JP3618883B2 - Image processing method and image processing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image processing method and an image processing apparatus for executing a job stored in a removable storage medium.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image electronic file device is known in which input image data is stored as a file in a memory that can be electrically stored, and can be managed for each file.
[0003]
Conventional image electronic file devices used in, for example, a stand-alone device include a scanner for reading an original document image, a printer for recording and outputting image data on a recording paper, a display for displaying an image, and various processes. It comprises a controller for controlling and a storage device for storing image data as a file.
[0004]
By the way, in recent years, a scanner and printer of a digital copying machine can also be used, and a modem can be added to be used as a facsimile machine, or a printer unit of a digital copying machine can be used as a computer interface. In addition, a multi-function machine capable of developing code data from a computer into bitmap data and printing it out has been put into practical use.
[0005]
Such compounding has a plurality of functions such as a copying function, a facsimile function, a printer formatter function, an image electronic file function, and an image memory function as described in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-130311. It is moving toward higher added value so as to be configured as one unit.
[0006]
In such a multifunction device, the scanner unit and printer unit owned by each function are shared, thereby saving space, reducing costs, increasing functionality, and the like.
[0007]
Further, conventionally, in a copying machine, it has been possible to sort or staple the copy output result of a document using a sorter or a staple sorter.
[0008]
Also, when sorting or stapling is performed when image data of a desired file is read from the recording device and recorded on recording paper by a printer, the output specified by setting an output mode such as sorting or stapling from the operation unit It was possible to output in mode.
[0009]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, when setting the output mode from the operation unit as described above, while one user is performing the setting operation, other users cannot use the device, and the user who is operating occupies the device. There was a problem of doing.
[0010]
Therefore, a job file representing the image to be processed and the processing content is created using an external storage device connected to a personal computer located far from the composite image processing device, and stored in a storage medium. By inserting the storage medium into the external storage device of the composite image processing apparatus, it may be possible to perform a desired process on a desired image without performing complicated operations on the operation unit. However, in this case, since the job processing mode is set away from the composite image processing apparatus, the set job processing mode may include a processing mode that cannot be executed by the composite image processing apparatus. There is a problem that the entire system may not be able to proceed with normal data processing due to the processing mode.
[0011]
SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it is a job to be executed by an image processing apparatus and is stored in a storage medium that is detachable from the image processing apparatus. Even if there are jobs that cannot be executed by the image processing device among the multiple jobs, the entire device can be processed smoothly by sequentially executing the jobs that can be executed without executing the jobs that are not executed. An object is to provide an image processing method and an image processing apparatus.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to a first aspect of the present invention, in an image processing method in an image processing apparatus that executes a job stored in a removable storage medium, when the storage medium is attached to the image processing apparatus, the image processing apparatus Whether or not the job that is to be executed in step S1 is associated with image information and processing information indicating a predetermined processing mode to be executed for the image information is stored in the storage medium. If the first determination step determines that the job to be executed by the image processing apparatus is stored in the storage medium, the first determination step determines whether the image processing apparatus stores the job. A second determination step for sequentially determining, for each of the plurality of jobs, whether or not the predetermined processing mode for the plurality of jobs is executable based on the processing information for the plurality of jobs. A processing step of processing the image information relating to the job in the predetermined processing mode indicated by the processing information corresponding to the image information, wherein the job is determined not to be executed in the second determination step. And a processing step of sequentially executing a plurality of jobs determined to be executable in the second determination step without executing step.
[0013]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a display step for displaying information for specifying the job determined to be unexecutable in the second determination step.
[0014]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a display step for displaying the processing information associated with the job determined to be unexecutable in the second determination step.
[0015]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a deletion step of deleting the job executed in the processing step from the storage medium.
[0016]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, when the storage medium is mounted on the image processing apparatus, if predetermined authentication information is not input, the job is not executed in the processing step.
[0017]
In a sixth aspect of the present invention, the predetermined processing is image recording processing on recording paper, the processing information is information relating to image recording processing on the recording paper, and the processing step includes the step of The image recording process according to information related to the image recording process corresponding to the image information is executed based on the image information relating to the job stored in a storage medium.
[0018]
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the second determination step, when the information related to the image recording process related to the job is information indicating an image recording process that cannot be executed in the processing step, It is determined that the image recording process related to the job is not executed.
