JPH07297981A - Information processor and controlling method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make it possible to generate a desired output image simply and by the only transfer of a little information. CONSTITUTION:Plural document format files are preliminarily stored in a storage device 110. When a printing or a facsimile transmission is made to be performed from the computer on a network, a text file composing the contents is preliminarily prepared and the file is transferred to a main device. At this time, the information showing which of the document format file is used is also transferred. When this transfer is received, the image based on the received text file is generated in accordance with the designated document format. When the designated document format is on the facsimile transmission, the facsimile transmission is performed via a modem 109. When the document format is on the printing, the printing is made to be performed by a printer 107.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus connected on a network and its control method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With the progress of technology, it has been attempted to connect a device which has been processed independently, for example, a facsimile device or a copying machine, to a network so as to share its resources. It's coming.

[0003]

Generally, when a computer on a network creates a document and prints it, first, data that can be interpreted by a printer is constructed on the computer, and then the data is printed by a printer server device. It is transferred to.

However, as described above, when a device that has been operating independently until now is incorporated into a network,
Compared with the amount of information on the network before that, it can be easily imagined that the amount will increase significantly.

Further, when print data is created on a computer, a great deal of information is processed, and accordingly, there is a problem that other processing cannot be performed at a sufficiently high speed.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and is an information processing apparatus and its information processing apparatus capable of generating a desired output image by simply transferring a small amount of information. It is intended to provide a control method.

To solve this problem, for example, the information processing apparatus of the present invention has the following configuration. That is, it is an information processing apparatus that is connected to a network and that generates an output image based on information from a device on the network, and is stored in a storage unit that stores a plurality of format information and in the storage unit. Receiving means for receiving the designation information of the format information and the main information to be output according to the format information, format information designated by the received designation information, and generating means for generating output document information based on the main information. Equipped with.

Another aspect of the present invention is to prepare the main information to be faxed to the other party and to send an image of a regular facsimile cover sheet without worrying about other formats. An information processing apparatus and a control method thereof are provided.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus and a control method thereof, which makes it possible to print an image in a desired format only by preparing main information of a content to be printed. To do.

According to another aspect of the invention, an output image incorporating an image read by the image input device on the network is simply set by setting a document on a desired image input device on the network and performing a simple operation. The present invention aims to provide an information processing apparatus for generating the above and its control method.

[0011]

In the configuration of the present invention, the format information is selected from the computer on the network, and the main information is transferred to the apparatus of the present invention. In this apparatus, the format information is determined according to the transferred information, and the output image is generated according to the determined format information as the main information.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of the network system of the embodiment. As shown in the figure, this system is connected to the devices 10 to 15 connected to the network 16.

Here, 10, 12, 14 are computers, and 11, 13, 15 are copying machines (apparatus having both a document image reader and a printer).

Each of the copying machines 11, 13 and 15 reads an original image placed on its own original reading table,
In addition to the function of forming the copied image on a predetermined recording paper and printing it out, it is provided with an interface for outputting the read image on the network and receiving the image data output from the network.

The copying machines 11, 13 and 15 may be of the same model, but in the embodiment, they will be described as having different functions. That is, a copier reads an original image in color (RGB
(8 bits each), built-in full-color printer, and some can read the original image as a monochrome gradation image (8 bits) and print the gradation image. Some also read as a binary image and are binary. The image shall be printed. Each of the copying machines 11, 13, and 15 has the image reading function and the printing function described above, but has a sorter function, a double-sided printing function, a stapling function (a copy result is clamped. There is also a function having a facsimile communication function, that is, an image information transmission / reception via a line outside the network. It should be noted that not all copying machines are provided with these functions, and those provided with and those not provided may coexist. A copying machine having a facsimile communication function, for example, internally transmits a facsimile image transmitted via a line or a facsimile image received via a line based on image data transferred from a device on a network and information about a destination telephone number. In a storage device (a large-capacity storage device such as a hard disk or a magneto-optical disk), and the received image is transferred according to a request from a device on the network.

On the other hand, the computers 10, 12 and 14 use various application programs to create documents, images, etc. and print them through the printer section of the copying machine, or through the copying machine having a facsimile function. Then, facsimile transmission will be performed.

FIG. 2 shows one internal structure of the copying machine connected to the network. The copying apparatus according to the embodiment also has a function as a facsimile apparatus as described below, and transmits a received image to a device (for example, printer or computer) on the network or an image from a computer or the like on the network. It is provided with communication means for receiving data and transmitting it, and a large-capacity storage device for storing a received image (or a transmitted image).

In the figure, 101 is a bus for electrically connecting various constituent units to transfer data and the like. 102
Is a job controller that controls the entire apparatus, and includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. Reference numeral 104 denotes a scanner controller under the control of the job controller 102, which is a scanner 1 for reading a document image.
Control of 05 and transfer processing of the read image data are performed. A printer controller 106 includes a printer 1
In addition to controlling the operation of No. 07, the image data transfer process to the printer 107 is also performed at a predetermined timing. Reference numeral 108 denotes a FAX controller 109 that controls a modem 109 that performs facsimile transmission / reception. A large-capacity storage device 110 is, for example, a hard disk or a magneto-optical disk device. The storage device 110 stores the OS (operating system) of this device and a processing program to be described later, and also stores an image read by the scanner 105, a facsimile reception or transmission image, and outputs the image to the printer 107. Stores spool files. Reference numeral 111 denotes an interface board that connects the apparatus to a network and sends and receives data. The interface board 111 transmits image data stored in the storage device 110 to the computer according to an instruction from the computer on the network, Output to your printer. Of course, it also receives image data from the network. When the image data is received from the network, it is possible to temporarily store the image data as a file in the storage device 110 and print it by the printer 107 or send it by facsimile according to the instruction. 112
Is an operation unit controller for controlling an operation unit (for example, a keyboard) 113 for inputting various operation instructions.

In the above configuration, in this embodiment, a document is created by a computer (any one of reference numerals 10, 12, and 14) on the network, and a copying machine (reference numeral 1) is created in the document.
The image read by the scanner (image reader) of any one of 1, 13, and 15) is incorporated, and the operability in facsimile transmission or printing in the format as shown in FIG. 4, for example, is remarkably improved.

First, the format will be described. A file (hereinafter referred to as a document format file) in which format information of a plurality of documents is defined is stored and managed in a storage device 110 in a copying machine having a facsimile transmission function (for example, the copying machine having the configuration of FIG. 2). The document format file basically includes a frame (hereinafter, a text embedding frame) in which a sentence (sentence file created by the user) is embedded, and a frame (hereinafter, an image frame) in which an image read by a scanner is incorporated.
And standard sentences and images (hereinafter referred to as standard information)
It is composed of information that defines The portion corresponding to the fixed form information in FIG. 4 is "FAX paper" or "every time ..."
Is the part of. However, in the figure, the portion corresponding to the image as the fixed form information is not shown. In addition, the document format file includes a text embedding frame, an image frame,
It is not always necessary to include three pieces of fixed form information, and as shown in FIG. 5, it is not necessary to include the fixed form information in only two of the text embedding frame and the image frame. That is, at least one
It only needs to be included. By the way, in the document format shown in FIG. 4, a destination column 401 (a column for entering the name of the other party), a sender column 402 (a column for entering the name of the sender), and a text column 403 (enter the text etc.) Column) and an image column 404.

Next, the facsimile transmission process in the embodiment will be described. Here, in order to simplify the explanation, according to the format information file shown in FIG. 4, the network user (computer operator) prepares a sentence prepared in advance and a separately prepared image of the original according to the format information file shown in FIG. An example of creating a facsimile transmission form and transmitting the created result by facsimile will be described.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a display screen when an output instruction is given by a computer on the network. The items on the left side of the drawing show the setting item names, and the right side shows the corresponding setting contents before. A brief description is as follows.

"Output destination" means an output destination on the network, and in the case of the figure, it is a device called "Facsimile 1" on the network.
There is a reason why the term "device" is used. In other words, the individual devices on the network in this embodiment are not named for the entire device, but for the individual functions of the device. For example, in the case of a copying machine, it is considered that a device called an image scanner and a device called a printer are combined, and a unique name is given to each of the image scanner and the printer. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, in a copying machine having a facsimile function, the part that controls the facsimile function is given a name on the network. “Facsimile 1” here means this. In addition, the device name which is going to perform the facsimile transmission is input to this "output destination".

The "text file name" is a field for inputting the file name of the body of the document to be transmitted by facsimile.
The operator designates a desired file in a desired directory of the storage device of the computer by using, for example, a keyboard or a pointing device. In the case shown, "TEXT1"
File is specified.

