation panel 30, the input processing unit 17 sends a scan execution start instruction to the drive control unit 13 and the monitoring processing unit 142. Output. Thereby, the drive control unit 13 controls the image reading unit 11 to execute a scan process.

  In addition, when the execution button 1909 of the usage destination selection screen 1900 shown in FIG. 14 to be described later is pressed on the operation panel 30, the input processing unit 17 uses the usage destination information and profile selected on the usage destination selection screen 1900. An image processing start instruction including the data identification number is output to the use destination processing unit 122 (image data processing unit 12). As a result, the usage destination processing unit 122 executes image processing.

  Further, when an end button 2002 on a process end screen 2000 shown in FIG. 15 to be described later is pressed on the operation panel 30, the input processing unit 17 outputs a process end instruction to the monitoring processing unit 142.

(Storage unit 18)
The storage unit 18 includes a profile table 181 as a profile storage unit and a usage history table 182 as a usage history storage unit.

(Profile table 181)
The profile table 181 (profile storage unit) stores profile information (reading parameters) for each profile. FIG. 3 is a data configuration diagram of the profile table 181.
In a number column 1811 indicated by No, an identification number for uniquely identifying a record which is a unit of registered contents is stored. In the profile table 181, one profile is stored as one record.
The name column 1812 stores the name given to the profile.
The category column 1813 stores category information assigned to classify profiles.
The reading setting information column 1814 stores profile information (reading parameters) such as resolution, density, image quality, contrast, hue adjustment, and readjustment.

(Usage history table 182)
The use history table 182 (use history storage unit) stores use history information. FIG. 4 is a data configuration diagram of the usage history table 182.
In a number column 1821 indicated by No, an identification number for uniquely identifying a record which is a unit of registered contents is stored. In the usage history table 182, one profile is stored as one record. For the same profile, the identification number in the number column 1811 of the profile table 181 and the identification number in the number column 1821 of the usage history table 182 are the same.
The name column 1822 stores the name assigned to the profile.

  The usage count column 1823 stores the usage count of the profile. The number of times of use is the number of times that a use destination (use destination button) is selected on the use destination selection screen 1900 of FIG. The number of times of use is also the total number of numerical values in a printer column 1826, an E-Mail column 1827, a Fax column 1828, and an external storage column 1829 described later in the same record.

  The number of trials column 1824 stores the number of times the profile has been updated (number of trials). The number of trials is the number of times that an arbitrary item has been changed and the setting button 1709 has been pressed on the profile editing screen 1700 shown in FIG.

The image data use destination name column 1825 is an output destination to which the image data processing unit 12 outputs image data. Selectable use destination buttons (print button 1902, print button 1902, etc.) on the use destination selection screen 1900 shown in FIG. The E-Mail button 1904, the Fax button 1903, and the USB button 1905) have corresponding fields. In the printer column 1826, the E-Mail column 1827, the Fax column 1828, and the external storage column 1829, the usage count (output count) is stored.
The printer column 1826 stores the number of times (the number of times of use) that “printer” (print button 1902) has been selected as the use destination and the printer 21 has executed processing. The E-Mail column 1827 stores the number of times (the number of times of use) that “E-Mail” (E-Mail button 1904) has been selected as the use destination and the communication unit 24 has executed the process. The Fax field 1828 stores the number of times (the number of times of use) that “Fax” (Fax button 1903) is selected as the use destination and the facsimile 22 executes the process. The external storage column 1829 stores the number of times (usage count) that “USB memory” (USB button 1905) is selected as the usage destination and the external storage connection unit 23 has executed processing. That is, the usage count is the number of times (output count) that each image data usage destination 20 (printer 21, facsimile 22, external storage connection section 23, communication section 24) outputs image data.

(Image data usage destination 20)
The image data utilization destination 20 (image data output device) is a component that obtains image data (processed image data) from the scanner 10 and provides an image that can be viewed by the user via a medium. A printer 21, a facsimile 22 as an image transmission device, an external storage connection unit 23 as an external storage medium connection device, and a communication unit 24 as an image data transmission device.

(Printer 21)
The printer 21 (image forming apparatus) is a component that forms (prints) an image on paper under the control of the CPU (control unit 19). The printer 21 drives a drive unit (various rollers and belt) provided therein to convey the paper placed in the paper cassette, and heat-fix the toner image on the paper using a fixing device (heater). Then, an image is formed (printed) and discharged to a discharge tray. Thereby, the user can visually recognize an image using the paper discharged from the printer 21 as a medium. Thereafter, the printer 21 outputs a process completion notification to the usage purpose notification determination unit 15.

