JPH11331472A - Image input system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide images as desired by a user, to reduce the burdens of the user for checking scanner ability beforehand or the like and to improve work efficiency and handleability. SOLUTION: In this image input system for arranging plural scanners 101-105 for optically reading images on a network, remotely controlling the plural scanners 101-105 by at least one controller 106 and inputting image data, the controller 106 is provided with a scanning condition input means for inputting scanning conditions at the time of inputting the image data and a scanner browser means for browsing the plural scanners 101-105 arranged on the network 107 based on the scanning conditions inputted through the scanning condition input means and displaying the scanner matched with the scanning conditions on a screen.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method of arranging a plurality of scanner devices for optically reading an image on a network,
An image input system for inputting image data by remotely controlling a plurality of scanner devices with at least one control device. More specifically, input scanning conditions for inputting image data to meet user requirements. The present invention relates to an image input system capable of inputting an image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, office office networks such as copiers, printers, scanners, and facsimile machines have been connected to a network and used by a plurality of users due to networking and space saving in offices.

As one of such forms, a plurality of scanners for optically reading an image are arranged on a network, and at least one controller remotely controls the plurality of scanners to input image data. There is an image input system.

A related prior art is disclosed in
-190314, "Information processing method and apparatus"
There is. This method and apparatus select an optimum peripheral device according to the characteristics of the connected peripheral device and form an image.

[0005]

However, according to the above-mentioned conventional image input system, when a plurality of scanner devices having different functions and performances are arranged on a network, a user can determine the function and performance of each scanner device. Since it is necessary to select and specify a desired scanner device after grasping it and use it, the user needs to investigate and know the scanner capability in advance, and there is a problem that work efficiency and usability are poor.

On the other hand, by applying the technology disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 9-190314 to an image input system, it becomes possible to select an optimal peripheral device (in this case, a scanner device). For example, even if the user wants to read at 1200 dpi (resolution), if the maximum resolution of the scanner connected to the network is 600 dpi, 600 dpi is selected as the best condition. As a result, there is a problem that an image as desired by the user may not be obtained even when image data is input by the selected scanner device.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an image as desired by a user can be obtained.
An object of the present invention is to reduce the load on the user such as checking the scanner capability in advance and to improve work efficiency and usability.

[0008]

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image input system comprising: a plurality of scanner devices for optically reading an image arranged on a network; An image input system for remotely controlling the plurality of scanner devices and inputting image data, wherein the control device inputs a scan condition when inputting image data; Scanner browsing means for browsing a plurality of scanner devices arranged on the network based on the scan conditions inputted via the input means and displaying on the screen the scanner devices matching the scan conditions. It is a thing.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image input system according to the first aspect, when the scanner / browser means determines that there is no scanner device that matches the scan condition, the scanner / browser unit determines that the scan condition is the highest in the scan condition. This is to display a nearby scanner device on a screen.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image input system according to the first aspect, when the control device does not include a scanner device that matches the scan condition, The required scanning conditions can be realized by combining functions.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an image input system according to the present invention will be described in detail in the order of [Embodiment 1] to [Embodiment 3] with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 shows a system configuration diagram of an image input system according to a first embodiment, and scanners (scanner devices) 101 to 105 for optically reading an image.
And a control device 106 for remotely controlling the scanners 101 to 105. The scanners 101 to 1
05 and the control device 106 are connected to a network 107. In addition, although an example in which only the control device 106 is connected as a control device is shown here for simplicity of explanation, it is needless to say that the present invention is not particularly limited.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of the scanners 101 to 105 and the control unit 106.
Reference numeral 105 denotes an image reading unit 20 that reads image data.
1 and a ROM 202 storing various control programs and the like.
A RAM 203 as a work area used for temporary storage of read image data and storage of various data, a network communication controller (NIC) 204 for performing communication via the network 107, and a ROM 202.
CPU that executes scanner control program to control scanner
205 at least.

Here, the scanners 101 to 105 have different performances. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the scanner 101 is "maximum resolution 400 dpi, black and white binary, red lamp", and the scanner 102 is "maximum resolution". Resolution 24
00 dpi, black and white binary, green lamp ”, and the scanner 103 is“ maximum resolution 1200 dpi, black and white multi-level, green lamp ”
The scanner 104 has a maximum resolution of 800 dpi, monochrome multi-valued, green lamp, and the scanner 105 has a maximum resolution of 600 dpi.
dpi, black and white binary, green lamp ".