The "image file name" is a field for designating an image file to be incorporated in the image frame 404 shown in FIG. However, by entering the device name on the network in this field, the specified device can be used as a logical file. In the illustrated case, since the device "color scanner 1" on the network is entered, the image frame 404 in FIG. 4 reads the original image on the device named "color scanner 1" connected to the network. Means to receive the image obtained through the network via the network. It can be understood that the "color scanner 1" referred to here indicates the document reading section of a certain copying machine as described above.

"Document format" is a field for setting a format, and two types are prepared in the embodiment. One is
The “FAX paper” in the format shown in FIG. 4 is the “copy paper” as shown in FIG. 5, and is not the recording paper.

"Paper size" is a field for inputting the size of the paper to be output (in the case of the figure, the logical document size to be transmitted in the case of facsimile transmission).
4 is specified.

The following "source" to "destination 2" columns are as follows:
This is a field that can be input when "FAX paper" is specified as the document format in the above.

The "source" is for inputting a character string for specifying the character string incorporated in the frame 402 in FIG. The name of the sender (company name, department name, etc.) corresponding to each computer on the network is registered beforehand in a specific computer on the network.
By default, a name that specifies the name given to the computer is displayed (it is possible to register the storage device 110 in each copying machine). Therefore, when the facsimile transmission is originally performed on another computer, but the computer is being used by another person and the use of the other computer is unavoidable, it may be changed. It is also possible to use an unregistered character string. In this case, that fact is instructed from the keyboard or the like, and the character string to be input in the frame 402 is keyed.

"Destination 1" and "Destination 2" are fields for designating destinations for facsimile transmission, and the registered facsimile name and the registered name abbreviated as the destination facsimile number are entered, or their registered names are entered. Display and select a list.
In the figure, two destination fields are displayed, but this is because one or two destinations are sufficient in the majority of cases. However, it is naturally possible to send a facsimile to three or more locations.
It is also possible to display and specify more destinations by designating the "ore" column 308 with, for example, a cursor interlocked with a pointing device. Each of the "destination" columns can be designated. The character string is expanded in the frame 401 in FIG. 4, and the same number of input destinations as the facsimile is transmitted.

It is also possible to transfer the image to the other computer by writing the name given to another computer on the network in the destination 1 or the destination 2. For the operator, there is no particular distinction between the operation method for facsimile transmission to the destination facsimile via the line and the operation method for image transfer to the computer on the network. In other words, each is simply designated by its name, and the designated copying machine determines whether to actually perform facsimile transmission or transfer the image to a computer on the network. By doing so, the operator does not need to learn the operation method separately for each of the case of the facsimile transmission and the case of the transmission to the computer on the network.

Now, with the above settings, execute button 31
By selecting 2 with the cursor using a pointing device, etc., the setting contents are transferred to the designated device "facsimile 1" (actually, one of the copying machines 11, 13 and 15) and the designated text is displayed. The file "TEXT1" is transferred. Then, the device "facsimile 1" that has received such information reconstructs the information specified in the document format according to the specified paper size, expands the image based on the received text data in each frame, and specifies it. Facsimile transmission to the destinations. As shown in FIG. 3, when a device name on the network is designated in the image file column and an image frame exists in the designated document format, the copying machine (facsimile 1) is on the network. An original reading instruction command is issued to the device "color scanner 1" to read an image, and the read image is transferred. Then, the transferred image is stored in the image frame. Further, as for the source and the destination, only the information for identifying them is transferred, so that the network management device is inquired about the proper character strings.

The above-described processing was carried out by facsimile transmission by a computer on the network, but in the case of normal print output, "copy paper" is entered in the document format in the setting screen of FIG. 3, or Do by selecting. However, in this case, unlike the facsimile transmission, the meanings of the "source" to "destination 2" and "more" fields have no meaning, so that you cannot enter them and lower the density so that you can see it. To display. Instead, since normal printing is performed, the field "number of sheets" for designating how many copies are to be printed is made enterable and "1" is displayed as a default number. The illustrated case is an example in which this is corrected to "10".

Finally, by designating the execute button 312, the text created by itself and the original image placed on the desired copying machine are printed from the desired copying machine according to the format shown in FIG. It will be possible.
As for processing, is the printer finally outputting?
There is no need to explain because it is only a difference as to whether it is a modem (of course, detailed procedures such as output are different).

