JP2016174343A - Information processing device, recording system and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a program which suppresses a throughput deterioration in recording processing when data of a second format is selected.SOLUTION: The program causes a computer to execute: first data acquisition processing for acquiring first data of a first format from a reading device; conversion processing for converting the first data into second data of the second format different from the first format; first storage processing for storing the first data in association with the second data; reception processing (S32) for receiving a user operation to select data which is a target for record processing through an operation unit; and first record instruction processing (S40) for causing a recording device to record an image indicated by the first data, which is stored in association with the second data, on a sheet, in response to the reception of the selection of the second data by the reception processing (S32: Yes).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

  The present invention provides an information processing apparatus having a function of reading a document and causing a reading device to generate scan data, and a function of causing a recording device to record an image indicated by print data, and the information processing device. The present invention relates to a recording system including the program and a program for causing an information processing apparatus to execute the function.

  Conventionally, a reading apparatus capable of executing a reading process of reading an image recorded on a document and generating scan data and a recording apparatus capable of executing a recording process of recording an image indicated by print data on a sheet are controlled. An information processing apparatus is known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an apparatus that converts scan data in a first format acquired from a reading device into converted data in a second format different from the first format.

JP 2014-44534 A

  Here, there is a recording apparatus that cannot execute the recording process for the data in the second format. In such a case, when the converted data in the second format is selected as the print data, the information processing apparatus described above needs to reverse-convert the converted data from the second format to the first format and transmit it to the recording device. is there. In this case, there arises a problem that the throughput from when the selection of the conversion data is accepted until the recording process is executed is reduced. This problem becomes more prominent as the amount of converted data increases.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a program that suppresses a decrease in throughput of a recording process when data of the second format is selected as a target of the recording process. There is.

  (1) A program described in this specification includes an operation unit, a reading device that reads an image recorded on a document and generates data in a first format, and an image represented by the data in the first format on a sheet. It can be executed by a computer connected to a recording apparatus that executes a recording process for recording. The program includes a first data acquisition process for acquiring the first data in the first format from the reading device, and a conversion process for converting the first data into second data in a second format different from the first format; A first storage process for storing the first data and the second data in association with each other, a reception process for receiving a user operation for selecting data to be a target of the recording process via the operation unit, and the second A first recording instruction process for causing the recording apparatus to record an image indicated by the first data stored in association with the second data in response to receiving the data selection in the reception process. Are executed by the computer.

  According to the above configuration, when the selection of the second data is received in the receiving process, the image indicated by the first data stored in association with the second data can be recorded on the recording device on the sheet. it can. As a result, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the throughput of the recording process due to the inverse conversion of the second data.

  (2) Preferably, the computer further includes a storage unit. The program includes a capability information acquisition process for acquiring capability information relating to a processing capability of an inverse conversion program for inversely converting the second data into the inverse transform data of the first format, and the inverse transform program reverses the second data. The computer executes the first determination process for determining whether or not conversion is possible based on the capability information, and the first storage process in response to the determination by the first determination process that reverse conversion is impossible.

  (3) More preferably, the program determines whether the data amount stored in the storage unit is less than a threshold value by the second determination process, the reverse determination is impossible by the first determination process, and In response to determining in the second determination process that the data amount is less than the threshold value, the computer executes the first storage process.

  According to the above configuration, the first data is not stored in the storage unit when the reverse conversion program can reversely convert the second data, or when the amount of data stored in the storage unit is equal to or greater than the threshold value. As a result, the storage capacity of the storage unit is suppressed from being excessively compressed.

  (4) As an example, the program generates a preview data in which the data amount of the first data is reduced in response to the determination in the first determination process that reverse conversion is possible, and the second data And causing the computer to execute a second storage process in which the preview data is associated and stored in the storage unit.

  (5) As another example, the program causes the computer to execute the first determination process in response to the fact that the recording device cannot record the image represented by the second format data on the sheet, and In accordance with the fact that the recording apparatus can record an image represented in two formats on a sheet, the generation processing for generating preview data in which the data amount of the first data is reduced corresponds to the second data and the preview data. In addition, the computer executes the second storage process to be stored in the storage unit.

  According to the above configuration, preview data is stored in the storage unit instead of the first data. As a result, when selecting data to be subjected to recording processing, an image indicated by the first data or the preview data can be preview-displayed on the display unit.

  (6) Preferably, the computer further includes a display unit. The program includes a list display process for causing the display unit to display only a list of identification information for identifying the second data among the first data and the second data stored in the storage unit, and the display unit Corresponding to the reception process for accepting a user operation for selecting one of the identification information displayed in a list on the operation unit via the operation unit, and the second data identified by the identification information for which the selection was accepted in the reception process The computer is caused to perform a preview process for causing the display unit to display an image indicated by the attached first data or the preview data.

  According to the list display process with the above configuration, the identification information of the second data is displayed in a list, and the presence of the first data is not recognized by the user. As a result, it is possible to prevent the user from being confused by the presence of two pieces of data having the same contents and different data formats.

  (7) Preferably, the computer further includes a communication unit. The communication unit can communicate with the recording apparatus and a server capable of executing the inverse conversion program. The program determines whether the first data associated with the second data is stored in the storage unit in response to receiving the selection of the second data in the receiving process. 3 Make the computer execute the determination process. Then, the program causes the computer to execute the first recording instruction process in response to the third determination process determining that the first data is stored. On the other hand, the program sends conversion request information for reversely converting the selected second data in response to the determination in the third determination process that the first data is not stored. A conversion request process to be transmitted to the server through, a reverse conversion data reception process for receiving the reverse conversion data as a response to the conversion request information from the server through the communication unit, and an image represented by the reverse conversion data as a sheet And causing the computer to execute the second recording instruction process for transmitting recording instruction information for recording to the recording apparatus through the communication unit.

  According to the above configuration, even when the first data is not associated with the selected second data, the image indicated by the inversely converted data can be recorded on the sheet by the recording device.

  (8) Preferably, the program stores the inverse transformed data received in the inverse transformed data reception process in the storage unit in association with the second data accepted in the accepting process. Processing is executed by the computer.

  According to the above configuration, when the second data is selected again, it is not necessary for the server to perform reverse conversion. As a result, it is possible to suppress a decrease in throughput of the second and subsequent recording processes for the second data.

