JP4506277B2 - Image forming system and image correcting method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming system and an image correction method.

  In recent digital image forming apparatuses, a large volume is output as conventionally performed by a printing press, such as outputting hundreds of jobs of several hundred pages. In this case, it is common to perform proof output (confirmation output) to confirm whether or not there is an error in the output result, and then perform this output after confirming the output.

  For example, when there is an error in the job ticket indicating the output setting information of the job, the operator usually changes the setting in the operation unit of the image forming apparatus to change to the correct output setting. In addition, when there is an error in the image, it is possible to reread the entire original in the case of a copy job or retransmit the correct job in the case of a printer job.

  However, when modifying some pages of a job with a large volume, reloading all originals or re-sending a printer job may take time to proof output again, resulting in a delay in delivery time, etc. There's a problem.

Therefore, in a more advanced image forming apparatus, it is possible to perform correction by reloading only the target page in the case of a copy job or retransmitting only the target page in the case of a printer job. There are some (see Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2). Patent Document 2 proposes a technique for easily identifying a page that requires image data correction by printing an identification number on each page during proof output.
JP 2002-127570 A JP 2002-251272 A

  However, in the above-described prior art, it is necessary to perform an operation on the operation unit of the image forming apparatus when correcting an erroneous page, and the operation is complicated. In addition, since the operation unit is occupied during this operation, the operator may not be able to check other jobs or check the remaining number of sheets at the same time.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it facilitates correction of image data in an image forming apparatus and improves the operation efficiency of the image forming apparatus.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, in the image forming system, the image forming system includes a storage unit that stores a plurality of reserved jobs in units of job numbers and page numbers, and performs image formation based on image data included in the plurality of reserved jobs. A forming apparatus and an information processing apparatus including a display unit are connected via a communication line, and the image forming apparatus is a reservation job list information of a reservation job that can be modified and is proof-output by the image forming apparatus The job information and page number to be corrected from the reserved job included in the reserved job list information transmitted from the image forming apparatus is transmitted to the information processing apparatus. Information is transmitted to the image forming apparatus after the proof is output, and the image forming apparatus receives the correction transmitted from the information processing apparatus. Based on the target job number information and page number information, the image data of the correction target page is read out based on the job number and page number to be corrected from the plurality of reserved jobs stored in the storage means, and the information Transmitted to the processing apparatus, the information processing apparatus displays the image data of the correction target page transmitted from the image forming apparatus on the display unit, and has corrected the displayed image data. Image data is transmitted to the image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus is configured to update the image data of the job number and page number to be corrected to the corrected image data transmitted from the information processing apparatus. It is characterized by that.

Invention according to claim 2, in the image forming system according to claim 1, the image data of the correction target page stored in said storage means is a compressed image data, the image forming apparatus, the information processing When transmitting image data to an apparatus, the compressed image data is converted into expanded image data, and the expanded image data is transmitted to the information processing apparatus.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming system according to the first or second aspect , the corrected image data transmitted from the information processing apparatus to the image forming apparatus is decompressed image data, and the image formation The apparatus converts the decompressed image data into compressed image data.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming system according to any one of the first to third aspects, job number information, page number information, and image data between the image forming apparatus and the information processing apparatus. The protocol used when transmitting and receiving is HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol).

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming method, an image for forming an image based on image data included in the plurality of reserved jobs, comprising storage means for storing a plurality of reserved jobs in units of job numbers and page numbers. A forming job and an information processing device having a display unit are connected by a communication line, and the image forming device is a reservation job list information of a reservation job that can be modified and is proof-output by the image forming device. The job information and page number to be corrected from the reserved job included in the reserved job list information transmitted from the image forming apparatus is transmitted to the information processing apparatus. Information is transmitted to the image forming apparatus after proof output, and the image forming apparatus is a correction target transmitted from the information processing apparatus. The information processing apparatus reads out image data of a correction target page from a plurality of reserved jobs stored in the storage unit based on the job number and page number to be corrected based on the job number information and page number information The information processing apparatus causes the display unit to display the image data of the correction target page transmitted from the image forming apparatus, and the corrected image data obtained by correcting the displayed image data Is transmitted to the image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus updates the image data of the job number and page number to be corrected to the corrected image data transmitted from the information processing apparatus. .

