JP2014183537A - Report processing system, multifunctional equipment and server - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain efficient report output processing in multifunctional equipment by omitting image data generation processing when a report is printed out.SOLUTION: A report output processing system includes a server for receiving original information for report printout to generate image data and preserve as report image data. The report output processing system also includes multifunctional equipment for transmitting the original information to the server and for receiving the report image data from the server to print out.

Description

  The present invention relates to a report processing system, a multi-function peripheral, and a server that improve the efficiency of report output processing of the multi-function peripheral.

  In recent years, so-called multi-function machines having not only a facsimile function but also a copy function, a printer function, a call function, and the like have become widespread. In such a multifunction device, a record of communications and operations performed by the multifunction device can be printed out as a report. A report output from a multifunction device is normally created and printed by the multifunction device itself, and can be stored in the multifunction device.

  Further, not only the report created by the multifunction device itself but also image data transmitted by facsimile, for example, can be stored inside the multifunction device in preparation for retransmission by facsimile.

  In this way, reports or image data created by the multifunction device can be stored in the multifunction device. However, in order to be able to store a large amount of reports and image data inside the multifunction device, it has become a problem that the multifunction device needs to have a storage device with a large capacity. Yes.

  In response to these issues, with the aim of reducing the storage capacity of the MFP, we propose to save the operation record information for generating a report, the report itself, or image data to an external server. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  The following description is made in Patent Document 1 “Image processing apparatus and method” described above.

  That is, the multi-function peripheral reads a document as an image and performs copying, printing, or transmission of the image to another apparatus. When the original image is read, the read image is recorded in a management server or the like. In addition, when copying or printing an image or transmitting an image to another apparatus, a history of copying or transmission is recorded in the management server.

  As a result, in the multi-function peripheral, which is an image processing apparatus, input / output image data and operation history information can be recorded in the management server in an efficient manner, and the image data can be searched and tracked. Can be easy.

  In addition, some facsimile machines, which are prototypes of multi-function machines, have proposed to save reports and operation record information in an external server for the purpose of reducing the storage capacity of the facsimile machine ( For example, see Patent Document 2.)

  The following description is made in Patent Document 2 “Facsimile Device” described above.

  That is, the facsimile apparatus is connected to a file server, a print server, or the like via a network. Here, when the communication with the other facsimile apparatus is completed, this facsimile apparatus creates communication result information, and if necessary, also creates report information based on the communication result information. . The created communication result information and report information are transferred to the file server for storage.

  As a result, any report information can be taken out whenever necessary without increasing the storage capacity of the facsimile apparatus.

JP 2010-193471 A (pages 5-21, FIGS. 1-14) Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 08-018760 (pages 4-9, FIGS. 1-5)

  When a multifunction device prints out a report, it usually generates image data for printing based on the communication and operation record information executed by the multifunction device, and then performs printing based on the image data. It has become. That is, each time a report is printed out, the multifunction peripheral needs to perform processing for generating image data for printing. Here, when the number of output pages of the report is large, the processing time for generating the image data for printing the report becomes enormous, and the processing time for executing the original function of the MFP is restricted. It has a problem of end.

  In the method described in Patent Document 1 described above, the multifunction device records a copy or transmission history in the management server when copying or printing an image or transmitting an image to another device. I have to. However, in order to report and print a copy or transmission history, the multifunction device acquires history information from the management server, and the multifunction device generates image data for printing based on the acquired history information. It is necessary to perform a process of printing image data. That is, there is a problem that it is necessary to generate image data for printing by the multifunction peripheral itself.

  Similarly, in the method described in Patent Document 2, when the facsimile apparatus prints report information based on communication result information, it has the following problems. That is, there is a problem that a process is required in which the facsimile apparatus acquires report information from a file server, converts the acquired report information into image data, and prints the image data.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a report processing system, a multi-function peripheral, and a server that make the report output processing of the multi-function peripheral more efficient by omitting the image data conversion processing when printing the report. There is.

  The report processing system of the present invention includes a server that receives original information for printout of a report, converts it into image data, and stores it as report image data. In addition, the image processing apparatus includes a multifunction peripheral that transmits the original information to the server, receives the report image data from the server, and prints out the report image data.

  The MFP of the present invention transmits original information for report printout to a server, and receives and prints out report image data that the server has converted into image data based on the original information from the server.

  The server of the present invention receives original information for report printout from the multifunction peripheral, converts it into image data, and stores it as report image data.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the efficiency of report output processing of a multifunction peripheral.

