JP5811743B2 - Image output device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image output apparatus.

  For the purpose of storing images and distributing images using e-mails and the like, there are often situations where an original image without deterioration such as a bitmap format is compressed. By compressing the image, the data size can be reduced, but in many cases, the image quality of the compressed image is deteriorated compared to the image quality of the original image. When the compression is irreversible compression such as JPEG compression, the image quality deteriorated by the compression cannot be restored to the image quality of the non-deteriorated original image (that is, the compression source image). Therefore, when there is a possibility that a high-quality image is required after image compression, it is preferable to upload the original image to a server or the like prior to compression.

  Patent Document 1 describes a document management system. In this document management system, a document management client uploads an original image input from a digital multifunction peripheral to a document management server, while the document management client generates a thinned image from the original image uploaded to the document management server. To display. According to such a document management system, the document management client can acquire an original image that cannot be restored from the thinned image from the document management server as necessary.

JP 2006-203317 A

  However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, since the document management client manages the original image uploaded to the document management server by linking with an identifier, the device that can acquire the original image is the upload source device. Limited to document management clients. Therefore, even if the technology described in Patent Literature 1 is applied and an original image of an image reduced in weight by a certain device is uploaded to the server, the original image can be easily obtained from another device. There is a problem that it is inconvenient.

  Therefore, it is conceivable to store the location information of the image file of the original image in the image file of the lightened image. Then, a device that acquires an original image from an external device using the location information of the image file of the original image stored in the image file of the lightened image is desired.

  Including the above-described points, the present invention can acquire a related file from an external device when the location information of the file related to the image file is stored in the reduced image data portion of the image file. An object of the present invention is to provide an image output apparatus.

In order to achieve the above object, an image output apparatus according to the present invention includes a display unit for displaying an image based on image data, an input unit for inputting a predetermined file, and an image file input from the input unit. A first image file which is an image file of a data format having a main image data portion for storing data of the main image and a reduced image data portion capable of storing data corresponding to the reduced image of the main image 1st judging means for judging whether or not, and information transmission image data obtained by encoding predetermined data in the reduced image data portion of the image file judged to be the first image file by the first judging means It is determined that the information transmission image data is stored in the reduced image data portion by the second determination unit that determines whether or not the information transmission image data is stored and the second determination unit Decoding means for decoding information transfer image data of one image file; third determination means for determining whether the data obtained by the decoding means is location information indicating the location of a predetermined file; and the decoding The data obtained by the means, the sending means for sending a request for the file whose destination is the data judged by the third judging means as the location information, and the file returned in response to the sending means Receiving means.

  According to the image output device of claim 1, the related file stored in the location information obtained by decoding the information transfer image data stored in the reduced image data portion of a certain image file is acquired. be able to.

The image output apparatus according to claim 2, wherein, for an image based on the main image data included in the image and the first image file based on the main image data included in the image file received by the receiving means Viewing means, these It is determined which of the first display for displaying any one of these images on the display means and the second display for displaying both of these images on the display means. Therefore, either the first display or the second display can be performed for each image.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the file that is received by the receiving means and is determined not to be an image file by the fourth determining means is stored in a detachable nonvolatile storage unit. Therefore, if the file received by the receiving unit is a file that cannot be displayed by the image output display, the file can be displayed by another device that can display the file.

  When the first display is performed, the image output device according to claim 4 has higher image quality among the main image data included in the image file received by the receiving unit and the main image data included in the first image file. A display for accepting a print instruction for main image data and a display for accepting a print instruction for main image data with lower image quality are performed. Therefore, the user can select two image files based on the image quality of the main image data.

  According to the image output apparatus of claim 5, the user recognizes whether or not the image quality of the main image data included in the image file received by the receiving unit is higher than that of the main image data included in the first image file. In addition, it is possible to select whether or not to store the image file received by the receiving means in the nonvolatile storage unit.

  According to the image output device of the sixth aspect, the user recognizes the main image data included in the image file received by the receiving unit and the main image data included in the first image file, and then receives the main image data by the receiving unit. A print instruction for either the main image data included in the processed image file or the main image data included in the first image file can be input.

  According to the image output device of claim 7, the main image data of a certain image file and the data obtained by decoding the information transfer image data stored in the reduced image data portion of the image file are displayed. can do.

2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the MFP 1. FIG. It is the schematic of the data structure in the image file of a JPEG format. It is a flowchart which shows a JPEG compression process. It is a flowchart which shows an image file display process. It is an example of an inquiry screen displayed by the MFP 1 in S232. (A) is a flowchart which shows dissimilar image display processing. (B) is an example of a dissimilar image display screen displayed by the MFP 1 in S304. (A) is a flowchart which shows a similar image display process. (B) is an example of similar image display displayed by the MFP 1 in S402. (A) is a flowchart which shows the display process containing a text. (B) is an example of a display screen including text displayed by the MFP 1 in S500. (A) is a flowchart which shows a normal display process. (B) is an example of a normal display screen displayed by the MFP 1 in S600. It is a block diagram which shows the electric constitution of PC100. It is a flowchart which shows a file lightening process. It is a flowchart which shows a master data upload process. It is a flowchart which shows a file distribution process.

[First Embodiment]
<Configuration of MFP 1>
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a multifunction peripheral device (hereinafter referred to as “MFP”) 1 which is an embodiment of an image processing apparatus of the present invention.

