JP4640041B2 - Image reading apparatus, image processing system, and printing time reduction method thereof - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus, a picture image processing system and a printing time shortening method thereof, an image reading apparatus to shorten the FCOT direct printing in the scanner printer system for P2P connection, an image processing system and a printing time shortening method .

  In recent years, a system for connecting a plurality of image processing apparatuses such as scanners and printers has been proposed. Such a system often employs a LAN (Local Area Network) as an interface for connecting individual image processing apparatuses. This is because the LAN interface can use general-purpose technology both physically and logically and can be loosely coupled, so that the independence of individual image processing apparatuses can be increased. .

  For example, there is a communication device and a data output method of the communication device that can output data of a plurality of pages received through a one-to-many connection to an information distribution device in the order of page numbers (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  However, in such a system, since the whole system becomes large-scale, there is a problem that the introduction cost and maintenance cost of the system become high.

  Therefore, recently, a scanner printer system in which a scanner and a printer are connected by P2P [Peer to Peer] connection using a loosely coupled interface in terms of software and hardware has been proposed. One advantage of this scanner printer system is flexibility, for example, in that the system can be configured by freely combining scanners and printers.

  However, if possible, he does not want to prepare a special mechanism on the printer side just to connect the scanner in terms of software or hardware (ie, want to configure this system with a general-purpose printer). There is a request. Therefore, since there are printers having a function that can directly print a PDF [Portable Document Format] file without using a driver, image data read by a scanner (hereinafter referred to as a scanned image) is stored on the scanner side. Thus, a method of converting to a PDF file and outputting it to a printer (hereinafter referred to as “Scan to Print”) is adopted, and this scanner printer system can be used as a substitute for a copying machine.

  However, the PDF file has a problem that the FCOT [First Copy Output Time] is remarkably slow because the first page cannot be expanded unless the file is read to the end due to the structure of the file format.

In order to solve the above problem, for example, by defining the indirect object definition part of the Body part of the PDF file at the beginning of the new file, and then placing the reference part of the indirect object of the Body part. There is a method for changing the file structure of a PDF file that enables interpretation from the beginning of the file and eliminates the need for a spool device (see, for example, Patent Document 2).
JP 2003-84940 A JP 2000-270178 A

  However, with the technique described in Patent Document 2, the FCOT cannot always be shortened because the printing process cannot be started until all the objects constituting the predetermined page are stored.

The present invention includes a aims to solve the above problems, Scan-to Print image reading apparatus which can shorten the FCOT of the scanner printer system to provide images processing system and a printing time shortening method To do.