It is a block diagram which shows 1st Embodiment of the report processing system of this invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a multifunction machine according to a first embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the server of 1st Embodiment. It is a 1st timing chart explaining operation | movement of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of setting information. It is a figure which shows an example of report image data. It is a 2nd timing chart explaining operation | movement of 1st Embodiment. It is a 3rd timing chart explaining operation | movement of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of a report. It is a block diagram which shows the server of 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the report image data of 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the report image file of 2nd Embodiment.

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[First embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of a report processing system of the present invention.

  In the report processing system 90 illustrated in FIG. 1, a plurality of multifunction peripherals 10-1 to 10-n (n is a positive integer) and a server 20 are connected via a communication network 30.

  The multifunction machine 10 is a device that also has a facsimile function, a copy function, a printer function, a call function, and the like.

  The server 20 is an information processing apparatus that can provide files, data, and the like to other information processing apparatuses (the multifunction machine 10 in the present embodiment) via the communication network 30.

  The communication network 30 is a communication network used for information transmission, such as a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), or the Internet (Internet) configured by connecting them together. It is.

  Here, an outline of the present embodiment will be described.

  The multifunction device 10 can collect record information of communications and operations executed by the multifunction device 10 as operation record information, and can perform various settings necessary for the multifunction device 10 to operate. ing. The multifunction device 10 sends the operation record information and setting information to the server 20 as report source information for printing out as a report.

  The server 20 receives and saves report source information sent from the multi-function peripheral 10, generates image data for printing based on the report source information, and saves it as report image data.

  When the multifunction machine 10 prints out a report of operation record information or setting information, it receives report image data from the server 20 and prints it as it is.

  That is, in the multi-function device 10, it is possible to omit the image data conversion processing when printing and outputting the report, so that the report output processing in the multi-function device 10 can be made more efficient.

  Next, the multifunction machine 10 will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the MFP according to the first embodiment.

  2 includes a control unit 101, a storage unit 102, a communication unit 103, an input unit 104, and a display unit 105. In FIG. 2, for ease of explanation, illustration of a facsimile function unit, a copy function unit, a printer function unit, a call function unit, and the like included in the multifunction machine 10 is omitted.

  The control unit 101 controls the operation of the entire multifunction machine 10. In the present embodiment, in particular, processing for sending operation record information and setting information of the multifunction machine 10 to the server 20 as report source information for printing out as a report is performed. When printing a report of operation record information or setting information, report image data is received from the server 20 and is processed to be printed as it is.

  The storage unit 102 stores and saves files and data necessary for the operation of the multifunction machine 10 and operation programs. In the present embodiment, in particular, operation record information and setting information of the multifunction machine 10 are stored, and report image data received from the server 20 is stored.

  The communication unit 103 sends files and data designated by the control unit 101 to the communication network 30 and sends files and data received from the communication network 30 to the control unit 101.

  The input unit 104 sends instruction data input by the user of the multifunction machine 10 to the control unit 101.

  The display unit 105 displays various information and data transmitted from the control unit 101 for notification to the user of the multifunction machine 10.

  Next, the server 20 will be described.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the server according to the first embodiment.

  The server 20 shown in FIG. 3 includes a control unit 201, a storage unit 202, and a communication unit 203.

  The control unit 201 controls the operation of the entire server 20. In the present embodiment, in particular, a process of receiving report source information sent from the multifunction machine 10 and storing it in the storage unit 202 is performed. In addition, processing for generating image data for printing based on the report source information and storing it in the storage unit 202 as report image data is performed. Further, processing for sending report image data to the multifunction device 10 is performed in response to a request from the multifunction device 10.

  The storage unit 202 stores and saves files and data necessary for the server 20 to operate, operation programs, and the like. In the present embodiment, in particular, report source information sent from the multifunction machine 10 is stored, and report image data generated from the report source information is stored.

  The communication unit 203 sends files and data designated by the control unit 201 to the communication network 30 and sends files and data received from the communication network 30 to the control unit 201.

  Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In the present embodiment, the multifunction machine 10 and the server 20 communicate with each other via the communication network 30. If the communication network 30 is the Internet, the communication protocol is usually HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) or HTTP encrypted with SSL (Secure Sockets Layer). HTTPS or the like is used. However, in the following description of the operation, description of the communication protocol is omitted for ease of explanation.

In addition, as operation | movement of this embodiment, there exist three types of operation | movement shown below. That is,
(1) Report source information registration operation
Report source information (operation record information, setting information, etc.)
An operation of transmitting and registering from the multifunction machine 10 to the server 20.