  The MFP 1 includes a CPU 10, a flash memory 11, a RAM 12, a ROM 13, an operation unit 15, a display unit 16, a touch panel 17, a memory card interface (hereinafter referred to as a memory card I / F) 18, a memory card 19, a reading unit 20, and printing. A unit 21, an NCU 22, a modem 23, a USB_I / F 24, and a network interface (hereinafter referred to as a network I / F) 25 are mainly provided. These hardwares are connected to each other via a bus 26.

  The CPU 10 has various functions of the MFP 1 according to fixed values and programs stored in the flash memory 11 and the ROM 13, data stored in the RAM 12, or various signals transmitted and received via the network I / F 25. And control of each unit connected by the bus 26 is performed. The flash memory 11 is a non-volatile memory, and stores a control program 11a for controlling the operation of the MFP 1 and the like. Each process shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 4 (a), FIG. 5 (a), FIG. 6 (a), FIG. 7 (a), and FIG. 8 (a) described later is performed by the CPU 10 according to the control program 11a. Run.

  The RAM 12 is a rewritable volatile memory that temporarily stores information necessary for the processing of the CPU 10. The RAM 12 is provided with a display target file memory 12a and an acquisition file memory 12b. The display target file memory 12a develops (compressed image data) one image file that causes the display unit 16 to display an image (hereinafter referred to as “display target”) among the image files stored in the memory card 19. Is stored in an uncompressed state. The image file to be displayed is designated by the user. The acquired file memory 12b is a memory for storing the file acquired in S220 of the image file display process shown in FIG. The ROM 112 is a non-rewritable nonvolatile memory in which various fixed values are stored.

  The operation unit 15 is composed of one or more hard keys, and inputs a corresponding electrical signal to the CPU 10 when pressed by the user. The display unit 16 is a liquid crystal display device, and displays various display screens in accordance with input electric signals. The touch panel 17 is provided so as to overlap the display surface of the display unit 16. In this embodiment, the touch panel is an electrostatic touch panel, and when touched by the user, an electric signal corresponding to the touched area is input to the CPU 10. Hereinafter, in a state where a predetermined icon is displayed on the display unit 16, a signal corresponding to an area where the icon is displayed is input from the touch panel 17 to the CPU 10, and the CPU 10 receives selection of an icon. Express.

  The memory card I / F 18 is an interface to which a nonvolatile memory card 19 is attached, and controls writing or reading of data with respect to the memory card 19. The memory card 19 stores JPEG format image files generated by the MFP 1. As an example, the memory card 19 is an SD card (registered trademark).

  The reading unit 20 reads an original and outputs image data of the read original to the CPU 10. When receiving image data from the reading unit 20, the CPU 10 generates an image file in JPEG format. The printing unit 21 prints an image on a recording sheet.

  The NCU 22 is a device that controls a telephone line. The modem 23 modulates the transmission signal at the time of facsimile transmission and demodulates the received modulation signal at the time of facsimile reception.

  The USB_I / F 24 is a device for connecting other devices via a USB cable so that they can communicate with each other, and is configured by a known device. For example, a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as “PC”) in which a driver program for driving the MFP 1 is installed can be connected to the USB_I / F 24 via a USB cable.

  The network I / F 25 is a device for communicating with other devices via the Internet (not shown), and well-known network hardware is an example.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an outline of a data structure in a JPEG format image file. As shown in the figure, an image file in JPEG format has an additional information data area 30 and a main image data area 32. The main image data area 32 is an area for storing a main image data body (hereinafter referred to as “main image data”). The additional information data area 30 is an area for storing additional information related to the main image such as the vertical and horizontal sizes of the main image and the resolution of the main image, and includes a thumbnail area 31. The thumbnail area 31 is an area for storing image data corresponding to the reduced image of the main image (hereinafter referred to as “reduced image data”). The data structure of the additional information data area 30, the thumbnail area 31, the main image data area 32, etc. is defined by JEIDA (Japan Electronics Industry Promotion Association) as an Exif standard. In addition to JPEG, image files in PDF format and TIFF format also have a thumbnail area similar to the thumbnail area 31.

Hereinafter, the image file in which the two-dimensional code data is stored in the thumbnail area 31 in which the reduced image data is stored will be described through the first and second embodiments.
<Operation of MFP 1>
(Image file creation process)
Hereinafter, the JPEG compression process will be described with reference to FIG. For example, by executing JPEG compression processing, a JPEG file in which two-dimensional data is stored in the thumbnail area 31 is created. The JPEG compression process is a process for generating an image file in JPEG format from image data of a document read by the reading unit 20. In this process, the user specifies the JPEG format as the storage format and uploads the bitmap format image file to an external device (not shown) connected via the network I / F. This is executed when the reading unit 20 is instructed to read a document.

  First, the CPU 10 causes the reading unit 20 to read a document (S100), and generates a bitmap format image file from the image data of the document obtained by the reading (S102). Next, the CPU 10 displays a path input screen (not shown) on the display unit 16, and the bitmap file upload destination (storage area in the external device) based on the operation of the touch panel 17 on the path input screen. ) Is received (S104). At this time, if the URL is not input on the path input screen (No in S104), the CPU 10 returns the process to S104.