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image correction method according to the fifth aspect , the image data stored in the storage means is compressed image data, and the image forming apparatus transmits image data to the information processing apparatus. Is transmitted, the compressed image data is converted into decompressed image data, and the decompressed image data is transmitted to the information processing apparatus.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image correction method according to the fifth or sixth aspect , the corrected image data transmitted from the information processing apparatus to the image forming apparatus is decompressed image data, and the image formation The apparatus converts the decompressed image data into compressed image data.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the image correction method according to any one of the fifth to seventh aspects, job number information, page number information, and image data between the image forming apparatus and the information processing apparatus. The protocol used when transmitting and receiving is HTTP.

According to the first and fifth aspects of the invention, the image forming apparatus reads the image data of the job number and page number to be corrected based on the job number information and page number information transmitted from the information processing apparatus. The information processing apparatus corrects the image data and transmits the corrected image data to the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus outputs the image of the job number and page number to be corrected. Since the data is updated to the corrected image data transmitted from the information processing apparatus, it is possible to easily correct the image data in the image forming apparatus and improve the operation efficiency of the image forming apparatus.
In addition, by transmitting the reservation job list information of the reservation job that can be corrected from the image forming apparatus to the information processing apparatus, the information processing apparatus can display the job number information and the page number information to be corrected from the reservation job that can be corrected as an image. Can be sent to the forming device.
Further, the image forming apparatus can transmit reserved job list information including only the reserved job proof output by the image forming apparatus to the information processing apparatus .

According to the second and sixth aspects of the invention, the image forming apparatus converts the compressed image data into the decompressed image data and transmits the decompressed image data to the information processing apparatus. There is no need to process.

According to the third and seventh aspects of the invention, the image forming apparatus converts the corrected expanded image data transmitted from the information processing apparatus into compressed image data. There is no need to do.

According to the fourth and eighth aspects of the present invention, job number information, page number information, and image data can be transmitted and received between the image forming apparatus and the information processing apparatus using HTTP.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, an example in which a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a PC) is used as the information processing apparatus will be described.

FIG. 1 shows a configuration of an image forming system 1 in the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming system 1 includes an image forming apparatus 2 and a PC 3, which are connected to each other via a network N.

First, the functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 2 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 2 includes a control unit 21, a job management unit 22, a printer unit 23, a scanner unit 24, an operation unit 25, a network interface 26, a display unit 27, an image memory 28, and a compression / decompression circuit. 29, a hard disk 30 is provided.

  The control unit 21 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and the like. The CPU centrally controls the overall operation of the image forming apparatus 2 by sending a control signal to each unit according to various control programs stored in the ROM using a predetermined area of the RAM as a work area.

  The job management unit 22 manages the address of the image memory 28 in which the image data of the reserved job is stored for each job number and page number. The reserved job is a job stored in the image memory 28 for output by the image forming apparatus 2. The job management unit 22 is realized by software processing in cooperation with a job management program stored in the ROM of the control unit 21 and the CPU.

  The printer unit 23 forms an image on a recording material such as paper by electrophotography based on the image data stored in the image memory 28 or the hard disk 30.

  The scanner unit 24 includes a light source, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), and the like below the contact glass, and acquires image data from a document placed on the contact glass.

  The operation unit 25 includes a touch panel integrated with the display unit 27, numeric keys, character keys, various function keys, and the like, and outputs a pressing signal corresponding to the pressed key to the control unit 21.

  The network interface 26 is an interface for connecting to the PC 3 and transmits / receives data to / from the PC 3. The protocol used for data transmission / reception is HTTP.

  The display unit 27 includes an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like, and displays various display information based on a control signal transmitted from the control unit 21.

  The image memory 28 stores a plurality of reserved jobs as compressed image data. The reserved job includes a copy job in which the original image data acquired by the scanner unit 24 is output by the printer unit 23, a printer job in which the image data received from the PC 3 via the network interface 26 is output by the printer unit 23, and the scanner unit 24. A mail transmission job for transmitting the document image data acquired by the above method by e-mail is included.

  The compression / decompression circuit 29 performs a compression process for converting expanded image data into compressed image data and a decompression process for converting compressed image data into expanded image data.

  The hard disk 30 stores a job to be output later in the state of compressed image data.

Next, the functional configuration of the PC 3 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, the PC 3 includes a control unit 31, a storage unit 32, a network interface 33, an operation unit 34, and a display unit 35.

  The control unit 31 includes a CPU, RAM, ROM, and the like. The CPU centrally controls the overall operation of the PC 3 by sending a control signal to each unit according to various control programs stored in the ROM using a predetermined area of the RAM as a work area.

  The storage unit 32 stores various data used for processing executed by the PC 3 and processing results in the PC 3.

  The network interface 33 is an interface for connecting to the image forming apparatus 2 and transmits / receives data to / from the image forming apparatus 2. The protocol used for data transmission / reception is HTTP.

  The operation unit 34 includes a keyboard composed of numeric keys, character keys, various function keys, and the like, and a pointing device such as a mouse, and outputs an operation signal of each key and mouse to the control unit 31.

  The display unit 35 is composed of an LCD or the like, and displays various display information based on a control signal transmitted from the control unit 31.

Next, the operation of the image forming system 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 2 is a ladder diagram showing an image data correction process executed by the image forming apparatus 2 and the PC 3 of the image forming system 1. The image data correction process is a process performed when there is a page that needs to be corrected after the proof output by the image forming apparatus 2.

  As shown in FIG. 2, first, an acquisition request for reserved job list information of the image forming apparatus 2 is instructed from the operation unit 34 of the PC 3 (step S1), and an acquisition request for reserved job list information is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 2. (Step S2).

  When the image forming apparatus 2 receives the reservation job list information acquisition request, reservation job list information is generated based on the reservation job stored in the image memory 28 (step S3). The reservation job list information includes only a reservation job that can be corrected, and does not include a job that does not need to be corrected, such as a mail transmission job. The reserved job list information may include only reserved jobs that are proof-output by the image forming apparatus 2. As a result, it is possible to avoid erroneously selecting another job that does not require correction. Then, the reserved job list information is transmitted from the image forming apparatus 2 to the PC 3 (step S4).

  Next, when the reserved job list information is received by the PC 3, the reserved job list information is displayed on the display unit 35. Of the reserved jobs included in the reserved job list information, the job number and page number to be corrected are instructed from the operation unit 34 (step S5), and the job number information and page number information are received together with the acquisition request for this page. (Step S6).

  In the image forming apparatus 2, the job management unit 22 searches the address of the image memory 28 in which the image data of the correction target page is stored based on the job number information and the page number information received from the PC 3. Then, the image data of the correction target page stored as compressed image data is read from the image memory 28 and decompressed by the compression / decompression circuit 29 (step S7). The expanded image data of the correction target page is transmitted from the image forming apparatus 2 to the PC 3 (step S8).

  Next, when the decompressed image data of the correction target page is received by the PC 3, the image of the correction target page is displayed on the display unit 35, and the image data is corrected (step S9). For example, if there is dust, scratches, or dirt in the image data, the image data is corrected to be removed. If the image data is bent, it is corrected by performing a rotation process. A new image may be added to the image data. The PC 3 may automatically determine and remove isolated points in the image data. Then, the corrected image data (expanded image data) is transmitted from the PC 3 together with the job number information and the page number information to the image forming apparatus 2 (step S10).

In the image forming apparatus 2, the corrected image data (expanded image data) received from the PC 3 is compressed by the compression / expansion circuit 29 (step S11). Then, the job management unit 22 searches the address of the image memory 28 in which the image data of the correction target page is stored based on the job number information and the page number information received from the PC 3, and the image data of the correction target page is obtained. It is updated to corrected image data (compressed image data) (step S12). Then, an image data update completion notification indicating that the update of the image data of the correction target page is completed is transmitted from the image forming apparatus 2 to the PC 3 (step S13).
Thus, the image data correction process is completed.

FIG. 3 shows a conceptual diagram of the reserved job list information acquisition process.
As shown in FIG. 3, when an acquisition request for reserved job list information is transmitted from the PC 3 to the image forming apparatus 2 (step S21), reserved job list information is generated in the image forming apparatus 2 (step S22), and the reserved job is displayed. The list information is transmitted from the image forming apparatus 2 to the PC 3 (step S23). FIG. 3 shows an example in which job 1 with 4 pages, job 2 with 3 pages, and job 3 with 5 pages are stored in the image forming apparatus 2 as reserved jobs.

FIG. 4 shows a conceptual diagram of the correction target image data acquisition process.
As shown in FIG. 4, when the acquisition request for page 3 of job 1 is transmitted from the PC 3 to the image forming apparatus 2 (step S31), the image data (compressed image data) of the correction target page is image data in the image forming apparatus 2. The data is read from the memory 28 (step S32) and decompressed by the compression / decompression circuit 29 (step S33). Then, the expanded image data of the correction target page is transmitted from the image forming apparatus 2 to the PC 3 (step S34).

FIG. 5 shows a conceptual diagram of the correction target image data update process.
As shown in FIG. 5, the corrected image data (expanded image data) is transmitted from the PC 3 to the image forming apparatus 2 together with the image data update request for page 3 of job 1 (step S41). Image data (expanded image data) is compressed by the compression / expansion circuit 29 (step S42). Then, the image data of the correction target page is updated to corrected image data (compressed image data) (step S43), and an image data update completion notification of the correction target page is transmitted from the image forming apparatus 2 to the PC 3 (step S44). .

  According to the image forming system 1 in the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 2 reads the image data of the job number and page number to be corrected based on the job number information and page number information transmitted from the PC 3. The image data is transmitted to the PC 3, and the PC 3 corrects the image data and transmits the corrected image data to the image forming apparatus 2. The image forming apparatus 2 corrects the image data of the job number and page number to be corrected. Since the image data is updated to the completed image data, it is possible to easily correct the image data in the image forming apparatus 2 and improve the operation efficiency of the image forming apparatus 2. Further, since the update of the image data of the correction target page is completed by the operation from the PC 3, it is not necessary to perform the operation on the operation unit 25 of the image forming apparatus 2.

  Also, after the proof output, if there are isolated points in the image, or if the original document has scratches or dirt, the isolated points will be created at the same position even if re-reading. As described above, it is preferable to modify the image data.

  Also, if image data is transmitted from the image forming apparatus 2 to the PC 3 in the form of compressed image data, and the PC 3 performs decompression processing of the compressed image data, the decompression process is performed by software. Compared with the decompression process using hardware, it takes much time. However, in the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 2 converts the compressed image data into decompressed image data and transmits the decompressed image data to the PC 3. Therefore, there is no need to perform image data decompression processing on the PC 3 side. Display becomes easy. Similarly, since the corrected expanded image data transmitted from the PC 3 is converted into compressed image data by the image forming apparatus 2, it is not necessary to perform image data compression processing on the PC 3 side.

  In the present embodiment, the PC 3 acquires the image data to be corrected from the image forming apparatus 2, corrects it, sends it back to the image forming apparatus 2, and updates the image data to be corrected. However, without acquiring the original image data, update image data may be created in the PC 3 and transmitted to the image forming apparatus 2 to update the correction target page with the update image data.

  Further, for example, the PC 3 acquires the image data of page 3 of job 2 from the image forming apparatus 2, and sends the acquired image data back to the image forming apparatus 2 together with the image data update request of page 2 of job 1. A part of the image data may be updated between jobs.

  The description in the above embodiment is an example of a suitable image forming system according to the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to this. The detailed configuration and detailed operation of each part constituting the image forming system can be changed as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  For example, in the image forming system 1, the image forming apparatus 2 and the PC 3 are connected via the network N. However, these may be connected via a dedicated communication line.

1 is a configuration diagram of an image forming system 1 in an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a ladder diagram illustrating image data correction processing executed by the image forming apparatus 2 and the PC 3 of the image forming system 1. FIG. It is a conceptual diagram of a reservation job list information acquisition process. It is a conceptual diagram of correction object image data acquisition processing. It is a conceptual diagram of the correction object image data update process.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming system 2 Image forming apparatus 21 Control part 22 Job management part 23 Printer part 24 Scanner part 25 Operation part 26 Network interface 27 Display part 28 Image memory 29 Compression / decompression circuit 30 Hard disk 3 PC
31 Control Unit 32 Storage Unit 33 Network Interface 34 Operation Unit 35 Display Unit

Claims (8)

An image forming apparatus that includes a storage unit that stores a plurality of reserved jobs in units of job numbers and page numbers, and that forms an image based on image data included in the plurality of reserved jobs, and an information processing apparatus that includes a display unit. Connected by communication line,
The image forming apparatus transmits, to the information processing apparatus, reservation job list information of a reservation job that can be modified, and includes reservation job list information that includes only a reservation job that is proof-output by the image forming apparatus.
The information processing apparatus transmits job number information and page number information to be corrected from a reserved job included in the reserved job list information transmitted from the image forming apparatus to the image forming apparatus after proof output,
The image forming apparatus includes a job number and a page to be corrected from a plurality of reserved jobs stored in the storage unit based on the job number information and the page number information to be corrected transmitted from the information processing apparatus. Read the image data of the correction target page based on the number and send it to the information processing device,
The information processing apparatus causes the display unit to display image data of a correction target page transmitted from the image forming apparatus, and corrects the corrected image data obtained by correcting the displayed image data. To the device,
The image forming apparatus is configured to update the image data of the job number and page number to be corrected to the corrected image data transmitted from the information processing apparatus. The image forming system according to claim 1 ,
The image data of the correction target page stored in the storage means is compressed image data,
When the image forming apparatus transmits image data to the information processing apparatus, the image forming apparatus converts the compressed image data into expanded image data, and transmits the expanded image data to the information processing apparatus. system. The image forming system according to claim 1 or 2 ,
The corrected image data transmitted from the information processing apparatus to the image forming apparatus is decompressed image data,
The image forming apparatus converts the expanded image data into compressed image data. The image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
A protocol used when transmitting / receiving job number information, page number information, and image data between the image forming apparatus and the information processing apparatus is HTTP. An image forming apparatus that includes a storage unit that stores a plurality of reserved jobs in units of job numbers and page numbers, and that forms an image based on image data included in the plurality of reserved jobs, and an information processing apparatus that includes a display unit. Connect by communication line,
The image forming apparatus transmits, to the information processing apparatus, reservation job list information of a reservation job that can be modified, and includes reservation job list information that includes only a reservation job that is proof-output by the image forming apparatus.
The information processing apparatus transmits job number information and page number information to be corrected from a reserved job included in the reserved job list information transmitted from the image forming apparatus to the image forming apparatus after proof output,
The image forming apparatus includes a job number and a page to be corrected from a plurality of reserved jobs stored in the storage unit based on the job number information and the page number information to be corrected transmitted from the information processing apparatus. Read the image data of the correction target page based on the number and send it to the information processing device,
The information processing apparatus causes the display unit to display image data of a correction target page transmitted from the image forming apparatus, and corrects the corrected image data obtained by correcting the displayed image data. To the device,
The image forming apparatus updates the image data of the job number and page number to be corrected to the corrected image data transmitted from the information processing apparatus. The image correction method according to claim 5 ,
The image data of the correction target page stored in the storage means is compressed image data,
When the image forming apparatus transmits image data to the information processing apparatus, the image forming apparatus converts the compressed image data into expanded image data, and transmits the expanded image data to the information processing apparatus. Method. The image correction method according to claim 5 or 6 ,
The corrected image data transmitted from the information processing apparatus to the image forming apparatus is decompressed image data,
The image forming apparatus converts the expanded image data into compressed image data. In the image correction method according to any one of claims 5 to 7 ,
A protocol used when transmitting / receiving job number information, page number information, and image data between the image forming apparatus and the information processing apparatus is HTTP.

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