JPH11175299A - Device with scanner function - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize copying by only a computer device by preparing printing data corresponding to a printer registered to the device, transferring the printing data to the printer connected to a network and allowing the printer to print the printing data. SOLUTION: An outputting printer is designated to an OA device 4 to convert data rad from a scanner part 5 into the format of the printer and to transfer data to the printer through the network to print. Thereby, the OA device 4 and the printer can be used as a copying machine. The operating part 8 of the OA device is a little increased to secure operability like the copying machine. In addition, plural printers are registered to select a printer (printers) at the time of reading an original. In addition, a FAX modem function is added to an I/F part 9 and is connected with a telephone line to function as FAX.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a device having a scanner function, and more particularly, to a device capable of realizing copying only by a computer device without requiring a dedicated copying device, and is applied to a copying machine or a multifunction peripheral. Regarding possible equipment.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, printers and scanners have become cheaper, and the required image resolution has been increasing. On the other hand, personal computers and WSs (workstations) have become widespread in offices due to OA.
It is far from establishing a system that does not use paper, and still requires copying and faxing. However, depending on the size of the office, copying and faxing may not be very frequent. Having copies, faxes, printers, and scanners in such offices is not cost-effective.

[0003]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-described circumstances, and has as its object to provide an apparatus having a scanner function capable of realizing copying only with a computer apparatus. It was done.

[0004]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus which is connected to a network and has a scanner function capable of transferring image data obtained by scanning an original, and which is registered in the apparatus. Print data corresponding to the selected printer, transfer the print data to a printer connected to the network, and cause the printer to print the print data, realizing copying using only computer equipment. It is something that can be done.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, a plurality of printers are connected and a printer to be printed is selected from the plurality of printers. In a limited range, it can be used in place of facsimile.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or the second aspect of the present invention, a facsimile communication function is provided, and the apparatus can be used as a facsimile.

[0007]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram for explaining an example of a network to which a device having a scanner function according to the present invention is applied. In FIG.
S (workstation) or personal computer, 3 is a printer, and 4 is an OA device.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an embodiment of a device having a scanner function according to the present invention. In FIG.
A device, 5 a scanner unit for reading a document, 6 a control unit for controlling the operation, 7 a converter unit for converting data, 8
Is an operation unit for displaying on a panel or performing key input.
In part F), the arrows indicate the flow of data.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an external appearance for explaining one embodiment of the OA equipment shown in FIG. 2. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 10 denotes an ADF, and other components are the same as those of the embodiment shown in FIG. Acting parts are given the same reference numerals as in the embodiment shown in FIG.

Normally, a scanner reads a document and stores it therein by an instruction from a host computer or a panel operation, and transfers data to the host computer according to an instruction of the host computer. Although a printer is connected to the network to which the scanner is connected in addition to the host computer and the scanner, the scanner and the printer do not directly transfer data.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the printer 3 to be output is specified to the OA device 4, and the data read from the scanner unit 5 is converted into the format of the printer 3 (for example, PS, RPDL, TIFF). The OA device 4 and the printer 3 can be used as a copier by transferring data to the printer 3 via a network and printing the data. By making the operation unit 8 of the OA device large and ensuring the same operability as a copier, it is possible to make it easier to use.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a plurality of printers are registered (they do not need to be on the same floor), and a printer is selected (a plurality of printers are possible) when reading an original.
It can be used as a simple fax.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the FAX.
By adding a modem function and connecting to a telephone line,
It is designed to function as a FAX. In this case, the received fax data needs to be converted into the format of the printer, but the received fax data can be output to the printer as described in the first aspect of the present invention.

[0014]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, an apparatus having a scanner function capable of transferring image data obtained by scanning a document and connected to a network corresponds to a printer registered in the apparatus. Created print data, transfer the print data to a printer connected to the network, and allow the printer to print the print data. Copying can be realized, and operability equivalent to a dedicated copying device can be realized depending on the panel.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, a plurality of printers are connected and a printer to be printed can be selected from among the plurality of printers. Can be substituted for FAX.

Since the invention of claim 3 has a facsimile communication function, it can be used as a facsimile itself.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of a network to which a device having a scanner function according to the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an embodiment of a device having a scanner function according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view for explaining an embodiment of the OA device shown in FIG. 2;

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Network, 2 ... Workstation or personal computer, 3 ... Printer, 4 ... OA equipment, 5 ... Scanner part,
6: control unit, 7: converter unit, 8: operation unit, 9: interface unit, 10: ADF.

Claims (3)

[Claims] An apparatus, which is connected to a network and has a scanner function capable of transferring image data obtained by scanning an original, creates print data corresponding to a printer registered in the apparatus, A device having a scanner function, wherein the print data is transferred to a printer connected to the network, and the printer prints the print data. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of printers connected thereto, wherein a printer to be printed is selected from among the plurality of printers. machine. 3. The device according to claim 1, wherein said device has a scanner function, said device having a fax communication function.