JP3960177B2 - Parameter setting apparatus and method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a parameter setting device and method, and more particularly, to a parameter setting device and method for storing scan conditions set on a reading device such as a scanner as a job memory.
[0002]
[Prior art]
There is a request to reprint an image once printed as necessary.
[0003]
In an image processing apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a scanner, or a facsimile, it is necessary to set an operation condition or the like as a parameter when executing a job. Setting parameters requires complicated operations. Particularly, since a scanner has a large number of parameters to be set, the time required for job execution preparation becomes long.
[0004]
For this reason, in the image processing apparatus, a job memory that can be used in place of parameter setting by manual operation by registering and calling the apparatus parameters is used. This job memory registers the parameters of the device at the time of registration, and registration is normally performed after the parameter setting is completed. In addition, it is not always necessary to set all the parameter items, and some items may be set.
[0005]
By the way, recently, an image processing apparatus is often used as a multifunction peripheral connected to a network, and a technique capable of setting parameters more easily has been proposed.
[0006]
For example, scanning conditions are selected and set on a display / touch panel of a digital copying apparatus that can be used as a scanner device, the digital copying apparatus reads an image of a document set in accordance with the set scanning conditions, and the image data is read from the workstation. Some workstation apparatuses take in the image data and perform processing (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
[0007]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-9-51398 [0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in Patent Document 1, the scan condition is simply set on the display / touch panel of the digital copying machine, and the set scan condition cannot be stored as a job memory.
[0009]
SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to provide a parameter setting apparatus and method that can easily set parameters by storing scan conditions set on a reading device such as a scanner as a job memory. .
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is a parameter setting method for setting a parameter which is a reading condition when reading an original on the image reading side, wherein the parameter is set on the image reading side, Acquiring at least one job memory in which parameters are set in advance from the connected image management apparatus, selecting a desired job memory from the acquired job memories, and selecting the parameters of the selected job memory and the image reading side When the set parameters are combined, the combined parameters are registered as a job memory in the image management apparatus, and the job memory acquired from the image management apparatus includes parameters that cannot be handled by the image reading side The parameter is changed to a compatible parameter.
[0011]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a parameter setting device for setting a parameter which is a reading condition when reading an original on the image reading side, a parameter setting means for setting the parameter on the image reading side, and a network. Job memory acquisition means for acquiring at least one job memory in which parameters are set in advance from the connected image management apparatus, and a desired job memory in the job memory acquired by the job memory acquisition means is selected, and the selected job is selected. Parameter combining means for combining memory parameters and parameters set on the image reading side, parameter transfer means for transferring the parameters combined by the parameter combining means to the image management apparatus, and the acquisition from the image management apparatus Cannot handle job memory on the image reading side If parameters are included, characterized by comprising a parameter modifying means for modifying the parameters that can be supported parameters.
[0020]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of a parameter setting apparatus and method according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0021]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of an image management system to which the present invention is applied.
[0022]
As shown in FIG. 1, in the image management system, an image management apparatus 1, a scanner 2, a printer 3, and a client 4 are connected via a network 5.
[0023]
Here, the image management apparatus 1 manages images used for printing and the like, and reuses the images. The scanner 2 reads a document and outputs image data. The printer 3 converts the image data into print data such as image data. Based on this, an image is formed on a sheet, and the client 4 uses application software or accesses the image management apparatus 1 or the like. The scanner 2 and the printer 3 may be the same device having both functions.
[0024]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the parameter setting device 15 provided in the image management device 1 and the scanner 2.
[0025]
As shown in FIG. 2, the image management apparatus 1 includes a job memory storage unit 6 in which a job memory is registered, a job memory search unit 7 that searches a job memory based on a user identification number or a scanner name (may be an IP address). A job memory registration unit 8 for registering the job memory in the job memory storage unit 6, a job memory deletion unit 9 for deleting the job memory registered in the job memory storage unit 6, and a job memory transfer for transferring the job memory to the scanner 2 Unit 10, parameter acquisition unit 11 for acquiring parameters transferred from the scanner 2, and verification of whether or not a job memory having the same parameter is registered in the memory storage unit 6 when registering the job memory in the job memory storage unit 6 Parameter verification unit 12 that performs the process, and a parameter correction unit that reflects the current state of the scanner 2 in the job memory 3, and a I / F (interface) 14 for network and 5 connections.
[0026]
As shown in FIG. 2, the scanner 2 executes the parameter setting device 15 that acquires job memory from the image management device 1, sets parameters as scanner conditions, and combines the job memory and parameters, and the scanner. The scanner unit 16 and the I / F 17 connected to the network 5 are configured.
[0027]
Here, the parameter setting device 15 includes a job memory acquisition unit 18 that acquires the job memory registered in the image management device 1, information necessary for the operation for the user who operates the parameter setting device 15, job memory, and the like. An operation display unit 19 for inputting user instructions, a parameter setting unit 20 for setting scanning conditions (parameters) when the scanner 2 is executed, a parameter transfer unit 21 for transferring parameters to the image management apparatus 1, It comprises a parameter synthesis unit 22 that synthesizes job memories.
[0028]
Here, for example, if “A6” is described as the input document in the job memory but the paper recognition unit of the scanner does not support “A6”, the job memory acquisition unit 18 sets the value of “A6”. Replace with "atypical size". Also, although “double-sided reading” is described in the job memory, but the double-sided scanning function is not provided in the scanner 2, “double-sided scanning” is replaced with “single-sided”.
[0029]
Further, the parameter composition unit 22 sets the parameter set in the operation display unit 19 in an unset portion of the job memory acquired from the image management apparatus 1 or the parameter set in the display operation unit 19 is not set. It is also possible to set the value of the job memory in the setting part, or to overwrite all the acquired values of the job memory on the parameters set on the operation display unit 19. It should be noted that when combining parameters, the parameters set on the operation display unit 19 can be automatically given priority only for specific parameters. For example, when the job memory is created, the output destination (printer) is provided with the “double-sided function”. However, if it cannot be used at present due to a failure or the like, the parameter relating to the output destination does not prioritize the value of the job memory. The parameter currently set on the operation display unit 19 is given priority.
[0030]
Note that the scanner 2 may be provided for each component of the image management apparatus 1. However, in order to achieve consistency between the job memory storage unit 6 of the image management apparatus 1 and the job memory storage unit 6 of the scanner 2, the job memory must be transferred between the image management apparatus 1 and the scanner 2. . Further, by providing each component of the image management apparatus 1 in the scanner 2, the job memory can be transferred between the scanners 2. Further, when the setting of the scanner 2 is changed, the parameters of the job memory registered in the job memory storage unit 6 of the scanner 2 can be automatically changed.
[0031]
Next, a procedure for setting parameters with the scanner 2, obtaining a job memory from the image processing apparatus 1, and combining the set parameters with the job memory and registering the set parameters in the image management apparatus 1 as a job memory is shown in FIG. This will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0032]
When parameters that are scanning conditions are set in the operation display section of the scanner (step S301) and job memory is acquired from the image management apparatus (YES in step S302), or when parameters are set in an unset portion of the acquired job memory (YES in step S303), parameters are set in the unset portion of the job memory (step S304), and the process proceeds to step S308.
[0033]
In step S302, when the job memory is not acquired (NO in step S302), if the parameter setting is completed, the process proceeds to step S308.
[0034]
In step S303, if the parameter is not set in the unset portion of the acquired job memory (NO in step S303), and the value of the job memory is set in the non-set portion of the parameter (YES in step S305), the parameter The value of the job memory is set in the unset portion (step S306), and the process proceeds to step S308.
[0035]
In step S305, when the job memory value is not set in the parameter non-set portion (NO in step S305), all the job memory values are overwritten in the parameter (step S307), and the process proceeds to step S308.
[0036]
If the set parameters are registered in the image management apparatus as job memory (YES in step S308), the parameters are transmitted to the image management apparatus (step S309), and the image management apparatus registers the parameters received from the scanner as job memory. (Step S310), and the processing procedure ends. If the set parameter is not registered in the image management apparatus as a job memory (NO in step S308), the processing procedure ends without performing any processing.