In order to achieve the above object, according to a first aspect of the present invention, in an image reading apparatus connected to a network, a reading unit that reads an original and generates image data for each original, and an image data read by the reading unit and additional object instructing means for instructing addition of additional object, when it is instructed to addition of additional object by the additional object instructing means, an additional object generating means for generating additional object image corresponding to the instruction, all the documents When reading is completed, the information is indispensable for the PDF file, but at least includes information that is not necessary for printing in the PDF file generated by reading the document and information indicating the end of the PDF file. and object composition information generating means for generating object configuration information, with the When an additional object is instructed by the additional object instructing unit, one PDF file is generated based on the additional object image generated by the additional object generating unit and all the image data read by the reading unit. A PDF file generation unit; and an output unit that outputs the PDF file generated by the PDF file generation unit to an external device on the network. The PDF file generation unit includes the additional object at a head portion of the PDF file. An image is arranged, all the image data is arranged after the additional object image, and the object configuration information is arranged after the image data.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in an image processing system in which an image reading apparatus and an image forming apparatus are connected via a network, the image reading apparatus reads a document and generates image data for each document. And an additional object instruction means for instructing addition of an additional object to the image data read by the reading means, and an additional object image corresponding to the instruction when the additional object instruction means is instructed to add the additional object. Additional object generation means for generating a file and information necessary for a PDF file when reading is completed for all documents, but at least information that is unnecessary for printing in a PDF file generated by reading the document Generates object configuration information consisting of information indicating the end of a PDF file When the addition object addition is instructed by the object configuration information generation unit and the additional object instruction unit, the additional object image generated by the additional object generation unit and all the image data read by the reading unit, A PDF file generation unit configured to generate one PDF file; and an output unit configured to output the PDF file generated by the PDF file generation unit to the image forming apparatus. The PDF file generation unit includes the PDF file The additional object image is arranged at the head of the image, all the image data is arranged after the additional object image, and the object configuration information is arranged after the image data. PDF files output from the network via the network And receiving means for receiving the additional object, and when the additional object is arranged at the beginning of the PDF file, the additional object is received when reception of the additional object is completed during reception of the PDF file by the receiving means. An additional object storage unit to store, a rendering processing unit that performs rendering processing of the image data every time reception of the image data included in the PDF file is completed during reception of the PDF file by the receiving unit; When the additional object is stored in the additional object storage unit, a combination unit that combines the additional object with the image data drawn by the drawing unit, and print processing the image data output from the combination unit And a print processing means.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the printing time reduction method for an image processing system in which an image reading apparatus and an image forming apparatus are connected via a network, the image reading apparatus reads a document by a reading unit, and When the additional object instruction means instructs to add the additional object to the image data read by the reading means, the additional object generation means generates an additional object image corresponding to the instruction. When all the originals have been read, the information is essential for the PDF file, but at least information that is not necessary for printing in the PDF file generated by reading the original and information indicating the end of the PDF file. Is generated by the object configuration information generating means and the The additional object image is arranged, all the image data is arranged after the additional object image, and one PDF file in which the object configuration information is arranged after the image data is generated by the PDF file generation unit, The PDF file generated by the PDF file generating means is output to the image forming apparatus by the output means, and the image forming apparatus receives the PDF file output from the image reading apparatus via the network by the receiving means, When an additional object is arranged at the head part of the PDF file, the additional object is stored by the additional object storage unit when reception of the additional object is completed during reception of the PDF file by the receiving unit; During the reception of the PDF file by the receiving means, the PDF file Each time the reception of the image data included in the image is completed, the image data is drawn by the drawing processing means. When the additional object is saved in the additional object saving means, the drawing processing means draws the image data. The additional object is combined with the processed image data by the combining means, and the image data output from the combining means is subjected to print processing by the print processing means.

  According to the present invention, even if printing is performed using the direct print function of a multi-page document, it is possible to print while scanning without waiting for scanning of all pages, and a file to be generated is divided into pages. There is an effect that it is not necessary.

  Further, according to the present invention, compared to the method of bundling pages when saving to a PC and dividing the pages when copying, only one file processing is required, and the scanner can be configured at low cost. .

Hereinafter, an image reading apparatus according to the present invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings showing preferred embodiments of the images processing system and the print time shortening method will be described in detail.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a system configuration of an image processing system 1 using an image reading apparatus and an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an image processing system 1 includes a scanner 2 as an image reading apparatus according to the present invention, a printer 3 as an image forming apparatus according to the present invention, and a PC [Personal Computer] 4 over a network 5. Connected through.

  The printer 3 can directly print a received PDF file without using a driver.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of functional configurations of the scanner 2 and the printer 3 illustrated in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the scanner 2 includes a document reading unit 6, an image processing unit 7, an additional object instruction unit 8, an additional object generation unit 9, a PDF generation unit 10, and a network I / F 111.

  The document reading unit 6 reads the document and generates image data (hereinafter referred to as a scan image), and moves an image sensor such as a CCD [Charge Coupled Devices] and a carriage or document on which the image sensor is mounted. It is composed of an electric motor to be made. The document reading unit 6 generates one scan image (hereinafter referred to as a scan image for one page) every time one document is read. That is, n pages of scanned images are generated by reading n originals with the original reading unit 6.

  The image processing unit 7 performs image processing (for example, enlargement processing, reduction processing, etc.) on the scanned image generated by the document reading unit 6, and is configured by operating a processor by software, or for image processing IC [Integrated Circuit].

  The additional object instruction unit 8 prints the pattern image such as “secret”, “important”, etc. from the user on the scanned image, or prints information related to printing on the header (upper) / footer (lower) of the paper. An instruction for printing or the like (hereinafter, the pattern image and information related to printing is referred to as an additional object) is received. The additional object instruction unit 8 is configured by a display device, an input key device, or the like.