(Facsimile 22)
The facsimile 22 (image transmission device) is controlled by the CPU (control unit 19) and transmits image data to a destination facsimile identified by a FAX number via a telephone line (not shown). As a result, the user can visually recognize an image using a sheet discharged from a destination facsimile (not shown) as a medium. Thereafter, the facsimile 22 outputs a processing completion notification to the usage purpose notification determination unit 15.

(External storage connection unit 23)
The external storage connection unit 23 (external storage medium connection device) is a connector to which the external storage medium 4 (FIG. 1) is connected, and is controlled by the CPU (control unit 19) to store image data in the external storage medium 4. Let As a result, the user can view the image using the monitor connected to the PC as a medium by causing the PC to read the image data stored in the external storage medium 4. Thereafter, the external storage connection unit 23 outputs a process completion notification to the use purpose notification determination unit 15.

(Communication unit 24)
The communication unit 24 (image data transmission device) is an I / F (interface) connected to the network 2 and is connected to the external device 3 (FIG. 1) via the network 2 under the control of the CPU (control unit 19). Then, data is transmitted to and received from the external device 3. The communication unit 24 transmits the image data to the external device 3 using a tool such as electronic mail. Thereby, the user can visually recognize an image using the monitor of the external device 3 as the transmission destination as a medium. Thereafter, the communication unit 24 outputs a process completion notification to the use purpose notification determination unit 15.

(Operation panel 30)
The operation panel 30 includes a display unit that displays information visible to the user and an operation unit that receives a request from the user. The display panel 30 has a display function such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and a position input function such as a touch pad. It is a touch panel that combines both.
Here, the operation panel 30 does not integrally include a display unit and an operation unit, and may be a separate device. For example, the display unit is configured with an LCD or a display, and the operation unit is configured with a keyboard, a mouse, or the like.
In addition, a FAX number of a transmission destination to which image data is transmitted via the facsimile 22 is input to the operation unit of the operation panel 30.

  The MFP 1 is an MFP (MultiFunction Printer), but includes an image reading unit 11 that reads an image and generates image data, and an image data processing unit 12 that processes the image data, and further uses image data. The destination 20 may include at least one of the printer 21, the facsimile 22, the external storage connection unit 23, and the communication unit 24. That is, the multifunction device 1 may be a facsimile machine, a copying machine, or the like.

<Description of screen flow>
The procedure of new profile creation and profile update processing in the scan processing will be described with reference to the screen flow shown in FIG. 6 to 15 are examples of screens displayed on the display unit of the operation panel 30. FIG.

(Processing menu screen 1100)
First, a processing menu screen 1100 in FIG. 6 is displayed on the operation panel 30. When this screen is displayed, when the scan button 1102 is pressed by the user, the scan menu screen 1200 of FIG. 7 is displayed. Here, when the user presses another button (print button 1101, fax button 1103, copy button 1104), for example, when the print button 1101 is pressed, the multifunction device 1 is already stored in the multifunction device 1. The image data stored in the unit 18 or the external storage medium 4 is acquired, the printer 21 is operated, and a general printing function is realized. When the fax button 1103 is pressed, the multifunction machine 1 operates the facsimile 22 to realize a general fax function. When the copy button 1104 is pressed, the multifunction device 1 operates the scanner 10 and the printer 21 to realize a general copy function. Since the processing for realizing these functions is a general processing, description thereof is omitted.

(Scan menu screen 1200)
As shown in FIG. 7, on the scan menu screen 1200, a profile selection button 1201, a new creation button 1202, a start button 1203, a close button 1204, and a selection profile display field 1205 are displayed, and the ID is currently “a-17”. It is shown that the profile with the name “landscape (evening scene)” is selected. This ID is a combination of category information and an identification number.
By pressing a profile selection button 1201, a profile selection screen 1500 in FIG. 10 is displayed. When a new creation button 1202 is pressed, a new profile creation screen 1300 in FIG. 8 is displayed. By pressing a start button 1203, a scan start confirmation screen 1800 in FIG. 13 is displayed. By pressing a close button 1204, the processing menu screen 1100 in FIG. 6 is displayed.

(New profile creation screen 1300)
A new profile creation screen 1300 shown in FIG. 8 will be described.
By inputting data into a name input field 1301, a category selection field 1302, a resolution selection field 1303, a density selection field 1304, and an image quality selection field 1305 and pressing a setting button 1307, profile information (reading parameters) of the input data Is newly registered (stored) in the profile table 181. At this time, the identification number is automatically given. After pressing the setting button 1307, a scan menu screen 1200 (FIG. 7) is displayed. At this time, the scan menu screen 1200 displays that a newly created profile is selected.
Also, by pressing a detail button 1306, a profile detail creation screen 1400 in FIG. 9 is displayed.