FIG. 6 shows the format of information transferred from the computer to the copying machine according to the above settings. Note that this information is control information for reproducing image information, and text information and image information are separately transmitted and received. As shown in the figure, the setting data transferred from the computer to the copying machine corresponds to the setting fields on the screen shown in FIG. 3, and the description thereof will be omitted. However, a special code indicating the end of the setting data is attached to the end of the information.

Next, the operation processing procedure of the computer and the copying machine on the network based on the above description will be described in order.

First, the operation on the computer will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Note that the program based on the figure is stored in an external storage device (for example, a hard disk device) provided in the computer,
It is loaded as a device driver together with the OS in the RAM (not shown). Before starting this processing, the operator determines whether the printing processing is normal printing (print output by an application running on a computer) or printing based on the document format described above. In the case of a normal print instruction, the process proceeds to step S102 and the corresponding process is performed.

If it is determined that the format designation output is instructed, the process proceeds to step S103 to display the setting screen as shown in FIG. 3, and in step S104, each column is input or selected. Then, the execute button 31
Until it is determined that 2 is designated (step S105),
The input in step S104 is permitted.

When the execute button 312 is designated in this way, the process proceeds to step S106 to output the set contents on the network in the format shown in FIG. Then, the contents of the text file to be incorporated are output on the network together with the ID of the designated copying machine.

Next, an operation processing procedure on the side of the copying machine which receives the setting contents and the text file will be described with reference to the flow charts of FIGS. The program based on this flowchart is stored in advance in the storage device 110 in the copying machine, and is loaded in the RAM (not shown) in the job controller 102 when the OS is loaded.

First, in step S201, copying or F
Check if there is any operation using a printer or scanner such as AX. If they aren't running,
It is checked what is connected to this device (step S202). The copying machine according to the embodiment has a common bus 101, and a board that realizes each function such as connection with an external device and FAX can be detached.

Next, it is judged from the operation unit whether the copy key is pressed to input a copy request (step S203), and if there is a copy request, the scanner controller 104 and the printer controller 106 are requested to scan and print (step S203). S204). Also, there is no copy request,
When it is determined that there is a FAX transmission request (step S2)
(05) In step S206, the scanner controller 104 is requested to read the document and the FAX controller is requested to transmit the document information (step S20).
6).

If it is judged that there is an incoming call from outside via the modem 109 and the FAX controller 108, that is, if there is a FAX reception request (step S207), F
An image reception instruction is issued to the AX controller, and an operation request for printing the received FAX information is issued to the printer controller 106 (step S208).

The above is the operation at the time of receiving an instruction from the operation unit 113 or a facsimile.

On the other hand, it is determined that there is no request from the operation unit 113, and there is a request for communication from the network via the interface board 111 (step S209), and the communication content is further checked to determine whether the destination is the self. However, if it is determined that the destination is acceptable (step S21)
0), the received instruction information is temporarily stored in the storage device 110, and is also returned to the originating computer (step S211).

Next, the processing advances to step S212, the fetched instruction information is examined, and it is checked whether there is an instruction in the text file. If there is such an instruction and a file with the same name is stored in the storage device, that file is used (step S213). If there is no file, the computer is notified of that fact and file data is received (step S214). The reason for considering the existence of the file with the same name is that the text file to be transmitted by the network user can be transferred in advance to this device. In other words, it means that a text file that is frequently used is stored in advance in the storage device 110 on the copying machine side and the document format is designated.

Next, the processing advances to step S215 (FIG. 9) to judge whether or not there is an image instruction. If there is an image instruction, the flow advances to step S216 to determine whether there is an instruction for a copying machine name instead of a file name. If indicated by file name,
In step S217, it is determined whether or not there is a file with the same name in the storage device 110, and a request to receive the image file that has not been sent is notified to the sender computer (step S218).

When the process proceeds to step S219, it is determined whether the document format specified in the received setting information is FAX sheet or "copy sheet".

If the FAX sheet is designated, the process proceeds to step S220 to determine whether there is a scanner operation instruction (step S220). If there is an operation instruction, the corresponding scanner in the copying machine on the network. The controller is instructed to operate (step S221).

The reading magnification and the reading area when instructing the operation of the scanner are stored in advance in the document format file stored in the storage device in the copying machine, and the reading instruction is given to the scanner controller according to the contents of the instruction. give.

When the scanner is operated under the control of the scanner controller to finish reading the image information in the necessary area and transfer it, the image information is once stored in the storage device (step S222).

Next, the process proceeds to step S223 to assemble a transmission document in the form of image information in the storage device based on the instructed text file, image file, or read image information in the instructed format. For a text file (character code data), a character pattern of the size specified in the document format file is sequentially expanded inside a frame for expanding the text, thereby generating an image corresponding to the text. still,
If no text or image file is specified, the previously specified file name is used. Also,
If a fictitious file is specified, leave the image area blank.

After assembling in the storage device in the form of image information that can be transmitted in this way, first, it is determined whether the destination is another device on the network to which this copying device is connected. This judgment is made by storing and holding table information indicating whether each destination is a device on each network or a destination terminal connected to the line destination, and referring to the table. In this table, as a matter of course, the actual ID on the network and the telephone number of the destination terminal are also stored and managed.

When it is determined that the computer is on the network, the interface board 111
The generated image information is transferred to the computer via.

If it is determined that the destination is a facsimile machine via a line, the process proceeds to step S225, the destination is instructed to the FAX controller 108, and a transmission instruction is issued to the FAX controller 108 in step S227. As a result, the generated image is transmitted by facsimile in a predetermined procedure (including image encoding processing).

In any case, the process is step S228.
Proceeding to (FIG. 10), it is determined whether or not the transmission is completed. If it is determined that the transmission is completed, it is determined at step S229 whether or not there is another destination. If there is another destination, the process returns to step S224 and the above process is repeated.

Therefore, according to the above description, when "FAX paper" is selected, when the destination facsimile machine is set as the destination in one procedure, the computer on the network is also designated at that time, and each is designated. It is also possible to transfer the image.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S219 that the document format is other than "FAX paper", the process proceeds to step S230 (FIG. 11). here,
Determine whether "copy paper" is specified.
If it is determined that the sheet is not copy paper, step S2
In step 31, the operation for another format, the operation of reading the image on the platen for inputting the image information, and the like are performed.

If it is a copy sheet instruction, it is determined whether or not there is a scanner operation instruction (step S232), as in the case of the "FAX sheet" processing described above. The image information is captured and stored (steps S233 and S234) 634). Then, in step S235, the storage device 11
Assemble the copy document on 0. Then, the printer is operated via the printer controller, and the reproduced images of the image information of the copy document assembled on the storage device are produced by the designated number of sheets (step S236).

As described above, according to the embodiment, when at least one text creation device (computer) and at least one image input / output device are connected via a network, the document format and the document By making it possible to specify the necessary information separately, it is not necessary to assemble the document on the computer, and by making it possible to reuse each of the created information, it is possible to create and send documents. It will be easier.

When the text information is designated, the input device can be designated in the same manner as the file name, so that the image information can be handled more easily.

Furthermore, by storing frequently used text files, images, etc. in the storage device 110 in the copying machine in advance, only designated information is transferred from the computer, facsimile transmission or computer on the network is required. You will be able to transfer images to.

[Explanation of Other Embodiments] In the above embodiment (first embodiment), the output document format is "FA".
Although two types of "X paper" and "copy paper" have been described, even in the case of facsimile transmission (the same is true of print output), a number of different document format files are prepared, and the desired file format file is selected from them. In this case, the user on the network can freely create a document format file and download it to the desired copier (the document is stored in the storage device in the copier). Register it as a format file.) In order to download it, indicate that it is a document format file,
It suffices to add predetermined header information indicating registration, a file name at the time of registration, discriminating information of various formats for facsimile transmission or print output, and transfer.

Further, in this way, a large number of document format files will be stored and registered, and it is expected that it will be difficult to remember all the names. Therefore, when the document format field in Fig. 3 is activated (or when the screen is displayed, etc.), inquire what document format file the copier has, and display the list of file names sent as a result. However, one of them may be selected with the pointing device.

Computers on the network are
Since a large number of people will operate it, many document format files created and registered by others are included, and it is expected that it will not be easy to find even when the list is displayed. Therefore, when the document format file is stored and registered in the storage device 110 in the copying machine, the document format file is stored in association with the user, and when the list is displayed, the file list created by the user may be displayed by default. good. Specifically, the storage device 1 in the copying machine
In 10, a directory created by itself is created in advance, and at the time of registration, the directory name is also designated and registered.

Further, when the above-mentioned document is transferred to a computer on the network, unlike the facsimile transmission, the text portion may be transmitted as text information.

Further, in the above description, the document to be incorporated as an image is set in a desired copying machine, and which region in the set document is to be incorporated as an image is described in the document format file and the following is followed. However,
On the screen shown in FIG. 3, there may be provided a field for designating an area for reading a document image, and the field may be designated accordingly.

Further, in the above embodiment, only the first page has been described as the document format, but it is needless to say that the format can be described for the second and subsequent pages. Can also be assigned.

Further, in the above embodiment, the format is stored in the storage device of the copying machine, but it may be stored in the storage device of the computer and transferred. Further, instead of storing each format file in each computer, it may be stored in a specific computer on the network and managed.
By doing so, the user can perform the output operation in the same environment regardless of which computer the output operation is performed.

Further, since the copying machine of this embodiment can change the constitution of the apparatus, for example, when the color copying machine does not have the FAX function, the color FAX transmission information is created by the color copying machine. Then, the data may be transferred again to a copier having another FAX so that the fax can be transmitted from the copier. In the case where the original is black and white, since there are two black and white copiers in this embodiment, it is possible to perform communication so that the fax and the copy can be reproduced by different copiers.

In this embodiment, when the name of the copying machine is designated instead of the image name, the document on the platen is read and used as the image information. However, another device can be designated and the device can be designated via the network. If the image information can be received by the black-and-white copying machine, the color image information of the original on the platen of the color copying machine can be handled.

Further, in the embodiment, only the computer and the copying machine have been described as the devices connected to the network, but a normal printer and a facsimile machine may be connected. However, in order to connect, it is necessary to have a function for connecting to the above-mentioned network and to be able to perform a correct operation.

Although the position and size of the image to be incorporated are described in the document format file in the above description, the area may be set on the original side, for example. For example, the area to be incorporated is surrounded by a pen of a specific color, and when the original is read, the inside of that color is treated as significant image data. If the size surrounded by the color pen and the size of the frame set in the document format file are different, the magnification will be changed accordingly.

A printing device having a form overlay function is generally known. In this type of apparatus, an image to be superimposed (for example, a table formed of ruled lines) is stored in a printing apparatus, and print information and the image are combined and printed. However, when such a device is used, the data sending side needs to know in advance what kind of data should be transferred. On the other hand, in the embodiment, as long as a text file (generally composed of a character code, a carriage return code, and a line feed code) is created, the character size, font type, etc. are automatically displayed. It is convenient, however, for the operator to be completely aware of the form overlay.

[0076]

As described above, according to the present invention, a desired output image can be generated simply by transferring a small amount of information.

Further, according to another invention, an image of a regular facsimile cover sheet can be transmitted only by preparing main information to be facsimiled to the other party, without worrying about other formats. become.

According to another aspect of the invention, it is possible to print an image in a desired format simply by preparing the main information of the content to be printed.

According to another aspect of the invention, the image read by the image input device on the network is incorporated by simply setting the original document on the desired image input device on the network and performing a simple operation. It becomes possible to generate an output image.

[0080]

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a network according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a copying machine according to an embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an output instruction screen displayed on a display screen of a computer on a network in the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a document format in the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a document format in the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a format of control information transferred to a copying machine when an output instruction is given.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a procedure of output processing on a computer in the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation processing procedure of the copying machine of the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation processing procedure of the copying machine of the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation processing procedure of the copying machine of the embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an operation processing procedure of the copying machine of the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 102 job controller 105 scanner 107 printer 108 FAX controller 110 storage device

Claims (26)

[Claims] 1. An information processing apparatus which is connected to a network and generates an output image based on information from an apparatus on the network, the storage section storing a plurality of format information, and the storage section storing the format information. Receiving means for receiving the specified information of the specified format information and the main information to be output according to the specified format information, the format information specified by the received specified information, and the output document information based on the main information An information processing apparatus comprising: a generation unit. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a transmitting unit that transmits the output document information generated by the generating unit by facsimile. 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a printing unit that prints out the output document information generated by the generating unit. 4. The format information designated by the designation information includes information indicating an image development area and a text development area in addition to the fixed form information, and the generation means includes an image included in the main information. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information is expanded in the image expansion area, and the text information is expanded in the text expansion area to generate output document information. 5. A control method of an information processing apparatus connected to a network and generating an output image based on information from an apparatus on the network, the storage method storing a plurality of format information. Receiving specification information of the format information in the main information and main information to be output according to the format information, format information specified by the received designation information, and generating output document information based on the main information. A method for controlling an information processing apparatus, comprising: 6. The control method of the information processing apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a transmitting step of transmitting the output document information generated in the generating step by facsimile. 7. The method for controlling an information processing apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a step of printing out the output document information generated in the generating step. 8. The format information designated by the designation information includes information indicating an image development area and a text development area in addition to the fixed form information, and the generation step includes an image included in the main information. The control method of the information processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the information is expanded in the image expansion area and the text information is expanded in the text expansion area to generate output document information. 9. An information processing device for facsimile transmission based on an instruction from a network, comprising storage means for storing a plurality of format information, designation information of the format information stored in the storage means, and output in accordance with the format information. Based on the received main information, according to the receiving means for receiving the main information to be performed and the information specifying the transmission destination device from the predetermined computer on the network, and the format information specified by the specified information received. An information processing apparatus comprising: a generation unit configured to generate a transmission image; and a transmission unit configured to perform facsimile transmission of the generated transmission image according to destination identification information received by the reception unit. 10. The main information is text information,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the generation unit generates an individual character pattern based on the received text information to generate a transmission image. 11. The information processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the main information is image information. 12. A method of controlling an information processing apparatus for transmitting a facsimile based on an instruction from a network, the designation information designating one format information in a predetermined storage means storing a plurality of format information, and the format. The main information to be output according to the information, the step of receiving information specifying the destination device from a predetermined computer on the network, and the received main information according to the format information specified by the specified information received. And a step of transmitting the generated transmission image by facsimile according to the transmission destination specifying information received by the receiving means. 13. The main information is text information,
The control method of the information processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the generating step generates individual character patterns based on the received text information to generate a transmission image. 14. The method for controlling an information processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the main information is image information. 15. An information processing apparatus for forming a visible image on a predetermined recording medium based on an instruction from a network, comprising: storage means for storing a plurality of format information; and format information stored in the storage means. Receiving means for receiving the designated information and main information to be output according to the format information, and generating means for producing output image information based on the received main information according to the format information designated by the received designated information. An information processing apparatus comprising: a recording unit configured to record a visible image on a predetermined recording medium based on the generated output image information. 16. The main information is text information,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the generation unit generates individual character patterns based on the received text information to generate output image information. 17. The information processing apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the main information is image information. 18. A method of controlling an information processing apparatus for forming a visible image on a predetermined recording medium based on an instruction from a network, the information specifying format information in a storage means storing a plurality of format information. , Receiving main information that is to be output according to the format information, and generating output image information based on the received main information according to the format information specified by the received specification information. And a step of recording a visible image on a predetermined recording medium based on the output image information. 19. The main information is text information,
19. The control method of the information processing apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the generating step generates individual character patterns based on the received text information to generate output image information. 20. The method of controlling an information processing apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the main information is image information. 21. Storage means for storing a plurality of output format information, selection information for selecting one of the output format information stored in the storage means, and information for designating an input destination of an image to be output. Receiving means for receiving via the network, a control means for issuing an image input request to the image input device on the network specified by the information specifying the image input destination received by the receiving means, and transferring the image data, An information processing apparatus, comprising: a generation unit that generates output image information based on the transferred image data according to the format information selected by the selection information. 22. The information processing apparatus according to claim 21, further comprising a transmitting unit that transmits the output image information generated by the generating unit by facsimile. 23. The information processing apparatus according to claim 21, further comprising a printing unit that prints out the output image generated by the generating unit. 24. Selection information for selecting one of the output format information stored in a storage unit storing a plurality of output format information and information for designating an input destination of an image to be output are transmitted via a network. And the image input request to the image input device on the network specified by the received image input destination information,
An information processing apparatus control method comprising: a step of transferring image data; and a step of generating output image information based on the transferred image data according to the format information selected by the selection information. 25. The control method of the information processing apparatus according to claim 24, further comprising a step of transmitting the output image information generated in the generating step by facsimile. 26. The control method of the information processing apparatus according to claim 24, further comprising a step of printing out the output image generated in the generating step.