JP4340901B2 - Image information processing system, image information processing apparatus, image information processing method, image information processing program, and storage medium - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for performing various types of information processing by embedding position information in image data and printing it on a recording medium such as paper, and extracting position information from the recording medium.

  In recent years, the development of computers and networks has been remarkable, and not only character data but also various kinds of data such as image data and audio data are handled in computers and networks. There is a technique for adding additional information to these data to make handling easier and increase its value. A typical technique is digital watermarking. Digital watermarking technology is a technology that uses human perception (visual and auditory) characteristics and embeds information other than content into digital content such as still images, video, and audio so that it cannot be perceived by humans. Say. A technique for embedding a digital watermark is described in Patent Document 1, for example.

  There is a technology that applies this information embedding technique using digital watermarking, embeds position information in image data, prints it on paper, and detects the absolute position on the paper using a pen-type scanner or the like. For example, in Patent Document 2, a lattice pattern is printed in advance, the lattice pattern is optically read when the writing instrument moves, and the position of the writing instrument is detected from the code of the read lattice pattern. In Patent Document 3, an image is formed in advance using an image forming material on which an invisible code indicating a position is printed by a near infrared absorbing dye. When a person performs a writing operation later, a sensor in the writing instrument reads and recognizes the invisible code to acquire the writing position. Each of these techniques recognizes the written position.

  The invisible code indicating the position printed in advance can be assigned so as to indicate different position information for each sheet. Thereby, as a writing position, it can be known in which position on which paper.

  In general, when a person writes after printing image data on paper, there are few cases where a person writes arbitrarily on the paper, and in many cases, a predetermined form is printed as image data, For example, a predetermined item is written on the form. At this time, in the conventional technique, position information when a person writes a predetermined item is obtained.

  However, conventionally, since the code indicating the position is previously printed on paper or the like, the correspondence between the image data of the form to be printed later and the code indicating the position cannot be taken. Therefore, even if the writing position on the paper is obtained by writing by a person, there is a problem that it is not known to which item in the form the written position is made. For example, when acquiring relative position information within a sheet, it is possible to associate it with the print position of image data. However, as described above, a code indicating a different position is printed for each sheet. In this case, since it is not known which image data is printed on which paper, it is difficult to associate the writing position with the printed image data.

JP 2001-223880 A JP 2000-330718 A JP 2002-240387 A

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an image information processing system capable of associating a position on a recording medium that outputs image data with the output image data. Is. It is another object of the present invention to provide an image information processing apparatus, an image information processing method, an image information processing program, and a storage medium storing such an image information processing program used in such an image information processing system. .

  In the present invention, a range in which the position information is issued together with replacement of consumables or periodic replacement parts is set in the client, and the position on the recording medium is uniquely set for each recording medium within the set range. Position-identifiable position information is issued, position-coded image data is generated based on the position information, and is combined with arbitrary original image data and output. At this time, the position information and the original image data information are associated with each other and managed in the server or the client.

  In the client, the position code image data is read by the reading unit from the recording medium on which the position code image data and the original image data are formed, and the position information is obtained by decoding. Based on the acquired position information, the information of the original image data corresponding to the acquired position information can be obtained from the correspondence between the position information managed by the server or the client and the information of the original image data.

  According to the present invention, since the positional information issued for each recording medium and the information of the original image data output to the recording medium are managed in association with each other, the position code is recorded from the recording medium. It is possible to specify which part of the original image data of which recording medium is accessed or which part of what original image data is accessed from the position information obtained by reading and decoding the image data. effective.

  Further, according to the present invention, since the client issues the position information, there is an effect that the load applied to the communication path such as the network is small and the time required for outputting the original image data can be reduced.

  FIG. 1 is a system outline diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a client, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a server. In the figure, 1 is a client, 2 is a server, 3 is a network, 11 is a communication unit, 12 is an image data input unit, 13 is a position information issuing unit, 14 is a position code generation unit, 15 is an image data synthesis unit, and 16 is Image data storage unit, 17 is an image data output unit, 18 is an image data separation unit, 19 is a position code decoding unit, 20 is a position information storage unit, 21 is a position information setting unit, 31 is a communication unit, and 32 is a position information database. It is.

  In the image information processing system of the present invention, one or more clients 1 and one or more servers 2 are communicably connected via a network 3. The example shown in FIG. 1 shows an example in which three clients 1 and one server 2 are connected by a network 3 such as a LAN. Each number, communication path, etc. are arbitrary.

