JP3404690B2 - Copier management system - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a copying machine management system capable of connecting a plurality of digital copying machines to a communication line and mutually transmitting and receiving image information.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a facsimile apparatus has been put into practical use as a means for sending image information to a remote place. However, in a system such as a facsimile in which data is directly transmitted to the other party, when image information is to be sent to a large number of parties, it is necessary to perform transmission operations as many as the number of parties. On the other hand, a digital copying machine has been developed as a copying machine, and it is easy to send and receive by converting the image information of a document into a digital signal. Copiers are enlarged / reduced compared to facsimile machines.
Since it has many functions such as double-sided copying function, if a copier management system that can connect multiple digital copiers and send and receive image information to each other is established, many functions will be provided to each other. It can be used effectively.
In view of such a fact, the applicant of the present invention is composed of a plurality of digital copying machines connected to a communication line and one server, and the plurality of copying machines connected to the communication line regularly access the server. Then, a copier management system that takes in the received information of itself is proposed as Japanese Patent Application No. 8-197167.

[0003]

In the copying machine management system described above, when the functions of the copying machine of the transmission destination are set, when it is desired to transmit to a plurality of transmission destinations, each transmission destination is Function settings are made respectively. On the other hand, if it is possible to set functions to multiple destinations at the same time, the copiers of a plurality of destinations must have exactly the same functions. If there are copiers that do not have the functions, the functions that can be set collectively will be limited.

The present invention has been made in view of the above facts, and the first technical problem is that a copying machine which can output in some form even if the copying machine of the transmission destination does not have the set function. To provide a management system.

A second technical problem of the present invention is that, even when the copy machine of the transmission destination does not have a function to be set, if a similar result is obtained by performing a substitute process with another function, the second technical problem arises. It is to provide a copier management system capable of expanding the range of functions that can be designated by executing the functions.

[0006]

According to the present invention, in order to solve the above first technical problem, a copying machine comprising a plurality of digital copying machines connected to a communication line and one server. In the management system, the server includes an image file directory including an image file storing image data transmitted from each digital copying machine and a document header file storing processing information regarding the image data, and each digital copying machine. A client directory including a reception header management file that is created for each image and stores management data relating to image data to be received, and a function list file that stores the functions of the digital copying machine and substitute processing function data In this digital copying machine, the image scanner unit for scanning the original to be transmitted and the transmission partner are designated. An input unit having a transmission partner designating unit and a processing function designating unit for designating a processing function of a document to be transmitted, a display unit for displaying information input from the input unit, and image data to be received are stored. Memory part,
A print unit for printing the received image data and a control unit are provided, and the control unit communicates with the server at the time of transmission and sends the image data scanned by the image scanner unit to the image file in the image file directory of the server. And write the processing function designated by the processing function designation means to the document header file, and at the same time, the management data relating to the image data is stored in the reception header management file of the client directory of the transmission partner designated by the transmission partner designation means. When writing or receiving, it periodically accesses the reception header management file in the client directory of the server to check whether there is image data to receive, and if there is image data to receive, it stores it in the image file directory. Accessed and stored in the image file The corresponding image data is stored in the memory unit, and when the image data stored in the memory unit has a designated function, the designated functional procedure is executed to provide the designated function. If there is no alternative processing function, the alternative processing is executed, and if no alternative processing function is provided, the image data stored in the memory section is instructed to be printed by the printing section.
A copying machine management system is provided.