The control unit 106 can use a personal computer (PC) and controls display of the CRT 206, an input unit 207 such as a keyboard and mouse, and a CRT 206, which are general PC configurations. Control unit (VIDEO) 208, a ROM 209 storing various control programs and the like, and a hard disk (H
DD) 210 and a RAM as a work area used for temporary storage of read image data and storage of various data.
211, a network communication controller (NIC) 212 for performing communication via the network 107,
CPU 2 that executes a control program and performs image input control
13 at least.

In the first embodiment, the input unit 207
Plays the role of the scanning condition input means of the present invention.
The control program, the CPU 213, and the CRT 206 stored in the OM 209 or the HDD 210 play the role of the scanner / browser of the present invention.

The operation of the above configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 4 shows a schematic flowchart of the scanner selection process according to the first embodiment. First, the user using the control device 106
07, desired scan conditions are input (S4).
01), the CPU 213 stores the scan conditions in the RAM 211 (S402), and transmits the TCP / I via the NIC 212.
The scanners 101 to 105 connected to the network 107 are broadcast by the P protocol (S40).
3). Here, the scanner 101 on the network 107
To 105 respond with scanner numbers (# 1 to # 5) in response to this broadcast.

Next, based on the response of the scanner number, it is determined whether or not there is a scanner connected to the network 107 (S404).
A message indicating that the scanner is not connected is displayed on the screen of T206 (S405), and the process ends.

On the other hand, if there is a scanner, the total number of scanners responding to the broadcast is stored as M (S406), and the count value N is set to "0" and initialized (S407).

Next, in step S408, it is determined whether or not N = M.
Steps 09 to S413 are repeated.

That is, a connection is made with one of the scanners 101 to 105 responding to the broadcast (S40).
9), obtain the MAX resolution from the corresponding scanner (S
410) and compare with the input scan condition (S41).
1) If the conditions are met, the scanner name is saved (S4).
12), 1 is added to the count value N (S413), and the process returns to step S408. If the conditions do not match, 1 is added to the count value N (S413), and the process returns to step S408.

If it is determined in step S408 that N = M, that is, if all the scanners on the network 107 have been browsed, the saved scanner name (that is, the scanner that matches the scanning conditions) is displayed on the CRT2.
06 (S414), and the process ends.

In the above-described processing, for example, when the user inputs a request to perform scanning at “1200 dpi” as a scan condition, the control device 106 causes the scanners 101 to 1 connected to the network 107 to
05 and get MAX resolution, 1200
The scanner 102 and the scanner 103 having a MAX resolution exceeding dpi are displayed on the CRT 206.

Thus, the user can select a scanner that satisfies the request and obtain a desired image.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, since the control device 106 displays a scanner that matches the scanning conditions on the screen, it is possible to obtain an image as desired by the user, and to set the scanner capability in advance. It is possible to reduce the load on the user, such as investigating, and to improve work efficiency and usability.

In the first embodiment, for the sake of simplicity, only the case where resolution is input as a scan condition has been described. However, the number of scan condition items can be increased as necessary. Of course.

[Second Embodiment] The image input system of the second embodiment has a configuration similar to that of the first embodiment, and when there is no scanner device that matches the scan conditions, a scanner closest to the scan conditions is displayed on the screen. It is something to do.

FIG. 5 is a schematic flowchart of the scanner selecting process according to the second embodiment. The same processes as those in the flowchart of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

In the second embodiment, in step S408,
It is determined whether or not N = M. Until N = M,
Steps S409, S501, S502, and S413 are repeated.

That is, a connection is made with one of the scanners 101 to 105 responding to the broadcast (S40).
9), the MAX resolution and the color chair are acquired from the corresponding scanner (S501), compared with the input scanning conditions, and the scanner name and the comparison result are stored (S502).
One is added to the count value N (S413), and step S is performed.
Return to 408.

If it is determined in step S408 that N = M, that is, if all the scanners on the network 107 have been browsed, a matching scanner or the closest scanner is selected (S503), and the selected scanner name is selected. Is displayed on the CRT 206 (S504), and the process ends. If there is a matching scanner, it is natural that only the matching scanner is selected in step S503.

In the above processing, for example, when the user inputs a request to perform reading at “1600 dpi or more, multi-valued” as a scan condition, the control unit 1
Reference numeral 06 refers to the scanners 101 to 105 connected on the network 107 to obtain MAX resolution and color gradation, has a MAX resolution exceeding 1600 dpi, and operates the scanner 103 and the scanner 104 for multi-value reading. The scanner 10 closest to the scanning conditions
3 is displayed on the CRT 206.

