JP3600394B2 - Image input system and image input / output system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image input system for inputting an image by connecting an image reading device (scanner) to a computer, and an image input / output system for printing and outputting an image by further connecting an image output device (printer) to the image input system. About.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally used document reading apparatuses (scanners) are often connected to, for example, a personal computer, take in the read image data into the personal computer, and perform image processing on a display of the personal computer. No key input device or display device is provided. That is, since the conventional scanner is constructed under the control of the personal computer and the system is constructed, there is no need to provide a key input device or a display device on the scanner side.
[0003]
On the other hand, as described above, there is also a system in which a scanner is connected to a personal computer, an image forming apparatus (printer) is connected to the personal computer, image data read by the scanner is processed by the personal computer, and then output from the printer. Widely used. In this system, it is of course possible to output the image read by the scanner as it is, and if it is output as it is, the function is equivalent to that of a so-called digital copying machine.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, as described above, when a system constructed by a scanner, a personal computer, and a printer uses only functions equivalent to a copying machine, a document is placed on the scanner, and then a reading instruction is issued on the personal computer, and the scanned image is read. At this point, it is necessary to give a write instruction to the printer, which is inconvenient.
[0005]
In some cases, a facsimile receiver in a remote place is used as a printer and used as a facsimile transmitter. In this case, however, it is necessary to perform operation input using a personal computer.
[0006]
In any case, operation of the scanner or selection of a function is performed by an instruction from a host computer such as a connected personal computer, which is not only troublesome in operation, but also takes time until a user obtains an output desired. There was also a problem.
[0007]
A first object of the present invention is to provide an image input system capable of directly inputting necessary instructions from a scanner without the intervention of a host computer. is there.
[0008]
A second object is to provide an image output system capable of outputting an image without the user being aware of the presence of the host computer even when the host computer is interposed.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a first means includes a document reading device for reading a document, and a host computer capable of receiving an image read by the document reading device and performing desired image processing via an operation input means. an image input system comprising the said is detachably attached to the document reading apparatus, said an operation device for a user to perform a desired function directly with the operating on the host computer, the operating device is the original reading When an instruction for an application to be executed is provided from the operation device, the operation application monitoring flag for monitoring the operation of the application is read, and if the operation application monitoring flag is for the designated application, As it is, if it is not for the specified application The operation is the application terminates monitoring flag corresponding to the application, and activates the indicated application, is characterized by setting the operation application monitoring flag of the activated application.
[0010]
The second means is characterized in that when the application corresponding to the operation application monitoring flag cannot be terminated, an error display is displayed on the operation device .
[0011]
Third means is connected to an image output device that prints out image data to the host computer, and the image data read by the image reading device is transmitted from the image output device by an instruction from the operating device or the host computer. The feature is to output.
[0012]
A fourth means is the third means, wherein the image data read by the image reading device by the operating device is printed out as it is from the image output device to function as a copying device.
[0013]
A fifth means is the third means, wherein the image data read by the image reading device is processed and printed out based on a preset function of the operating device.
[0014]
In a sixth aspect, in the first to fifth aspects, the operation device is at least one of a copy start key, a clear / stop key, a density setting key, a numeric key, a magnification setting key, and a paper size selection key. It is characterized by having two keys.
[0015]
Each control command including an operation input from the operating device in the third to fifth means is processed by the CPU of the host computer and executed based on software downloaded to the host computer.
[0016]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0017]
FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of an image input / output system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, this system basically includes a host computer (PC) 101, a scanner (apparatus) 102, and a printer (apparatus) 103, and each apparatus is connected by a SCSI interface 104 and Bi Centronics 105. Further, the scanner device 102 includes an operation panel (operation [display] device) 106 for a copy operation. The operation panel 106 operates on a personal computer (PC) 101 having a hardware configuration connected by a serial interface 107, and operates, for example, on a Windows OS 206 as shown in FIG. The software configuration includes a copy application 201 including a manager 204 and an operation panel manager 205, a scanner driver 207, and a printer driver 208.
[0018]
In the sequence in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, when the copy manager 202 receives a copy start request from the operation panel manager 205 (step 301), it transmits a scan execution request message to the scan manager 203 (step 302). . Upon receiving the message, the scan manager 203 sets scan conditions corresponding to the copy conditions for the scanner 102 and executes the scan. The scan manager 203 creates a scan registration information management file as shown in the scan registration information management file format 401 of FIG. 4 for each scan (step 303), and transmits a one-sheet original scan end message to the copy manager 202. (Step 304). When the copy manager 202 receives the one-sheet original scanning end message, it creates a collation information management file as shown in the collation information management file format of FIG. 5 (step 305), and sends a print execution request (step 306) to the print manager. A message is sent to 204. The print manager 204 looks at the transmitted collation information file and prints it (step 307), and when the printing process ends, sends a print end message to the copy manager 202 (step 308). The copy manager 202 deletes the scan registration information management file, the collation information management file, and the image file, and ends the copy job.