(2) Report source information change operation
An operation in which the multifunction machine 10 changes report source information registered in the server 20.

(3) Report image data acquisition operation
The multi-function device 10 acquires report image data from the server 20 and generates a report
Operation to print out.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the present embodiment will be described in the order described above. As a specific example of the report source information, it is assumed that the setting information of the multifunction machine 10 is given and the operation of the present embodiment is described.

(1) Report Source Information Registration Operation FIG. 4 is a first timing chart for explaining the operation of the first embodiment.

  In FIG. 4, the multifunction machine 10 sends a login request to the server 20 in order to register setting information as an example of report source information in the server 20 (step S10 in FIG. 4). This login request is assigned an identifier for identifying the multifunction device 10 that has transmitted the login request, that is, a multifunction device identifier.

  The server 20 receives the login request, authenticates the multifunction device 10 that has sent the login request, and, if the authentication is successful, returns a login response indicating that the authentication is successful to the multifunction device 10 (step S11).

  Next, the server 20 acquires the MFP identifier of the MFP 10 that sent the login request, and whether the setting information of the MFP 10 having the MFP identifier is registered and stored in its own storage unit 202. Confirm (step S12). If the MFP 10 that sent the login request in step S10 sent the first login request to the server 20, the setting information in the registration confirmation in step S12 is “unregistered”. Determined. Therefore, the server 20 returns a registration confirmation response indicating “not registered” to the multifunction machine 10 (step S13).

  Upon receiving the registration confirmation response indicating “unregistered”, the multifunction device 10 acquires information set in the multifunction device 10, that is, setting information (step S14), and registers the setting information in the server 20. A registration request is sent to the server 20 (step S15).

  Here, an example of the setting information will be described with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 5, the setting information 300 includes a setting item shown as 300-10 in FIG. 5 and a setting value shown as 300-11.

  The screen setting (300-1) as an example of setting items is to set the size, character color, font, and the like of the image displayed on the display screen provided in the multifunction machine 10, for example. The set value is the vertical and horizontal dimensions if it is a size, the display color when it is actually displayed if it is the color of a character, and the size (eg, XX points) if it is a font. is there.

  The volume setting (300-2) is, for example, setting the volume of the notification sound output from the multifunction machine 10 when a certain operation in the multifunction machine 10 is completed. Volume output level.

  Similarly, the power save setting (300-3) is for setting a waiting time until shifting to the energy saving mode. The facsimile setting (300-4) is used to set a data compression method for transmitting / receiving facsimile images, and the printer setting (300-5) is used to set the paper size and paper type of the printer. To do.

  Note that the setting information 300 described above is merely an example, and the setting information 300 can set unique setting items and setting values for each MFP 10.

  Returning to FIG. 4, the server 20 that has received the registration request from the multifunction device 10 adds the multifunction device identifier to the setting information attached to the registration request, and registers and stores it in its own storage unit 202 (FIG. 4). Step S16). Then, the server 20 returns a registered response indicating that the setting information has been registered to the multi function device 10 (step S17).

  The multifunction machine 10 that has received the registered response logs out to the server 20 (step S18).

  The server 20 performs logout processing of the multifunction device 10 and returns a logout response indicating that the logout processing is completed to the multifunction device 10 (step S19).

  After completing the logout process, the server 20 converts the setting information of the multifunction machine 10 registered in its storage unit 202 in step S16 into image data to be printed as a report, and stores it in its storage unit 202 as report image data. Store (step S20). Here, the MFP identifier of the MFP 10 is attached to the report image data, and the report image file is stored and saved in the storage unit 202 as a report image file.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of a report image file including report image data. In other words, in FIG. 6, the report image file 400 includes a multifunction machine identifier 410 and report image data 420. The report image data 420 is stored as bitmap data. The format of the bitmap data may be a well-known JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group: JPEG) format or GIF (Graphics Interchange Format: Giff) format, but is not limited to these formats.

  In step S12 described above, if the setting information of the MFP 10 has already been registered in the storage unit 202 of the server 20, the server 20 confirms the registration indicating that the setting information is “registered”. A response is returned to the multifunction machine 10 (step S13). The multifunction machine 10 that has received this registration confirmation response operates to perform the logout process of step S18 without performing the process of step S14.

(2) Report Source Information Changing Operation Next, the report source information changing operation will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 7 is a second timing chart for explaining the operation of the first embodiment.