  (9) Preferably, the program records the image indicated by the second data on the sheet according to the fact that the recording apparatus can record the image indicated by the second format data on the sheet. In response to causing the computer to execute the third recording instruction process for transmitting instruction information to the recording apparatus through the communication unit, and the recording apparatus cannot record the image represented by the data in the second format. , Causing the computer to execute the third determination process.

  According to the above configuration, when the recording apparatus can record the image represented by the data in the second format on the sheet, the determination process, the conversion request process, and the inverse conversion data reception process are omitted, and the image is represented by the second data. The recorded image is recorded on the recording device on the sheet. That is, it is possible to further suppress a decrease in the throughput of the recording process.

  (10) Preferably, the program determines whether the data amount stored in the storage unit is equal to or greater than a threshold value, and the second determination process determines that the data amount is equal to or greater than the threshold value. In response to the determination by the processing, the computer is caused to execute a deletion process of deleting the first data associated with the second data that can be inversely converted by the inverse conversion program from the storage unit.

  According to the above configuration, when the processing capability of the inverse conversion program is improved, the first data associated with the second data that can be reversely converted later is deleted. As a result, the storage capacity of the storage unit is suppressed from being excessively compressed.

  (11) For example, the processing capability indicated by the capability information indicates at least one of the number of pages of the second data that can be reversely converted by the reverse conversion program and the amount of data of the second data that can be reversely converted. . In the first determination process, the program compares at least one of the number of pages of the second data and the data amount with the capability information to determine whether reverse conversion is possible.

  (12) The information processing apparatus described in the present specification includes an operation unit, a communication unit, and a control unit. The communication unit communicates with a reading device that reads an image recorded on a document to generate first format data, and a recording device that executes a recording process for recording an image indicated by the first format data on a sheet. Is possible. The control unit acquires a first data acquisition process for acquiring the first data in the first format from the reading device through the communication unit, and a second data in a second format different from the first format. A conversion process for converting data, a first storage process for storing the first data and the second data in association with each other, and a user operation for selecting data to be recorded are received via the operation unit. In response to accepting the accepting process and the selection of the second data in the accepting process, the image indicated by the first data stored in association with the second data is displayed on the recording apparatus with respect to the sheet. A first recording instruction process for recording is executed.

  (13) A recording system described in the present specification includes an operation unit, a reading device that reads an image recorded on a document and generates first format data, and an image represented by the first format data as a sheet A recording apparatus that executes a recording process to be recorded on the recording medium, and a control unit. The control unit includes: a first data acquisition process for acquiring the first data from the reading device; a conversion process for converting the first data into second data in a second format different from the first format; A first storage process for storing one data and the second data in association with each other; a reception process for accepting a user operation for selecting data to be subjected to the recording process via the operation unit; and a selection of the second data In response to accepting the image in the accepting process, a first recording instruction process for causing the recording apparatus to record the image indicated by the first data stored in association with the second data on the sheet is executed. To do.

  According to the present invention, when the selection of the second data is received in the reception process, the image indicated by the first data associated with the second data is recorded on the sheet by the recording apparatus. It is possible to suppress a decrease in throughput.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a recording system 100 according to the first embodiment. 2A is a functional block diagram of the multifunction device 10, and FIG. 2B is a functional block diagram of the portable terminal 50. FIG. 3 shows an example of data stored in the data storage area 62B. (A) shows a PDF file, page number information associated with the PDF file, size information, JPEF file, preview file, and vice versa. (B) shows scanner information and printer information. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the image reading process. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the image recording process. 6A and 6B are display examples of the display unit 53, where FIG. 6A shows a file selection screen and FIG. 6B shows a preview screen.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings as appropriate. The embodiment described below is merely an example of the present invention, and it is needless to say that the embodiment of the present invention can be changed as appropriate without departing from the gist of the present invention.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a recording system 100 in the present embodiment. A recording system 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes a multifunction device 10, a portable terminal 50, and a server 70. The multifunction machine 10, the portable terminal 50, and the server 70 can communicate with each other via a communication network. Although the specific example of a communication network is not specifically limited, For example, the internet 101, wired LAN (abbreviation of Local Area Network), wireless LAN102, or these combination may be sufficient.

  The multifunction machine 10 and the portable terminal 50 belong to the wireless LAN 102 as shown in FIG. The wireless LAN 102 is connected to the Internet 101 through a router (not shown). Note that “belonging to the wireless LAN 102” means that settings for belonging to the wireless LAN 102 have been made and communication with other devices belonging to the wireless LAN 102 is possible. More specifically, the same SSID as that of the access point 102 </ b> A of the wireless LAN 102 is set in the multifunction device 10 and the portable terminal 50, and a network address assigned to the wireless LAN 102 is given.

  Note that wireless communication is not limited to wireless communication being performed in the entire communication section. That is, “the multifunction device 10 wirelessly transmits or receives information or data via the access point 102A” only needs to be able to execute wireless communication between the multifunction device 10 and the access point 102A. The same applies to the portable terminal 50.

  The server 70 is connected to the Internet 101. The multifunction device 10 and the portable terminal 50 can communicate with the server 70 via the Internet 101 from the access point 102A and a router (not shown). Furthermore, the portable terminal 50 may be connected to the Internet 101 through a base station (not shown). The portable terminal 50 may be able to wirelessly communicate with the server 70 from the base station via the Internet 101. A router and a base station (not shown) are examples of communication devices.

[Multifunction machine 10]
As shown in FIG. 2A, the multifunction machine 10 includes a printer unit 11, a scanner unit 12, a display unit 23, an operation unit 24, a communication unit 25, a CPU 31, a storage unit 32, and a communication unit. A bus 33 is mainly provided. Each component constituting the multi-function device 10 is connected to each other via a communication bus 33.

[Printer 11 and Scanner 12]
The printer unit 11 executes a recording process for recording an image indicated by the image data on a recording sheet. The recording paper is an example of a sheet or a recording medium. As a recording method of the printer unit 11, a known method such as an ink jet method or an electrophotographic method can be adopted. The printer unit 11 is an example of a recording unit or a recording device. The scanner unit 12 executes a scan process for reading an image recorded on a document and generating image data. The scanner unit 12 is an example of a reading unit or a reading device. The multi-function device 10 may further include a FAX function for performing FAX transmission / reception, a copy function for reading an image recorded on a recording sheet and recording it on another recording sheet.