[0019]
When the copy manager 202 sends a print execution request to the print manager 204 (step 309), information is sent from the print manager 204 each time printing of one document is completed (step 310), and scanning of the last document ends (step 310). 311) When the printing is completed, a print end message is received (step 312). In the normal copy sequence, the copy manager 202 deletes the scan registration information management file, the collation information management file, and the image file at that time, and ends the copy sequence (step 313). However, for example, when a paper jam error occurs while the print manager 204 is performing printing, the copy manager 202 also receives error information when receiving the scan end message (step 311). Then, the copy manager 202 can know that an error has occurred in the print manager 204. At that time, the print manager 204 waits until the print manager 204 is ready to output, and transmits a print execution request again to execute printing. be able to. Thus, from the viewpoint of the copy sequence, even when a printer error occurs, error recovery can be performed without reading the document again, in other words, without scanning again. In FIG. 3, in process A, the copy manager 202 looks at the scan registration information file and sends a print request if there is scan data. In process B, a single print request is used to request a plurality of documents to be printed. If there is, processing is performed such that a one-sheet original printing end message is transmitted each time one original is printed.
[0020]
If the copy manager 202 creates the first collation information management file upon receiving the scan end message (step 311) without receiving any processing (step 304) even if it receives the one scan end message, When creating an information management file, soft collation can be easily performed only by changing the order in which print information structures are written in the file.
[0021]
The scan manager 203 creates a scan registration information management file as shown in the scan registration information management file format of FIG. 4 for each scan. This file consists of “Total size of main scan registration information file”, “Head size of main scan registration information file”, “Number of scan file information structures”, “Image file storage directory”, “Scan file information structure (Image (File number, scan area size code, reserved area). The copy manager 202 creates a collation information management file as shown in the collation information management file format of FIG. 5 from the contents of the scan registration information management file in order to cause the printer manager 204 to execute printing. The collation information management file includes “total size of the main collation information management file”, “header size of the main collation information management file”, “number of print information structures”, “paper tray code”, “paper ejection”. "Tray code", "Number of copies", "Print mode (duplex, staple, jogger, sort, Face Down / Up discharge)", "Print information structure (image file number, paper size code, reservation) Region) ".
[0022]
The print manager 204 knows the image file to be printed, the printing order, and the printing conditions from the collation information management file created by the copy manager 202, and executes printing. For example, in the print mode in the collation information management file format, when a sort designation or a face-up designation is made, the print file must be printed from the last page. That is, printing is performed from the file created at the end of the image file. By doing so, the output results are matched. Here, if a plurality of copies are designated, the same is repeated according to the designated number of copies. However, unlike the above-described sequence, the copy sequence at this time requires that the scan processing of the scan message 203 has been completed for all pages.
[0023]
The operation panel manager 205 constantly monitors the key input information on the operation panel 106 through the serial interface 107, and immediately sends a message to the copy manager 202 when there is a key input. The software developer can easily operate the operation panel 106 by setting the destination of the message sent from the operation panel manager 205 to an arbitrary application of the user. The switching of the user's arbitrary application is performed according to the flowchart shown in FIG.
[0024]
This switching processing procedure will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0025]
In this processing procedure, first, a registered application is switched by pressing a copy key or a function key (step 601). Once the copy or function key is pressed, switching is not allowed (steps 602, 603, 604, 610), and if pressed when switching is not possible, an alert message is displayed. When the copy is pressed in steps 601 and 604, and when the function key is pressed in steps 601 and 610, the application switching key is waited for in step 616. When the function key is pressed in step 604, the process proceeds to step 605. A request is made to terminate the application of the function (step 605). If the termination is OK, the application is activated (step 607), the operation application monitoring flag is set (step 608), and the pressing of the application switching key is waited (step 616). . On the other hand, if the end is not OK in step 606, an application switching error is displayed in step 609, and in step 616, the application waits for pressing an application switching key.
[0026]
When the copy key is pressed in step 610, the end of the copy application is requested (step 611). If the end is OK (step 612), the function application is started (step 613), and the operation application monitoring flag is set. It is set (step 614) and waits for pressing of the application switching key (step 616). On the other hand, if the end is not OK in step 612, an application switching error is displayed in step 615, and the application switching key is waited for (step 616).