  The additional object image generation unit 9 generates an image of the additional object according to the instruction received by the additional object instruction unit 8. If a pattern image is prepared in advance, it is only necessary to read out the pattern image instructed from the memory.

  The PDF generation unit 10 performs a process of generating a PDF file based on the additional object image generated by the additional object image generation unit 9 and the scanned image (detailed PDF file generation will be described later). The PDF generation unit generates a PDF file including scanned images of all pages (that is, a multi-page PDF file). That is, when n originals are read, a PDF file including n scanned images is generated.

  The network I / F 111 is a data communication interface that can be connected to the network 5.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the printer 3 includes a network I / F 112, a page image generation unit 12, and a print processing unit 13.

  The network I / F 112 is an interface for data communication that can be connected to the network 5.

  The page image generation unit 12 performs a process of generating a page image based on print data such as PDL [Page Description Language] received by the network I / F 112. When a multi-page PDF file transmitted from the scanner 2 is received, a page image of the completed scan image is generated when the scan image for one page in the PDF file is completed. Note that generation of a page image of a PDF file including an additional object image will be described later.

  The print processing unit 13 performs processing for printing the page image generated by the page image generation unit 12 on printing paper.

  Next, PDF file generation performed by the PDF generation unit 10 of the scanner 2 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a file structure of the PDF file 14 including the additional object image generated by the PDF generation unit 10 and N scanned images.

  As shown in FIG. 3, first, a comment “% PDF-1.x” is written at the top of the PDF file 14, and then a page shared object in which information to be reflected in the page objects of all pages is arranged. Is done. Here, when an additional object image (in FIG. 3, a “confidential” pattern image) is printed over the scan image, the additional object image is written into the page shared object.

  Then, following the page shared object, a page object related to the scanned image of the first page is arranged, and subsequently, a page object related to the scanned image of the second page is arranged, and then the third page, the fourth page, and so on. A page object related to the scanned image of the Nth page, which is the last page, is arranged, and object configuration information (information unnecessary for printing) is written at the end of the PDF file 14, and the PDF file 14 ends.

  That is, the PDF generation unit 10 arranges the page shared object including the additional object image at the top of the PDF file 14 and generates the PDF file 14 while adding the scanned image to the PDF file 14 as needed. The page objects in the PDF file 14 are arranged in the order in which the document is read (that is, the page order), and the generated PDF file 14 has a simple file structure.

  Next, a multi-page PDF file printing process performed by the printer 3 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram for specifically explaining the printing process of the multi-page PDF file performed by the printer 3.

  For example, when three originals (original P1, original P2, and original P3) are read by the scanner 2, and a "secret" pattern image is added to the scanned image of the three originals and printed by the printer 3, the scanner 2 reads the set original P1, original P2, and original P3 in order, and generates a scanned image P1, a scanned image P2, and a scanned image P3.

  Then, the scanner 2 arranges the “confidential” pattern image at the top of the PDF file, and then adds the scan image P1, the scan image P2, and the scan image P3, and outputs the PDF file to the printer 3.

  The printer 3 starts receiving the PDF file output from the scanner 2 and immediately stores the “secret” pattern image when the reception of the “secret” pattern image arranged at the top of the PDF file is completed. Subsequently, as soon as the reception of the scan image P1 in the PDF file is completed, a page image of the scan image P1 is generated, and a “secret” pattern image is synthesized with the page image of the page image of the generated scan image P1. Then, as soon as the reception of the scanned image P2 in the PDF file is completed, a page image of the scanned image P2 is generated, and a “secret” pattern is formed on the page image of the generated scanned image P2. Synthesize the image and print it, then scan as soon as you have received the scanned image P3 in the PDF file Generates a page image of the image P3, performs combining by printing a pattern image of "CONFIDENTIAL" on the page image of the generated page images of the scanned image P3.

  Next, the processing flow of the scanner will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  When the “start button” is pressed (step S501), the file information is output to the output destination of the PDF file (eg, printer, PC, etc.) (step S502), and the additional object instruction unit confirms whether there is an additional object instruction. If there is an additional object instruction (YES in step S503), the process proceeds to step S504. If there is no additional object instruction (NO in step S503), the process proceeds to step S506.

  If there is an additional object instruction in step S503 (YES in step S503), the PDF generation unit generates a page shared object including the additional object (step S504), and outputs the page shared object to the output destination (step S505). The process proceeds to step S507.

  If there is no additional object instruction in step S503 (NO in step S503), the PDF generation unit generates a page shared object that does not include the additional object (step S506), and the process proceeds to step S507.

  Then, the original reading unit reads the original (step S507), the PDF generation unit generates a page object related to the scanned image (step S508), outputs the page object to the output destination (step S509), and all originals are read. If not completed (NO in step S510), the process returns to step S507. If reading of all documents has been completed (YES in step S510), the process proceeds to step S511.

  If all the originals have been read in step S510 (YES in step S510), the PDF generation unit generates object configuration information (step S511), and outputs the object configuration information to the output destination (step S512). Exit.

  Next, the processing flow of the printer will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  When the file information is received (YES in step S601), the transmission source is confirmed based on the file information. If the transmission source is a scanner (YES in step S602), the process proceeds to step S603, and the transmission source is other than the scanner. (NO in step S602), the process proceeds to step S612.

  If the transmission source is a scanner in step S602 (YES in step S602), PDF object data is received (step S603), and it is confirmed whether the received object data is object configuration information (step S604). If it is not configuration information (NO in step S604), it is checked whether the received object data is a page shared object (step S605). If it is a page shared object (YES in step S605), the process proceeds to step S606. If it is a page object (NO in step S605), the process proceeds to step S608.

  In step S605, if it is a page shared object (YES in step S605), it is confirmed whether or not the page shared object includes an additional object (step S606). If the additional object is included (YES in step S606). ), The process proceeds to step S607, and if no additional object is included (NO in step S606), the process returns to step S603.

  If an additional object is included in step S606 (YES in step S606), the additional object is saved (step S607), and the process returns to step S603.

  In step S605, if it is a page object (NO in step S605), the page image generation unit generates a page image from the page object (step S608), and checks whether the additional object is stored (step S609). If the additional object is stored (YES in step S609), the process proceeds to step S610. If the additional object is not stored (NO in step S609), the process proceeds to step S611.

  If an additional object is stored in step S609 (YES in step S609), the page image generation unit synthesizes the additional object with the page image (step S610), and the process proceeds to step S611.

  Then, a page image printing process is performed (step S611), and the process returns to step S603.

  If it is object configuration information in step S604 (YES in step S604), the process ends.

  In step S602, if the transmission source is other than the scanner (NO in step S602), normal printing processing is performed (step S612), and the processing is terminated.

  Therefore, the scanner places a page sharing object including an additional object at the top of the PDF file, and the printer combines the additional object with the scanned image when reception of the scanned image for one page in the PDF file is completed. In addition, printing processing can be performed, and the FCOT of the printer can be improved.

  In addition, when a system that simultaneously saves files on the PC and prints from the files saved on the PC is built, multiple pages can be generated as a single file without reducing copy performance. Re-copying from is also easy.

  In the embodiment, since an image forming apparatus having a function capable of directly printing a PDF file is indispensable, it is essential to convert a scanned image into a PDF file by the image reading apparatus (that is, PDF generation). However, of course, when connecting to an image forming apparatus having a function capable of directly printing a file format other than PDF (there is an image forming apparatus that is less sparse), It is obvious that converting a scanned image into a file format that can be directly printed by the image forming apparatus is of a design change level (that is, changing a PDF generation unit to a generation unit that generates another file format). .

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and shown in the drawings, and can be implemented with appropriate modifications within a range not changing the gist thereof.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration of an image processing system using an image reading apparatus and an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a functional structure of the scanner and printer shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the file structure of the PDF file containing the additional object image which the PDF production | generation part produced | generated, and N scan images. FIG. 5 is a diagram for specifically explaining print processing of a multi-page PDF file performed by a printer. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process of a scanner. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a processing flow of a printer.