[0019]
According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in an image processing apparatus for executing a job stored in a removable storage medium, image information and processing information indicating a predetermined processing mode to be executed on the image information; Processing means for executing the job associated with the processing information, the processing means for processing the image information relating to the job in the predetermined processing mode indicated by the processing information corresponding to the image information, and the storage medium Is mounted on the image processing apparatus, a first determination unit that determines whether or not a job to be executed by the processing unit is stored in the storage medium, and is executed by the processing unit. When the first determination unit determines that a job to be stored is stored in the storage medium, whether or not the predetermined processing mode relating to the plurality of jobs stored in the storage medium is executable is determined. And second determination means for sequentially determining each of the plurality of jobs based on the processing information relating to the plurality of jobs. The processing means has determined that the second determination means has not been executed. A plurality of jobs determined to be executable by the second determination means are sequentially executed 5 without executing the job.
[0020]
According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided display means for displaying information for specifying a job determined by the second determination means to be unexecutable.
[0021]
According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided display means for displaying the processing information associated with the job that the second determination means has determined to be unexecutable.
[0022]
An eleventh invention according to the present invention is characterized by comprising deletion means for deleting a job executed by the processing means from the storage medium.
[0023]
According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, when the storage medium is attached to the image processing apparatus, if predetermined authentication information is not input, the job processing by the processing means is not executed. And
[0024]
In a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the predetermined processing is image recording processing on recording paper, the processing information is information relating to image recording processing on the recording paper, and the processing means includes the processing unit The image recording process according to information related to the image recording process corresponding to the image information is executed based on the image information relating to the job stored in a storage medium.
[0025]
In a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, wherein the second determination unit is configured such that the information on the image recording process related to the job is information indicating an image recording process that cannot be performed by the processing unit. It is determined that the image recording process related to the job is not executed.
[0034]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a composite image processing apparatus showing an embodiment of the present invention.
[0035]
In the figure, a reader unit 1 reads an image of a document and outputs image data corresponding to the document image to a printer unit 2 and an image input / output control unit 3. The printer unit 2 records on the recording paper in accordance with the image data from the reader unit 1 and the image input / output control unit 3.
[0036]
The image input / output control unit 3 is connected to the reader unit 1 and includes a facsimile unit 4, a file unit 5, a computer interface unit 7, a formatter unit 8, an image memory unit 9, a core unit 10, and the like.
[0037]
The facsimile unit 4 decompresses the compressed image data received via the telephone line, transfers the decompressed image data to the core unit 10, and compresses and compresses the image data transferred from the core unit 10. The compressed image data thus transmitted is transmitted through a telephone line. The facsimile unit 4 is connected to a hard disk (HD) 12 and can temporarily store the received compressed image data.
[0038]
A magneto-optical disk drive unit 6 is connected to the file unit 5, and the file unit 5 compresses the image data transferred from the core unit 10, together with a keyword for retrieving the image data, and the magneto-optical disk drive unit 6. The data is stored in the magneto-optical disk set in (1).
[0039]
Further, the file unit 5 searches the compressed image data stored in the magneto-optical disk based on the keyword transferred through the core unit 10, reads out the decompressed compressed image data, decompresses it, and decompresses it. The image data is transferred to the core unit 10. The computer interface unit 7 is an interface between the personal computer or workstation (PC / WS) 11 and the core unit 10.
[0040]
The formatter unit 8 develops code data representing an image transferred from the PC / WS 11 into image data that can be recorded by the printer unit 2, and the image memory unit 9 temporarily stores the data transferred from the PC / WS 11. It is something to remember. Although the core unit 10 will be described later, the core unit 10 controls the flow of data among the reader unit 1, the facsimile unit 4, the file unit 5, the computer interface unit 7, the formatter unit 8, and the image memory unit 9. It is.
[0041]
The PC / WS 11 is an information processing apparatus (information processing terminal) configured by a personal computer or a workstation, and is configured to be able to communicate with the core unit 10 via the computer interface unit 7.
[0042]
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of the reader unit 1 and the printer unit 2 shown in FIG.
[0043]
In the figure, a document feeder 101 of the reader unit 1 feeds documents one by one from the last page to the platen glass 102, and discharges the document on the platen glass 102 after the document reading operation is completed. . When the original is conveyed onto the platen glass 102, the lamp 103 is turned on, and the movement of the scanner unit 104 is started to expose and scan the original. The reflected light from the original at this time is guided to a CCD image sensor (CCD) 109 by mirrors 105, 106, 107 and a lens 108. Thus, the scanned image of the original is read by the CCD 109. Image data output from the CCD 109 is subjected to predetermined processing and then transferred to the printer unit 2 and the core unit 10 of the image input / output control unit 3.