(Profile details creation screen 1400)
The profile detail creation screen 1400 shown in FIG. 9 will be described.
Data is input and set in the name input field 1401, the category selection field 1402, the resolution selection field 1403, the density selection field 1404, the image quality selection field 1405, the contrast selection field 1406, the hue adjustment selection field 1407, and the saturation adjustment selection field 1408. By pressing a button 1410, the profile information of the input data is newly registered (stored) in the profile table 181. At this time, the identification number is automatically given. After pressing the setting button 1410, a scan menu screen 1200 (FIG. 7) is displayed. At this time, the scan menu screen 1200 displays that a newly created profile is selected.
Further, when a simple button 1409 is pressed, a new profile creation screen 1300 in FIG. 8 is displayed.

(Profile selection screen 1500)
The profile selection screen 1500 shown in FIG. 10 will be described.
By inputting search conditions in the category selection field 1501, name input field 1502, and ID input field 1503, and pressing the search button 1504, profile data corresponding to the search condition is obtained from the profile data stored in the profile table 181. The search result is displayed in the search result list 1505. FIG. 10 shows that 26 items are hit as a result of searching the category selection field 1501 with “a.photo”, and five pieces of profile information are displayed in the search result list 1505 in the order of the most frequently used items. Yes.

In FIG. 10, the record shown at the top of the search result list 1505 (profile information with ID “a-17”) is selected by cursor, and the record is selected by touching an arbitrary record.
When the next button 1507 is pressed, the next five pieces of profile information are displayed, and when the previous button 1506 is pressed, the previous five pieces of profile information are displayed.
By pressing an information button 1508, the profile information screen 1600 of FIG. 11 is displayed. The profile information screen 1600 displays the profile information selected by the cursor.

By pressing an edit button 1509, the profile edit screen 1700 in FIG. 12 is displayed. The profile editing screen 1700 displays the profile information selected by the cursor.
By pressing the setting button 1510, the scan menu screen 1200 of FIG. 7 is displayed. The scan menu screen 1200 displays profile information selected by the cursor. At this time, if the record with the ID “a-2” is selected by the cursor, the profile with the ID “a-2” and the name “landscape (sea, sky)” is currently selected on the scan menu screen 1200. Is displayed.

(Profile information screen 1600)
The profile information screen 1600 shown in FIG. 11 will be described.
The profile information display field 1601 displays the profile information selected by the cursor on the profile selection screen 1500 (FIG. 10). As shown in FIG. 11, data of ID, name, category, resolution, density, and image quality is displayed in the profile information. By depressing the detail button 1602, data for contrast, hue adjustment, and saturation adjustment are further displayed.

In the profile information screen 1600, a past read image display field 1603 in which an image read recently by the image reading unit 11 using the profile is displayed, a number-of-uses display field 1604 of the profile, and a trial of the profile are displayed. A number display column 1605 is displayed.
By pressing the return button 1606, the profile selection screen 1500 of FIG. 10 is displayed.
By pressing a setting button 1607, a scan menu screen 1200 (FIG. 7) is displayed. At this time, the scan menu screen 1200 displays that the profile displayed in the profile information display field 1601 is selected.

(Profile edit screen 1700)
The profile editing screen 1700 shown in FIG. 12 will be described.
In the ID display field 1701 and the name display field 1702, the ID and name of the profile information selected by the cursor on the profile selection screen 1500 (FIG. 10) are displayed.
In the category selection field 1703, the resolution selection field 1704, the density selection field 1705, and the image quality selection field 1706, profile data stored in the profile table 181 corresponding to the ID and name displayed in the ID display field 1701 and the name display field 1702 are displayed. Category, resolution, density, and image quality are displayed.

Then, data is input to the category selection field 1703, resolution selection field 1704, density selection field 1705, and image quality selection field 1706, and the setting button 1709 is pressed, so that the profile information of the input data is updated to the profile table 181. Registered (stored). After pressing the setting button 1709, a scan menu screen 1200 (FIG. 7) is displayed. At this time, the scan menu screen 1200 displays that the updated and registered profile is selected.
Further, by pressing a detail button 1707, a contrast selection field 1406, a hue adjustment selection field 1407, and a saturation adjustment selection field 1408 shown in FIG. 9 are further displayed, and their data are displayed.
Further, when the return button 1708 is pressed, a profile selection screen 1500 (FIG. 10) is displayed.

(Scan start confirmation screen 1800)
A scan start confirmation screen 1800 shown in FIG. 13 will be described.
In the usage profile display column 1801, the profile having the ID “a-17” and the name “landscape (evening scene)” is selected, and the profile is output to the usage destination selected in the usage destination selection column 1802. Is displayed.
By pressing a start button 1804, a scan execution start instruction is input from the input processing unit 17 to the drive control unit 13 and the monitoring processing unit 142. Thereby, the image reading unit 11 performs a scan (image reading operation) and reads an image. In addition, the monitoring processing unit 142 outputs a monitoring start notification to the usage purpose notification determining unit 15. Thereafter, a usage destination selection screen 1900 (FIG. 14) is displayed on the operation panel 30.
By pressing a return button 1803, a scan menu screen 1200 (FIG. 7) is displayed.

(Use destination selection screen 1900)
The usage destination selection screen 1900 shown in FIG. 14 will be described.
The scanned image display field 1901 displays an image processed by the screen processing unit 121 after being read by the image reading unit 11.
The user can be selected again, and a print button 1902, a fax button 1903, an E-mail button 1904, and a USB button 1905 can be selected. In FIG. 14, the print button 1902 selected in the use destination selection field 1802 of the scan start confirmation screen 1800 (FIG. 13) is pressed (recessed).

  In FIG. 14, since the print button 1902 is selected, a paper size selection field 1906 and a copy number input field 1907 are displayed. Here, for example, when the Fax button 1903 is selected, a FAX number input field for the transmission destination is displayed. When the E-Mail button 1904 is selected, a destination mail address input field is displayed. When the USB button 1905 is selected, a display is made so that a storage destination (save destination) folder or a new folder can be created in the USB memory as the external storage medium 4.

  Here, a USB memory is used as the external storage medium 4 and is directly stored in the USB memory. However, an externally connectable storage unit (such as a smart media or an SD memory card) other than the USB memory can be selected. Then, it may be stored in the selected storage unit.

By pressing the execution button 1909, an image processing start instruction is input from the input processing unit 17 to the usage destination processing unit 122. As a result, the use destination processing unit 122 starts image processing. Then, a processing end screen 2000 (FIG. 15) is displayed on the operation panel 30.
By pressing a return button 1908, a scan start confirmation screen 1800 (FIG. 13) is displayed.

(Processing end screen 2000)
The process end screen 2000 shown in FIG. 15 will be described.
It is displayed that the scanned image is output to the usage destination (image data usage destination 20) corresponding to the pressed button (indented) on the usage destination selection screen 1900 (FIG. 14).
By pressing an end button 2002, a processing end instruction is input from the input processing unit 17 to the monitoring processing unit 142. As a result, the monitoring processing unit 142 outputs a monitoring end notification to the usage purpose notification determining unit 15. Then, the processing menu screen 1100 of FIG.
By pressing the continue button 2001, the usage destination selection screen 1900 shown in FIG. 14 is displayed again. Accordingly, by selecting another usage destination on the usage destination selection screen 1900, the scanned image can be output to a plurality of usage destinations.

<Description of flowchart>
[Scan processing operation]
Next, the scan processing operation of the scanner 10 (image reading apparatus) will be described with reference to FIGS. 16 to 18 (refer to FIGS. 1 to 15 as appropriate).
A processing menu screen 1100 is displayed on the operation panel 30 as an initial screen, and the scan button 1102 is pressed by the user (step S101). Thus, the input processing unit 17 requests the screen processing unit 16 to display the next scan menu screen 1200.

  Upon receiving the request, the screen processing unit 16 first acquires profile data having the largest number of uses from the profile table 181 (step S102). Then, the screen processing unit 16 causes the operation panel 30 to display a scan menu screen 1200 indicating that the profile data is selected (step S103).

On the scan menu screen 1200 displayed on the operation panel 30, the user presses any one of the profile selection button 1201, the new creation button 1202, and the start button 1203. Thereby, the input processing unit 17 determines the pressed button (step S104).
When the pressed button is “profile selection button 1201” (step S104, profile selection button), the profile editing process of step S200 is executed. If the pressed button is the “new creation button 1202” (step S104, new creation button), the profile new creation processing in step S300 is executed. Details of the profile editing process and the new profile creation process will be described later.

On the other hand, when the pressed button is the “start button 1203” (step S104, start button), the screen processing unit 16 displays the scan start confirmation screen 1800 on the operation panel 30 (step S105).
The user selects one from the list in the usage destination selection column 1802 and presses the start button 1804 (step S106). As a result, the input processing unit 17 outputs a scan execution start instruction to the drive control unit 13 and the monitoring processing unit 142. At this time, the identification number (number field 1811 in FIG. 3) of the profile data is also output to the drive control unit 13 (step S107).