Explanation of symbols

1 Image processing system 2 Scanner 3 Printer 4 PC
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 5 Network 6 Original reading part 7 Image processing part 8 Additional object instruction | indication part 9 Additional object image generation part 10 PDF generation part 111,112 Network I / F
12 page image generation unit 13 print processing unit 14 PDF file

Claims (3)

In an image reading apparatus connected to a network,
Reading means for reading a document and generating image data for each document;
Additional object instruction means for instructing addition of an additional object to the image data read by the reading means;
Additional object generation means for generating an additional object image corresponding to the instruction when the additional object instruction means instructs addition of the additional object;
When all the originals have been read, the information is essential for the PDF file, but at least information that is not necessary for printing in the PDF file generated by reading the original and information indicating the end of the PDF file. and object composition information generating means for generating object configuration information composed of the,
Generates one PDF file based on the additional object image generated by the additional object generation means and all the image data read by the reading means when the additional object instruction means instructs to add an additional object. PDF file generating means for
Output means for outputting the PDF file generated by the PDF file generation means to an external device on the network;
The PDF file generating means
An image reading apparatus, wherein the additional object image is arranged at a head portion of the PDF file, all the image data is arranged after the additional object image, and the object configuration information is arranged after the image data. . In an image processing system in which an image reading apparatus and an image forming apparatus are connected via a network,
The image reading device includes:
Reading means for reading a document and generating image data for each document;
Additional object instruction means for instructing addition of an additional object to the image data read by the reading means;
Additional object generation means for generating an additional object image corresponding to the instruction when the additional object instruction means instructs addition of the additional object;
When all the originals have been read, the information is essential for the PDF file, but at least information that is not necessary for printing in the PDF file generated by reading the original and information indicating the end of the PDF file. and object composition information generating means for generating object configuration information composed of the,
Generates one PDF file based on the additional object image generated by the additional object generation means and all the image data read by the reading means when the additional object instruction means instructs to add an additional object. PDF file generating means for
Output means for outputting the PDF file generated by the PDF file generation means to the image forming apparatus,
The PDF file generating means
Arranging the additional object image at the beginning of the PDF file, arranging all the image data after the additional object image, arranging the object configuration information after the image data,
The image forming apparatus includes:
Receiving means for receiving a PDF file output from the image reading device via the network;
An additional object storage means for storing the additional object when reception of the additional object is completed during reception of the PDF file by the reception means when the additional object is arranged at the top of the PDF file;
Drawing processing means for performing drawing processing of the image data every time reception of the image data included in the PDF file is completed during reception of the PDF file by the receiving means;
Combining means for combining the additional object with the image data drawn by the drawing processing means when the additional object is saved in the additional object saving means;
An image processing system comprising: a print processing unit that prints image data output from the combining unit. In a printing time reduction method of an image processing system in which an image reading apparatus and an image forming apparatus are connected via a network,
The image reading device includes:
A document is read by a reading unit, and image data is generated for each document,
When an additional object instruction unit instructs to add an additional object to the image data read by the reading unit, the additional object generation unit generates an additional object image corresponding to the instruction,
When all the originals have been read, the information is essential for the PDF file, but at least information that is not necessary for printing in the PDF file generated by reading the original and information indicating the end of the PDF file. Is generated by the object configuration information generation means,
The PDF file generation means arranges one additional PDF file in which the additional object image is arranged at the head portion, all the image data is arranged after the additional object image, and the object configuration information is arranged after the image data. Generate
The PDF file generated by the PDF file generation means is output to the image forming apparatus by the output means,
The image forming apparatus includes:
A PDF file output from the image reading device via the network is received by a receiving unit,
When an additional object is arranged at the head part of the PDF file, the additional object is stored by the additional object storage unit when reception of the additional object is completed during reception of the PDF file by the receiving unit;
During the reception of the PDF file by the receiving unit, the drawing processing unit performs drawing processing of the image data every time reception of the image data included in the PDF file is completed,
When the additional object is stored in the additional object storage means, the additional object is combined with the image data drawn by the drawing processing means by the combining means,
A printing time shortening method of an image processing system, wherein the image data output from the synthesizing unit is printed by a print processing unit.

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