[0044]
The laser driver 221 of the printer unit 2 drives the laser light emitting unit 201 and causes the laser light emitting unit 201 to emit laser light corresponding to the image data output from the reader unit 1. The laser beam is irradiated onto the photosensitive drum 202, and a latent image corresponding to the laser beam is formed on the photosensitive drum 202. A developer is attached to the latent image portion of the photosensitive drum 202 by the developing unit 203.
[0045]
Then, recording paper is fed from either the cassette 204 or the cassette 205 and conveyed to the transfer unit 206 at a timing synchronized with the start of laser beam irradiation, and the developer attached to the photosensitive drum 202 is transferred to the recording paper. . The recording paper on which the developer is placed is conveyed to the fixing unit 207, and the developer is fixed on the recording paper by the heat and pressure of the fixing unit 207. The recording paper that has passed through the fixing unit 207 is discharged by the discharge roller 208, and the sorter 220 stores the discharged recording paper in each bin and sorts the recording paper.
[0046]
Note that the sorter 220 stores recording paper in the uppermost bin when sorting is not set. If double-sided recording is set, the recording paper is transported to the discharge roller 208, and then the rotation direction of the discharge roller 208 is reversed and guided to the refeed conveyance path by the flapper 209.
[0047]
On the other hand, when multiple recording is set, the recording paper is guided to the refeed path by the flapper 209 so as not to be conveyed to the discharge roller 208. The recording paper guided to the refeed path is fed to the transfer unit 206 at the timing described above.
[0048]
FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an image processing configuration of the reader unit illustrated in FIG.
[0049]
In the figure, image data output from the CCD 109 is subjected to analog / digital conversion by the A / D / SH unit 110 and shading correction. The image data processed by the A / D / SH unit 110 is transferred to the printer unit 2 through the image processing unit 111 and at the same time, the core unit of the image input / output control unit 3 through the interface unit (I / F) 113. 10 is transferred. The CPU 114 controls the image processing unit 111 and the interface unit 113 according to the setting content set by the operation unit 115. For example, when a copy mode for performing copying by performing trimming processing at the operation unit 115 is set, the trimming processing is performed by the image processing unit 111 and transferred to the printer unit 2. When the facsimile transmission mode is set on the operation unit 115, the interface unit 113 transfers image data and a control command corresponding to the set mode to the core unit 10. Such a control program of the CPU 114 is stored in the memory 116, and the CPU 114 performs control while referring to the memory 116. The memory 116 is also used as a work area for the CPU 114.
[0050]
4 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of the core unit 10 shown in FIG. 1, and the same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.
[0051]
In the figure, image data from the reader unit 1 is transferred to the data processing unit 121, and a control command from the reader unit 1 is transferred to the CPU 123. The data processing unit 121 performs image processing such as image rotation processing and scaling processing. The image data transferred from the reader unit 1 to the data processing unit 121 is transferred to the control command transferred from the reader unit 1. In response, the data is transferred to the facsimile unit 4, the file unit 5, and the computer interface unit 7 via the interface (I / F) 120. Further, code data representing an image input via the computer interface unit 7 is transferred to the data processing unit 121, and then transferred to the formatter unit 8 to be developed into image data. And then transferred to the facsimile unit 4 and the printer unit 2.
[0052]
Image data from the facsimile unit 4 is transferred to the data processing unit 121, and then transferred to the printer unit 2, the file unit 5, and the computer interface unit 7. The image data from the file unit 5 is transferred to the data processing unit 121, and then transferred to the printer unit 2, facsimile unit 4, and computer interface unit 7. The CPU 123 performs such control according to the control program stored in the memory 124 and the control command transferred from the reader unit 1. The memory 124 is also used as a work area for the CPU 123. As described above, processing that combines functions such as reading of an original image, printing of an image, transmission / reception of an image, storage of an image, and input / output of data from a computer can be performed around the core unit 10. .
[0053]
The file processing method of the composite image processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.