  The client 1 includes a communication unit 11, an image data input unit 12, a position information issue unit 13, a position code generation unit 14, an image data synthesis unit 15, an image data storage unit 16, an image data output unit 17, an image data separation unit 18, It includes a position code decoding unit 19, a position information storage unit 20, a position information setting unit 21, and the like.

  The communication unit 11 communicates with the server 2 through the network 3, and exchanges position information and related information with the server 2, for example. The communication unit 11 can be realized by, for example, a data transfer device that exchanges information via the network 3 or the like. The exchange with the server 2 is, for example, a request for associating the information of the original image data and the position information when the position code image data generated from the position information and the original image data are synthesized and output as described later, the position It is possible to request and acquire information on the original image data corresponding to the information.

  The image data input unit 12 stores original image data in which position information is to be embedded, or image data from which embedded position information is to be read (position code image data and original image data generated from position information, or position code image data). Enter all or part of it. Examples of the original image data include image data scanned from a recording medium such as a printed material, image data captured by a digital camera, or a file created by application software. As the configuration of the image data input unit 12, for example, a scanner device such as a flat head scanner, a handy scanner, or a pen scanner and its control means, a read / write device such as a magnetic disk or a memory card and its control means, a network, etc. It can be realized by a data transfer device that transmits and receives data via a file, or a means for rasterizing a file created by application software into a bitmap image.

  The position information issuing unit 13 sets, for each recording medium, position information that can uniquely specify a position on the recording medium, one or several points serving as a reference on the recording medium that outputs an image, or a recording target Issues only the entire image forming surface according to the size of the medium and the resolution of the position information. Note that, for example, position information in a predetermined range is assigned to the position information issuing unit 13 in advance, and position information on a free area in the range is issued. If there is a shortage of location information to be issued, for example, a notification is sent to the user or the maintenance center, and an additional range setting is received from the location information setting unit 21.

  The position code generation unit 14 receives the position information issued by the position information issue unit 13 and generates position code image data based on the position information. As the position information issued from the position information issuing unit 13, for example, only one point or several points as a reference on the surface of the recording medium to be output, or an image corresponding to the size of the recording medium to be output and the resolution of the position information There is position information for the entire formation surface. When the position information issued from the position information issuing unit 13 is only one point or several points serving as a reference, the position code generation unit 14 determines the size of the recording medium to be printed and the resolution of the position information. Position information for the entire image forming surface is generated. When the position information for the entire image forming surface is generated or the position information for the entire image forming surface is obtained from the position information issuing unit 13, the position code generating unit 14 displays the position information by, for example, a two-dimensional bar. The position code image data is generated from the position information using a method capable of expressing character information such as a code and numerical information as image information. Of course, not only the two-dimensional bar code but also position code image data can be generated using various methods.

  The image data combining unit 15 combines the original image data and the position code image data. For example, a specific gradation or color tone may be removed from the original image data, and the position-coded image data may be corrected to be expressed by a specific gradation or color tone and may be combined as image data. Of course, the synthesis method is not limited to this method.

  The image data storage unit 16 stores and stores original image data or image data in which position information obtained by combining the original image data and the position code image data is embedded. The image data storage unit 16 can be realized by a mass storage device such as a hard disk drive.

  The image data output unit 17 outputs image data instructed to be output, or image data obtained by combining the original image data and the position code image data to a recording medium in a predetermined format. The image data output unit 17 can be realized by, for example, a printer device and its control means. As a result, the image data output unit 17 can output, for example, a document printed on paper.

  The image data separation unit 18 separates the position code image data from the image obtained by combining the original image data and the position code image data. For example, the original image data and the position code image data are combined and an image formed on the recording medium by the image data output unit 17 is input by the image data input unit 12, and the position code image data is obtained from the input image data. Can be separated. Separation may be, for example, taking out position code image data by separating a specific gradation or color tone from image data obtained by combining original image data and position code image data. Of course, the specific method is not limited, and various methods can be applied.

  The position code decoding unit 19 decodes position information from the position code image data. For example, it is conceivable to extract position information by decoding position code image data printed with a two-dimensional barcode or the like. The specific method is not limited to this method, and various methods according to the position code image data generated by the position code generation unit 14 can be applied. When there are a plurality of pieces of position information obtained at a certain time, for example, the position information at the center of gravity of the original image data may be extracted as a representative value, or all the obtained position information may be extracted and held. .