  In FIG. 7, the multifunction machine 10 sends a login request to the server 20 in order to change the setting information registered in the server 20 (step S30 in FIG. 7). This login request is assigned an identifier for identifying the multifunction device 10 that has transmitted the login request, that is, a multifunction device identifier.

  The server 20 receives the login request, authenticates the multifunction device 10 that has sent the login request, and, if the authentication is successful, returns a login response indicating that the authentication has been successful to the multifunction device 10 (step S31).

  The multifunction machine 10 that has received the login response acquires the setting information changed in the multifunction machine 10 (step S32), and sends a registration change request to change and register the changed setting information in the server 20 ( Step S33).

  The server 20 that has received the registration change request from the multifunction device 10 replaces the setting information already registered with the multifunction device identifier with the setting information attached to the registration change request, and stores it in its own storage unit 202. Thus, the setting information is changed (step S34). Then, the server 20 returns a changed response indicating that the setting information has been changed to the multifunction machine 10 (step S35).

  The multifunction device 10 that has received the changed response logs out to the server 20 (step S36).

  The server 20 performs logout processing of the multifunction device 10 and returns a logout response indicating that the logout processing is completed to the multifunction device 10 (step S37).

After completing the logout process, the server 20 converts the setting information of the multifunction machine 10 changed and registered in its storage unit 202 in step S34 into image data to be printed as a report, and stores its storage unit 202 as report image data. (Step S38). Here, the report image data generated and stored in step S20 of the report source information registration operation described with reference to FIG. 4 is replaced with newly generated report image data and stored in the storage unit 202 as a new report image file. Save.

(3) Report Image Data Acquisition Operation Next, the report image data acquisition operation will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 8 is a third timing chart for explaining the operation of the first embodiment.

  In FIG. 8, when the multifunction device 10 needs to print out a report of setting information, the multifunction device 10 sends a login request to the server 20 (step S50 in FIG. 8). This login request is assigned an identifier for identifying the multifunction device 10 that has transmitted the login request, that is, a multifunction device identifier.

  The server 20 receives the login request, authenticates the multifunction device 10 that has sent the login request, and, if the authentication is successful, returns a login response indicating that the authentication has been successful to the multifunction device 10 (step S51).

  The multifunction machine 10 that has received the login response sends an image data acquisition request to the server 20 in order to acquire the report image data stored in the server 20 (step S52).

  The server 20 that has received the image data acquisition request from the multifunction device 10 selects the report image file corresponding to the multifunction device identifier of the multifunction device 10 from its own storage unit 202, and selects the report image data in the report image file. Obtain (step S53). Then, the image data acquisition response with the report image data attached is returned to the multi-function device 10 (step S54).

  The multifunction device 10 that has received the image data acquisition response logs out to the server 20 (step S56).

  The server 20 performs logout processing of the multifunction device 10 and returns a logout response indicating that the logout processing is completed to the multifunction device 10 (step S56).

  The MFP 10 logged out from the server 20 prints out the report image data attached to the image data acquisition response received in step S54 (step S57). The report image data is stored in its own storage unit 102.

  By performing the above operation, the multi-function device 10 can print out the report without performing image data conversion processing when the report is printed out.

  In step S53 described above, when the server 20 recognizes that the report image file corresponding to the multifunction machine identifier of the multifunction machine 10 does not exist in its storage unit 202, the server 20 operates as follows.

  That is, the server 20 returns a response to the effect that there is no report image data in the server 20 to the multi-function device 10. Upon receiving this response, the MFP 10 acquires its own setting information by the control unit 101, and performs report image data processing based on this setting information. Then, the control unit 101 of the multifunction machine 10 operates to print out the report image data generated by itself.

  The operation of the first embodiment of the present invention has been described above.

  In the above description of the operation, the setting information is described as an example of the report source information. The report source information includes operation record information. However, these pieces of information only differ in data structure, and the operation of the report processing system 90 is the same as that described above. Accordingly, further explanation regarding the operation of the first embodiment will be omitted.

  As described above, the report processing system 90 of the present embodiment includes the server (server 20) that receives original information (report source information) for report printout, converts it into image data, and saves it as report image data. ing. In addition, the image forming apparatus includes a multifunction peripheral (multifunction peripheral 10) that transmits the original information to the server, receives the report image data from the server, and prints it out.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the multi-function peripheral can omit the image data conversion process when printing a report. This makes it possible to improve the efficiency of report output processing of the multifunction peripheral.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment only in that the report image data (420 in FIG. 6) generated by the server 20 in the first embodiment is changed.

  Here, the outline of the second embodiment will be described.