[0054]
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a personal computer or workstation PC / WS 13 and a storage device 14 independent of the image processing apparatus shown in FIG. The PC / WS 13 is different from the PC / WS 11 shown in FIG. 1. However, if the PC / WS 11 has a configuration in which an image cannot be transmitted from the PC / WS 11 to the core unit 10 via the computer interface unit 7, the PC / WS 11 May be used as PC / WS13. The storage device 14 can use a magneto-optical disk set in the magneto-optical disk drive unit 7 shown in FIG. The PC / WS 13 has a function of searching for an image file stored on the magneto-optical disk set in the storage device 14 and storing a job file on the magneto-optical disk. The PC / WS 13 includes a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, a CRT, a keyboard, a pointing device, and the like, and the CPU loads a control program on the RAM from a ROM or a storage medium (not shown) (following the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 7 and 10). In other words, as the first to eleventh inventions according to the present invention, a job file storage process, a detection process, a reading process, a determination process, a notification process, a job execution process, and the like are performed. The CPU fulfills various functions including a detecting means, a determining means, a processing means, and a notifying means as the twelfth to twenty-second inventions according to the present invention.
[0055]
FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the structure of a job designation file created by the PC / WS 13 shown in FIG.
[0056]
As shown in this figure, the job designation file is composed of a set of a parameter indicating the transfer source and a parameter indicating the transfer destination. Note that the job designation file is created by searching the PC / WS 13 to designate a document or by using a text editor or the like.
[0057]
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a job file creation processing procedure by the PC / WS 13 shown in FIG. In addition, (1)-(6) shows each step.
[0058]
First, the magneto-optical disk is inserted into the storage device 14 connected to the PC / WS 13 shown in FIG. 5 (1), and the database file created on the magneto-optical disk is read from the PC / WS 13 application software. The desired image file is searched (2).
[0059]
When a desired image file is found (3), for example, as shown in FIG. 8, a processing mode is designated (4). As the processing mode, for example, the number of output copies, the number of output pages, the output paper size, duplex output, sort output, stapling, etc. can be designated.
[0060]
These processing modes are stored as output job files in a predetermined area of the magneto-optical disk together with a unique file number for specifying an image file (5). The processing mode is not limited to the above, and various images may be used.
[0061]
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the contents of the job designation file.
[0062]
As shown in this figure, it is possible to register a plurality of jobs, and it is also possible to change job contents such as deletion and addition. When registration of the desired job is completed, the magneto-optical disk is ejected from the storage device 14 (6), and the process is terminated.
[0063]
Thus, job registration can be set for each magneto-optical disk.
[0064]
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the file processing method of the composite image processing apparatus according to the present invention, and corresponds to the file creation process. In addition, (1)-(8) shows each step.
[0065]
When the magneto-optical disk is set in the magneto-optical disk drive unit 6, the file unit 5 checks in step (1) whether a job designation file is stored in the magneto-optical disk. In step (2), if there is a job file, the process proceeds to step (3) to read the file.
[0066]
In step (4), it is checked whether or not the processing mode included in the job specified in the job file can be executed by the function provided in the composite image processing apparatus. If it can be executed, the process proceeds to step (5). Run the job. Then, the file unit 5 deletes the job that has been executed from the job file on the magneto-optical disk. This deletion process may be logical deletion or physical deletion. The job deletion may be performed before the magneto-optical disk is ejected.
[0067]
Next, in step (6), it is checked whether all jobs have been executed, and steps (4) to (6) are repeated until all jobs are executed.
[0068]
On the other hand, if there is no file in step (2), and after all jobs are executed, the file function specified by the user from the operation unit is executed.
[0069]
On the other hand, if there is a job including an inexecutable processing mode in step (4), the number of the inexecutable job, the document name of the image, etc. are displayed on the operation unit 115 of the reader unit 1 (8), Return to step (6). Note that the reason why the job cannot be executed, that is, which processing mode in the job cannot be executed, is also displayed. The same check is performed for the next job.
[0070]
For example, if a stapling process is included in the job and the printer unit 2 does not have a stapling function, it is determined that the job cannot be executed. Also, if the job includes double-sided recording processing and the printer unit 2 does not have a double-sided recording function, it is determined that the job cannot be executed.
[0071]
As a result, if there is an unexecutable job, the execution of the job is skipped and the executable job is sequentially executed.
[0072]
If the password function is provided, the job specification file is controlled so as not to be executed unless the correct password is input when the magneto-optical disk is set in the magneto-optical disk drive unit 6 so as to increase security. May be.
[0073]
Further, instead of printing an image, a job for performing facsimile communication of an image via the facsimile unit 4 may be used.
[0074]
Needless to say, the present invention can also be applied to the case where it is achieved by supplying a program to each apparatus.
[0075]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made based on the description of means for solving the problems.
[0076]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, a job to be executed by the image processing apparatus, and the image processing apparatus can execute execution of a plurality of jobs stored in a storage medium removable from the image processing apparatus. Even if there are other jobs, it is possible to provide an image processing apparatus that can smoothly execute the processing of the entire apparatus by sequentially executing the executable jobs without executing the execution rejected jobs. Play.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a composite image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating configurations of a reader unit and a printer unit illustrated in FIG.
