JP3368108B2 - Image processing device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus for processing image data, and more particularly to an image processing apparatus connectable to an external computer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, a multifunctional copying machine in which a computer interface function, a facsimile function, an electronic filing function and the like are added to a copying machine has been put into practical use.

In this case, in the computer interface function, the image data sent from an external computer is output by the printer of the copying machine, or the image data read by the scanner of the copying machine is transferred to the external computer. ing. Also. With the electronic filing function, the image data read by the scanner of the copying machine is stored in the magneto-optical disk.

[0004]

By the way, the image data managed by this external computer is stored in an external computer such as a magneto-optical disk by utilizing the electronic filing function because the free space of the memory of the external computer becomes small. There is a desire to store in a storage medium.

However, in the case where the external computer and the copying machine are installed apart from each other, it is unclear whether the image data to be sent by the external computer may be stored in the storage medium equipped in the copying machine. This causes an inconvenience of storing in a storage medium that is not desired to be stored.

In addition, when the stored image data is easily read and reused, it is necessary to take a complicated procedure.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problem, and image data input from an external computer can be stored as necessary, and the stored image data can be easily read later. An object is to provide an image processing device.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, the image processing apparatus of the present invention has the following configuration.

That is, a connection means for connecting to an external computer, an image input means for inputting image data sent from the external computer via the connection means, and image data input by the image input means are set. Was done
Storage means for storing on a removable storage medium, said storage Hand
Password for each storage medium that should store image data
A setting means for setting a password, a password input means for inputting a password for storing image data in the storage means sent from the computer via the connection means, and an output means for outputting the image data. a password is set is entered in the password input means
The image data input by the image input unit when the password set by the setting unit corresponding to the stored storage medium is stored in the storage medium by the storage unit, and the output unit is A search sheet for searching the image data from the storage medium is output.

[0010]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of an image forming apparatus according to this embodiment.

The reader unit 1 reads an image of a document and outputs image data corresponding to the original seat image to the printer unit 2 and the image input / output control unit 3. The printer unit 2 records an image according to the image data from the reader unit 1 and the image input / output control unit 3 on recording paper. The image input / output control unit 3 is connected to the reader unit 1 and includes a facsimile unit 4, a file unit 5, a computer interface unit 7, a formatter unit 8, an image memory unit 9, a core unit 10, an operation unit 13, and the like.

The facsimile unit 4 decompresses the compressed image data received via the telephone line, transfers the decompressed image data to the core unit 10, and compresses the image data transferred from the core unit 10. , Compressed compressed image data is transmitted via a telephone line. A hard disk 12 is connected to the facsimile unit 4 so that the received compressed image data can be temporarily stored. A disk unit 6 is connected to the file unit 5, and the file unit 5 compresses the image data transferred from the core unit 10 and creates a disk set in the disk unit 6 together with a keyword for searching the image data. Remember. In addition, the file unit 5 searches the compressed image data stored in the disk based on the keyword transferred via the core unit 10, reads out the searched compressed image data and decompresses the decompressed image data. Transfer to the core unit 10. The computer interface unit 7 includes a personal computer or workstation (PC / WS) 11 and the core unit 1.
Interface between zero. The formatter unit 8 expands the code data representing the image transferred from the PC / WS 11 into image data which can be recorded by the printer unit 2, and the image memory unit 9 temporarily stores the data transferred from the PC / WS 11. To do.

The operation unit 13 is connected to the image input / output control unit 3 and can perform equipment information provided in the image forming apparatus and settings thereof. Further, a unique password can be added to the disc in the disc device 6 from the operation unit 13.

The core unit 10 controls the flow of data among the reader unit 1, the facsimile unit 4, the file unit 5, the computer interface unit 7, the formatter unit 8 and the image memory unit 9.

Further, in the core unit 10, the reader unit 1, the facsimile unit 4, the file unit 5, the computer interface unit 7, and the formatter unit are sent in response to a control command from the operation unit 13 while sending information about the apparatus to the operation unit 13. 8. Controls each unit of the image memory unit 9.

Further, the computer interface section 7
When a computer is connected to the computer and the control software of the system is running, the operating unit 13 is notified that the remote control is in progress, and the connected computer is notified of the information about the apparatus. In addition to sending, the reader unit 1, the facsimile unit 4, the file unit 5, the computer interface unit 7, the formatter unit 8, and the image memory unit 9 are controlled by control commands from the computer.

FIG. 4 shows a computer (PC / WS11).
It is an example of an operation screen on the display of the PC / WS 11 of software for filing in the data file unit 5 handled above. In addition to specifying the output destination as the file unit 5 instead of the printer unit 2 as in the case of normal print output, the document name, keyword,
Presence / absence of password / Presence / absence of password / search sheet output /
You can specify the disk. This software has a function of reflecting this content in a filing instruction command and transmitting it to this apparatus. In addition, the data to be recorded is transferred to a PDL (Printer Descriptor).
It has a function of converting into a Language) and sending it.

Although the file name used on the computer is registered as the document name, the user can change this.