  The position information accumulating unit 20 stores and accumulates the position information issued by the position information issuing unit 13 and the position information extracted from the image data in which the position information is embedded. The position information storage unit 20 can be realized by a mass storage device such as a flash memory or a hard disk drive. Here, for example, the position information is stored and stored in association with the date and time when the image data in which the position information is embedded is input.

  The position information setting unit 21 sets a range in which the position information issuing unit 13 can issue position information. For example, the position information setting unit 21 can be configured so that it can be set by a user or a service engineer, or, for example, a consumable or regular replacement part of the client 1, for example, an ink or toner cartridge or drum used in the image data output unit 17. And a new range may be set by exchanging them. Alternatively, the position information issuance range may be acquired and set from the communication unit 11 through the network 3.

  The server 2 includes a communication unit 31 and a position information database 32.

  The communication unit 31 communicates with the client 1 and other terminals via the network 3, and exchanges position information, original image data information, and related information with the client 1, for example. The communication unit 31 can be realized by, for example, a data transfer device that exchanges information via the network 3 or the like.

  The position information database 32 manages information related to the client 1, position information sent from the client 1, and original image data information in association with each other. Also, in response to an inquiry about the information of the original image data corresponding to the position information requested from the client 1 through the communication unit 31, the information of the original image data corresponding to the position information is extracted and sent from the communication unit 31 to the client 1.

  Next, an example of the operation in the embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of output processing of original image data and position code image data to a recording medium in the client 1. In S <b> 41, original image data for which position information is to be embedded is input by the image data input unit 12 of the client 1. The original image data may be image data scanned from a printed material, image data taken with a digital camera, or a file created with application software.

  In S42, the position information issuing unit 13 issues part or all of the position information to be output to the recording medium. It should be noted that the position information to be issued can uniquely identify each recording medium and the position of the recording medium on the image forming surface, and does not issue overlapping position information on a plurality of recording media.

  FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram of position information issued by the position information issuing unit 13. For example, the position information issuing unit 13 sets x steps (x = 0, 1, 2,..., X) in the vertical direction and y in the horizontal direction as a range (area) in which the set position information can be issued. Assume a region XY divided into steps (y = 0, 1, 2,..., Y). In addition, for example, in order to acquire position information with a predetermined resolution on an A4 size recording medium, it is assumed that an area of m steps in the vertical direction and n steps in the horizontal direction is necessary. When printing the original image data input by the image data input unit 12 on an A4 size recording medium, the position information issuing unit 13 extracts unused areas of m steps vertically and n steps horizontally in the region XY. Then, all or one or more pieces of position information in the area are issued. At this time, the position information issuing unit 13 sequentially issues the position information necessary for outputting the image data to the recording medium.

  It is conceivable that the position information to be issued is insufficient while the position information of the area XY is issued. In this case, the user is notified that the position information cannot be embedded, and the output of the original image data is stopped, or the original image data is output without embedding the position information. Further, for example, notification to an administrator such as a service center may be performed. When the position information to be issued is insufficient, an area where position information can be issued is set again. As the new area, an area different from the previous area is set. This new area is set from the position information setting unit 21. For example, new area information is included in consumables and periodic replacement parts, and new areas are added together with replacement of consumables and periodic replacement parts. May be set.

  Returning to FIG. 4, in S <b> 43, the position code generation unit 14 generates position code image data based on the position information issued by the position information issue unit 13. FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram of generation processing of position code image data by the position code generation unit. In the position code generation unit 14, if not all the position information to be embedded in the recording medium is obtained as the position information issued from the server 2, all the positions to be embedded in the recording medium from the received one or more position information Generate location information. Then, position code image data as shown in FIG. 6B, for example, is generated for each piece of position information (X mark in FIG. 6A) embedded in the recording medium. In this example, a two-dimensional barcode is generated as position code image data. For convenience of illustration, the two-dimensional barcode is indicated by hatching. Since the position information is different, the generated two-dimensional barcode is also different.

  In S44, the image data synthesis unit 15 synthesizes the original image data input in S41 and the position code image data generated in S43. FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram of image composition processing. The original image data shown in FIG. 7 (A) and the position code image data shown in FIG. 7 (B) are combined to generate combined image data shown in FIG. 7 (C). As a synthesis method, for example, a specific gradation or color tone is removed from the original image data, and the position-coded image data is corrected so as to be expressed by the specific gradation or color tone and synthesized as image data. Of course, it is not limited to this method. In FIG. 7, for the convenience of illustration, they are synthesized and shown as they are.