  The multi-function device 10 can record the image indicated by the JPEG file on the recording paper on the printer unit 11 and cannot record the image indicated by the PDF file on the recording paper on the printer unit 11. That is, the JPEG format is an example of a first format in which the multifunction machine 10 can execute the recording process. The JPEG file is an example of first data. However, the first format is not limited to the JPEG format, and may be, for example, a BMP format, a TIFF format, or the like. The PDF format is an example of a second format in which the multifunction device 10 cannot execute the recording process. The PDF file is an example of second data. However, the second format is not limited to the PDF format, and may be, for example, a document format, a presentation format, a spreadsheet format, or the like. However, there may be a recording device that can record an image indicated by the PDF file on a recording sheet (hereinafter, referred to as “PDF compatible printer”).

[Display unit 23]
The display unit 23 includes a display screen that displays various types of information. As the display unit 23, a liquid crystal display (abbreviation of Liquid Crystal Display), an organic EL display (abbreviation of Organic Electro-Luminescence Display), or the like can be adopted.

[Operation unit 24]
The operation unit 24 receives a user operation for selecting an object displayed on the display screen of the display unit 23. Specifically, the operation unit 24 has a button, and outputs various operation signals associated with the pressed button to the CPU 31. Further, the operation unit 24 may include a film-like touch sensor superimposed on the display screen of the display unit 23. That is, the display unit 23 may be configured as a touch panel display.

  The “object” refers to an image that can be selected by the user operating the operation unit 24. As an example, the object is a character string displayed on the display unit 23. One of the objects is highlighted when the direction key of the operation unit 24 is pressed, and the object is highlighted by pressing the enter button of the operation unit 24. A light-displayed object may be selected. As another example, an object when the operation unit 24 is a touch panel is an icon, a button, a link, or the like displayed on the display unit 23, and the object displayed at the touch position may be selected.

  The operation unit 24 realized as a touch panel receives a user operation for touching the display screen of the display unit 23. The operation unit 24 outputs position information indicating the position on the display screen touched by the user. The position information can be expressed, for example, as coordinates (x, y) on the xy plane with the upper left corner of the display screen as the origin, the right direction as the positive direction of the x axis, and the downward direction as the positive direction of the y axis. For the touch sensor, a known method such as a capacitance method or a resistance film method can be adopted.

  Note that “touch” in this specification includes all operations for bringing an input medium into contact with a display screen. That is, a tap operation to move the touched input medium away from the display screen within a predetermined time, a long touch operation to make the touched input medium stand still on the display screen, a slide operation to slide the touched input medium on the display screen, a display screen Flick operation where the acceleration of the input medium sliding above the threshold is more than a threshold, pinch-in operation to slide two input media touched at different positions on the display screen toward each other, two touched at different positions on the display screen A pinch-out operation or the like that slides the input medium away from each other is an example of a touch.

  In addition, even if the input medium is not touching the display screen, the concept of “touch” may include bringing the input medium close to a position where the distance from the display screen is very small. Furthermore, the input medium may be a user's finger or a touch pen.

[Communication unit 25]
The communication unit 25 is an interface for performing wireless communication with an external device. For example, the multifunction device 10 can transmit and receive various types of information or data to and from the mobile terminal 50 and the server 70 through the communication unit 25. The communication unit 25 performs communication according to a procedure based on, for example, the IEEE 802.11 standard.

[CPU 31]
A CPU (abbreviation of Central Processing Unit) 31 controls the overall operation of the multifunction machine 10. The CPU 31 acquires and executes various programs, which will be described later, from the storage unit 32 based on various information output from the operation unit 24 and various information acquired from an external device through the communication unit 25. The CPU 31 and the storage unit 32 constitute an example of a control unit.

[Storage unit 32]
The storage unit 32 includes a program storage area 32A and a data storage area 32B. In the program storage area 32A, an OS (abbreviation of Operating System) 34 and a control program 35 are stored. The OS 34 and the control program 35 are programs built in a binary format. The control program 35 may be a single program or an aggregate of a plurality of programs. Data or information necessary for execution of the control program 35 is stored in the data storage area 32B.

  Note that “data” and “information” in this specification are common in that they are bits or bit strings that can be handled by a computer. “Data” refers to data that can be handled by the computer without taking into account the meaning of each bit. On the other hand, “information” refers to information that the operation of the computer branches depending on the semantic content indicated by each bit. Furthermore, the “instruction” is a control signal for prompting the destination apparatus to perform the next operation, and may include information or itself has a property as information. There is also.

  In addition, even if the format (for example, text format, binary format, flag format, etc.) is changed for each computer, “data” and “information” have the same data and information as long as they are recognized as the same meaning content. Are treated as For example, information indicating “two” is stored as text information “0x32” in ASCII code in one computer, and binary format information “10” in binary notation in another computer. May be.

  However, the distinction between the above “data” and “information” is not strict, and exceptional handling is allowed. For example, data may be temporarily treated as information, or information may be temporarily treated as data. Also, what is handled as data in a certain device may be handled as information in another device. Furthermore, information may be extracted from the data, or data may be extracted from the information.

  The storage unit 32 includes, for example, RAM (abbreviation of Random Access Memory), ROM (abbreviation of Read Only Memory), EEPROM (abbreviation of Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), HDD (abbreviation of Hard CPU) 31 (HDD). It is configured by a buffer or the like or a combination thereof.

  The storage unit 32 may be a computer-readable storage medium. A computer-readable storage medium is a non-transitory medium. Non-transitory media include recording media such as CD-ROM and DVD-ROM in addition to the above examples. A non-transitory medium is also a tangible medium. On the other hand, an electrical signal that carries a program downloaded from a server on the Internet is a computer-readable signal medium that is a kind of computer-readable medium, but a non-transitory computer-readable storage. Not included in the media.

  The program stored in the program storage area 32A is executed by the CPU 31. However, in this specification, the operation of each program may be described with the CPU 31 omitted. That is, in the following description, the description that “the program A executes the process A” may indicate that “the CPU 31 executes the process A described in the program A”.

  Further, the program stored in the program storage area 32A determines an event and operates according to the determination result. However, in this specification, the operation of each program may be described by omitting the determination. That is, in the following description, the description to the effect that “the control program executes process A according to condition A” is “whether or not the control program is condition A. The control program makes an affirmative determination. In response to this, the processing A may be executed.

  The OS 34 provides an API (abbreviation for Application Programming Interface) for controlling the printer unit 11, the scanner unit 12, the display unit 23, the operation unit 24, the communication unit 25, and the like that are hardware constituting the multifunction machine 10. It is a basic program. That is, each of the above programs controls each hardware by calling an API provided by the OS 34. However, in this specification, the operation of each program may be described with the OS 34 omitted. That is, in the following description, the description “the program B controls the hardware C” may refer to “the program B controls the hardware C through the API of the OS 34”.

[Portable terminal 50]
As shown in FIG. 2B, the mobile terminal 50 mainly includes a display unit 53, an operation unit 54, a communication unit 55, a CPU 61, a storage unit 62, and a communication bus 63. The display unit 53, the operation unit 54, the communication unit 55, the CPU 61, the storage unit 62, and the communication bus 63 included in the portable terminal 50 are the display unit 23, the operation unit 24, the communication unit 25, the CPU 31, Since it is common with the memory | storage part 32 and the communication bus 33, description for the second time is abbreviate | omitted. The portable terminal 50 is an example of an information processing device. However, the information processing apparatus is not limited to the portable terminal 50 such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal, and may be a PC (abbreviation of Personal Computer) or the like.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 3A, the data storage area 62B stores a PDF file and page number information and size information associated with the PDF file. The page number information indicates the number of pages included in the corresponding PDF file. The size information indicates the data amount of the corresponding PDF file. Also, the PDF file is associated with part or all of the JPEG file, preview file, and reverse conversion file. In the example of FIG. 3A, the preview file is not associated with the PDF file “Invoice. PDF”, and the reverse conversion file is not associated with the PDF file “Manual. PDF”. The file names of the PDF file, JPEG file, preview file, and reverse conversion file are examples of identification information for identifying the corresponding file.

  The JPEG file is, for example, the image data generated by the scanner unit 12 by the scanning process converted into the JPEG format by the CPU 61. The CPU 61 may be linked to a CPU dedicated to JPEG conversion (not shown). The PDF file is obtained by converting the corresponding JPEG file format into the PDF format by a conversion process described later. A preview file is an example of preview data obtained by reducing the data amount of a JPEG file. The inversely converted file is an example of inversely converted data obtained by inversely converting a corresponding PDF file format into a JPEG format by an inverse conversion process described later. The format conversion in the conversion process and the inverse conversion process is, for example, changing the data format from the first format to the second format or changing the data format without substantially changing the content of the image indicated by the data before the conversion. This is a process of converting from the second format to the first format. Hereinafter, the information shown in FIG. 3A may be collectively referred to as correspondence information or the like.

  Further, the data storage area 62B stores scanner information and printer information as shown in FIG. 3B, for example. The scanner information includes identification information of a reading device that executes a scanning process in an image reading process to be described later. The printer information includes identification information of a recording apparatus that executes a recording process in an image recording process described later. That is, the portable terminal 50 executes the image reading process using the reading device indicated by the scanner information unless the user explicitly specifies another reading device. Similarly, unless the user explicitly specifies another recording device, the portable terminal 50 executes image recording processing using the recording device indicated by the printer information.

  In the example of FIG. 3B, “printer A”, which is identification information of the multifunction machine 10, is set in the scanner information and the printer information. For example, the scanner information and the printer information may be arbitrarily changed by the user through the operation unit 54. In the example of FIG. 3B, the same identification information “printer A” is set for the scanner information and the printer information, but different identification information may be set for each.

[Server 70]
The server 70 executes processing according to various request information received from the multifunction device 10 or the portable terminal 50. As an example, the server 70 can execute an inverse conversion process for converting a PDF file into an inversely converted file in JPEG format. The inverse conversion process is realized by an inverse conversion program executed by the server 70. As another example, the server 70 transmits capability information regarding the processing capability of the inverse conversion program to the portable terminal 50. The capability information includes, for example, a threshold page number that is the number of pages of a PDF file that can be reversely converted and a threshold data amount that is the data amount of a PDF file that can be reversely converted.

[Operation of Recording System 100]
The operation of the recording system 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The recording system 100 can asynchronously execute the image reading process shown in FIG. 4 and the image recording process shown in FIG. Hereinafter, the operation of the portable terminal 50 in the image reading process and the image recording process will be mainly described.

[Image reading processing]
The image reading process is a process of converting the JPEG file generated by the multifunction machine 10 into a PDF file and storing it in the data storage area 62B.

  First, the control program 65 of the portable terminal 50 receives a JPEG file from the multifunction device 10 indicated by the scanner information through the communication unit 25 (S11: Yes). The JPEG file is generated by the multi function device 10 in the following procedure, for example. However, the acquisition source of the JPEG file is not limited to the following example, and may be received from a storage server (not shown) through the communication unit 55 or taken by a camera (not shown) mounted on the portable terminal 50. There may be. The process of step S11 is an example of a first data acquisition process.

  The control program 35 of the multifunction machine 10 can accept, for example, a user operation for instructing execution of scan processing via the operation unit 24, or read instruction information for instructing execution of scan processing through the communication unit 25. 50 can be received. Next, when the execution of the scan process is instructed, the control program 35 causes the scanner unit 12 to execute the scan process. That is, the scanner unit 12 reads an image recorded on a document set on contact glass or ADF (abbreviation of Auto Document Feeder), and generates image data. Then, the CPU 61 converts the image data generated by the scanner unit 12 into a JPEG file.

  According to the above processing, there may be one or more JPEG files generated by the multifunction machine 10 in some cases. Further, the JPEG file has a different data amount according to the designated resolution of the scanning process. The control program 35 transmits all generated JPEG files to the mobile terminal 50 through the communication unit 25.

  Next, the control program 65 of the portable terminal 50 converts the received JPEG file into a PDF file (S12). Note that when one JPEG file is received, the control program 65 generates a PDF file including only one page corresponding to the JPEG file. On the other hand, when receiving a plurality of JPEG files, the control program 65 generates a PDF file including a plurality of pages, each JPEG file being one page. That is, the number of PDF files generated in step S12 is one regardless of the number of received JPEG files. The process of step S12 is an example of a conversion process.

  Next, the control program 65 determines whether or not the multifunction machine 10 indicated by the printer information is a PDF compatible printer (S13). As an example, the control program 65 inquires the multifunction device 10 whether the identification information “printer A” of the multifunction device 10 is a PDF-compatible printer at the timing when the printer information is set, and associates the result with the printer information to obtain data. It may be stored in the storage area 62B. As another example, in step S13, the control program 65 may inquire the multifunction device 10 whether the printer is a PDF-compatible printer. As another example, the control program 65 may receive model information indicating the model of the multifunction device 10 from the multifunction device 10. Then, the control program 65 may inquire of an information server (not shown) whether or not the model indicated by the received model information is a model of a PDF compatible printer.

  Next, the control program 65 acquires capability information from the server 70 through the communication unit 55 in response to determining that the multifunction device 10 is not a PDF printer (S13: No) (S14). Specifically, the control program 65 transmits transmission request information for requesting transmission of capability information to the server 70 through the communication unit 55. Then, the control program 65 receives capability information from the server 70 through the communication unit 55 as a response to the transmission request information. The capability information indicates the processing capability of the inverse conversion program installed in the server 70. The process of step S14 is an example of a capability information acquisition process. In the present embodiment, the following processing will be described on the assumption that capability information indicating that the number of threshold pages = 20 pages and the threshold data amount = 5 MB has been acquired.

  Next, the control program 65 determines whether or not the reverse conversion program of the server 70 can reverse convert the PDF file generated in step S12 based on the capability information acquired in step S14 (S15). Specifically, when the number of pages of the PDF file is less than the threshold number of pages and the data amount of the PDF file is less than the threshold data amount, the control program 65 converts the PDF file into the reverse conversion program of the server 70. It is determined that reverse conversion is possible. On the other hand, when the number of pages of the PDF file is equal to or greater than the threshold number of pages or the data amount of the PDF file is equal to or greater than the threshold data amount, the control program 65 cannot reversely convert the PDF file by the reverse conversion program of the server 70. Judge. The process of step S15 is an example of a first determination process.

  Next, when the control program 65 determines that the PDF file cannot be reversely converted (S15: No), the data already stored in the data storage area 62B, that is, the correspondence shown in FIG. It is determined whether the amount of data such as information is greater than or equal to a threshold (S16). Step S16 processing is an example of second determination processing.

  The threshold value in step S16 may be determined according to the physical capacity of the data storage area 62B, for example. For example, if the storage capacity of the data storage area 62B is less than 500 megabytes, the threshold may be 100 megabytes, and if the storage capacity of the data storage area 62B is 500 megabytes or more, the threshold may be 200 megabytes. In addition, the threshold value in step S16 may be determined according to the storage capacity allocated for storing the correspondence information shown in FIG. For example, when the storage capacity allocated for correspondence information or the like is 200 megabytes, the threshold may be set to 100 megabytes.

  Next, when the control program 65 determines that the data amount in the data storage area 62B is equal to or greater than the threshold (S16: Yes), the PDF file that can be reversely converted by the reverse conversion program of the server 70 is associated information or the like. To check if it is included. Specifically, the control program 65 determines whether the correspondence information or the like includes a PDF file whose page number is less than the threshold page number and whose data amount is less than the threshold data amount. If the determination is affirmative, the control program 65 deletes the JPEG file associated with the PDF file that can be reversely converted by the reverse conversion program from the correspondence information or the like (S17). In the example of FIG. 3A, the JPEG file, the preview file, and the reverse conversion file associated with the PDF file “Estimate. PDF” are deleted. The process of step S17 is an example of a deletion process.

  In step S17, the control program 65 may delete the preview file or reverse conversion file associated with the PDF file that can be reversely converted by the reverse conversion program installed in the server 70 from the correspondence information or the like. Good. Further, when the control program 65 determines that the data amount of the correspondence information or the like is less than the threshold (S16: No), the process of step S17 is skipped.

  The control program 65 associates the JPEG file acquired in step S11, the PDF file generated in step S12, the page number information, and the size information with the JPEG file, PDF file, page number information, and size information in association with each other. The data is stored in the storage area 62B (S18). The process of step S18 is an example of a first storage process. The file name of the PDF file is designated by the user through the operation units 24 and 54, for example. The file name of the JPEG file is obtained by changing the extension “.PDF” of the corresponding PDF file name to “.JPEG”, for example.

  A PDF file including a plurality of pages is associated with a plurality of JPEG files corresponding to each page. That is, in the data storage area 62B, there are a plurality of JPEG files in which numbers indicating page numbers are added to the file names, such as “Estimate-1.JPEG” and “Estimate-2.JPEG”. Remembered. However, in the example of FIG. 3B, these are collectively referred to as “estimate. JPEG” or the like. The same applies to the file names of the preview file and the reverse conversion file described later.

  On the other hand, the control program 65 responds to the fact that the MFP 10 indicated by the printer information is a PDF-compatible printer (S13: Yes), or that the inverse conversion program determines that the PDF file can be inversely converted. (S15: Yes), a preview file is generated based on the JPEG file acquired in step S11 (S19). The preview file is obtained by reducing the data amount of the JPEG file without substantially changing the contents of the image indicated by the JPEG file in order to display the list on the display unit 53 in the preview processing described later. The process of step S19 is an example of a generation process.

  The control program 65 associates the PDF file generated in step S12, the preview file generated in step S19, the page number information, and the size information with the PDF file, the preview file, the page number information, and the size information in association with each other. The data is stored in the storage area 62B (S20). The process of step S20 is an example of a second storage process. Note that the file name of the preview file is, for example, that “(P)” is added to the head of the file name of the corresponding PDF file and the extension “.PDF” is changed to “.JPEG”.

[Image recording processing]
The image recording process shown in FIG. 5 is a process for causing the printer unit 11 of the multifunction machine 10 to execute a recording process for recording an image indicated by a file stored in the data storage area 62B on a recording sheet.

  First, the control program 65 of the portable terminal 50 displays a file selection screen on the display unit 53 (S31). FIG. 6A is an example of a file selection screen. The file selection screen shown in FIG. 6A includes the file name of the PDF file included in the correspondence information and the like, a check box associated with each file name, and a [Preview] icon. The process of step S31 is an example of a list display process.