[0027]
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the scanner device 102, an operation panel 106 mounted on the scanner device 102, and a state where the operation panel 106 is mounted on the scanner device 102. That is, the operation panel 106 is detachably mounted on the scanner device 102 as shown in FIG. When attaching the operation panel 106, as shown in FIG. 9A, first confirm that the power of the scanner is turned off, and then remove the blind cover of the operation panel mounting portion of the scanner (FIG. 9B). The connector of the panel 106 is connected (FIG. 9C). Then, the operation panel 106 is fitted into the hidden groove of the scanner (FIGS. 9-4 and 5) and fixed with screws (FIG. 9-6). As a result, the operation panel 106 is securely fixed to the scanner. When the operation panel 106 is removed, the operation is reversed. Although the interface between the operation panel 106 and the host computer 101 is performed serially, the power supply for the connector connection shown in FIG. 9C is supplied from the scanner 102 main body, and the serial signal passes through the scanner 102 main body and passes through the host computer 101. 101.
[0028]
FIG. 8 shows the layout of keys and the state of display (display means) on the operation panel 106. “Application” 801 indicates a function key for switching to another function, and “Copy” 802 indicates a copy from another function. A copy function key for switching to a function is shown. In addition to keys for basic functions such as a numeric keypad 803, a copy start key 804, and a clear / stop key 805, a user tool for setting a special copy mode and a clear mode key 806 for canceling the special copy mode are provided. In addition, there are a sort 807 / staple 808 / double-side designation key 809, a paper key, and the like mentioned in the description of FIG. 5, and a key required for a copy function such as a density setting key, a photo setting key, and a scaling key. ing. Then, each setting / state is visually displayed by an LED or LCD display. In the figure, F1 to F5 indicate keys that can be activated when switching to another function.
[0029]
The LCD 810 displays, for example, “PRINER ERROR. SEE PRINTER DISPLAY” to display detailed information such as a printer error (jam position, door open position) and the like as if the printer itself was viewed.
[0030]
【The invention's effect】
According to the invention of claim 1, wherein, as described above, attached to the operating device, when an instruction to an application to be executed from the operating device, without the intervention of the reading operation the host computer document reader position the operating device since it is carried out, the better the operability.
[0031]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, when an application not to be executed cannot be terminated, an error is displayed on the operation device, so that an unintended application is not executed and operability can be improved.
[0032]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, an image output device that prints out image data output from the host computer is connected to the host computer of the image input system according to the first or second aspect, and Since the read data can be output, an image of the read document can be printed out by the user without the intervention of the host computer.
[0033]
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the image data read by the image reading device by the operating device can be directly output from the image forming device. Can be.
[0034]
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the image data read by the image reading device is processed by the operation device based on a function set in advance and can be printed out, so that the image data can function as an image processing device. be able to.
[0035]
According to the invention described in claim 6, the operating device includes at least one key of a copy start key, a clear / stop key, a density setting key, a numeric key, a magnification setting key, and a paper size selection key. Therefore, it is possible to operate with a key having a function equivalent to that of a commonly used copying machine, and it is easy for a user to use.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a system configuration of hardware according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a software configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a copy sequence according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a scan registration information file format according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a collation information file format according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an application switching procedure according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a state in which an operation panel is mounted on the document reading apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an operation panel according to an embodiment of the present invention in detail.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating in detail a process of attaching an operation panel according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
101 Host Computer 102 Scanner Device 103 Printer Device 104 SCSI Interface 105 Bi-Centronics 106 Operation Panel 107 Serial Interface

Claims (6)

In an image input system including a document reading device that reads a document, and a host computer to which an image read by the document reading device is input and capable of performing desired image processing via operation input means,
An operation device that is detachably attached to the document reading device , operates on the host computer, and allows a user to directly execute a desired function ;
When the operation device is attached to the document reading device and an instruction for an application to be executed is issued from the operation device, an operation application monitoring flag for monitoring the operation of the application is read, and the operation application monitoring flag is instructed. If the application does not belong to the specified application, the application corresponding to the operation application monitoring flag is terminated, the specified application is started, and the operation application monitoring flag of the started application is set. An image input system characterized by being set . If the application corresponding to the operation application monitoring flag cannot be terminated, an error display is displayed on the operation device. An image output device for printing out image data output from the host computer is connected to the host computer of the image input system according to claim 1, and the data read by the document reading device is output. Image input and output system. 4. The image input / output system according to claim 3, wherein the image data read by the image reading device is printed out as it is from the image output device in response to an operation input from the operation device to function as a copying device. 4. The image input / output system according to claim 3, wherein the image data read by the image reading device is processed and printed out based on a preset function of the operating device. 6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation device includes at least one of a copy start key, a clear / stop key, a density setting key, a numeric key, a magnification setting key, and a paper size selection key. The image input / output system according to claim 1.

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