As a result, the user can select the most appropriate scanner and obtain a desired image.

[Third Embodiment] An image input system according to a third embodiment has a configuration similar to that of the first embodiment and combines functions of a plurality of scanners when there is no scanner that satisfies scanning conditions. The required scanning conditions can be realized.

For example, when the user inputs a request to read only the deficit and read the image, FIG.
Although there is no scanner having a function of extracting only deficit among the scanners 101 to 105 as shown in FIG.
Scanner 101 that can erase red (there is a red lamp in the figure)
, First read using this scanner 101, then read using another scanner,
By taking EXOR (exclusive OR) of the image data received on the control device 106 side and displaying the image data on the CRT 206, it is possible to read an image in which only the red letters requested by the user are extracted.

FIG. 6 shows a schematic operation flowchart of the third embodiment. First, it is assumed that a user inputs a desired request in advance and it is known that there is no corresponding scanner. For example, it is assumed that the scanner selection processing of the first embodiment or the second embodiment is executed, and it is notified that there is no corresponding scanner.

In order to realize the requested scanning condition by combining the functions of a plurality of scanners, when the user inputs the first scanning condition, the same scanner selecting process as in the first embodiment is executed, and A scanner that matches the first scan condition is displayed on the CRT 206 (S601).
When the user selects a scanner to be used from the CRT 206 and places a document on the scanner, image reading is performed (S602). The control device 106 captures the image read by the scanner and stores it as IMAGE1 (S603).

Next, when the user inputs the second scan condition, the same scanner selection processing as that of the first embodiment is executed, and the scanner that matches the second scan condition is displayed on the CRT.
Displayed at 206 (S604). When the user enters the CRT 20
When the scanner to be used is selected from among the scanners 6 and the original is placed on the corresponding scanner, the image is read (S60).
5). The control device 106 captures the image read by the scanner and stores it as IMAGE2 (S60).
6).

Subsequently, EXOR of IMAGE1 and IMAGE2 is performed (S607), and the result (image)
Is stored (S608) and displayed on the CRT 206 (S609).

As described above, according to the third embodiment, when there is no scanner that matches the scanning conditions, the required scanning conditions can be realized by combining the functions of a plurality of scanners. Can be improved, and effective utilization of resources can be promoted.

[0041]

As described above, the image input system according to the present invention (claim 1) browses a plurality of scanner devices arranged on a network based on a scan condition input by a user, and performs scanning. Since the scanner device that meets the conditions is displayed on the screen, the image desired by the user can be obtained, and the burden on the user such as checking the scanning ability in advance is reduced, and the work efficiency and the usability are improved. be able to.

Further, the image input system of the present invention displays the scanner device closest to the scan condition on the screen when there is no scanner device that matches the scan condition. But
The image closest to the user's wish is available and
It is possible to promote effective use of distributed resources.

Further, the image input system according to the present invention (claim 3) can realize the required scanning condition by combining the functions of a plurality of scanner devices when there is no scanner device matching the scanning condition. As a result, convenience can be improved, and effective utilization of resources can be promoted.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of an image input system according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a scanner and a control device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of scanner performance according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a schematic flowchart of a scanner selection process according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a schematic flowchart of a scanner selection process according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a schematic flowchart of a third embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 101 to 105 Scanner (scanner device) 106 Control device 107 Network 201 Image reading unit 202, 209 ROM 203, 211 RAM 204, 212 NIC 205, 213 CPU 206 CRT 207 Input unit 208 Display control unit 210 Hard disk (HDD)

Claims (3)

[Claims] An image input system for arranging a plurality of scanner devices for optically reading an image on a network, remotely controlling the plurality of scanner devices with at least one control device, and inputting image data. The control device includes: a scan condition input unit for inputting a scan condition when inputting image data; and a plurality of control units arranged on the network based on the scan condition input via the scan condition input unit. Scanner / browser means for browsing the scanner device of the above, and displaying on the screen a scanner device which matches the scanning condition;
An image input system comprising: 2. The image input system according to claim 1, wherein said scanner / browser means displays a scanner device closest to said scan condition on a screen when there is no scanner device that matches said scan condition. . 3. The control device according to claim 1, wherein when there is no scanner device that matches the scan condition, the control device can realize the requested scan condition by combining the functions of the plurality of scanner devices. The image input system according to claim 1, wherein: