JP5096114B2 - Image processing apparatus and scan data distribution method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and a scan data distribution method, and more particularly to an image processing apparatus and a scan data distribution method for distributing scan data to a distribution destination.

  In recent years, MFPs (MFPs), scanners, and the like, which are examples of image processing apparatuses, are processed by installed functions according to instructions and requests received via an external device such as a PC (personal computer) and a network such as a LAN. It is carried out. For example, Patent Document 1 describes an image processing apparatus that distributes a document in response to an instruction or request from a PC connected via a network.

  Here, as an example, a scanner (network scanner) that distributes scan data scanned from a document to a distribution destination PC via a network will be described. Conventional systems in which a scanner scans scan data from a document and distributes the scan data to a distribution destination PC via a network include a PC-initiated scan (Pull type) and a scanner-initiated scan (Push type). . Conventional systems have been made specifically for Pull-type or Push-type processing.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a PC-driven scan (Pull type) system. Some PC-driven scanning (Pull type) systems use, for example, Twain (Tool Without An Interesting Name). First, the scanner 1 sets a document at a predetermined position. The PC 2 specifies scan conditions and scan instructions to the scanner 1 based on operations from the operator.

  The scanner 1 scans a document set at a predetermined position on the basis of a scan condition designation and a scan instruction from the PC 2, and acquires scan data of the document. The PC 2 makes a scan data request to the scanner 1 based on an operation from the operator. Based on the scan data request from the PC 2, the scanner 1 distributes the scan data of the document to the PC 2.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a scanner-driven scan (Push type) system. Some scanner-driven (Push type) systems use, for example, ScanToPC. ScanToPC is an operation in which an operator operates the scanner 1 to deliver scan data scanned from a document to the PC 2 from the scanner 1.

First, the scanner 1 sets a document at a predetermined position. In the scanner 1, scanning conditions and a delivery destination are set based on an operation from the operator. The scanner 1 scans a document set at a predetermined position based on an instruction to start scanning from the operator, and acquires scan data of the document. The scanner 1 distributes scan data of a document to the PC 2.
JP 2004-297785 A

  By the way, since the conventional system was made specially for Pull type or Push type processing, there was a problem that it was not flexible. For example, in the past, it was impossible to make a scanning system with the Push type scanner 1 and the Pull type PC 2. In particular, conventionally, there has been a demand for a PC 1 specialized for Pull type scanning to be supported by a scanner 1 specialized for Push type scanning.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an image processing apparatus and a scan data distribution method capable of handling a distribution destination specialized for Pull-type scanning by an operation specialized for Push-type scanning. The purpose is to provide.

In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides an image processing apparatus having a scanner unit, wherein scan data scanned by the scanner unit is stored in a storage unit and managed, and the scanner unit After the scan operation by the scanner unit is completed, a scanner control unit that notifies the scan data delivery destination of the completion of preparation, and the scan read from the storage unit by the scan data management unit storing data in the internal buffer means, writing said scan data stored in the internal buffer means in response to the scan data request from the delivery destination buffer means for said destination buffer means for the distribution destination and queuing process means for distributing the scan data to the destination from And, the waiting processing means, the difference between the data size when delivering the data size for storing the scan data to the internal buffer means, said scan data from the buffer means for the distribution destination in the destination It is characterized by adjusting .

  In addition, what applied the component, expression, or arbitrary combination of the component of this invention to a method, an apparatus, a system, a computer program, a recording medium, a data structure, etc. is also effective as an aspect of this invention.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image processing apparatus and a scan data distribution method capable of handling a distribution destination specialized for a pull type scan by an operation specialized for a push type scan.

  Next, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described based on the following embodiments with reference to the drawings. First, in order to facilitate understanding of the present invention, the principle of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

<Principle of the invention>
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a scanning system according to the present invention. The scanning system (scan data distribution system) in FIG. 3 corresponds to the Pull type PC 2 by the scanner 1 by the Push type operation.

  In step S1, the scanner 1 sets a document at a predetermined position. In steps S2 and S3, the scanner 1 sets a scan condition and a delivery destination based on an operation from the operator. In step S4, the scanner 1 scans the document set at a predetermined position based on an instruction to start scanning from the operator, and acquires scan data of the document.

  When the scan data of the document is acquired, the scanner 1 proceeds to step S5, and notifies the PC 2 of the completion of scan preparation as will be described later. When notified of the completion of the scan preparation, the PC 2 proceeds to step S6 and makes a scan data request to the scanner 1. If there is a scan request from the PC 2, the scanner 1 proceeds to step S 7 and distributes the scan data of the document to the PC 2.

  In the scan data distribution system according to the present invention, after the scanner 1 acquires the scan data of the document, the PC 2 is notified of the completion of the scan preparation. The PC 2 is notified of the completion of the scan preparation from the scanner 1, and can make a scan data request to the scanner 1 as in the scan (Pull type) system led by the PC 2 shown in FIG. 1.

  Further, in the scan data distribution system according to the present invention, as in the scan (Push type) system led by the scanner 1 shown in FIG. A scan start instruction for acquiring scan data of the set document can be issued.

  Thus, in the scan data distribution system according to the present invention, the scanner 1 can cope with the Pull type PC 2 by the Push type operation. In the scan data distribution system according to the present invention, as will be described later, the scanner 1 can appropriately divide the scan data, and can distribute the divided scan data to the PC 2 in synchronization with a request from the PC 2.

<Hardware configuration>
In the following embodiments, a multifunction peripheral as an example of an image processing apparatus will be described as an example. However, any image processing apparatus having a scanner function may be used.

  A hardware configuration of the multifunction peripheral 100 according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a hardware configuration diagram of the multifunction machine according to the present invention. 4 includes an operation panel 11, a storage medium I / F 12, a controller 13, a data communication I / F 14, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 17, a scanner 15, and a plotter 16. It is configured to be connected to each other.

  The operation panel 11 has an input device 11a and a display device 11b. The input device 11a includes hardware keys and the like, and is used to input each operation signal to the multi-function device 100. Further, the display device 11b is configured by a display or the like, and displays, for example, various types of information regarding the image forming operation. The data communication I / F 14 includes an interface device 14a, and is an interface that connects the multifunction peripheral 100 to a network that is a data transmission path. The HDD 17 stores various data such as received document data and read image data handled by the multifunction peripheral 100. Further, the HDD 17 manages these various data by a predetermined file system or DB (Data Base).

  Various data stored in the HDD 17 includes electronic data recorded by an external device such as a digital camera, for example. In such a case, the electronic data is provided to the multi-function device 100 by a recording medium 12b such as a memory card or uploaded via a network or the like that is a data transmission path. The recording medium 12b is set in the drive device 12a included in the storage medium I / F 12, and various data are stored in the HDD 17 from the recording medium 12b via the drive device 12a.

  The controller 13 includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) 13a, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13b, and a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 13c. The ROM 13a stores programs executed when the multi-function device 100 is started up and various data. The RAM 13b temporarily holds various programs and data read from the ROM 13a and the HDD 17. Further, the CPU 13c executes a program temporarily stored in the RAM 13b.

  For example, when the print data is received via the data communication I / F 14, the controller 13 reads a program (PDL parser) that can read a page description language (PDL) read from the ROM 13a onto the RAM 13b by the CPU 13c. Execute and interpret the print data to generate a bitmap image.

  The scanner 15 includes an image reading device 15a, and optically reads a document placed on a reading surface and generates image data (scan data). The plotter 16 has a printing device 16a, and prints a bitmap image on a recording sheet by, for example, an electrophotographic process method. In the multi-function device 100 according to the present invention, a plurality of functions such as a copy, a printer, a facsimile, and a scanner are realized by the above-described hardware configuration.

<Software configuration>
A software configuration of the multifunction peripheral 100 according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a software configuration diagram of the multifunction machine according to the present invention.

  5 includes the plotter 16, the scanner 15, and the hardware resources 101 such as the facsimile and the HDD 17, and includes the platform 120 and the application 130 activated by the activation unit 140. The MFP 100 illustrated in FIG. And a software group 110 configured as follows.

  The platform 120 interprets a processing request from the application 130 and generates a hardware resource acquisition request, manages one or more hardware resources, and arbitrates the acquisition request from the control service 150. An SRM (System Resource Manager) 123 and an OS (Operating System) 121 are included.

  The control service 150 is formed of a plurality of service modules, and includes an SCS (System Control Service) 122, an ECS (Engine Control Service) 124, an MCS (Memory Control Service) 125, an OCS (Operation Panel Control Service) 126, An FCS (FAX Control Service) 127 and an NCS (Network Control Service) 128 are provided.

  The platform 120 includes an API (Application Program Interface) 103 that can receive a processing request from the application 130 by a predefined method, a plotter 16, a scanner 15, and other hardware resources 101 from an upper layer. It has an engine I / F 102 which is an interface when controlling via the OS 121 according to a request.

  The OS 121 is a general-purpose operating system such as UNIX (registered trademark), and executes the software of the platform 120 and the application 130 in parallel as processes.

  The SRM 123, together with the SCS 122, controls the system and manages resources, and includes engines such as the plotter 16 and the scanner 15, memory, HDD files, host I / O (for example, Centro I / F, network I / F, IEEE 1394). (I / F, RS232C I / F, etc.)) Arbitration is performed according to a request from a higher layer using hardware resources, and execution control is performed.

  Specifically, the SRM 123 determines whether the requested hardware resource is available (whether it is not used by another request), and if it is available, the requested hardware resource can be used. Tell the upper layer to the effect. In addition, the SRM 123 performs use scheduling of hardware resources in response to a request from an upper layer, and directly executes request contents (for example, paper conveyance and image forming operation, memory allocation, file generation, etc. by a printer engine). Yes.

  The SCS 122 performs application management, operation unit control, system screen display, LED (Light Emitting Diode) display, resource management, and interrupt application control. The ECS 124 controls a hardware resource engine including the plotter 16 and the scanner 15.

  The MCS 125 acquires and releases an image memory, uses an HDD, compresses and decompresses image data, and the like. The OCS 126 is a module that controls the operation panel 11 serving as information transmission means with an operator (operator).

  The FCS 127 transmits / receives facsimiles using PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Networks) / ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) from each application layer of the system controller, and various facsimile data managed by BKM (Backup SRAM: Static Random Access Memory). An API for performing registration / quotation, facsimile reading, facsimile reception printing, and composite transmission / reception is provided. In the FCS 127, an FCU handler (FCUH) that is a subprocess thereof is activated. The FCUH controls the device driver of the facsimile engine when performing facsimile transmission / reception according to a command from the FCS 127.

  The NCS 128 is a module group for providing a service that can be commonly used for the applications 130 that require network I / O. The NCS 128 performs communication processing.

  The application 130 includes a printer application 111 that is a printer application having a PDL parser such as PCL and PostScript (PS), a copy application 112 that is a copy application, a fax application 113 that is a facsimile application, and a scanner application. It has a scanner application 114 as an application, a network file application 115 as a network file application, a process inspection application 116 as a process inspection application, and a distribution application 117 as a distribution application.

  Each of these control services, the SRM 123, and each application 130 is an object having one or more methods, and is generated and executed on the OS 121 as a process by activating this object. A plurality of threads are activated in each process, and parallel execution is realized by switching the CPU occupation time of these threads under the management of the OS 121. For this reason, the multifunction peripheral 100 is improved in processing speed during parallel execution as compared with parallel execution by process switching.

  Each application process and each control service process transmit and receive messages by inter-process communication by executing methods. From here, the details of the scan data distribution processing according to the present invention will be described.

<Scan data distribution process>
FIG. 6 is an exemplary software configuration diagram for explaining scan data distribution processing according to the present invention. In the software configuration diagram of FIG. 6, portions unnecessary for the description of the scan data distribution processing according to the present invention are omitted as appropriate. The distribution application 117 of FIG. 6 has a configuration including a waiting processing unit 200 and a scan data management unit 210. Note that the waiting processing unit 200 and the scan data management unit 210 may be provided in addition to the distribution application 117.

  The waiting processing unit 200 performs internal buffer processing, original image processing processing, and waiting processing. Each software shown in FIG. 6 performs a scan data distribution process according to the present invention in the processing procedure shown in FIG.

  FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram showing the procedure of the scan data distribution process. In step S10, the MFP 100 sets a document at a predetermined position. In step S11, the scanner application 114 sets a scan condition and a delivery destination based on an operation from the operator.

  In step S12, the scanner application 114 scans a document set at a predetermined position based on an instruction to execute (start) a scan from the operator, and acquires document scan data. When the document scan data is acquired, the scanner application 114 proceeds to step S13, and transmits the acquired document scan data and job number to the scan data management unit 210. The job number is an example of a job identifier.

  In step S14, the scan data management unit 210 stores the received document scan data and job number in the HDD 17 serving as a storage. The scanner application 114 transmits the scan data and job number of the acquired document to the scan data management unit 210, and then proceeds to steps S15 and S16 to notify the PC 2 of the scan preparation completion together with the storage URL via the NCS 128. .

  Thereafter, the scan data management unit 210 reads scan data of the original stored in the storage, and performs a scan data storage process of storing in the internal buffer of the waiting processing unit 200. The internal buffer is a buffer for synchronizing scan data between the PC 2 and the multifunction peripheral 100.

  In the scan data storage process shown in FIG. 7, the scan data stored in the storage is divided into m pieces, and the divided scan data is sent to the wait processing unit 200 in m times together with the job number to be sent to the wait processing unit 200. (Steps S17-1, S18-1, S19-1,..., Steps S17-m, S18-m, S19-m).

  When notified of completion of scan preparation, the PC 2 designates a job number and makes a data request to the waiting processing unit 200. The data request shown in FIG. 7 is an example in which scan data is divided into n pieces, and the divided scan data is divided into n times and distributed from the waiting processing unit 200 to the PC 2 (steps S20-1, S21-). 1, S22-1, S23-1, S24-1,..., Steps S21-n, S22-n, S23-n, S24-n).

  The scan data management unit 210 reads the scan data of the original stored in the storage, stores it in the internal buffer of the waiting processing unit 200, proceeds to step S25, and notifies the scanner application 114 of the end.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the queuing processing unit 200 has an internal buffer, and asynchronously performs a data request from the PC 2 via the NCS 128 and a scan data storage process from the scan data management unit 210. That is, the number of data requests from the PC 2 and scan data storage processing from the scan data management unit 210 via the NCS 128 does not correspond one to one.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7, since the waiting processing unit 200 has an internal buffer, even if an error occurs in communication with the PC 2, a retry can be easily realized without imposing a burden on the scanning function of the multifunction peripheral 100.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 7, the waiting processing unit 200 divides the scan data into 1 to m, receives it from the scan data management unit 210, and stores it in the internal buffer. The waiting processing unit 200 divides the scan data stored in the internal buffer into 1 to n and distributes it to the PC 2. As described above, since the scan data is generally large, the scan data is transmitted after being chunked.

  The size of the divided scan data received from the scan data management unit 210 and the size of the divided scan data distributed to the PC 2 are irrelevant and are adjusted by the waiting processing unit 200. Since the scan data management unit 210 manages the scan data by job number, the scan data can be distributed even when there are a plurality of jobs.

<Meeting process>
FIG. 8 is a flowchart of an example showing an outline of the operation of the waiting processing unit that has received a data request from the PC. When receiving a data request from the PC 2, the waiting processing unit 200 proceeds to step S31, and reads scan data for the requested size from the internal buffer. In step S32, the waiting processing unit 200 determines whether the scan data read in step S31 is smaller than the requested size, in other words, the data amount is insufficient.

  If the scan data read in step S31 is not smaller than the requested size, the waiting processing unit 200 proceeds to step S33, and the scan data read from the internal buffer in step S31 is stored on the PC2 side (for PC2 in the waiting processing unit 200). Write to buffer. In step S34, the waiting processing unit 200 transmits scan data from the buffer on the PC2 side to the PC2 side.

  In step S35, the waiting processing unit 200 determines whether the final data flag of the scan data read from the internal buffer in step S31 is “On” or “Off”. If the final data flag of the scan data is “Off”, the waiting processing unit 200 ends the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG.

  If the final data flag of the scan data is “On”, the waiting processing unit 200 proceeds to step S40, notifies the PC 2 that it is the final scan data (final data), and then performs the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. Exit.

  On the other hand, in step S32, if the scan data read in step S31 is smaller than the requested size, the waiting processing unit 200 proceeds to step S36 and waits for the scan data to be stored in the internal buffer from the scan data management unit 210. . In step S37, the waiting processing unit 200 determines whether scan data has been received from the scan data management unit 210. If the scan data is received from the scan data management unit 210, the waiting processing unit 200 proceeds to step S38 and writes the received scan data in the internal buffer. Proceeding to step S39, the queuing processing unit 200 reads out the insufficient amount of scan data determined in step S31 from the internal buffer, and then proceeds to step S33.

  If the scan data is not received from the scan data management unit 210, the queuing processing unit 200 proceeds to step S41 and determines whether or not a time-out has elapsed after a predetermined time has elapsed after receiving the previous scan data from the scan data management unit 210. judge. If not timed out, the waiting processing unit 200 returns to step S36. If it is a timeout, the waiting processing unit 200 outputs an error.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation outline of the waiting processing unit that has received scan data from the scan data management unit. When the waiting processing unit 200 receives scan data from the scan data management unit 210, the process proceeds to step S51, and stores the scan data in the internal buffer.

  In step S52, the waiting processing unit 200 determines whether the internal buffer is full. If the internal buffer is full, the waiting processing unit 200 proceeds to step S53, and waits for acquisition of scan data from the PC 2 side, in other words, a data request.

  After acquiring the scan data from the PC 2 side, the process proceeds to step S54, and the waiting processing unit 200 determines whether or not there is a free space in the internal buffer that can store the remaining scan data from the scan data management unit 210. If there is a free space in the internal buffer, the waiting processing unit 200 proceeds to step S55, receives the remaining scan data from the scan data management unit 210, and stores it in the internal buffer.

  Proceeding from step S55 to step S56, the queuing processing unit 200 determines whether or not the scan data stored in the internal buffer is final data. If it is the final data, the queuing processing unit 200 proceeds to step S57, sets the final data flag to “ON”, and then ends the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. If it is not the final data, the waiting process unit 200 ends the process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 9 after the process of step S56.

  In step S54, if there is no free space in the internal buffer, the queuing processing unit 200 proceeds to step S58, and determines whether a time-out has elapsed after a predetermined time has elapsed after receiving the previous data request from the PC2. If not timed out, the waiting processing unit 200 returns to step S53. If it is time-out, the waiting processing unit 200 outputs an error.

<Expansion of scan data distribution processing>
FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of an extension procedure of scan data distribution processing. In step S60, the multifunction peripheral 100 sets the original at a predetermined position. In step S61, the scanner application 114 sets a scan condition and a delivery destination based on an operation from the operator.

  In step S62, the scanner application 114 scans the document set at a predetermined position based on an instruction to execute (start) the scan from the operator, and obtains scan data of the document. When the document scan data is acquired, the scanner application 114 proceeds to step S 63, and transmits the acquired document scan data and job number to the scan data management unit 210.

  In step S64, the scan data management unit 210 stores the received document scan data and job number in the HDD 17 serving as a storage. In addition, the scanner application 114 transmits the scan data and job number of the acquired document to the scan data management unit 210, and then proceeds to steps S65 and S66 to notify the PC 2 of the scan preparation completion together with the storage URL via the NCS 128. .

  Thereafter, the scan data management unit 210 proceeds to steps S67 to S69, and performs scan data storage processing for reading the scan data of the original stored in the storage and storing it in the internal buffer of the waiting processing unit 200. When notified of the completion of scan preparation, the PC 2 proceeds to steps S70 and S71, designates a job number, and makes a data request for preview to the waiting processing unit 200.