  On the other hand, when the CPU 10 accepts the input of the URL (S104: Yes), the CPU 10 uploads the bitmap format image file generated in S102 to the storage area of the external device indicated by the input URL ( S106). Note that the bitmap format image file is left in the MFP 1. Next, the CPU 10 converts the URL input on the path input screen into two-dimensional code data (S108). The URL input to the path input screen is text data, and a method for generating two-dimensional code data (QR code (registered trademark) data) from the text data is a known technique, and thus description thereof is omitted. This technique is described in, for example, “Susumu Ashiya, Introduction to Code Theory, Kogakusha, 2008/7”.

Next, the CPU 10 converts (compresses) the bitmap format image file into a JPEG format image file (S110). Next, the CPU 10 stores the two-dimensional code data generated in S108 in the thumbnail area 31 of the obtained JPEG image file (S112), and saves the JPEG image file in the memory card 19 ( S114), the process ends.
(Image file display processing)
Hereinafter, the image file display process will be described with reference to FIG. The image file display process starts when the CPU 10 determines that a signal indicating that the memory card 19 has been inserted is input from the memory card I / F 18.

  In S200, the CPU 10 causes the display unit 16 to display an image file selection screen (not shown). The image file selection screen is a screen for allowing the user to designate one image file from among the image files stored in the memory card 19. For example, a list of file names is displayed in ascending order. Further, the image file selection screen also has an end icon for instructing the end of the image file display process. The user can select a file by touching the file name icon of the desired file. Further, by touching the end icon, the end of the image file display process can be instructed.

  If the CPU 11 determines that the end icon has been selected (Yes in S202), the image file display process ends. On the other hand, if it is determined that the end icon is not selected (S202 / No) and one icon of the image file name is selected (S204 / Yes), the CPU 11 proceeds to S206. In S206, the CPU 10 expands the image file having the image file name indicated by the selected icon in the display target file memory 12a (S206). Then, the process proceeds to S208.

  If the end icon is not selected (S202 / No) and the image file name icon is not selected (S204 / No), the CPU 10 returns to S202 and repeats the determination.

  In S208, the CPU 10 refers to the additional information data area 30 of the image file developed in the display target file memory 12a, and determines whether the image file is an image file having a thumbnail area (S208).

  When the CPU 10 determines that the image file developed in the display target file memory 12a is an image file having a thumbnail area (for example, a JPEG file) (Yes in S208), the process proceeds to S210. On the other hand, if it is determined that the image file does not have a thumbnail area (No at S208), the process proceeds to S238.

  In S210, the CPU 10 determines whether or not a two-dimensional code is stored in the thumbnail area of the image file developed in the display target file memory 12a (S210). This technique is well known and is used for, for example, a barcode (QR code (registered trademark)) reader function of a mobile phone. If the CPU 10 determines that a two-dimensional code is stored (S210: Yes), the process proceeds to S212. On the other hand, if it is determined that the two-dimensional code is not stored (S210 No), the process proceeds to S238.

  In S212, the CPU 10 decodes the two-dimensional code stored in the thumbnail area of the image file developed in the display target file memory 12a. This technique is well known and is used for, for example, a barcode (QR code (registered trademark)) reader function of a mobile phone. Then, the process proceeds to S214.

  In S214, the CPU 10 determines whether the data obtained by decoding the two-dimensional code is text data (S214). If it is determined that the text is a text (S214, Yes), the process proceeds to S216. On the other hand, if it is determined that it is not text (S214, No), the process proceeds to S238.

  In S216, the CPU 10 determines whether or not the text obtained by decoding the two-dimensional code includes a URL. If the CPU 10 determines that the URL is included (S216: Yes), the process proceeds to S218. On the other hand, if it is determined that the URL is not included (No in S216), the process proceeds to S228.

  In S218, the CPU 10 transmits a request for the file stored in the area specified by the URL determined to be included in S216 (S218). More specifically, the CPU 10 controls the network I / F 25 to cause the CPU 10 to transmit a request destined for the URL determined to be included in S216. Then, the process proceeds to S220. The request to be transmitted follows an arbitrary protocol such as HTTP or FTP.

  In S220, the CPU 10 acquires the returned file (S220). More specifically, the CPU 10 reads the file included in the reply to the request received by the network I / F 25 and stores it in the acquired file memory 12b. Then, the process proceeds to S222.

  In S222, data indicating the file structure included in the file stored in the acquired file memory 12b is analyzed to determine whether or not the file is an image file. When it is determined that the file is an image file (S220 / Yes), the process proceeds to S224. When it is determined that the file is not an image file (S220 / No), the process proceeds to S232.

  In S224, the CPU 10 determines whether the image file stored in the acquired file memory 12b and the file developed in the display target file memory 12a store similar image data. A technique for determining whether or not two images are similar is described in, for example, Japanese Patent Application No. 2008-242575 and is well known, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.

  If the CPU 10 determines that similar image data is stored (S224 / Yes), the process proceeds to S230. On the other hand, if it is determined that similar image data is not stored (S224, No), the process proceeds to S226.

  In S232, the CPU 10 displays the inquiry screen shown in FIG. The inquiry screen displays an icon 200 for inputting an instruction to store the file acquired in S220 in the memory card 19, and an icon 202 for inputting an instruction not to store the file acquired in S220 in the memory card 19.

  The CPU 10 determines whether an instruction to store a file in the memory card 19 or an instruction not to store it is received depending on which of the icon 200 and the icon 202 is selected on the inquiry screen displayed in S232 (S234). If it is determined that an instruction to be stored is accepted (S234, Yes), the process proceeds to S236, and if it is determined that an instruction not to be stored is received (S234, No), the process proceeds to S238.

  In S236, the CPU 10 causes the memory card 19 to store the file stored in the acquired file memory 12b. Note that the memory card 19 is detachable from the MFP 1. Therefore, if the memory card 19 is attached to another device after S236 is executed, the file stored in the memory card 19 in S236 can be printed or displayed on the other device.

The display process including text, the dissimilar image display process, the similar image display process, and the normal display process shown in S228, S226, S230, and S238 are respectively subroutines. Details thereof will be described later with reference to FIGS. 7A, 5A, 6A, and 8A.
(Dissimilar image display processing)
The dissimilar image display process will be described with reference to FIG. First, in S300, the CPU 10 creates thumbnail image data by thinning out the pixels of the image data stored in the main image data area 32 of the image file developed in the display target file memory 12a. Then, the process proceeds to S302.

  In S302, the CPU 10 creates thumbnail image data of the image file stored in the acquired file memory 12b by the same method as in S300. Then, the process proceeds to S304.

  In S304, the CPU 10 displays a dissimilar image display screen on the display unit 16 (S304). Here, the dissimilar image display screen will be described with reference to FIG. The icon 300 is an icon indicating the thumbnail image displayed based on the thumbnail image data created in S300. The icon 302 is an icon indicating a thumbnail image displayed based on the thumbnail image data created in S302.

  The icon 304 is an icon for instructing printing of an image file stored in the memory card 19. When the icon 304 is selected by the user, the image file stored in the display target file memory 12a is printed.

  The icon 306 is an icon for instructing printing of the image file acquired in S220. When the icon 306 is selected by the user, the image file stored in the acquired file memory 12b is printed.

  The icon 308 is an icon for instructing storage of the downloaded image file in the memory card. When the icon 308 is selected by the user, the image file stored in the acquired file memory 12 b is stored in the memory card 19.

  Icon 310 is an icon for instructing termination. When the icon 310 is selected by the user, the process shown in FIG.

  As described above, the dissimilar image display screen is obtained by encoding the image file stored in the memory card 19 and the two-dimensional code stored in the thumbnail area 31 of the image file stored in the memory card 19. The thumbnail image of any of the image files stored in the area specified by the specified URL is displayed. Furthermore, printing of either of the two image files can be accepted.

  Returning to FIG. In S306, the CPU 10 determines which instruction is selected in a state where the dissimilar image display screen is displayed on the display unit 16 (S306). That is, it is determined which of the icons 304, 306, 308, and 310 has been selected. If it is determined that the icon 304 has been selected, that is, printing of an image file stored in the memory card 19 has been instructed (S306, printing of an image file in the memory card), the process proceeds to S310. If it is determined that the icon 306 has been selected, that is, printing of the downloaded image file has been instructed (S306: printing of downloaded image file), the process proceeds to S312. If it is determined that the icon 308 has been selected, that is, it has been instructed to store the downloaded image file in the memory card (S306, storage in memory card), the process proceeds to S308. If it is determined that the icon 310 has been selected, that is, if it is determined that the end has been instructed (S306, end), the processing shown in FIG. 5A is terminated, and the processing shown in FIG. Return.

  In S308, the CPU 10 causes the memory card 19 to store the downloaded image file, that is, the image file stored in the acquired file memory 12b. Then, the process proceeds to S304.

  In S310, the CPU 10 controls the printing unit 21 to print the image file stored in the display target file memory (S310). Then, the process proceeds to S306.

In S312, the CPU 10 controls the printing unit 21 to print the image file stored in the acquired file memory 12b (S312). Then, the process proceeds to S306.
(Similar image display processing)
Similar image display processing will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the step same as Fig.5 (a), and description is abbreviate | omitted. In S400, the CPU 10 creates thumbnail image data by thinning out the pixels of the image data stored in the main image data area of the file developed in the display target file memory 12a (S400). Then, the process proceeds to S402. In S <b> 402, the CPU 10 displays a similar image display screen on the display unit 16. Here, the similar image display screen will be described with reference to FIG. The same icons as those in the dissimilar image display screen shown in FIG.

  The icon 312 is an icon for instructing printing of a higher quality image file. When the icon 312 is selected by the user, a higher-quality image data is stored in the main image data area among the image files stored in the display target file memory 12a and the acquired file memory 12b. The image file stored in 32 is printed.

  The icon 314 is an icon for instructing printing of a lower quality image file. When the icon 312 is selected by the user, the lower-quality image data is stored in the main image data area among the image files stored in the display target file memory 12a and the acquired file memory 12b. The image file stored in 32 is printed.

  Here, an example of how the CPU 10 determines which of the two image files has higher image quality will be described. When the two images to be compared are both JPEG, the CPU 10 refers to the additional information data area 30 and determines an image file storing main image data with higher resolution. Then, it is determined that the image file storing the main image data having a higher resolution is a higher quality image file. In addition, when comparing image files of different file formats such as JPEG and BMP, the CPU 10 determines that the image file of the uncompressed file format (in this case, BMP) has higher image quality. to decide.

  The icon 316 is an icon for instructing to store the downloaded image in the memory card 19. When the icon 316 is selected by the user, the image file stored in the acquired file memory 12b is printed. In addition, among the image files stored in the display target file memory 12a and the acquired file memory 12b, the image file stored in the acquired file memory 12b has higher image quality. The icon 316 displays that fact. In the present embodiment, the display “high image quality” included in the icon 316 corresponds. In the case where the image file stored in the acquisition file memory 12b out of the image files stored in the display target file memory 12a and the acquisition file memory 12b has a lower image quality. For example, a display of “low image quality” is performed.

  As described above, the similar image display screen is obtained by encoding the image file stored in the memory card 19 and the two-dimensional code stored in the thumbnail area 31 of the image file stored in the memory card 19. The printing of any image file stored in the area specified by the URL can be accepted. Further, on the similar image display screen, these two images are distinguished and accepted as an image file having a higher image quality and an image file having a lower image quality. Therefore, the user can select the image according to the image quality without worrying about whether the two images are the image files stored in the memory card 19 or the image files acquired by the MFP 1 from other devices via the Internet. You can select a file. However, since the two images are similar, only the thumbnail image of the image file stored in the memory card 19 is displayed.

  On the similar image display screen, an instruction to store the image file stored in the acquired file memory 12b in the memory card 19 can be received. At this time, the icon for receiving the instruction displays information indicating whether the image file stored in the acquired file memory 12b has higher image quality or lower image quality than the image file stored in the display target file memory 12a. . Therefore, the user can easily determine whether to store the image file stored in the acquired file memory 12b in the memory card 19 by displaying the icon.

  Returning to FIG. In S404, the CPU 10 determines which instruction has been selected in a state in which the similar image display screen is displayed on the display unit 16 (S404). That is, it is determined which of the icons 312, 314, 316, and 310 has been selected.

  If the CPU 10 has received the icon 312, that is, determines that printing of a low-quality image file has been instructed (S <b> 404, printing a low-quality image file), the process proceeds to S <b> 406.

  If the CPU 10 has received the icon 314, that is, determines that printing of a high-quality image file has been instructed (S404, printing of a high-quality image file), the process proceeds to S408.

  When the CPU 10 determines that the icon 316 has been received, that is, the storage of the download image has been instructed (S404: storage in the memory card), the CPU 10 proceeds to S308.

  In S406, the CPU 10 instructs the printing unit 21 to print a lower-quality image file among the image file stored in the display target file memory 12a and the image file stored in the acquired file memory 12b. (S406). Then, the process proceeds to S404.

In S408, the CPU 10 instructs the printing unit 21 to print a higher-quality image file among the image files stored in the display target file memory 12a and the image files stored in the acquired file memory 12b. (S406). Then, the process proceeds to S404.
(Display processing including text)
Display processing including text will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the step same as Fig.5 (a), and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  In S500, the CPU 10 causes the display unit 16 to display a display screen including text. Here, a display screen including text will be described with reference to FIG. The same icons as those in the dissimilar image display screen shown in FIG. The icon 312 is an icon indicating text data obtained by decoding the two-dimensional code in S212 of FIG.

  Thus, on the display screen including text, printing of the image file stored in the memory card 19 can be accepted. Furthermore, both the thumbnail image of the image file stored in the memory card 19 and the icon indicating the text obtained by encoding the two-dimensional code stored in the thumbnail area 31 of the image file are displayed.

Returning to FIG. In S502, the CPU 10 determines which instruction has been selected in a state where a display screen including text is displayed on the display unit 16 (S502). That is, it is determined which of the icons 304 and 310 has been selected.
If it is determined that the icon 304 has been selected, that is, it has been instructed to print an image file stored in the memory card 19 (S502, print image file in memory card), the process proceeds to S308. If it is determined that the icon 310 has been selected, that is, if it is determined that the end has been instructed, the process shown in FIG. 5A is terminated, and the process returns to the process shown in FIG.
(Normal display processing)
A normal display process will be described with reference to FIG. The same steps as those in FIGS. 5A and 7A are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  In S600, the CPU 10 causes the display unit 16 to display a normal display screen. Here, a normal display screen is shown in FIG. The normal display screen includes an icon 300, an icon 304, and an icon 310.

In this way, printing of image files stored in the memory card 19 can be accepted on a normal display screen. Further, the thumbnail image of the image file stored in the memory card 19 is displayed.
[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 9, 10, 11, and 12. In the first embodiment described above, when the MFP 1 scans an original with the scanner function, the corresponding bitmap image file storage location is stored in the thumbnail area 31 of the image file of the read image saved in the JPEG format. The two-dimensional code data shown was stored. On the other hand, in the second embodiment, the JPEG format image file stored in the PC is compressed and reduced in weight, while the compression source (before compression) is added to the thumbnail area 31 of the compressed image file. Two-dimensional code data indicating the storage position of the image file is stored. Note that in the second embodiment, the same portions as those in the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.
<Configuration of PC100>
FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the PC 100. The PC 100 according to the present embodiment compresses an image file in JPEG format stored in a built-in hard disk drive (hereinafter referred to as “HDD”) 113 to reduce the weight, thereby compressing the image file before compression (that is, the HDD 113). The image file stored in (1) can be uploaded to the server 500. After that, the PC 100 according to the present embodiment, like the MFP 1 described above, stores the two-dimensional code data indicating the storage position of the image file before compression uploaded to the server 500 in the image file in the JPEG format after compression. It is configured to store as additional information. Therefore, even an apparatus other than the PC 100 (for example, MFP 1) can download the uncompressed image file from the server 500 from the compressed image file stored in the HDD 13.

  The PC 100 is mainly provided with a CPU 110, a ROM 111, a RAM 112, an HDD 113, a memory card I / F 118, a USB_I / F 124, and a network I / F 125. These hardware are connected to each other via a bus 126. An input device 115 such as an external keyboard and mouse and an LCD (Liquid Crystal Monitor) 116 are connected to the bus 126.

  The CPU 110 controls each part of the PC 100 and each part connected to the bus 126 according to fixed values and programs stored in the ROM 111 and HDD 113 and data stored in the RAM 12. The ROM 112 is a non-rewritable nonvolatile memory in which a program for controlling the operation of the PC 100 is stored. The RAM 112 is a rewritable volatile memory that temporarily stores information necessary for the processing of the CPU 110.

  The HDD 113 is a rewritable nonvolatile storage device and stores various programs 113a. The various programs 113a include various application programs installed by the user, driver programs, and the like. Each process shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 10, 11, and 12 to be described later is executed by an application program included in the various programs 113a. When a driver program for controlling the MFP 1 is installed as various programs 113a, each function (for example, a scanner function) of the MFP 1 connected via the USB_I / F 124 can be controlled from the PC 100. The HDD 113 has a file memory 113b. The file memory 113b is an area for storing files such as image files stored (saved) by the user.

The memory card I / F 118 is a device similar to the memory card I / F 18 described above, and controls writing or reading of data with respect to the mounted memory card 19. For example, the USB_I / F 124 can connect the MFP 1 via a USB cable so as to be communicable. The network I / F 125 is the same device as the network I / F 25 described above, and is connected to the server 500 via the Internet 200.
<Operation of PC100>
(File weight reduction processing)
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a file lightening process executed by the CPU 110 of the PC 100. The file lightening process is a process for compressing a JPEG image file among files stored in the file memory 113b to reduce the weight. In this process, the weight reduction (compression) of the image file is designated, and the upload of the uncompressed image file to the server 500 is designated, and one JPEG format stored in the file memory 113b is designated. This is executed when an image file is selected (specified).

  First, if an image file in the JPEG format has not been selected (No in S701), the CPU 110 returns the process to S701. On the other hand, when the CPU 110 accepts selection of one image file in the JPEG format from the files stored in the file memory 113b (Yes in S701), the CPU 110 displays a path input screen (not shown). ) Is displayed on the LCD 116, and on the path input screen, input of a path (URL) indicating the upload destination of the image file before compression based on the operation of the input device 115 is accepted (S702). At this time, if the URL is not input on the path input screen (S702, No), the CPU 110 returns the process to S702.

  On the other hand, when the CPU 110 accepts the input of the URL (S702, Yes), the CPU 110 uploads the uncompressed image file selected by the user to the storage location of the server 500 indicated by the input URL (S703). ). Note that the uncompressed image file selected by the user remains in the PC 100. Next, the CPU 110 converts the URL input on the path input screen into two-dimensional code data (S704).

  Next, the CPU 110 compresses (converts) the file by thinning out pixels of the image of the JPEG format image file remaining in the PC 100 (S705). Next, the CPU 110 stores the two-dimensional code data generated in S704 in the thumbnail area 31 of the compressed image file (JPEG format image file) (S706), and stores the image file in the file memory 113b. (S707), and the process ends.

According to the file lightening process of the present embodiment, two-dimensional code data indicating the upload destination of the image file before compression is stored in the thumbnail area 31 of the image file in JPEG format after compression. Therefore, as in the first embodiment described above, even a device other than the PC 100 (for example, MFP 1), based on the two-dimensional code data stored in the thumbnail area 31 of the compressed image file, the corresponding pre-compression Can be easily downloaded from the server 500.
(Master data upload process)
Next, the master data upload process will be described with reference to FIG. In the master data upload process, the file stored in the PC is converted into a PDF format file, while the conversion source file (before conversion) is uploaded to the server as master data. As described above, an image file in JPEG format has a thumbnail area 31, but a file in PDF format also has a similar thumbnail area. In this embodiment, two-dimensional code data indicating the storage position of the conversion source image file is stored in the thumbnail area of the PDF file obtained by conversion. In the third embodiment, the same parts as those in the above-described embodiments (first and second embodiments) are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing master data upload processing executed by the CPU 110 of the PC 100. The master data upload process converts one file selected by the user among files stored in the file memory 113b into a PDF format file and uploads the conversion source file to the server 500 as master data. It is processing. Each process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 11 is executed by an application program included in the various programs 113a. This process is stored in the file memory 113b in a state in which it is specified that the selected (designated) file is converted to the PDF format, and the file before conversion is designated to be uploaded to the server 500. This is executed when one file is selected (designated).

  First, if a file to be converted into a PDF format file is not selected from the files stored in the file memory 113b (S801, No), the CPU 110 returns the process to S801. On the other hand, when the CPU 110 accepts selection of one file to be converted (S801, Yes), the CPU 110 displays a path input screen (not shown) on the LCD 116, and the input device is displayed on the path input screen. An input of a path (URL) indicating the upload destination of the conversion source file based on the operation 115 is accepted (S802). At this time, if the URL is not input on the path input screen (S802, No), the CPU 110 returns the process to S802.

  On the other hand, when the CPU 110 accepts the input of the URL (S802: Yes), the CPU 110 uses the file selected by the user (that is, the conversion source file) as master data, and the server 500 indicated by the input URL. Is uploaded to the storage location (S803). Note that the conversion source file selected by the user remains in the PC 100. Next, the CPU 110 converts the URL input on the path input screen into two-dimensional code data (S804).

  Next, the CPU 110 converts the conversion source file (that is, the file selected by the user) remaining in the PC 100 into a PDF format file (S805). Next, the CPU 110 stores the two-dimensional code data generated in S804 in a thumbnail area (not shown) of the PDF file obtained by the conversion (S806). The converted file in which the two-dimensional code data is stored in the thumbnail area is saved in the file memory 113b (S807), and this process ends.

According to the master data upload process of this embodiment, two-dimensional code data indicating the upload destination of master data (that is, the conversion source file) is stored in the thumbnail area of the converted file (PDF format file). . Therefore, as in the first and second embodiments described above, even in an apparatus other than the PC 100 (for example, MFP 1), the master data is stored based on the two-dimensional code data stored in the thumbnail area of the converted file. Can be easily downloaded from the server 500.
(File distribution process)
Next, file distribution processing will be described with reference to FIG. In this file distribution process, a file stored in the PC is converted into a PDF file and distributed to other devices. At this time, the conversion source (before conversion) file is left in the own device, the information indicating the conversion source file in the own device is two-dimensionally encoded, and the obtained two-dimensional code data is The file is stored in a thumbnail area of a PDF file (that is, a file for distribution) obtained by the conversion.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a file distribution process executed by the CPU 110 of the PC 100. The file distribution process is a process of converting one file selected by the user from the files stored in the file memory 113b into a PDF format file and distributing it to another device. Each process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 12 is executed by an application program included in the various programs 113a. This process is executed when one file stored in the file memory 113b is selected (designated) in a state in which the file is designated to be distributed to another apparatus.

  First, if a file to be distributed is not selected from the files stored in the file memory 113b (S901, No), the CPU 110 returns the process to S901. On the other hand, when the CPU 110 accepts selection of one file to be distributed (S901: Yes), the CPU 110 acquires the storage location path of the selected file and converts the acquired path into two-dimensional code data. Conversion is performed (S902).

  Next, the CPU 110 generates a file in PDF format from the file selected by the user (S903). In S903, the conversion source file (that is, the file selected by the user) is left in the PC 100 without changing the storage position. Next, the CPU 110 stores the two-dimensional code data generated in S902 in the thumbnail area (not shown) of the PDF file generated as the distribution file (S904).

  Next, the CPU 110 displays a distribution destination input screen (not shown) on the LCD 116, and information indicating the distribution destination of the distribution file (for example, another not shown connected to the Internet 200) is displayed on the distribution destination input screen. An input of a PC mail address or the like is accepted (S905). At this time, if the distribution destination is not input on the distribution destination input screen (S905: No), the CPU 110 returns the process to S905. On the other hand, when the CPU 110 accepts the input of the distribution destination (S905: Yes), the CPU 110 distributes the distribution file in which the two-dimensional code data is stored in the thumbnail area to the input distribution destination ( S906), the process is terminated.

According to the file distribution process of the present embodiment described above, the storage location of the conversion source file (in this embodiment, the storage location of the file in the file memory 113b) is displayed in the thumbnail area of the PDF file converted for distribution. ) Is stored. Therefore, a device other than the PC 100 (for example, another PC (not shown) connected to the Internet 200) stores the conversion source file based on the two-dimensional code data stored in the thumbnail area of the file distributed from the PC 100. Since the position can be easily acquired, even a device other than the PC 100 can acquire the conversion source file from the PC 100.
[Modification]
In the dissimilar image display process shown in FIG. 5A of the first embodiment, the image file stored in the acquired file memory 12b is an image file including the thumbnail area 31, and If thumbnail images of image data are stored, S302 need not be executed. In that case, the CPU 10 causes the icon 302 to display a thumbnail image stored in the thumbnail area 31 on the dissimilar image display screen.

  In S400 of the similar image display process shown in FIG. 6A of the first embodiment, instead of creating a thumbnail image of the image file stored in the display target file memory 12a, it is stored in the acquired file memory 12b. It is also possible to create a thumbnail image of the image file that has been created. Further, when the image file stored in the acquired file memory 12b is an image file including the thumbnail area 31, and the thumbnail image of the main image data is stored in the thumbnail area 31, S400 is not executed. May be. In that case, the CPU 10 causes the icon 302 to display a thumbnail image stored in the thumbnail area 31 on the similar image display screen.

  In the first embodiment, the image file display process shown in FIG. 4A is performed on the image file stored in the memory card 19. However, it may be executed on an image file received from an external device via the network I / F 25. In this case, FIG. 4A starts when the CPU 10 determines that a signal indicating that an image file has been received is input from the network I / F.