[0037]
Next, the parameters are set by the scanner 2, the job memory is acquired from the image processing apparatus 1, and the synthesis of the parameters and the job memory will be described using a specific example.
[0038]
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the parameter setting screen 23 displayed on the operation display unit 19 when setting parameters.
[0039]
For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the “reading resolution” is set to “200 dpi”, the “input original” is set to “A3”, and the “original type” is not set. Here, when the “job memory acquisition” button 24 is operated, the job memory registered in the image management apparatus 1 can be acquired.
[0040]
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a job memory selection screen 25 displayed on the operation display unit 19 when the “job memory acquisition” button 24 in FIG. 4 is operated.
[0041]
As shown in FIG. 5, “standard work 1” and “standard work 2” are displayed as job memories registered in the image management apparatus 1. When the “standard work 1” button 26 is operated, the “standard work 1” parameter is displayed on the operation display unit, and when the “standard work 2” button 27 is operated, the “standard work 2” parameter is displayed. Is displayed on the operation display section.
[0042]
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a parameter display screen 28 of the job memory displayed on the operation display unit 19 when the “standard work 1” button 26 in FIG. 5 is operated.
[0043]
As shown in FIG. 6, the parameters of “standard work 1” are displayed. For example, “reading resolution” is set to “300 dpi”, “original type” is set to “character / photo”, and “input original” is not set. Then, by operating the “Set Parameter Unset Portion” button 29 or the like, the parameter “Standard Work 1” is set in the parameter unset portion set on the parameter setting screen.
[0044]
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a parameter setting screen 32 displayed on the operation display unit 19 when the “Set to parameter non-set part” button 29 in FIG. 6 is operated.
[0045]
As shown in FIG. 7, “document type” that has not been set on the parameter setting screen 23 of FIG. 4 is set to “character / photo”. When the “Register” button 33 is operated, parameters such as “reading resolution = 200 dpi”, “original type = character / photo”, and “input original = A3” are registered as job memory.
[0046]
In addition, in FIG. 6, when the “set to unset portion of job memory” button 30 is operated, the parameter set on the parameter setting screen 23 of FIG. 4 is set in the unset portion of the parameter of “standard work 1”. Is done.
[0047]
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the parameter setting screen 32 displayed on the operation display unit 19 when the button 30 “set to a non-set part of job memory” in FIG. 6 is operated.
[0048]
As shown in FIG. 8, “input document” that has not been set on the parameter display screen 28 of the job memory in FIG. 6 is set to “A3”. When the “Register” button 33 is operated, parameters of “reading resolution = 300 dpi”, “original type = character / photo”, and “input original = A3” are registered as job memory.
[0049]
In addition, when the “job memory overwrite” button 31 in FIG. 6 is operated, the parameters of the “standard work 1” are overwritten on the parameters set on the parameter setting screen 23 of FIG.
[0050]
In the job memory selection screen 25 shown in FIG. 5, when a job memory set with a different model or scanner with a different setting from the own scanner is selected, any scanner can be replaced by replacing it with the setting of the own scanner. It can also be used with a set job memory.
[0051]
In the above embodiment, the configuration for acquiring one job memory has been described. However, a configuration for acquiring a plurality of job memories may be used. However, in such a configuration, an unset parameter in each job memory is complemented, and when the parameter overlaps, the priority is determined.
[0052]
In addition, the job memory can be registered for each function. For example, when registering job memory such as print function, scan function, file conversion function, etc., register the job memory including only print function, or combine the print function and scan function. The included job memory can also be registered. Furthermore, since the job memory can be displayed on the operation display unit 19 for each function, it is not necessary for the user to take into account overlapping parameters when combining a plurality of job memories.
[0053]
Further, by providing the job memory storage unit 6 in the printer, the job memory set by the printer can also be registered by the image management apparatus 1, and the job memory can be shared by all devices connected to the image management system. .
[0054]
Further, when the job memory acquired from the image management apparatus 1 is not compatible with the function of the scanner 2, for example, “double-sided reading” is set in the job memory, but the scanner has only the “single-sided reading” function. The user may be prompted to correct the parameter by issuing a warning at the stage of acquiring the job memory. However, since the job memory is automatically changed from “double-sided reading” to “single-sided reading” at the stage of acquisition from the image management apparatus 1, an annoyance such as receiving a warning of a function that cannot be used at the stage of acquisition of the job memory. Will disappear. Furthermore, when the “double-sided reading” function is added to the scanner 2, the parameters registered in the scanner 2 can be changed.
[0055]
Therefore, even if parameters are set on the operation display unit of the scanner, the set parameters are automatically registered in the image management apparatus, so that the burden on the user can be reduced.
[0056]
Also, by acquiring the job memory associated with other scanners and combining the acquired job memory with the parameters set by the scanner, there is no need to create the same job memory for each scanner, saving the user trouble. This saves the memory capacity of the image management apparatus.
[0057]
Also, by registering the job memory shared by a plurality of scanners, the job memory can be used without entering a user identification number or the like.
[0058]
Further, when there are a plurality of scanners of the same model, if the job memory is created by any one scanner, the same job memory can be used by other scanners.
[0059]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, there is an effect that parameter setting or job memory registration can be performed more easily.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of an image management system to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a parameter setting device 15 provided in the image management device 1 and the scanner 2;
FIG. 3 shows a processing procedure for setting a parameter with the scanner 2, acquiring a job memory from the image processing apparatus 1, and combining the parameter and the job memory to register the set parameter in the image management apparatus 1 as a job memory. It is a flowchart to show.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a parameter setting screen 23 displayed on the operation display unit 19 when setting parameters.
5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a job memory selection screen 25 displayed on the operation display unit 19 when the “job memory acquisition” button 24 in FIG. 4 is operated.
6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a parameter display screen 28 of a job memory displayed on the operation display unit 19 when the “standard work 1” button 26 in FIG. 5 is operated.
7 is a diagram showing an example of a parameter setting screen 32 displayed on the operation display unit 19 when the button 29 “set to a parameter non-set part” in FIG. 6 is operated. FIG.
8 is a diagram showing an example of a parameter setting screen 32 displayed on the operation display unit 19 when the button 30 “set to a non-set part of job memory” in FIG. 6 is operated. FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image management apparatus 2 Scanner 3 Printer 4 Client 5 Network 6 Job memory storage part 7 Job memory search part 8 Job memory registration part 9 Job memory deletion part 10 Job memory transfer part 11 Parameter acquisition part 12 Parameter verification part 13 Parameter correction part 14 , 17 I / F
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 15 Parameter setting apparatus 16 Scanner part 18 Job memory acquisition part 19 Operation display part 20 Parameter setting part 21 Parameter transfer part 22 Parameter composition part 23, 32 Parameter setting screen 24 "Job memory acquisition" button 25 Job memory selection screen 26 "Standard""Work1" button 27 "Standard work 2" button 28 Job memory parameter display screen 29 "Set to parameter non-setting part" button 30 "Set to job memory non-setting part" button 31 "Job memory overwrite""33" button "Register" button

Claims (2)

In the parameter setting method for setting parameters as reading conditions when reading an original on the image reading side,
Set the parameters on the image reading side,
Acquire at least one job memory in which parameters are set in advance from an image management apparatus connected via a network, select a desired job memory in the acquired job memory, and select the parameters of the selected job memory and the image Combine the parameters set on the reading side, register the combined parameters as job memory in the image management device,
When the job memory acquired from the image management apparatus includes a parameter that cannot be handled on the image reading side, the parameter is changed to a parameter that can be handled. In a parameter setting device for setting parameters that are reading conditions when reading an original on the image reading side,
Parameter setting means for setting the parameters on the image reading side;
Job memory acquisition means for acquiring at least one job memory with parameters set in advance from an image management apparatus connected via a network;
A parameter combining unit that selects a desired job memory from among the job memories acquired by the job memory acquiring unit, and combines the parameters of the selected job memory with the parameters set on the image reading side;
Parameter transfer means for transferring the parameters synthesized by the parameter synthesis means to the image management device;
Parameter correction means for changing the parameter to a parameter that can be handled when the job memory acquired from the image management apparatus includes a parameter that cannot be handled on the image reading side. Setting device.

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