  In step S72, the waiting processing unit 200 reads the scan data from the internal buffer, and performs a thinning process for the preview image on the scan data. Such a thinning process of the preview image for the scan data is an example of a process performed by the image editing function. In steps S73 and S74, the queuing processing unit 200 distributes to the PC 2 scan data that has undergone image thinning processing for preview.

  FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram illustrating another example of the procedure for extending the scan data distribution process. In step S80, the MFP 100 sets a document at a predetermined position. In step S81, the scanner application 114 always scans the document set at a predetermined position based on the scan execution (start) instruction from the operator under the highest scanning conditions, and obtains scan data of the document. When the document scan data is acquired, the scanner application 114 proceeds to step S82, and transmits the acquired document scan data and job number to the scan data management unit 210.

  In step S83, the scan data management unit 210 stores the received document scan data and job number in the HDD 17 serving as a storage. The scanner application 114 transmits the scan data and job number of the acquired document to the scan data management unit 210, and then proceeds to steps S84 and S85 to notify the PC 2 of the scan preparation completion together with the storage URL via the NCS 128. .

  Thereafter, the scan data management unit 210 proceeds to steps S86 to S88, and performs scan data storage processing for reading the scan data of the original stored in the storage and storing it in the internal buffer of the waiting processing unit 200. When notified of the completion of scan preparation, the PC 2 proceeds to steps S89 and S90, specifies a job number and scan conditions, and makes a data request to the waiting processing unit 200.

  In step S91, the waiting processing unit 200 reads the scan data from the internal buffer, and performs a process of processing the scan data in accordance with the scan condition designated from the PC2. The process of processing the scan data in accordance with the scan condition designated from the PC 2 side is an example of the process performed by the image editing function.

  For example, when the scan condition designated from the PC 2 side is black and white and the original image is color and full resolution scan data, the waiting processing unit 200 converts the scan data from a color image to black and white.

  Further, when the scan condition designated from the PC 2 side is the designation of resolution, and the original image is color and full resolution scan data, the waiting processing unit 200 thins the scan data from the full resolution to the designated resolution. When the scan condition designated from the PC 2 is a security process designation, the queuing processing unit 200 performs a designated security process such as electronic watermarking, scrambling, and compression on the scan data.

  Then, the process proceeds to steps S92 and S93, and the waiting processing unit 200 distributes the scan data processed according to the scan condition designated from the PC 2 side to the PC 2.

<Other examples of scan data distribution processing>
FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram illustrating a procedure of scan data distribution processing using an external storage.

  Proceeding to step S100, the MFP 100 sets the document at a predetermined position. In step S101, the scanner application 114 sets a scan condition and a delivery destination based on an operation from the operator. In step S102, the scanner application 114 scans a document set at a predetermined position based on an instruction to start (start) a scan from the operator, and obtains scan data of the document. When the scan data of the original is acquired, the scanner application 114 proceeds to steps S103-1 to S107-1,..., Steps S103-m to S107-m, and the acquired scan data of the original is transferred to the external storage 300 via the NCS 128. To store.

  In steps S108 to S111, the scanner application 114 notifies the external storage 300 of the completion of transfer of scan data. The scanner application 114 stores the acquired document scan data in the external storage 300, and then proceeds to steps S112 and S113, and notifies the PC 2 of the scan preparation completion together with the URL of the external storage and the file ID of the scan data via the NCS 128. .

  When notified of the completion of scan preparation, the PC 2 proceeds to step S114 and makes a data request to the external storage 300. The data request shown in FIG. 12 is an example in which scan data is divided into n pieces, and the divided scan data is divided into n times and distributed from the external storage 300 to the PC 2 (steps S116-1 to S116-n). ).

  In the scan data distribution process shown in FIG. 12, the external storage 300 is used, and the data request from the PC 2 and the scan data storage process from the multifunction peripheral 100 are performed asynchronously. That is, the number of data requests from the PC 2 and the number of scan data storage processes from the multifunction device 100 do not correspond one-to-one.

  In the scan data distribution process shown in FIG. 12, since an external storage is used, even if an error occurs in communication with the PC 2, a retry can be easily realized without imposing a burden on the scan function of the multifunction peripheral 100.