  First, an example of a report printed out by the multifunction machine 10 is shown in FIG.

  A report 500 shown in FIG. 9 shows a setting information report as an example. In the report 500, the name of the setting item is printed on the left side 510, and the setting value is printed on the right side 520.

  Here, the character string printed on the left side 510 is not changed even when the set value is changed. On the other hand, the character string printed on the right side 520 is changed according to the change of the set value.

  For example, when the volume level (◯ □ decibel) of the volume setting shown by 500-2 in FIG. 9 is changed to the volume level (ΔΔ decibel), the character string on the left 510 is not changed. However, the character indicating the volume level of the character string on the right side 520 is changed to the changed volume level (ΔΔ decibel) and printed.

  Therefore, in the second embodiment, the report image data is handled by being divided into fixed image data of a fixed portion that is not changed and variable image data of a variable portion that can be changed. And the function of the server 20 which produces | generates report image data is changed a little so that it may adapt to 2nd Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, the second embodiment will be described.

  The report processing system 90 in the second embodiment is the same as that shown in FIG. 1 shown in the first embodiment. The multifunction machine 10 of the second embodiment is the same as that shown in FIG. 2 shown in the first embodiment. Therefore, the description regarding the report processing system 90 and the multifunction machine 10 is omitted.

  Next, the server according to the second embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a server according to the second embodiment.

  A server 20-2 illustrated in FIG. 10 includes a control unit 201-2, a storage unit 202-2, and a communication unit 203.

  The control unit 201-2 controls the operation of the entire server 20. In the present embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, a process of receiving report source information sent from the multifunction machine 10 and storing it in the storage unit 202-2 is performed. In addition, processing for generating image data for printing based on the report source information and saving it as report image data in the storage unit 202-2 is performed. The report image data format of this embodiment is divided into fixed image data and variable image data. Further, processing for sending report image data to the multifunction device 10 is performed in response to a request from the multifunction device 10.

  The storage unit 202-2 stores and saves files and data necessary for the operation of the server 20-2, operation programs, and the like. In the present embodiment, in particular, report source information sent from the multifunction machine 10 is stored, and report image data generated from the report source information is stored. As described above, the report image data format is divided into fixed image data and variable image data.

  Since the communication unit 203 is the same as that of the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  Next, the format of the report image data of this embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of report image data according to the second embodiment.

  The report image data 600 shown in FIG. 11 is divided into fixed image data 610 as a portion where the image is not changed and variable image data 620 as a portion where the image can be changed.

  The start point of the printing position of the report image data 600 is determined by (x, y) coordinates, and the image size is determined by (vertical dot number, horizontal dot number). In the example shown in FIG. 11, the starting point of the printing position of the fixed image data 610 is (X, Y), and the size is (H, W1). The starting point of the print position of the variable image data is (X + W1, Y), and the size is (H, W2).

  The fixed image data 610 and variable image data 620 of the report image data 600 described above are stored and stored in the storage unit 202-2 of the server 20-2 as image files as shown in FIG. Yes.

  In FIG. 12, the fixed image data 610 of the report image data 600 is stored as a fixed report image file 700, and the variable image data 620 is stored as a variable report image file 800.

  As shown in FIG. 12A, the fixed report image file 700 includes a multifunction machine identifier 710, a printing position start point 720, an image size 730, and fixed image data 740. The fixed image data 740 is stored as bitmap data.

  Similarly, a variable report image file 800 shown in FIG. 12B includes a multifunction machine identifier 810, a printing position start point 820, an image size 830, and variable image data 840. The variable image data 840 is stored as bitmap data.

  Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be described.

  As described above, the second embodiment of the present invention is different from the first embodiment only in that the format of the report image data generated by the server 20 is changed. Therefore, the operation of the second embodiment is almost the same as the operation of the first embodiment. Therefore, in the following, only operations unique to the second embodiment will be described.

(1) Report Source Information Registration Operation The operation of registering report source information (setting information is taken as an example) from the multifunction machine 10 to the server 20-2 is the same as the operation of the first embodiment described in FIG. It is almost the same.

  That is, from step S10 to step S19 in FIG. 4, the same operation as in the first embodiment is performed, and report source information, that is, setting information is registered in the server 20-2.

  And the operation | movement which produces | generates the report image data in subsequent step S20 is performed as follows.