Next, the operation when the filing instruction command A of FIG. 2 is received from the computer will be described. To the filing instruction command A, specify the resolution of the data to be stored, the data order that specifies the page order (forward order, reverse order) in the case of multiple pages, the document name as the name of the stored data, and the keyword. Is possible. The document name is the filing instruction on the computer and the software that sends the data to the device,
Unless otherwise specified by the user, the file name used on the computer can be directly used as the document name.

The operation after the filing instruction command A and data are sent to the receiving core section 10 by the computer interface section 7 will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, the filing instruction command A is received from the PC / WS 11 and the content is analyzed (S10).
1). Next, the document data received by the computer interface unit 7 is transferred to the formatter unit 8 (S10).
2). The disk device 6 connected to this device
Information is acquired (S103), and it is checked whether the image data can be stored by being stored in the disk (S104).

If the data cannot be stored, the formatter unit 8 develops the image data, sends it to the printer unit 2 (S113), and outputs it from the printer unit 2 (S11).
4). At this time, an error is displayed on the operation unit 13 (S
116) The process ends.

If it can be stored, the document name and keyword received by the filing instruction command A are sent to the file section 5 to prepare for image data storage (S10).
5). The data received from the PC / WS 11 is expanded by the formatter unit 8 and transferred to the file unit 5 as image data, and the file unit 5 stores the data in the disk (S106). After the completion of the storage of the image data (S107), whether or not the image data can be normally stored, and if the image data can be stored, the information of the ID number unique to the recording data attached to the file unit 5 is acquired (S108).

When the data cannot be stored normally due to an error during storage, an error is displayed on the operation unit 13 (S1
16) is performed and the process is terminated.

When the data is normally stored, a search sheet output instruction (S110) is given to the file unit 5 and the information necessary for searching the data stored in the disk device 6 from the printer unit is described as shown in FIG. A search sheet is output (S112).

In step S111, if the search sheet cannot be output due to the occurrence of a paper exhaustion for outputting the search sheet, the search sheet is not output and the file unit 5 holds the unoutput search sheet. Is recorded on the disc (S116).

In FIG. 10, E1 is a column in which a bar code indicating the search sheet type and the document number is described, E2 is a column of a reduced image of one page stored in the disk device 6,
E3 is a document name column, E4 is a disc creation date column, E5 is a column for designating print conditions of the printer unit 2, E6 is a column for designating the number of copies, E7 is a column for designating a facsimile transmission mode, and E8 is a facsimile. Field for specifying the destination, E9
Is a field for specifying the file processing mode. By making a desired mark on this search sheet and reading it from the reader unit 1, the document file can be read from the disk and output.

Next, the operation when the filing instruction command B shown in FIG. 3 is received from the computer will be described. In the filing instruction command B, the resolution of the data to be stored, the data order that specifies the page order (forward order, reverse order) in the case of multiple pages, the disk device specification to specify the disk to save the document, the password to the disk Indicates whether or not is attached and its password, indicates whether or not to output a search sheet for stored data after storage is complete, indicates the document name as the name of the stored data, and specifies the keyword It is possible. As for the document name, it is possible for the software for transmitting the filing instruction and the data to the apparatus on the computer to use the file name used on the computer as the document name as it is, unless otherwise specified by the user.

The operation after the filing instruction command B and the data are sent to the receiving core section 10 by the computer interface section 7 will be described below with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 6 and 7. First, the filing instruction command B is received from the PC / WS 11 and the content is analyzed (S
201). Next, the document data received by the computer interface unit 7 is transferred to the formatter unit 8 (S2).
02).

Then, the information of the disk device connected to this apparatus is acquired (S203), and it is checked whether the image data can be stored and stored (S204). Based on the information, it is determined whether the disk designated by the filing instruction command B is installed (S204).
PC / WS if the specified disk is not installed
The data received from 11 is expanded into image data by the formatter unit 8 (S218), and then the printer unit 2
To output (S219). At this time, the operation unit 1
An error is displayed on 3 (S220), and PC /
The WS 11 side is notified that the document data is printed out (S221).

On the other hand, when the designated disk exists, it is checked whether or not the password is attached to the disk, and if the password is attached, it is compared with the password obtained by the filing instruction command B (S206).
To do.

As a result of comparison, if the passwords do not match, the data received from the PC / WS 11 is expanded into image data by the formatter unit 8 (S218),
Then, it is sent to the printer unit 2 and output (S21).
9). At this time, an error is displayed on the operation unit 13 (S
220), and notifies the PC / WS 11 side that the document data has been printed out (S221).

Next, if the data cannot be stored in the disk device, the data received from the PC / WS 11 is expanded into image data by the formatter unit 8 (S2
18), and sends it out to the printer unit 2 (S21)
9). At this time, an error is displayed on the operation unit 13 (S
220), and notifies the PC / WS 11 side that the document data has been printed out (S221).

If the file can be stored, the document name and keyword received by the filing instruction command B are sent to the file unit 5 to prepare for image data storage (S208). The data received from the computer is
The data is expanded by the formatter unit 8 and transferred to the file unit 5 as image data, and the file unit 5 stores and stores the data in the disk (S209). After the completion of the storage of the image data (S210), in order to judge whether the image data can be stored normally, the information of the ID number peculiar to the recording data attached in the file unit 5 is acquired when the image data can be stored (S21).
1).