  In S45, the image data output unit 17 prints composite image data in which the original image data and the position code image data are combined. For example, an image as shown in FIG. 7C is output. For example, when each pattern of the position code image data is small, or when the position code image data is expressed by a difference from the density or color of the original image data by the synthesis method as described above, the position code image data apparently appears. It is possible to output as an image that does not know.

  In S <b> 46, the client 1 reports the position information embedded in the output image data and the information of the original image data to the server 2 through the communication unit 11. Information on the original image data to be reported to the server 2 includes, for example, an ID that can specify the user who has instructed output, an output date and time, an ID that can specify the original image data, and the type of the original image data (natural image, document image, table image , Standard document images, etc.) and positions where predetermined attributes (name, address, telephone number, etc.) can be assigned in the original image data. Of course, these pieces of information are arbitrary.

  The position information database 32 of the server 2 includes information related to the client 1 (model name, ID for identifying an administrator, installation location, etc.), position information sent from the client 1, information on original image data, and the like. 31 and manage them in association with each other.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process for acquiring position information and original image data information from the recording medium in the client 1. In S51, the user inputs all or part of the image data in which the position information is embedded by the image data input unit 12. The input image data may be, for example, all or part of image data scanned from a printed material, image data taken with a digital camera, or a file created with application software.

  In S52, the image data separation unit 18 of the client 1 separates the position code image data from the image data input in S51 in which the original image data and the position code image data are combined. FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram of position code image data separation processing. As shown in FIG. 9A, when the image data in which the position code image data generated from the position information and the original image data are combined is read, the reverse process of the combination is performed to perform the process shown in FIG. The position code image data can be separated as shown in FIG. Of course, in the case where only the position code image data can be separated and read in the image data input unit 12, such as when the position code image data is printed with a printing material having specific optical characteristics, this is the case. The separation process in S52 is not necessary.

  In S53, the position code decoding unit 19 of the client decodes the position information from the position code image data separated in S52. For example, in the case of position code image data synthesized with a two-dimensional barcode or the like, the two-dimensional barcode is decoded to extract position information. FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram of processing for decoding position information from position-coded image data. By decoding the position code image data of the portion surrounded by the solid line in the center of FIG. 10A, position information of the position indicated by x in FIG. 10B is obtained. Although the position information for a part of the image data is acquired here, the position information for the entire image data may be acquired.

  In S54, the position information obtained in S53 is stored and stored in the position information storage unit 20.

  In S55, the client 1 makes an inquiry to the server 2 through the communication unit 11 in order to confirm which position of what image data the position information obtained in S53 corresponds to.

  In response to the inquiry from the client 1, the server 2 takes out information on the user and information on the original image data managed in the position information database 32 in association with the transmitted position information from the position information database 32, and transmits a communication unit 31 to client 1

  In S <b> 56, the client 1 receives information on the user, information on the original image data, and the like as a response from the server 2. In step S57, various outputs are performed based on the received information on the user, information on the original image data, and the like. For example, in addition to outputting document data shaped based on character or graphic information generated from position information obtained in a predetermined file or S53 as a document printed on a recording medium by the image data output unit 17, It may be displayed on a CRT display or liquid crystal display (not shown) or output as a file shaped by HTML or the like. Alternatively, an instruction to each control unit, for example, display of all or part of a predetermined file, permission or prohibition of printing, and the like may be output.

  In this way, the position-coded image data in the image data is separated and decoded, and the information on the original image data in the image data can be acquired from the obtained position information and used for various purposes.

  In the above description, the image data input unit for inputting the original image data in the process of combining and outputting the original image data and the position code image data shown in FIG. 4, and the position from the recording medium shown in FIG. It may be different from the image data input unit that inputs image data (or position-coded image data) in the information acquisition process of information and original image data. For example, when inputting image data to be embedded with position information, image data obtained from a file created by application software is used, and when inputting image data to be read out position information, a pen-type scanner may be used. Good.

  FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of an example when a pen-type scanner is used as the image data input unit 12. In the figure, 61 is a pen type scanner, and 62 is a recording sheet. Image data including position code image data is formed on the recording paper 62. On this, the user moves the pen-type scanner 61 as shown by a thick line in FIG. Then, as the pen type scanner 61 moves, local image data is continuously input. Then, the position code image data is separated and decoded from the continuously input local image data as described above. As a result, position information of positions indicated by arrows in FIG. 11B is sequentially obtained. By storing and accumulating this position information, it is possible to obtain trajectory information obtained by moving the pen type scanner 61. Further, when the pen type scanner 61 is also used as a writing instrument, the position where the user is writing on the recording paper 62 can be specified. If it is a predetermined form, the entry position can be known, and if the position code image data is finely arranged, the characters entered at the entry position can be recognized from the trajectory information.