  That is, first, the fixed image data 610 in the report image data 600 shown in FIG. 11 is generated from the setting information registered in the server 20-2. Then, the fixed image data 610 is stored in the storage unit 202-2 of the server 20-2 in the form of the fixed report image file 700 shown in FIG. Next, variable image data 620 in the report image data 600 shown in FIG. 11 is generated. The variable image data 620 is stored in the storage unit 202-2 of the server 20-2 in the format of the variable report image file 800 shown in FIG.

(2) Report Source Information Changing Operation The operation of changing the report source information registered in the server 20-2 (setting information is taken as an example) is the same as the operation of the first embodiment described in FIG. It is almost the same.

  That is, from step S30 to step S37 in FIG. 7, the same operation as in the first embodiment is performed, and the setting information registered in the server 20-2 is changed.

  Then, the subsequent operation for generating report image data in step S38 is performed as follows.

  In other words, the server 20-2 only generates the variable image data 620 shown in FIG. 11 based on the setting information changed on the server 20-2. Here, the reason that the fixed image data 610 is not generated is that the fixed image data 610 has already been generated, and the already generated fixed image data 610 can be used as it is. The variable image data 620 generated here is stored in the storage unit 202-2 of the server 20-2 in the format of the variable report image file 800 shown in FIG. At this time, the variable report image file that has already been generated is deleted.

(3) Report Image Data Acquisition Operation The operation in which the multifunction machine 10 acquires report image data from the server 20-2 is substantially the same as the operation of the first embodiment described with reference to FIG.

  That is, steps S50 to S52 and steps S54 to S57 in FIG. 8 operate in the same manner as in the first embodiment. And the operation | movement which acquires the report image data of step S53 is performed as follows unlike the operation | movement of 1st Embodiment.

  That is, the server 20-2 stores two image files corresponding to the MFP identifier of the MFP 10, specifically, the fixed report image file 700 and the variable report image file 800 from its own storage unit 202-2. select. Then, the fixed image data is acquired from the fixed report image file 700 and the variable image data is acquired from the variable report image file 800. Next, report image data is obtained by combining the fixed image data and the variable image data. Then, an image data acquisition response with the report image data attached is returned to the multi-function device 10 (step S54 in FIG. 8).

  The operation of the second embodiment of the present invention has been described above.

  As described above, the second embodiment of the present invention is different from the first embodiment only in that the format of the report image data generated by the server 20-2 is changed. Therefore, only the parts peculiar to the second embodiment will be described below.

  As described above, the report processing system 90 of this embodiment includes the server (server 20-2) that receives the original information for the report printout, converts it into image data, and saves it as report image data. In addition, the image forming apparatus includes a multifunction peripheral (multifunction peripheral 10) that transmits the original information to the server, receives the report image data from the server, and prints it out. The report image data is divided and stored into variable image data that can be changed when the original information is changed and fixed image data that is not changed even when the original information is changed. I have to. Furthermore, the server synthesizes the variable image data and the fixed image data and transmits them to the multi-function peripheral.

  As described above, the server generates variable image data and fixed image data from the original information. However, when the original information is changed, the variable image data is generated again, but the fixed image data need not be generated.

  Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to reduce image data conversion processing by the server.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 MFP 101 Control unit 102 Storage unit 103 Communication unit 104 Input unit 105 Display unit 20 Server 201 Control unit 202 Storage unit 203 Communication unit 30 Communication network 90 Report processing system

Claims (9)

A server that receives the original information for the report printout, converts it into image data, and saves it as report image data;
A multifunction peripheral that transmits the original information to the server, receives the report image data from the server, and prints it out;
A report processing system comprising: The report image data is divided and stored into variable image data that can be changed when the original information is changed, and fixed image data that is not changed even when the original information is changed,
The report processing system according to claim 1. The server synthesizes the variable image data and the fixed image data and transmits the synthesized image to the multifunction peripheral;
The report processing system according to claim 2. Send the original information for the report printout to the server,
The server receives and prints out report image data converted into image data based on the original information from the server,
A multi-function machine characterized by this. The original information is communication or operation recording information executed by the multifunction device, or setting information set for the operation of the multifunction device.
The multifunction device according to claim 4, wherein: When the report image data cannot be received from the server, the image data for the report print output is generated based on the original information stored by the server.
6. A multi-function machine according to claim 4, wherein Receives the original information for report printout from the MFP, converts it to image data, and saves it as report image data.
A server characterized by that. The report image data is divided and stored into variable image data that can be changed when the original information is changed, and fixed image data that is not changed even when the original information is changed,
The server according to claim 7. The variable image data and the fixed image data are combined and transmitted to the multifunction device.
The server according to claim 8.

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