  In the first and second embodiments, a file upload destination is set by inputting a URL on a path input screen (not shown) based on an operation of an operation unit (such as the touch panel 17 or the input device 115). Although it is configured to specify, if the folder hierarchy of the upload destination device is displayed so that it can be selected, the upload destination can be specified by selecting the folder where the file is desired to be saved by operating the operation unit. Good. Or it is good also as a structure which designates the upload destination of a file by designating URL acquired from the external device. In this case, the external device serving as the URL providing source may be an external device serving as a file upload destination or an external device other than that. Alternatively, the file upload destination may be specified by specifying a URL stored in advance in the memory card 19 or the HDD 113.

  In the first and second embodiments, the MFP 1 or the PC 100 has been described as an example of the information processing apparatus. However, various apparatuses such as a printer, a scanner, a personal computer, a mobile phone, a smartphone, a PDA, a tablet terminal, and a digital camera are also information. It can be an example of a processing device. That is, in these devices, the first file stored in the device or in a memory card or the image data (for example, read data or imaging data) for generating the first file is used as the first file. When a second file having the same file format or a different file format is generated, the two-dimensional code data may be stored in the thumbnail area 31 of the generated second file.

  In the first embodiment, the MFP 1 is exemplified as the information processing apparatus. However, as in the second to fourth embodiments, the PC 100 may be used as the information processing apparatus. In that case, the scanner function of the MFP 1 connected via the USB_I / F 124 of the PC 100 or a document may be read by the scanner, and the image data may be processed by the above-described JPEG compression processing (see FIG. 3). In the above embodiment, the PC 100 is exemplified as the information processing apparatus. However, as in the first embodiment, the MFP 1 may be used as the information processing apparatus. In the second to fourth embodiments, the file stored in the HDD 113 (file memory 113b) is the compression source or conversion source file. However, an external medium such as the memory card 19 or an external HDD is used. It is naturally possible to use the file stored in the file as the compression source or conversion source file.

  In each of the above embodiments, the two-dimensional code data is stored in the thumbnail area 31 of the JPEG image file or the thumbnail area of the PDF file. As long as the file format has a thumbnail area, the present invention is not limited to the JPEG format or the PDF format. For example, a TIFF image file having a thumbnail area similar to the thumbnail area 31 can also be applied to the present invention.

  In each of the above embodiments, a QR code (registered trademark) has been described as an example of a two-dimensional code. However, other types of codes may be used.

  In the media print processing of FIGS. 4 and 10, the image file in the JPEG format has been described as an example, but the same processing can be applied to any file format having an additional information data area or a thumbnail area.

1 MFP
100 PC
200 Internet 500 server

Claims (7)

Display means for displaying an image based on the image data;
An input means for inputting a predetermined file;
An image in a data format in which the image file input from the input means has a main image data portion for storing main image data and a reduced image data portion capable of storing data corresponding to a reduced image of the main image First determination means for determining whether the file is a first image file;
Determining whether information transmission image data obtained by encoding predetermined data is stored in the reduced image data portion of the image file determined to be the first image file by the first determination unit; Judgment means,
Decoding means for decoding the information transfer image data of the first image file determined by the second determination means to store the information transfer image data in the reduced image data portion;
Third determination means for determining whether or not the data obtained by the decoding means is location information indicating the location of a predetermined file;
Transmitting means for transmitting a request for a file whose destination is data obtained by the decoding means and determined by the third judging means as location information;
An image output apparatus comprising: a receiving unit that receives a file returned in response to the transmitting unit. Fourth determining means for determining whether the file received by the receiving means is an image file;
The first image file that stores information transmission image the decoding means has decoded before Symbol reduced image data portion, and an image represented by the image data stored in the main image data part, by the fourth determination means in the image file and image image file determined that indicates the image data stored in the main image data unit, the first display and to display a have displacement or the other of these images on the display unit, of these images of the second display to display a both on the display means, and a fifth determining means for determining one or performed,
The image output apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a display control unit that performs either the first display or the second display in accordance with the determination of the fifth determination unit .   A storage control unit that stores the file received by the reception unit and determined by the fourth determination unit not to be an image file in a detachable nonvolatile storage unit; The image output apparatus according to claim 2.   When the display control unit performs the first display, a main image having higher image quality among main image data included in the image file received by the receiving unit and main image data included in the first image file. 4. The image output apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a display for receiving a data print instruction and a display for receiving a print instruction for main image data having lower image quality are performed.   When the display control means performs the first display, the display control means performs a display indicating that the image file received by the receiving means is received in a nonvolatile storage unit, and the display is received by the receiving means. 5. The image output apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a display indicating whether or not the image quality of the main image data of the image file is higher than that of the main image data included in the first image file.   When the display control means performs the second display, a display indicating acceptance of a print instruction for main image data included in the image file received by the receiving means, and main image data included in the first image file 5. The image output apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a display indicating that a print instruction is received is displayed on the display unit. When the third determining means determines that the data obtained by the decoding means is not location information indicating the location of the predetermined file,
The display control means performs a third display for displaying on the data obtained by the decoding means, main image data included in the first image file, and display means. Any one of the image output devices.

Images