  The monitoring processing unit 142 receives a scan execution start instruction from the input processing unit 17 and outputs a monitoring start notification to the use purpose notification determination unit 15 (step S108). The use purpose notification determination unit 15 receives the monitoring start notification and records the monitoring flag as ON (step S109).

The drive control unit 13 receives the identification number of the profile data and the scan execution start instruction from the input processing unit 17 and acquires the profile data corresponding to the identification number (number field 1811 in FIG. 3) from the profile table 181 (step S110). ). Then, the drive control unit 13 uses the acquired profile data to control the image reading unit 11 to execute scanning (step S111).
Thereby, scanning is executed by the image reading unit 11, and the image reading unit 11 generates scan image data (step S112, FIG. 17).

The screen processing unit 121 processes the scanned image data, generates image processing data to be displayed on the operation panel 30, and outputs the image processing data to the screen processing unit 16 (step S113).
The screen processing unit 16 displays a usage destination selection screen 1900 including screen processing data on the operation panel 30 (step S114).
On the use destination selection screen 1900, the user presses the execution button 1909 or the return button 1908 (step S115).
If the pressed button is the “return button 1908” (step S115, return button), the process returns to step S105 (FIG. 16) and the scan start confirmation screen 1800 is displayed.

  On the other hand, if the pressed button is the “execute button 1909” (step S115, execute button), the print button 1902, the fax button 1903, and the e-mail button 1904 are displayed on the usage destination selection screen 1900 by the user. , One of the use buttons of the USB button 1905 (corresponding to the external storage connection unit 23) is selected, and the execution button 1909 is pressed. As a result, the input processing unit 17 outputs an image processing start instruction including the selected usage destination information and the identification number of the profile data (see step S107) to the usage destination processing unit 122 (step S116).

  The usage destination processing unit 122 processes the scanned image data based on the usage destination information (step S117), and outputs the processed image data after processing to the image data usage destination 20 corresponding to the usage destination information (step S118). ). Further, the usage destination processing unit 122 outputs a scan processing completion notification including the identification number to the usage purpose notification determination unit 15 (step S119).

The use purpose notification determination unit 15 that has received the scan processing completion notification determines the monitoring flag (step S120).
When the monitoring flag is ON (step S120, ON), the usage purpose notification determination unit 15 outputs a scanner usage purpose notification including the identification number to the usage history update processing unit 143 (step S121).

  The usage history update processing unit 143 updates the usage history table 182 based on the scanner usage purpose notification (step S122). Here, the number in the use count field 1823 in the profile data of the corresponding identification number (number field 1821 in FIG. 4) is incremented.

  On the other hand, when the monitoring flag is OFF (step S120, OFF), the usage purpose notification determination unit 15 discards the processing completion notification (step S123).

After step S122 and step S123, step S124 is performed.
The image data usage destination 20 (printer 21, facsimile 22, external storage connection unit 23, communication unit 24) processes the acquired processed image data and then outputs a processing completion notification to the usage purpose notification determination unit 15. (Step S124). For example, after forming an image on the medium surface using the processed image data, the printer 21 outputs a processing completion notification indicating that the processing has been performed by the printer 21 to the usage purpose notification determination unit 15.

The usage purpose notification determination unit 15 that has received the scan processing completion notification determines the monitoring flag (step S125, FIG. 18).
When the monitoring flag is ON (step S125, ON), the usage purpose notification determination unit 15 outputs the usage purpose notification including the identification number to the usage history update processing unit 143 (step S126). At this time, when a processing completion notification indicating that processing has been performed by the printer 21 is received, a usage purpose notification indicating that the printer 21 is a usage destination is output.

  The usage history update processing unit 143 updates the usage history table 182 based on the usage purpose notification (step S127). For example, if the usage destination is the printer 21, the number in the printer field 1826 in the profile data of the corresponding identification number (number field 1821 in FIG. 4) is incremented.

On the other hand, when the monitoring flag is OFF (step S125, OFF), the usage purpose notification determination unit 15 discards the processing completion notification (step S128).
After the processing of step S127 and step S128, the screen processing unit 16 displays the processing end screen 2000 (FIG. 15) on the operation panel 30 (step S129).

On the process end screen 2000 displayed on the operation panel 30, the user presses the end button 2002 (step S130). The input processing unit 17 outputs a processing end instruction to the monitoring processing unit 142 (step S131), and the monitoring processing unit 142 outputs a monitoring end notification to the use purpose notification determining unit 15 (step S132). The usage purpose notification determination unit 15 turns off the monitoring flag (step S133).
Finally, a processing menu screen 1100 that is an initial screen is displayed on the operation panel 30 (step S134), and the scanning processing operation of the scanner 10 (screen reading device) is terminated.

[Profile editing processing operation]
Next, the operation of the profile editing process (step S200, FIG. 16) of the scanner 10 (image reading apparatus) will be described with reference to FIG. 19 (refer to FIGS. 1 to 16 as appropriate).
On the scan menu screen 1200 displayed on the operation panel 30, the profile selection button 1201 is pressed by the user (step S201). As a result, the input processing unit 17 outputs an instruction to cause the screen processing unit 16 to display the profile selection screen 1500 (FIG. 10).
The screen processing unit 16 displays the profile selection screen 1500 on the operation panel 30 (step S202).

On the profile selection screen 1500 displayed on the operation panel 30, the search condition is input by the user, and the search button 1504 is pressed (step S203).
The screen processing unit 16 acquires the search conditions via the input processing unit 17, acquires all the profile data corresponding to the search conditions from the profile table 181 (step S 204), and enters the search result list 1505 on the profile selection screen 1500. The search result listing the profile data is displayed (step S205).

On the profile selection screen 1500 displayed on the operation panel 30, the user presses the edit button 1509 with one profile selected from the search result list 1505 (step S206).
The screen processing unit 16 acquires information on the profile selected via the input processing unit 17, and displays a profile editing screen 1700 indicating the selected profile information on the operation panel 30 (step S207).

Data is edited by the user on the profile editing screen 1700 displayed on the operation panel 30, and the setting button 1709 is pressed (step S208).
The input processing unit 17 acquires the identification number of the profile data and the edited data (step S209).

The profile generation / edit processing unit 141 extracts profile data corresponding to the identification number (number field 1811 in FIG. 3) from the profile table 181 and rewrites the profile data with the edited data (step S210).
Then, the screen processing unit 16 acquires the rewritten profile data from the profile table 181 (step S211), and ends the profile editing process operation of the scanner 10 (image reading apparatus).

[New profile creation processing operation]
Next, referring to FIG. 20, the operation of the new profile creation process (step S300, FIG. 16) of the scanner 10 (image reading apparatus) will be described (refer to FIGS. 1 to 16 as appropriate).
On the scan menu screen 1200 displayed on the operation panel 30, the user presses a new creation button 1202 (step S301). Thereby, the input processing unit 17 outputs an instruction to display the new profile creation screen 1300 (FIG. 8) on the screen processing unit 16.
The screen processing unit 16 displays a new profile creation screen 1300 on the operation panel 30 (step S302).

On the new profile creation screen 1300 displayed on the operation panel 30, data is input by the user and the setting button 1307 is pressed (step S303). Thereby, the input processing unit 17 acquires the input data (step S304).
The profile generation / edit processing unit 141 newly creates profile data using the input data (step S305), assigns a new identification number to the profile data, and stores the profile data in the profile table 181 (step S306).
Then, the screen processing unit 16 acquires the stored profile data from the profile table 181 (step S307), and ends the new profile creation process of the scanner 10 (image reading apparatus).

  In the MFP 1 of the first embodiment having the above-described configuration, the use count of the profile used by the image reading unit 11 (value in the use count column 1823) and the profile are updated as an index for selecting a profile. Number of trials (value in trial number column 1824), number of usages of image data usage destination 20 (printer 21, facsimile 22, external storage connection unit 23, communication unit 24) (value in printer column 1826, E-Mail column 1827) The value, the value in the Fax column 1828, and the value in the external storage column 1829 can be confirmed on the profile selection screen 1500 in FIG. 10 or the profile information screen 1600 in FIG. Therefore, the user can select a profile according to the purpose of use from a number of profiles having different reading parameters. This will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 23 is an example of the profile table 181. FIG. 24 is an example of the usage history table 182.
As shown in FIG. 23, the profile table 181 stores profiles that differ only in resolution. The resolution of the profile of “No. 101 Flower A” is 1200 dpi. The resolution of the profile of “No. 102 Flower B” is 300 dpi. The resolution of the profile of “No. 103 Flower C” is 150 dpi.
By preparing a number of profiles with different reading parameters in this way, the user selects a profile on the profile selection screen 1500 in FIG. 10 according to the purpose of use, and on the usage destination selection screen 1900 in FIG. By selecting the use destination button, the scanned image can be output to the requested image data use destination 20.

For example, if the user's purpose of use is to scan a beautiful photograph (original) and store the image in its beautiful state, “No. 101 Flower A” is displayed on the profile selection screen 1500 in FIG. 14 is selected, and the USB button 1905 is selected on the usage destination selection screen 1900 in FIG. 14, whereby the scanned image data is saved in the external storage medium 4 that is a USB memory.
If the user wants to print a large number of originals with images in color without taking time, the profile of “No. 102 Grass Flower B” is selected on the profile selection screen 1500 in FIG. By selecting the print button 1902 on the usage destination selection screen 1900 of FIG. 14, an image with a moderately high resolution can be printed on paper in a short time.
If the user's purpose of use is to send a document with an image by facsimile 22, it is not necessary to send high-resolution image data. By selecting the profile “C” and selecting the Fax button 1903 on the usage destination selection screen 1900 of FIG. 14, the scanned low-resolution image data can be transmitted to the communication partner by the facsimile 22.

  As described above, when the user selects the usage destination button on the usage destination selection screen 1900 according to the purpose of use, the usage history table 182 includes profiles having different resolutions as shown in FIG. The number of uses indicated in the printer field 1826, the Fax field 1828, and the external storage field 1829 of the image data use destination name field 1825 is different. Since the number of uses is displayed in the number-of-use display field 1604 of the profile information screen 1600 in FIG. 11, even if the user does not have specialized knowledge, the use purpose is to transmit the image by the facsimile 22. In this case, it is possible to register that a profile of “No. 103 flower C” having a large value (number of times of use) in the Fax column at the use destination may be selected.

<< Second Embodiment >>
As shown in FIG. 21, in the second embodiment, a function of connecting a plurality of multifunction devices 1A and a profile server 5 to the network 2 and managing profile data included in the multifunction device 1 according to the first embodiment. Is configured to be included in the profile server 5.
As illustrated in FIG. 22, the multifunction peripheral 1 </ b> A according to the second embodiment does not include the profile table 181 and the usage history table 182. Instead, as shown in FIG. 21, the profile server 5 includes a storage unit 510 including a profile table 511 as a profile storage unit and a usage history table 512 as a usage history storage unit, and the profile update unit 520 manages data. It is the structure which performs.

As illustrated in FIG. 22, the multifunction peripheral 1 </ b> A according to the second embodiment includes a server communication processing unit 50 instead of the function of managing profile data.
The server communication processing unit 50 is a component that requests transmission / reception of data to the profile server 5 via a communication unit 24A described later in response to a request from each component. For example, in the server communication processing unit 50, the profile generation / edit processing unit 141 generates a new profile creation request or edit request based on the input data from the input processing unit 17, and requests the profile server 5 via the communication unit 24A. Send as data. As a result, the profile update unit 520 (FIG. 21) of the profile server 5 that has acquired the request data creates new profile data in the profile table 511 in response to a new creation request, and profile table 511 in response to an edit request. Edit the profile stored in.
Here, the server communication processing unit 50 includes a profile buffer 51 that temporarily stores profile data acquired from the profile server 5.

Further, the MFP 1A according to the second embodiment is configured to be able to perform via the external device 3 what the user has performed via the operation panel 30 in the first embodiment. The multifunction device 1A transmits and receives data to and from the external device 3 connected via the network 2, displays information visible to the user on a display included in the external device 3, and the external device 3 includes a request from the user. Accepted by keyboard and mouse.
Here, the MFP 1A includes a screen processing unit 16A, an input processing unit 17A, and a communication unit 24A. These include the screen processing unit 16, the input processing unit 17, and the communication unit of the MFP 1 according to the first embodiment. 24 is different in that some functions are added.

  The external device 3 has a function of executing the browser application 513 stored in the storage unit 510, interpreting the content of the markup data, and displaying it on the display via the web browser. Here, the markup data is data that defines the display content of the screen, and is described in, for example, HTML or XML (eXtensible Markup Language). In addition, by inputting information input by the user via a keyboard, a mouse, or the like, using a transmission button displayed on the screen, data is transmitted to a predetermined destination via the web browser.

The screen processing unit 16 </ b> A further includes a function of converting image data into markup data that can be interpreted by the browser application 513 of the external device 3.
The input processing unit 17A further includes a function of interpreting the contents of the markup data and acquiring the data.
The communication unit 24 </ b> A is a configuration unit that transmits / receives markup data to / from the external apparatus 3 via the network 2 and transmits / receives data to / from the profile server 5 via the network 2.