  As another modification, the process of combining and outputting the original image data and the position code image data shown in FIG. 4 in the above description, and the position information and information of the original image data from the recording medium shown in FIG. This acquisition process may be performed in a different client. FIG. 12 is a system outline diagram illustrating a configuration example in which a composite image output client and a position information acquisition client are separately provided. In the figure, 4 is a composite image output client, and 5 is a position information acquisition client. The synthesized image output client 4 performs a process of synthesizing and outputting the original image data and the position code image data shown in FIG. Further, the position information acquisition client 5 performs processing for acquiring position information and original image data information from the recording medium shown in FIG. In such a configuration, the composite image output client 4 includes, for example, a communication unit 11, an image data input unit 12, a position information issue unit 13, a position code generation unit 14, an image data synthesis unit 15, The image data output unit 17 may be provided. In addition, the position information acquisition client 5 can be configured to include a communication unit 11, an image data input unit 12, an image data separation unit 18, and a position code decoding unit 19.

  As yet another modification, when the process of combining and outputting the original image data and the position code image data and the process of acquiring the information of the original image data are performed in the same client 1, the position information provided in the server 2 is used. The database 32 may be provided in the client 1. In this case, when the original image data and the position code image data are combined and output, the position information database 32 of the client stores the position information and the information of the original image data, and the position code image data is read and decoded. What is necessary is just to comprise so that it may take out from the positional information database 32 of a client also when acquiring the information of original image data from positional information. In the case of this configuration, since the server 2 is not used, it is not necessary to be connected to the network 3, and the client 1 can be used alone.

  Further, all or part of the functions on the client 1 side and the functions on the server 2 side as described above, including modifications, can be realized by programs that can be executed by a computer. When implemented as a program as described above, the program and data used by the program can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. A storage medium is a signal format that causes a state of change in energy such as magnetism, light, electricity, etc. according to the description of a program to a reader provided in the hardware resources of a computer. Thus, the description content of the program can be transmitted to the reading device. For example, a magneto-optical disk, an optical disk (including a CD and a DVD), a magnetic disk, a memory (including an IC card and a memory card), and the like. Of course, these storage media are not limited to portable types.

  By storing the programs in these storage media and mounting these storage media in a computer, for example, the programs can be read from the computer and the functions on the client 1 side or the server 2 side can be executed. Alternatively, for example, the program may be transferred to a computer via a network or the like, and the program may be stored in a storage medium and executed. Of course, some functions may be configured by hardware, or all may be configured by hardware.

It is a system outline figure showing one embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of a client. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of a server. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of output processing of original image data and position code image data to a recording medium in a client 1. It is a conceptual diagram of the positional information which the positional information issuing part 13 issues. It is a conceptual diagram of the production | generation process of the position code image data by a position code production | generation part. It is a conceptual diagram of an image composition process. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of acquisition processing of position information and original image data information from a recording medium in a client 1. It is a conceptual diagram of the separation process of position code image data. It is a conceptual diagram of the process which decodes position information from position code image data. It is explanatory drawing of an example at the time of using a pen-type scanner as an image data input part. It is a system outline figure showing the example of composition which separated the client for synthetic picture output, and the client for position information acquisition.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Client, 2 ... Server, 3 ... Network, 4 ... Synthetic image output client, 5 ... Position information acquisition client, 11 ... Communication part, 12 ... Image data input part, 13 ... Position information issuing part, 14 ... Position Code generation unit, 15 ... image data synthesis unit, 16 ... image data storage unit, 17 ... image data output unit, 18 ... image data separation unit, 19 ... position code decoding unit, 20 ... position information storage unit, 21 ... position information Setting unit 31 ... Communication unit 32 ... Position information database 61 ... Pen-type scanner 62 ... Recording paper.