Further, according to the present invention, in order to solve the second technical problem, the control unit stores the function list file in the client directory of each digital copying machine designated by the transmission destination designation unit. It is equipped with a processing function selecting means for selecting a function which can be processed or replaced by each digital copying machine designated by the transmission destination designating means on the basis of the stored function and alternative processing function data, and the transmission destination at the time of transmission. When the transmission partner finger is designated by the designating means, the function possessed by each digital copying machine and the substitute processing function data are fetched from the function list file of the specified client directory by accessing the server and processing function Function that the selection means can process or substitute by each digital copying machine The selected function is displayed on the display unit, and if the processing function is designated from the displayed functions by the processing function designating unit, the image data scanned by the image scanner unit is displayed. Write to the image file in the image file directory of the server, write the processing function designated by the processing function designation means to the document header file, and manage the reception header of the client directory of the transmission destination designated by the transmission destination designation means. Write the management data related to the image data to the file, and at the time of reception, periodically check the reception header management file in the client directory of the server to check whether there is image data to be received. If there is, access to the image file directory Then, the corresponding image data stored in the image file is stored in the memory unit, and when the image data stored in the memory unit has the function specified, the specified function action is executed. Provided is a copying machine management system which, when it does not have a designated function, issues a print command to the printing unit to print after executing substitution processing.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The preferred embodiments of a copying machine management system constructed according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the illustrated embodiment, each unit in an organization such as a company or a government office
An example of a copying machine management system in which a plurality of copying machines are connected by a so-called LAN (local area network) connecting the sections with a communication line will be described.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a copying machine management system constructed according to the present invention. The copier management system includes a plurality of digital copiers (DPPCs) 2, which are arranged in respective departments / sections connected to a LAN as a communication line.
.. and one server 4.

The server 4 is composed of, for example, a personal computer and is installed in a predetermined department of the organization. This server 4 has a management directory as described below. As shown in FIG. 2, the management directory is a client list file that stores the departments of the registered copying machines 2, ... And the clients created for each registered department of the copying machines 2 ,. A directory and an image file directory for storing image data and the like transmitted from each copying machine 2 ,.

The client directory is provided for each copying machine, that is, for each department to which each copying machine is installed, and has a transmission header management file, a reception header management file, and a function list file. The transmission header management file stores transmission information from the corresponding copying machine, such as the total number of transmission header files, the document header file name, the transmission date, the transmission time, and the transmission destination bit. Note that the document header file name is automatically given a number obtained from a serial number file described later. The received header management file contains the total number of received documents (image information) received from other copying machines, the document header file name,
Reception management information such as the number of copies, the number of pages already output, and the output progress of the received document is stored. The function list file has the functions of the corresponding copying machine, that is, the maximum copyable size, the resolution, the image data compression method, the minimum zoom value,
The functions of the corresponding copying machine, such as maximum zoom value, original mode, double-sided mode, sorter, composite mode, movement, binding margin, date and time insertion, character insertion, numbering, etc., and the above functions themselves are not provided. A function capable of alternative processing (alternative processing function) is stored. This substitute processing function is, for example, a function of outputting two originals on one side of one transfer sheet although it does not have a double-sided mode function.

The image file directory includes a plurality of document header files, a plurality of image files, and a serial number file. The document header file is created each time it is sent, and the management information and processing information of the image file is sent in units of documents sent from each copying machine, that is, the total number of documents sent from each copying machine (specified. Number of recipients) and total number of pages, number of pages to be written, specified magnification, binding position, binding width, original mode, date insertion, finisher, double-sided copying, image file name (1 to 1
n) and the like are stored. The image file name is automatically given a number obtained from a serial number file described later. The image file stores full-size actual data of transmission information. The image file is created page by page. Therefore, when there are a plurality of originals in one transmission, the number of image files corresponding to the number of originals is created. Then, the number obtained from the serial number file described later is automatically attached to the image file as the image file name. The serial number file manages the serial number used as the next document header file name and image file name.

Next, each of the copying machines 2 will be described with reference to FIG. The copying machine 2 is composed of a digital copying machine, and has an image scanner section 21 for reading an original.
An image processor unit (IPU) 22 and a printing unit 2
3, a control unit 24, a memory unit 25, a network unit 26, an operation unit 27, and a display unit 28.

The image scanner unit 21 includes an automatic document feeder for feeding a document to be copied or transmitted by the copying machine 2, an image pickup unit composed of a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) line image sensor, and an image processing unit. Is scanned relative to the document to read the document image line by line in the document conveying direction (row direction of the document), and the read data is subjected to predetermined image processing as a digital signal, and then the image processor unit (IPU)
Output to 22

The image processor unit (IPU) 22 is
The image data input from the image scanner unit 21 is subjected to gradation processing, and when it is copied as it is, it is output to the printing unit 23. Further, the image processor unit (IPU) 22 is
When the image data input from the image scanner unit 21 is transmitted to another copying machine, the image data subjected to gradation processing is output to the control unit 24.

In the illustrated embodiment, the printing section 23 outputs a modulation signal generated based on the image information read by the image scanner section 21 and the constituent data of the image information transmitted from another copying machine. A laser optical unit that converts and outputs the laser light, a developing unit that visualizes the latent image of the print image formed by the laser light emitted from the laser optical unit, and the visualized print image on the recording paper. The laser printer includes a transfer unit that transfers and forms an image and a fixing unit that fixes the print image transferred and formed on a recording sheet.

The control unit 24 has a central processing unit (CPU) 241, which performs arithmetic processing according to a predetermined processing program, a ROM (Read Only) which stores a processing program for executing a copying function and a transmission / reception function, and various processing data. M
emory) 242, a RAM (Random Access Mem) for temporarily storing the processing result etc. calculated according to the above processing program
ory) 243 is built in. The control unit 24 temporarily stores the image data input from the image processor unit (IPU) 22 in the memory unit 25, and then executes the functional processing shared by the transmission side, and the network unit 26.
Output to. In addition, after temporarily storing the image data received via the network unit 26 in the memory unit 25,
The designated functional processing is performed and output to the printing unit 23.

The memory unit 25 temporarily stores image data, and is a RAM (Random Accece) built in the control unit 24.
ss Memory) 243 may be used.

The network unit 26 includes a control unit 24.
The image data input from the server is transmitted to the server 4 via the LAN. Also, the image data received from the server 4 via the LAN is sent to the control unit 24.

The operation unit 27 is provided with a transmission partner setting key as a transmission partner setting means, a processing function setting key as a processing function setting means, a transmission start key, various input keys such as a ten-key pad, and the transmission partner and various processing functions. Input copy conditions such as
Instructions such as start / stop of copying and start / stop of transmission are set and input to the control unit 24.

The display unit 28 includes an LCD, an LED, etc.,
Display copy conditions and current operation.
The display unit 28 also displays the contents of the function list of another copying machine.

Each of the copying machines 2 and the server 4 constituting the copying machine management system in the illustrated embodiment is configured as described above, and the transmission and reception operations of each copying machine will be described below with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. The description will be made also with reference to the flowchart.

First, the control section 24 in the copying machine on the transmission side.
The transmission operation will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG. When transmitting the image information, the operator performs a transmitting operation (step S0). That is, when the operator sets a document to be transmitted to the automatic document conveying section of the image scanner section 21, starts communication with the server 4, and inputs a transmission partner (reception side) from the transmission partner designating means of the operation section 27, The control unit 24 searches the function list file in the client directory corresponding to the transmission partner (reception side) of the server 4, and temporarily stores the corresponding function data in the RAM 243 (step S1). Next, the control unit 24 displays the function of the copying machine on the receiving side and the presence / absence of the substitution process as shown in FIG. 6, for example, based on the function data (step S2). In addition,
In FIG. 6, the circles have corresponding functions, and the triangles
The mark has a substitute processing function of the corresponding function, ×
The mark indicates that it does not have a substitute processing function of the corresponding function. Therefore, the operator sees this, the transmission partner (reception side) that has the function that the operator wants to specify, the transmission partner (reception side) that has the substitution processing function, and the transmission partner (reception side) that does not have the substitution processing function. ) Can be confirmed. Then, the control unit 24 confirms that the operator has designated the function to be processed by the processing function designating means of the operation unit 27 (step S3) and pressed the transmission start key (ON) (step S4). ), The process proceeds to step S5 and the image scanner unit 21
The command to start reading the original is issued. Based on a document reading start command from the control unit 24, the image scanner unit 2
Reference numeral 1 denotes the image processor unit (IPU) 22 as a digital signal after starting reading of an original document and performing predetermined image processing for each page of read data.
Output to. The image processor unit (IPU) 22 is
When used as a copying machine, the image data input from the image scanner section 21 is output to the printing section 23 as it is. When the image processor unit (IPU) 22 needs to be edited, the image processor unit 22 performs a predetermined editing process on the image data and outputs the image data to the printing unit 23. When transmitting to another copying machine, the image processor unit (IPU) 22
Outputs the image data input from the image scanner unit 21 to the control unit 24.

As described above, the control unit 24, which has input the copying conditions and the image data, creates an image file for each page based on the image data input from the image processor unit (IPU) 22, and stores the image file in the memory unit. It is temporarily stored in 25 (step S6). Next, the control unit 24 proceeds to step S7 to copy the image data from the network unit 26 to the image file in the image file directory of the server 4 via the LAN. The control unit 24 deletes the image data temporarily stored in the memory unit 25 after copying the image file to the image file directory of the server 4. Then, in step S8, the control unit 24 creates a document header file based on the management information input from the operation unit 27, the processing function, and the data read by the image scanner unit 21, and the image file directory of the server 4 is created. Write to the document header file of. Next, the control unit 24 proceeds to step S9 to write the transmission information in the transmission header management file of the transmission side client directory, and further proceeds to step S10 to store the reception management information in the reception header management file of the reception side client directory. Write. In this way, the transmitting operation of the transmitting copying machine is completed.

Next, the receiving operation of the copying machine on the receiving side will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
Each copying machine periodically communicates with the server 4 to check its own client directory. The control unit 24 of each copying machine accesses its own client directory of the server 4, checks the total number of received documents in the received header management file, and confirms whether or not there is received data (step P1), and then receives the received data. If there is no data, step P
After proceeding to step 2, the presence or absence of received data is checked again after a lapse of a predetermined time. If there is received data in step P1, the control section 24 proceeds to step P3 to obtain the document header file name from its own received header management file. When the document header file name to be received is obtained in this way, the control unit 24 proceeds to step P4 to access the image file directory and obtain the corresponding image file from the document header file name. There is one image file in the image file directory for each page. Then, the control unit 24 proceeds to step P
5, the image data of the corresponding image file name is fetched and temporarily stored in the memory unit 25. Next, the control unit 24 proceeds to step P6 to check whether or not the processing function (designated function) written in the document header file is provided, and if it has the designated function. In step P7, the designated functional process is executed for the image data stored in the memory section 25, and in step P8, the printing section 23 is instructed to print. If the processing function (designated function) written in the document header file is not provided in step P6, the control unit 24 proceeds to step P9 to determine whether the substitution process of the designated function is possible. If it is possible to perform the substitution process, the process proceeds to step P10 to execute the substitution process of the designated function with respect to the image data stored in the memory unit 25, and the process proceeds to step P8 to issue a print command to the printing unit 23. To do. As an alternative process, for example, when the double-sided copy mode for A4 transfer paper is designated, the front and back of A4 are output on one side of the A3 transfer paper. When the substitute process of the function specified in step P9 cannot be performed, the control unit 24 does not execute the process corresponding to the function specified for the image data stored in the memory unit 25 (step P11), and proceeds to step P8. Print section 23
Command to print. When the printing unit 23 prints out the corresponding image data, the control unit 24 subtracts "1" from the total number of received documents in the reception header management file, deletes the corresponding management information, and distributes the total number of document header files. Is decremented by "1" and the total number of distribution becomes zero (0) (in the case of the last recipient of the designated transmission partner), the corresponding image file is deleted. In this way, the receiving operation of the receiving copying machine is completed.

Next, another embodiment of the copying machine management system constructed according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the control unit 24 installed in the copying machine 2 stores the function list file in the client directory of each transmission partner (digital copying machine) designated by the transmission destination designating means. A processing function selecting means 244 for selecting a function that can be processed or replaced by each digital copying machine designated by the transmission partner designating means is built in based on the selected function and the substitute processing function data. Hereinafter, the transmission and reception operations of each copying machine 2 that constitutes the copying machine management system in this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.

First, the control unit 24 in the copying machine on the transmission side
The transmission operation will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG. When transmitting the image information, the transmission operation is performed by the operator (step S00). At this time, when the transmission partner (reception side) is input from the transmission partner designation means of the operation unit 27, the control unit 24 searches the function list file of the client directory corresponding to the transmission partner (reception side) of the server 4 and applies the search. RAM for function data
It is temporarily stored in 243 (step S01). Next, the control unit 24 displays the functions that can be processed by the receiving side and the alternative processing functions designated based on the above-mentioned function data, as shown in FIG. 10 (step S02). At this time, if even one of the transmission partners (reception side) does not have a substitute processing function, that function is not displayed. Note that, in FIG. 10, a circle mark has a corresponding function, and a triangle mark has a substitute processing function of the corresponding function. Further, the zoom value indicates a reduction / enlargement range, and when a value exceeding this range is designated, the minimum value or the maximum value is set as the substitute processing value, respectively.
Therefore, if the displayed function is set, the designated transmission partner (reception side) can always execute the designated function or the alternative process. Then, the control unit 24 confirms that the operator has designated the function to be processed by the processing function designating means of the operation unit 27 (step S03) and pressed the transmission start key (ON) (step S04). ), The process proceeds to step S05, and the image scanner unit 21 is instructed to start reading the original. And
After that, the control unit 24 performs steps S06 to S010.
Perform each step of. Note that steps S06 to S010 are the same as step S6 in the above embodiment.
Since the operation is the same as that of step S10, the description thereof will be omitted.

Next, the receiving operation of the copying machine on the receiving side will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
Note that steps P01 to P05 in this embodiment are the same operations as steps P1 to P5 in the above-described embodiment, and therefore description thereof will be omitted. If the image data of the corresponding image file name is fetched and temporarily stored in the memory unit 25 by executing the above steps P01 to P05, the control unit 24
Goes to Step P06, checks whether or not it has the processing function (designated function) written in the document header file, and if it has the designated function, it goes to Step P07. Then, the specified functional processing is executed for the image data stored in the memory unit 25,
In step P08, the print command is issued to the print unit 23. If the processing function (designated function) written in the document header file is not provided in step P06, the control unit 24 proceeds to step P09 to designate the image data stored in the memory unit 25. The function replacement process is executed, and the process proceeds to step P8 to issue a print command to the print unit 23. In this way, the receiving operation of the receiving copying machine is completed.

[0029]

Since the copying machine management system according to the present invention is constructed as described above, it has the following operational effects.

That is, according to the present invention, the control unit equipped in each copying machine connected to the communication line periodically accesses and receives the reception header management file in the client directory of the server when receiving. It is checked whether or not there is image data, and if there is image data to be received, the image file directory is accessed to store the corresponding image data stored in the image file in the memory section, and at the same time, in the memory section. If the stored image data has the specified function, execute the specified function treatment, and if the stored image data does not have the specified function, perform the replacement process if it has the replacement processing function. Run and
When the alternative processing function is not provided, the image data stored in the memory unit is instructed to print to the printing unit. Therefore, even if the specified function is not provided, the alternative processing function is provided. If the substitute processing function is not provided, it can be output without performing the substitute processing. Therefore, even if the copy machine of the transmission destination does not have the set function, it can be output in some form. Further, according to the present invention, the control unit displays the function and the alternative processing function stored in the function list file of the client directory designated by the transmission destination designation unit at the time of transmission on the display unit. The operator confirms the transmission partner (reception side) that has the function that you want to specify, the transmission partner (reception side) that has the alternative processing function, and the transmission partner (reception side) that does not have the alternative processing function. can do.

Further, according to the present invention, the control section equipped in each copying machine connected to the communication line is stored in the function list file of the client directory of the digital copying machine designated by the transmission partner designating means. It is equipped with processing function selection means for selecting a function that can be processed or replaced by each digital copying machine designated by the transmission partner designation means based on the function and alternative processing function data. When the finger of the other party is designated, the server accesses the server and fetches the function and alternative processing function data of each digital copying machine from the function list file of the specified client directory, and the processing function selection means Select and select functions that can be processed or replaced by each digital copier. Having been a function to display on the display unit, transmission destination (recipient) that has been designated by setting the displayed functions can perform the specified functions or substituting process always.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a copying machine management system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a management directory included in a server that constitutes the copying machine management system according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration block diagram showing an embodiment of a copying machine forming a copying machine management system according to the present invention.

4 is a flowchart showing a transmission operation of a control unit of the copying machine shown in FIG.

5 is a flowchart showing a receiving operation of a control unit of the copying machine shown in FIG.

6 is a diagram showing an example of a functional processable range displayed on a display unit of the copying machine shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration block diagram showing another embodiment of a copying machine that constitutes the copying machine management system according to the present invention.

8 is a flowchart showing a transmission operation of a control unit of the copying machine shown in FIG.

9 is a flowchart showing a receiving operation of a control unit of the copying machine shown in FIG.

10 is a diagram showing an example of a functional processable range displayed on the display unit of the copying machine shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

2: Digital copier 4: Server 21: Image scanner section 22: Image processor unit (IPU) 23: Printing section 24: Control unit 25: Memory section 26: Network unit 27: Operation unit 28: Display

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-8-163301 (JP, A) JP-A-8-223401 (JP, A) JP-A-6-233040 (JP, A) (58) Field (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04N 1/00-1/00 108

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A copying machine management system comprising a plurality of digital copying machines connected to a communication line and one server, wherein the server stores image data transmitted from each digital copying machine. An image file directory including an image file and a document header file that stores processing information related to the image data, a reception header management file that stores management data related to image data that is created and received by each digital copying machine, and the digital copy The digital copier includes an image scanner unit for scanning an original to be transmitted, and a client directory having a function list file storing the functions of the copying machine and alternative processing function data. Sending party specifying means for specifying the other party and a processing machine for specifying the processing function of the original to be transmitted And with a specified unit input unit, a display unit for displaying information or the like inputted from the input unit, a memory unit for storing the image data received, a printing unit for printing image data received,
A control unit, the control unit communicates with the server at the time of transmission, writes the image data scanned by the image scanner unit into an image file in the image file directory of the server, and is designated by the processing function designation unit. The processing function described above is written in the document header file, and the management data relating to the image data is written in the reception header management file of the client directory of the transmission partner designated by the transmission destination designating means. Access the reception header management file in the client directory to check whether there is image data to be received, and if there is image data to receive, access the image file directory and store the corresponding image file. Image data to be stored in the memory unit In addition, when the image data stored in the memory unit has a specified function, the specified function treatment is executed, and when the image data stored in the memory unit does not have the specified function, an alternative processing function is provided. If so, execute the alternative process,
A copier management system characterized in that when it does not have an alternative processing function, the image data stored in the memory unit is instructed to print to the printing unit. 2. The control unit displays the function stored in the function list file of the client directory designated by the transmission destination designation unit and the substitute processing function at the time of transmission on the display unit. Copy machine management system. 3. A copying machine management system comprising a plurality of digital copying machines connected to a communication line and one server, wherein the server stores image data transmitted from each digital copying machine. An image file directory including an image file and a document header file that stores processing information related to the image data, a reception header management file that stores management data related to image data that is created and received by each digital copying machine, and the digital copy The digital copier includes an image scanner unit for scanning an original to be transmitted, and a client directory having a function list file storing the functions of the copying machine and alternative processing function data. Sending party specifying means for specifying the other party and a processing machine for specifying the processing function of the original to be transmitted And with a specified unit input unit, a display unit for displaying information or the like inputted from the input unit, a memory unit for storing the image data received, a printing unit for printing image data received,
And a control unit, the control unit based on the function and alternative processing function data stored in the function list file of the client directory of the digital copying machine designated by the transmission destination designation unit. A processing function selecting means for selecting a function that can be processed or replaced by each digital copying machine specified by the server, and if the transmission partner finger is designated by the transmission partner designating means at the time of transmission, the server By accessing the designated function list file in the client directory and fetching the function and substitute processing function data of each digital copying machine, and the processing function selecting means performs processing or replacement by each digital copying machine. A function that can be processed is selected, the selected function is displayed on the display unit, and processing is performed. If a processing function is designated from the displayed functions by the function designating means, the image data scanned by the image scanner unit is written in an image file in the image file directory of the server, and the processing function designating means is written. Writing the processing function designated by the document header file, writing management data relating to the image data in the reception header management file of the client directory of the transmission partner designated by the transmission partner designating means, and periodically receiving the management data when receiving. Check whether there is image data to be received by accessing the reception header management file in the server's own client directory,
When there is image data to be received, the image file directory is accessed, the corresponding image data stored in the image file is stored in the memory unit, and the image data stored in the memory unit is designated. If it has a function, the specified function action is executed, and if it does not have the specified function, a print command is given to the print unit to print after executing the alternative process. Copier management system.