When the result is judged in (S212), and the data cannot be stored normally due to an error during storage, an error display (S220) is displayed on the operation unit 13 and the document data is printed out on the PC / WS11 side. Notify (S
221).

On the other hand, when the data is normally stored, a search sheet output instruction (S213) is issued to the file section 5 and the information necessary for searching the data stored in the disk from the printer section 2 is described in FIG. Such a search sheet is output (S215).

In step S212, if there is no sheet for outputting the search sheet or if the output cannot be made due to a failure of the printer unit 2, the search sheet is not output and the file unit 5 holds the unoutput search sheet. What is being done is recorded in the disk device (S217). The result of these processes (S215 or S217) is notified to the PC / WS 11 side (S216), and the process ends. (S216), (S
The process 221) is effective only when the interface with the computer is bidirectional, and is not performed when the interface is unidirectional only from the computer side.

Next, an example in which the image forming apparatus is connected to the network will be shown.

FIG. 8 shows the connection side of the image forming apparatus to the network. The respective devices and operation outlines will be described below.

The PC 801 is a computer normally used by a user, and is a device for creating a document and connected to a network (hereinafter LAN) 803. PC8
02 also has a similar function.

The image forming apparatus 804 has a large liquid crystal touch panel, is an image forming apparatus connected to the LAN 803, and has both a scanner function and a printer function. Disk device 8 that can handle multiple disks
05 has a function as an electronic filing device. Further, 804 also has a printer function for printing out data sent from a computer or the like.

The PC 806 is a server machine on the LAN 803, and is a device having functions such as file service and mail service for sharing a disk.

In the configuration as shown in FIG. 8, the data is transmitted from the computer on the network to the image forming apparatus 804.
Filing, and filing can be performed by storing and storing in a disc in the disc device 805.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus 804 of FIG. 8, in which the computer interface unit 7 of the block diagram of FIG. 1 is replaced with the network interface unit 14 to enable network connection.

When the filing instruction command and data are received via the LAN 803, an instruction is sent from the network interface section 14 to the core section 10 and the same control as the flow chart of FIG. 6 can be performed.

In the operation based on the flowchart of FIG. 5, the disk device 6 connected to the file unit 5 in the configuration example of FIG. 1 handles one disk, but the disk device 6 of FIG. As described in the flowchart of Fig. 7, it has an auto changer mechanism that can handle a plurality of discs.

In the above description, an example in which the data handled on the computer is converted into PDL code data and further converted into image data and recorded is shown, but the conversion of this data is not always necessary and handled on the computer. It is possible to record the code data itself.

According to the embodiment as described above, the document data sent from the external computer (PC / WS11) can be stored and stored in a desired removable disk.

The password and P attached to the disk
If the passwords entered from the C / WS 11 do not match, error information is displayed on the operation unit 13 and P
Since the C / WS 11 is notified, the operator can easily recognize it.

Further, the password can make the disc confidential.

Further, when the document data is stored and stored in the disk, a retrieval sheet for retrieving the document data is output, so that it can be easily read out later. Also,
If this search sheet cannot be output, the fact is notified to the computer, so that it can be easily recognized.

If the document data cannot be stored in the disc, the document data is printed out, and can be stored later or stored as a paper file. Therefore, it can be stored in the memory on the computer side. An empty space can be provided.

[0053]

As described above, according to the present invention, the memory
If a password is set for each medium and the password input from the external computer matches the password corresponding to the set storage medium, the image data input from the external computer can be stored in the storage medium. A search sheet for searching the stored image data can be output.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus that is an example of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing data contents of a filing instruction command A sent from a PC / WS 11.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing data contents of a filing instruction command B sent from the PC / WS 11.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a display screen when instructing filing of image data from the PC / WS 11.

5 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing by the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing by the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.

7 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing by the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a network configuration example.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an image forming apparatus 804.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a search sheet.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Reader section 2 Printer section 3 Image input / output control unit 4 Facsimile department 5 file divisions 6 disk device 7 Computer interface section 8 Formatter section 9 Image memory section 10 core part 11 PC / WS 12 hard disk 13 Operation part

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A connection means for connecting to an external computer, an image input means for inputting image data sent from the external computer via the connection means, and image data input by the image input means are set. Done
Storage means for storing in a removable storage medium, setting means for setting a password for each storage medium for storing image data in the storage means, and the storage sent from the computer via the connection means. Means for inputting a password for storing the image data, and output means for outputting the image data, wherein the password input by the password input means is set.
The image data input by the image input means when the password corresponding to the stored storage medium and set by the setting means is stored in the storage medium by the storage means.
The image processing apparatus, wherein the output means outputs a search sheet for searching the image data from the storage medium . 2. The apparatus corresponding to the storage medium in which the password input by the password input means is set.
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising error notification means for notifying the external computer of an error when the password does not match the password set by the setting means . 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises means for notifying that said output means outputs the search sheet to the external computer. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for notifying the external computer of the fact that the output means cannot output the search sheet if the output means cannot output the search sheet.
The image processing apparatus according to any one of 3 above.