3 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an image processing configuration of a reader unit illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG.
4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a core unit illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG.
5 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the PC / WS and the storage device illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG.
6 is a diagram for explaining the structure of a job designation file created by the PC / WS shown in FIG. 5. FIG.
7 is a flowchart showing an example of a job file creation processing procedure by the PC / WS shown in FIG. 5;
8 is a diagram showing a job processing mode setting screen displayed on the PC / WS shown in FIG. 5. FIG.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the contents of a job designation file.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a file processing method of the composite image processing apparatus according to the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Reader part 2 Printer part 3 Image input / output control part 5 File part 6 Magneto-optical disk drive unit 7 Computer interface part 10 Core part 13 Information processing apparatus 14 Storage device

Claims (14)

In an image processing method in an image processing apparatus that executes a job stored in a removable storage medium,
When the storage medium is attached to the image processing apparatus, the job is a job to be executed by the image processing apparatus, and image information and processing information indicating a predetermined processing mode to be executed for the image information; A first determination step of determining whether or not the job that is associated with is stored in the storage medium;
When it is determined in the first determination step that a job to be executed by the image processing apparatus is stored in the storage medium, the predetermined job related to the plurality of jobs stored in the storage medium A second determination step of sequentially determining, for each of the plurality of jobs, whether or not to execute the processing mode based on the processing information relating to the plurality of jobs;
A processing step of processing the image information relating to the job in the predetermined processing mode indicated by the processing information corresponding to the image information, wherein the job determined not to be executed in the second determination step is executed Without sequentially performing a plurality of jobs determined to be executable in the second determination step,
An image processing method comprising: The image processing method according to claim 1, further comprising: a display step of displaying information for specifying the job determined to be unexecutable in the second determination step. The image processing method according to claim 1, further comprising a display step of displaying the processing information associated with the job determined to be unexecutable in the second determination step. The image processing method according to claim 1, further comprising a deletion step of deleting the job executed in the processing step from the storage medium. 2. The image processing method according to claim 1, wherein when the storage medium is attached to the image processing apparatus, if predetermined authentication information is not inputted, the job is not executed in the processing step. The predetermined processing is image recording processing on recording paper,
The processing information is information relating to image recording processing on the recording paper,
The processing step executes the image recording process according to information related to the image recording process corresponding to the image information, based on the image information relating to the job stored in the storage medium. The image processing method according to claim 1. In the second determination step, when the information related to the image recording process related to the job is information indicating an image recording process that cannot be executed in the processing step, the image recording process related to the job is not executed. The image processing method according to claim 6, wherein the image processing method is determined. In an image processing apparatus that executes a job stored in a removable storage medium,
Processing means for executing the job in which image information and processing information indicating a predetermined processing mode to be executed on the image information are associated with each other, the image information relating to the job corresponding to the image information Processing means for processing in the predetermined processing mode indicated by the processing information;
First determination means for determining whether or not a job to be executed by the processing means is stored in the storage medium when the storage medium is attached to the image processing apparatus;
When the first determination unit determines that a job to be executed by the processing unit is stored in the storage medium, the predetermined processing mode of the plurality of jobs stored in the storage medium Second determination means for sequentially determining whether or not execution is possible for each of the plurality of jobs based on the processing information relating to the plurality of jobs;
The processing means sequentially executes a plurality of jobs determined to be executable by the second determination means without executing the jobs determined not to be executed by the second determination means.
An image processing apparatus. 9. The image processing apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a display unit that displays information for specifying a job that is determined to be unexecutable by the second determination unit. The image processing apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a display unit configured to display the processing information associated with the job determined to be unexecutable by the second determination unit. The image processing apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a deletion unit that deletes the job executed by the processing unit from the storage medium. 9. The image processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein when the storage medium is attached to the image processing apparatus, if predetermined authentication information is not input, the job processing by the processing unit is not executed. . The predetermined processing is image recording processing on recording paper,
The processing information is information relating to image recording processing on the recording paper,
The processing means executes the image recording process according to information related to the image recording process corresponding to the image information based on the image information relating to the job stored in the storage medium. The image processing apparatus according to claim 8. The second determination unit determines whether or not to execute the image recording process related to the job when the information related to the image recording process related to the job is information indicating an image recording process that cannot be executed by the processing unit. The image processing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein:

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