  Further, in the scan data distribution process shown in FIG. 12, the scan data is divided into 1 to m and transmitted to the external storage 300 for storage. The PC 2 is distributed by dividing the scan data stored in the external storage 300 into 1 to n. As described above, since the scan data is generally large, the scan data is transmitted after being chunked. Note that the size of the divided scan data transmitted from the MFP 100 and the size of the divided scan data distributed to the PC 2 are irrelevant and are adjusted by the external storage 300.

  The present invention is not limited to the specifically disclosed embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the claims.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a PC-driven scan (Pull type) system. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a scanner-driven system (Push type). FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a scanning system according to the present invention. It is a hardware block diagram of the multifunctional machine by this invention. FIG. 3 is a software configuration diagram of a multifunction peripheral according to the present invention. It is a software block diagram of an example for demonstrating the scan data delivery process by this invention. It is a sequence diagram showing the procedure of the scan data delivery process. It is an example flowchart which shows the operation | movement outline | summary of the waiting process part which received the data request from PC. It is a flowchart of an example which shows the operation | movement outline | summary of the waiting process part which received the scan data from the scan data management part. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of an extension procedure of scan data distribution processing. It is a sequence diagram of another example showing the procedure of extension of scan data distribution processing. It is a sequence diagram showing the procedure of the scan data delivery process using an external storage.

Explanation of symbols

1 Scanner 2 PC
11 Operation panel 12 Storage media I / F
13 Controller 14 Data communication I / F
15 Scanner 16 Plotter 17 HDD (Hard Disk Drive)
100 MFP 114 Scanner Application 117 Distribution Application 121 OS (Kernel)
128 NCS (Communication Processing Unit)
200 Waiting processing unit 210 Scan data management unit 300 External storage

Claims (6)

An image processing apparatus having a scanner unit,
Scan data management means for storing and managing scan data scanned by the scanner unit in a storage means;
A scanner control means for controlling a scanning operation by the scanner unit and notifying completion of preparation to a distribution destination of the scan data after the scanning operation by the scanner unit is completed;
Wherein said scan data read out from said memory means by the scan data management unit stored in the internal buffer means, the said scan data stored in the internal buffer means in response to the scan data request from the delivery destination the write buffer means for distribution destination, possess a queuing processing means for distributing said scan data to the destination from the buffer means for the distribution destination,
The waiting processing unit adjusts a difference between a data size when the scan data is stored in the internal buffer unit and a data size when the scan data is distributed from the distribution destination buffer unit to the distribution destination. An image processing apparatus. The waiting processing means stores the scan data read from the storage means by the scan data management means in the internal buffer means, and stores the scan data in the internal buffer means in response to a scan data request from the distribution destination. 2. The stored scan data is written in the distribution destination buffer means, and the process of distributing the scan data from the distribution destination buffer means to the distribution destination is performed asynchronously. The image processing apparatus described.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the waiting processing unit manages the scan data with a job identifier.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the waiting processing unit processes the scan data distributed to the distribution destination according to an image editing request included in a scan data request from the distribution destination.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the waiting processing unit processes the scan data distributed to the distribution destination according to a scan condition included in a scan data request from the distribution destination. A scan data distribution method for an image processing apparatus having a scanner unit,
A scanner control unit controlling a scanning operation by the scanner unit;
A scan data management unit storing and managing scan data scanned by the scanner unit in a storage unit;
After the scanner control means has finished controlling the scanning operation by the scanner unit, notifying the completion of preparation to the delivery destination of the scan data;
A waiting processing unit storing the scan data read from the storage unit by the scan data management unit in an internal buffer unit;
The waiting processing means writing the scan data stored in the internal buffer means to the delivery destination buffer means in response to a scan data request from the delivery destination;
Possess the steps of the waiting processing means for delivering to the delivery destination of the scan data from the buffer means for the distribution destination,
The waiting processing unit adjusts a difference between a data size when the scan data is stored in the internal buffer unit and a data size when the scan data is distributed from the distribution destination buffer unit to the distribution destination. A scan data distribution method characterized by:

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