  Note that the file selection screen does not include the file names of the JPEG file, preview file, and reverse conversion file included in the correspondence information. That is, in step S31, the control program 65 causes the display unit 53 to display a list of only the file names of the PDF files among the PDF files, JPEG files, preview files, and reverse conversion files included in the correspondence information. The control program 65 may display the number of pages and / or the amount of data of each PDF file on the display unit 53 together with the file name.

  Next, the control program 65 receives a user operation for tapping the position of the check box and a user operation for tapping the position of the [Preview] icon via the operation unit 54 (S32). Then, when the position of the [Preview] icon is tapped (S32: Yes), the control program 65 temporarily stores the file name corresponding to the checked check box in the data storage area 62B. That is, the control program 65 prepares to read a PDF file selected by the user from among the PDF files included in the correspondence information.

  These user operations are an example of a user operation for selecting one of identification information displayed in a list or a user operation for selecting a PDF file (hereinafter referred to as “selected PDF file”) to be recorded. It is. The process of step S32 is an example of a reception process. In the present embodiment, the following processing will be described assuming that the [Preview] icon is selected in a state where the check box corresponding to “Estimate. PDF” is checked.

  Next, the control program 65 displays a preview screen on the display unit 53 (S33 to S35). FIG. 6B is an example of a preview screen. The preview screen shown in FIG. 6B includes one or more page images, a check box associated with each page image, and a [print] icon. The page image is an image image showing a state in which an image of each page included in the selected PDF file is recorded on a recording sheet. That is, the preview screen includes the number of page images that matches the number of pages of the selected PDF file. The processes in steps S33 to S35 are an example of a preview process.

  In the preview process, the control program 65 generates a page image from the JPEG data in response to the JPEG file being associated with the selected PDF file (S33: Yes) (S34). On the other hand, the control program 65 generates a page image from the preview file according to the fact that the selected PDF file is not associated with the JPEG file and the preview file is associated (S33: No). S35). Furthermore, although illustration is omitted, the control program 65 determines whether the selected PDF file is not associated with the JPEG file and the preview file and is associated with the inversely converted file. Generate a page image.

  Next, the control program 65 receives a user operation for tapping the position of the check box and a user operation for tapping the position of the [print] icon via the operation unit 54 (S36). Then, the control program 65 indicates a page corresponding to the checked check box (hereinafter, referred to as “selected page”) in response to the position of the [print] icon being tapped (S36: Yes). Store page information. The page information is, for example, the page number of the selected page. In the present embodiment, the following processing will be described on the assumption that the [Print] icon is selected in a state where the check boxes corresponding to the page images of the fourth page, the fifth page, and the sixth page are checked.

  Next, the control program 65 determines whether or not the recording device indicated by the printer information is a PDF compatible printer (S37). Since this process is common to step S13 shown in FIG. 4, the description thereof will be omitted.

  Then, in response to determining that the recording device indicated by the printer information is a PDF-compatible printer (S37: Yes), the control program 65 transmits recording instruction information to the multifunction machine 10 through the communication unit 55 (S38). . The recording instruction information transmitted in step S38 is information for causing the printer unit 11 to record the image of the selected page in the selected PDF file on the recording paper. The recording instruction information includes a selected PDF file and page information indicating the selected page. The process of step S38 is an example of a third recording instruction process.

  Although not shown, the control program 35 of the multifunction machine 10 receives recording instruction information from the portable terminal through the communication unit 25. Then, the control program 35 causes the printer unit 11 to execute a recording process according to the received recording instruction information. Specifically, when receiving the recording instruction information in step S38, the control program 35 converts the selected page of the PDF file included in the recording instruction information into JPEG data, and records the image indicated by the JPEG data. What is necessary is just to make the printer part 11 record with respect to a paper.

  On the other hand, when the control program 65 determines that the recording device indicated by the printer information is not a PDF-compatible printer (S37: No), the JPEG file associated with the selected PDF file (hereinafter, “corresponding JPEG file”). Is stored in the data storage area 62B (S39). The process of step S39 is an example of a third determination process.

  Then, in response to determining that the corresponding JPEG file is stored in the data storage area 62B (S39: Yes), the control program 65 transmits the recording instruction information to the multifunction machine 10 through the communication unit 55 (S40). . The recording instruction information transmitted in step S40 is information for causing the printer unit 11 to record the image indicated by the corresponding JPEG file of the selected page on the recording paper. The recording instruction information includes the corresponding JPEG file of the selected page. The process of step S40 is an example of a first recording instruction process.

  Although not shown, when the control program 35 of the multifunction machine 10 receives the recording instruction information in step S40, the image indicated by the JPEG file included in the recording instruction information is recorded in the printer unit 11 on the recording paper. Let

  On the other hand, when the control program 65 of the portable terminal 50 determines that the corresponding JPEG file is not stored in the data storage area 62B (S39: No), conversion request information for requesting reverse conversion of the selected PDF file is displayed. The data is transmitted to the server 70 through the communication unit 55 (S41). The conversion request information includes the selected PDF file. Alternatively, the conversion request information may further include page information indicating the selected page, and may request reverse conversion of the selected page in the selected PDF file. The process of step S41 is an example of a conversion request process.

  Although not shown, the server 70 receives conversion request information from the portable terminal 50. Next, the server 70 causes the inverse conversion program to execute an inverse conversion process. The reverse conversion process is a process for converting the format of the selected PDF file included in the received conversion request information into the JPEG format and generating a converted file. Thereby, a plurality of reverse conversion files corresponding to each page included in the selected PDF file are generated. Then, the server 70 transmits the reverse conversion file generated by the reverse conversion program to the portable terminal 50. If page information is included in the conversion request information, the server 70 may reverse-convert only the selected page of the selected PDF file, or reverse-convert and select all the pages of the selected PDF file. Only the reverse conversion file corresponding to the page may be transmitted to the portable terminal 50.

  Next, the control program 65 of the portable terminal 50 receives the reverse conversion file from the server 70 through the communication unit 55 as a response to the conversion request information (S42). Then, the control program 65 transmits recording instruction information to the multifunction machine 10 through the communication unit 55 (S43). The recording instruction information transmitted in step S43 is information for causing the printer unit 11 to record the image indicated by the reverse conversion file of the selected page on the recording paper. The recording instruction information includes the reverse conversion file of the selected page among the reverse conversion files received from the server 70. The process of step S42 is an example of a reception process. The process of step S43 is an example of a second recording instruction process.

  Although not shown, when the control program 35 of the multifunction machine 10 receives the recording instruction information in step S43, the image indicated by the reverse conversion file included in the recording instruction information is transferred to the printer unit 11 with respect to the recording paper. Let me record.

  Further, the control program 65 stores the reverse conversion file received from the server 70 in the data storage area 62B in association with the selected PDF file (S44). The file name of the reverse conversion file is obtained by adding “(reverse)” to the head of the file name of the corresponding PDF file and changing the extension “.PDF” to “.JPEG”, for example. Further, the reverse conversion file stored in step S44 may be a reverse conversion file corresponding to all pages of the selected PDF file, or may be a reverse conversion file corresponding to the selected page. The process of step S44 is an example of a third storage process.

  The data storage area 62B may further store a PDF file not included in the correspondence information or the like. In this case, in step S31, the control program 65 may include the file name of the PDF file not included in the correspondence information or the like and the check box associated with each file name on the file selection screen. The control program 65 may accept a user operation for selecting a PDF file not included in the correspondence information or the like via the operation unit 24 in step S32.

  Further, the control program 65 may execute the same processes as steps S41 to S42 in the preview process when the selection of the PDF file not included in the correspondence information or the like is received. That is, the control program 65 instructs the server 70 to perform reverse conversion processing of the selected PDF file, and receives from the server 70 the reverse conversion file that has been reverse converted to the JPEG format. Then, the control program 65 generates a page image from the inversely converted file and displays a preview screen.

  Further, the control program 65 receives the reverse received from the server 70 before the preview process in response to the [Print] icon being selected on the preview screen of the PDF file not included in the correspondence information or the like (S36: Yes). You may perform the process of step S43, S44 using a conversion file.

[Effects of Embodiment]
According to the above embodiment, when there is a corresponding JPEG file corresponding to the selected PDF file, the recording instruction information including the corresponding JPEG file is transmitted to the multi-function device 10. As a result, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the throughput of the recording process due to the reverse conversion of the selected PDF file by the server 70. On the other hand, if there is no corresponding JPEG file, the server 70 reversely converts the selected PDF file. As a result, even when the corresponding JPEG file is not associated with the selected PDF file, the recording instruction information including the reverse conversion data is transmitted to the multifunction device 10.

  Further, the reverse conversion data stored in the data storage area 62B in step S44 may be included in the recording instruction information and transmitted to the multi function device 10 when the selected PDF file is selected again in step S32 after the next time. . As a result, when a PDF file that does not have a corresponding JPEG file is selected again, it is not necessary to cause the server 70 to perform reverse conversion processing, so that a reduction in throughput of recording processing can be suppressed.

  Further, according to the above embodiment, one of the JPEG file and the preview file is associated with the PDF file and stored in the data storage area 62B. Then, the page image indicated by the JPEG file or the preview file is displayed on the display unit 53 on the preview screen. As a result, the recording process can be executed after the user confirms the desired page of the desired file.

  Also, the PDF file, JPEG file, preview file, and reverse conversion file shown in FIG. 3A differ in data format, resolution, etc., but their contents are substantially the same. Therefore, only the file names of the PDF files among the PDF files, JPEG files, preview files, and reverse conversion files associated with each other are displayed in a list on the preview screen. As a result, the user is prevented from being confused by the presence of a plurality of data having the same contents and different data formats.

  Further, according to the above-described embodiment, when the inverse conversion program can inversely convert a PDF file, or when the amount of data stored in the data storage area 62B is equal to or larger than the threshold, the corresponding JPEG file is stored in the data storage area. It is not stored in 62B. It is suppressed that the storage capacity of the data storage area 62B is excessively compressed.

  In addition, the processing capacity of the inverse conversion program may be improved afterwards due to the addition of the server 70 or the improvement of functions. For this reason, a PDF file that could not be reversely converted at the time of saving may become reversely convertible afterwards. Therefore, in step S17, by deleting the JPEG file or the like associated with the PDF file that can be reversely converted later, the storage capacity of the data storage area 62B is suppressed from being excessively compressed. Note that the process of step S17 may be further executed at any timing such as before and after step S20 or before and after step S44.

  Further, when the multifunction machine 10 indicated by the printer information is a PDF-compatible printer, the corresponding JPEG file is not saved in the image reading process, and the processes in steps S39 to S44 are omitted in the image recording process. As a result, it is possible to suppress the storage capacity of the data storage area 62B from being excessively pressed and to suppress a decrease in the throughput of the recording process.

  Note that, according to the above-described embodiment, the example in which the processing illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 is executed by the mobile terminal 50 connected to the multifunction machine 10 and the server 70 through the communication network has been described. However, the form of the recording system 100 is not limited to this. For example, at least one of the portable terminal 50 and the server 70 may be omitted.

  As an example, the inverse conversion program may be executed by the mobile terminal 50. The processing capability in this case varies depending on the clock frequency of the CPU 61 or the storage capacity of the data storage area 62B used as a work area. As another example, various types of information illustrated in FIG. 3A may be stored in a storage server or the like accessible by the mobile terminal 50 via a communication network. As yet another example, the processes of FIGS. 4 and 5 may be executed by the multifunction device 10. That is, the multifunction machine 10 may acquire a JPEG file from the scanner unit 12 connected through the communication bus 33 and cause the printer unit 11 connected through the communication bus 33 to execute a recording process.

  In the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 according to the embodiment, the CPU 31 and 61 execute various programs stored in the program storage areas 32A and 62A of the storage units 32 and 62, thereby executing the control unit of the present invention. An example in which each process is realized has been described. However, the configuration of the control unit is not limited to this, and part or all of the configuration may be realized by hardware such as an integrated circuit (also referred to as an IC (Integrated Circuit)).

  Furthermore, the present invention may be realized not only as the multifunction device 10 and the portable terminal 50 but also as a program that causes the multifunction device 10 and the portable terminal 50 to execute processing. Then, the program may be provided by being recorded on a non-transitory recording medium. The non-transitory recording medium may include a storage unit mounted on a server that can be connected to the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 via a communication network, in addition to a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, and the like. And the program memorize | stored in the memory | storage part of the server may be delivered via communication networks, such as the internet, as the information or signal which shows the said program.

10: MFP 11 ... printer unit 12 ... scanner unit 31, 61 ... CPU
53 ... Display unit 54 ... Operation unit 25, 55 ... Communication unit 32, 62 ... Storage unit 35, 65 ... Control program 50 ... Mobile terminal 70 ... Server 100 ...・ Recording system

Claims (13)

Connected to an operation unit, a reading device that reads an image recorded on a document to generate first format data, and a recording device that executes a recording process for recording an image indicated by the first format data on a sheet A computer executable program,
A first data acquisition process for acquiring first data in the first format from the reader;
A conversion process for converting the first data into second data in a second format different from the first format;
A first storage process for storing the first data and the second data in association with each other;
A reception process for receiving a user operation for selecting data to be subjected to the recording process via the operation unit;
In response to accepting the selection of the second data in the accepting process, a first image that causes the recording apparatus to record an image indicated by the first data stored in association with the second data on the sheet. A program that causes the computer to execute recording instruction processing. The computer further includes a storage unit,
The program
A capability information acquisition process for acquiring capability information related to the processing capability of an inverse conversion program for inversely converting the second data into the inverse conversion data of the first format;
A first determination process for determining whether the inverse conversion program can inversely convert the second data based on the capability information;
The program according to claim 1, wherein the first storage process is executed by the computer in response to the determination that the reverse conversion is impossible in the first determination process. The program
A second determination process for determining whether the amount of data stored in the storage unit is less than a threshold;
The first storage process is caused to be executed by the computer in response to determining that the reverse conversion is impossible in the first determination process and determining in the second determination process that the data amount is less than the threshold. Item 3. The program according to item 2. The program
A generation process for generating preview data in which the data amount of the first data is reduced in accordance with the determination that the reverse conversion is possible in the first determination process;
The program according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the computer executes a second storage process in which the second data and the preview data are associated with each other and stored in the storage unit. The program
In response to the fact that the recording device cannot record the image indicated by the data in the second format on the sheet, the computer executes the first determination process,
Generation processing for generating preview data in which the data amount of the first data is reduced in response to the fact that the recording apparatus can record the image represented by the data in the second format on a sheet;
The program according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the computer executes a second storage process in which the second data and the preview data are associated with each other and stored in the storage unit. The computer further includes a display unit,
The program
Of the first data and the second data stored in the storage unit, a list display process for displaying only a list of identification information for identifying the second data on the display unit,
The accepting process for accepting a user operation for selecting one of the identification information displayed in a list on the display unit via the operation unit;
A preview process for causing the display unit to display an image indicated by the first data or the preview data associated with the second data identified by the identification information received by the reception process. The program according to claim 4 or 5, which is executed by a computer. The computer further includes a communication unit,
The communication unit is
The recording device;
Communicate with a server capable of executing the inverse transformation program;
The program
A third determination process for determining whether the first data associated with the second data is stored in the storage unit in response to receiving the selection of the second data in the reception process; Causing the computer to execute,
In response to determining in the third determination process that the first data is stored, the first recording instruction process is executed by the computer,
In response to determining in the third determination process that the first data is not stored, the conversion request information for reversely converting the selected second data is transmitted to the server through the communication unit. Conversion request processing;
Inverse conversion data reception processing for receiving the inverse conversion data as a response to the conversion request information from the server through the communication unit;
7. The computer according to claim 2, further comprising: a second recording instruction process for transmitting recording instruction information for recording an image indicated by the inversely converted data on a sheet to the recording apparatus through the communication unit. The program described in   The program causes the computer to perform a third storage process in which the inversely transformed data received in the inversely transformed data reception process is stored in the storage unit in association with the second data that has been selected in the accepting process. The program according to claim 7 to be executed. The program
The recording instruction information for recording the image indicated by the second data on the sheet in response to the fact that the recording device can record the image indicated by the second format data on the sheet through the communication unit. Causing the computer to execute a third recording instruction process to be transmitted to the apparatus;
The program according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the computer executes the third determination process in response to the fact that the recording apparatus cannot record the image indicated by the second format data on a sheet. The program
A second determination process for determining whether the amount of data stored in the storage unit is equal to or greater than a threshold;
When the second determination process determines that the data amount is equal to or greater than the threshold, the first data associated with the second data that can be inversely converted by the inverse conversion program is stored from the storage unit. The program according to any one of claims 2 to 9, which causes the computer to execute a deletion process to be deleted. The processing capability indicated by the capability information indicates at least one of the number of pages of the second data that can be inversely converted by the inverse conversion program, and the amount of data of the second data that can be inversely converted,
The program according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein in the first determination process, the capability information is compared with at least one of the number of pages of the second data and the data amount to determine whether reverse conversion is possible. The program described in An operation unit;
A communication department;
A control unit, and
The communication unit is
A reading device that reads an image recorded on a document and generates data in a first format;
It is possible to communicate with a recording apparatus that executes a recording process for recording an image represented by the first format data on a sheet,
The controller is
A first data acquisition process for acquiring the first data in the first format from the reading device through the communication unit;
A conversion process for converting the first data into second data in a second format different from the first format;
A first storage process for storing the first data and the second data in association with each other;
A reception process for receiving a user operation for selecting data to be subjected to the recording process via the operation unit;
In response to accepting the selection of the second data in the accepting process, a first image that causes the recording apparatus to record an image indicated by the first data stored in association with the second data on the sheet. An information processing apparatus that executes recording instruction processing. An operation unit;
A reading device that reads an image recorded on a document and generates data in a first format;
A recording apparatus for executing a recording process for recording an image represented by the data in the first format on a sheet;
A recording system comprising a control unit,
The controller is
A first data acquisition process for acquiring the first data from the reader;
A conversion process for converting the first data into second data in a second format different from the first format;
A first storage process for storing the first data and the second data in association with each other;
A reception process for receiving a user operation for selecting data to be subjected to the recording process via the operation unit;
In response to accepting the selection of the second data in the accepting process, a first image that causes the recording apparatus to record an image indicated by the first data stored in association with the second data on the sheet. A recording system for executing recording instruction processing.

Images