  In the MFP 1A of the second embodiment having the above configuration, all the MFPs 1A connected to the profile server 5 share the profile data of the profile table 511 managed by the profile server 5 and the data of the usage history table 512. To do. As a result, the same profile is used regardless of which MFP 1A scans the image. Therefore, the image data (scanned image data) read by the image reading unit 11 is the same even in a different MFP 1A. It is.

Here, the MFP 1A according to the second embodiment may include a profile table 181 and a usage history table 182.
For example, the server communication processing unit 50 temporarily stores the profile data and usage history data acquired from the profile server 5 in the profile table 181 and the usage history table 182, and when the predetermined time comes, It may be configured to synchronize and update data. As a result, the profile table 181 of the multifunction peripheral 1A is rewritten with the data of the profile table 511 of the profile server 5 at the timing of synchronization.

1, 1A MFP 2 Network 3 External device 4 External storage medium 5 Profile server 10 Scanner (image reading device)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Image reading part 12 Image data processing part 13 Drive control part 14 Profile processing part 15 Usage purpose notification determination part 16, 16A Screen processing part 17, 17A Input processing part 18 Storage part 19 Control part 20 Image data utilization destination (image data output) apparatus)
21 Printer (image forming device)
22 Facsimile (image transmission device)
23 External storage connection unit (external storage medium connection device)
24, 24A communication unit (image data transmission device)
30 Operation panel (notification part, display part)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 50 Server communication processing part 51 Profile buffer 100,100A Image processing system 121 Screen processing part 122 Usage destination processing part 141 Profile generation edit processing part 142 Monitoring processing part 143 Usage history update processing part (usage history update part)
181 Profile table (profile storage unit)
182 Usage history table 510 storage unit 511 profile table (profile storage unit)
512 Usage history table (Usage history storage unit)
513 Browser application 520 Profile update unit

Claims (8)

A multi-function machine comprising an image reading device that reads a document and generates image data, and a plurality of image data output devices that output the image data,
The image reading device includes:
A profile storage unit that stores in advance a plurality of profiles having different reading parameters;
An image reading unit that reads the document based on reading parameters of the profile selected by a user;
Usage history update that counts the number of times each profile used in the image reading unit is used and the number of times each image data output device outputs image data generated using the profile for each profile. And
A multifunction machine comprising: a notification unit that notifies the user of a profile that is frequently used, together with the number of times of output of each of the image data output devices, before the profile is selected by the user. A display unit for displaying an image read by the image reading unit on a screen;
The multifunction device according to claim 1, wherein after the image is displayed on the display unit, another profile can be selected.   The image data output device includes an image forming device that forms an image on a paper medium, an image transmission device that transmits the image data via a telephone line, an external storage medium connection device that stores the image data in an external storage medium, and the Internet. The multifunction device according to claim 1, further comprising at least two of image data transmitting apparatuses that transmit the image data via a network. The image reading apparatus includes a profile generation editing processing unit that accepts a parameter change from a user and changes a reading parameter of a profile selected by the user,
The usage history update unit counts the number of trials received by the profile generation edit processing unit for each profile, and associates the number of trials with the number of uses and the number of outputs.
The multifunction device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the notification unit notifies the profile having a large number of times of use together with the number of trials. A profile server including another profile storage unit and a usage history storage unit that records the number of times each profile is used, the number of times of output, and the number of trials, and the image reading device are connected to be communicable,
The image reading unit acquires the profile from the other profile storage unit and reads the document;
The usage history update unit
When the usage count of the profile is counted, the usage count of the profile recorded in the usage history storage unit is incremented,
When counting the number of output times of the profile, increment the number of times of output of the profile recorded in the usage history storage unit,
5. The multifunction device according to claim 4, wherein when the number of profile trials is counted, the number of trials of the profile recorded in the usage history storage unit is incremented. An image reading apparatus including a profile storage unit that stores a plurality of profiles having different reading parameters in advance, and an image reading unit that reads a document based on a reading parameter of a profile selected by a user,
A usage history update unit that counts the number of times each profile used in the image reading unit is used;
An image reading apparatus comprising: a notification unit that notifies the user of a profile that is frequently used before a profile is selected by the user. A display unit for displaying an image read by the image reading unit on a screen;
The image reading apparatus according to claim 6, wherein after the image is displayed on the display unit, another profile can be selected. Connect to a profile server that includes another profile storage unit and a usage history storage unit that records the number of times each profile is used.
The image reading unit acquires the profile from the other profile storage unit and reads the document;
The usage history update unit increments the usage count of the profile recorded in the usage history storage unit when the usage count of the profile is counted. Image reading device.

Images