Claims (13)

  An image information processing system in which a client and a server are communicatively connected, wherein the client issues client communication means for communicating with the server and position information for uniquely specifying a position on a recording medium Position information setting means for setting a range, position information issuing means for issuing the position information for each recording medium within the range set by the position information setting means, and issued by the position information issuing means Position code generating means for generating position code image data based on the position information, composition means for combining the position code image data and arbitrary original image data, and outputting the synthesized original image data and position code image data Image data output means for outputting the position information issued by the position information issuing means and the information on the original image data. Sent to the server through the client communication means, the server at least server communication means for communicating with the client, and position information for managing the position information and original image data information received from the client through the server communication means A database unit, wherein the position information setting unit of the client is included in a consumable item or a periodic replacement part in the client, and the position information is issued together with replacement of the consumable item or the periodic replacement part Is set, an image information processing system.   The image information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the position information issuing unit of the client issues different position information for each recording medium within a preset range.   The client further reads all or part of the position code image data from the recording medium on which the position code image data based on the position information issued for each recording medium and the information of the original image data are formed. Reading means, and position code decoding means for decoding position information from the read position code image data, sending the position information to the server through the client communication means, obtaining information of corresponding original image data, The server position information database means extracts the original image data information corresponding to the position information based on the position information received from the client through the server communication means, and sends it to the client through the server communication means. The image information processing system according to claim 1 or 2.   Position information setting means for setting a range for issuing position information that can uniquely identify the position on the recording medium, and issuing the position information for each recording medium within the range set by the position information setting means Position information issuing means, position code generating means for generating position code image data based on the position information issued by the position information issuing means, and composition for combining the position code image data and arbitrary original image data Means, image data output means for outputting synthesized original image data and position code image data, and position information database means for managing the position information together with information of the original image data, and the position information of the client The setting means is included in the consumables or periodic replacement parts in the client, and the setting means exchanges the consumables or the periodic replacement parts. Image information processing apparatus characterized by a range of issuing the position information is set with.   In an image information processing apparatus communicably connected to a server, communication means for communicating with the server, position information setting means for setting a range for issuing position information that can uniquely specify a position on a recording medium, A position information issuing means for issuing the position information for each recording medium within a range set by the position information setting means, and a position code image based on the position information issued by the position information issuing means. Position code generating means for generating data, combining means for combining the position code image data and arbitrary original image data, and image data output means for outputting the combined original image data and position code image data, The position information issued by the position information issuing means and the information of the original image data are sent to the server through the client communication means. Requesting management of the original image data, the position information setting means of the client is included in a consumable item or a periodic replacement part in the client, and the position is set together with replacement of the consumable item or the periodic replacement part. An image information processing apparatus in which a range for issuing information is set.   6. The image information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the position information issuing unit issues different position information for each recording medium within a preset range.   Furthermore, reading means for reading all or part of the position code image data from the recording medium on which the position code image data based on the position information issued for each recording medium and the information of the original image data are formed; Having position code decoding means for decoding position information from the read position code image data, and acquiring information of original image data corresponding to the position information from the position information database means based on the decoded position information The image information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the image information processing apparatus is an image processing apparatus.   An image information processing method in an image information processing system in which a client and a server are connected to be communicable, wherein in the client, a range in which position information that can uniquely specify a position on a recording medium is issued by a position information setting unit The position information is issued for each recording medium within the range set by the position information setting means, and position code image data is generated based on the obtained position information, and the position code The image data and arbitrary original image data are combined and output from the output means, the position information and the image data information are sent from the client to the server, and the server receives the position information and the original received from the client. Image data information is managed, and the client can replace the consumables or regular replacement parts and the position information. Image information processing method characterized in that the range be issued is set.   Further, the client reads all or part of the position code image data from a recording medium formed by combining the position code image data and the original image data with a reading unit, and decodes the position information. The position information is sent to the server, and the server extracts corresponding original image data information from the position information database unit based on the position information received from the client, and sends the information to the client. 8. The image information processing method according to 8.   A range for issuing position information that can uniquely identify the position on the recording medium is set by the position information setting means, and the position information is set for each recording medium within the range set by the position information setting means. And generating position code image data based on the obtained position information, combining the position code image data and arbitrary original image data and outputting from the output means, An image information processing method characterized in that position information is managed in association with position information database means, and a range in which the position information is issued is set together with replacement of consumables or periodic replacement parts.   Further, the position information is decoded by reading all or part of the position code image data from the recording medium on which the position code image data and the original image data are formed, and the position information is decoded. 11. The image information processing method according to claim 10, wherein information of corresponding original image data is extracted from the position information database means.   An image information processing program for causing a computer to execute the image information processing method according to any one of claims 8 to 11.   12. A computer-readable storage medium storing an image information processing program for causing a computer to execute the image information processing method according to claim 8.

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