JP3709608B2 - Information processing apparatus and storage medium - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and a storage medium.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a computer such as a personal computer, application software called a binder that takes in document data and image data created by different application software in units of pages is used.
[0003]
This binder is used when document data and image data created by different application software are collectively transmitted by facsimile or printed, and is very convenient.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the conventional binder can output only in the order in which the document data and the image data are taken.
[0005]
Thus, for example, when it is desired to alternately transmit each page of a document created with one application software and each page of a document created with the other application software, one application software and the other application software. It was necessary to start up alternately and load them into the binder one page at a time.
[0006]
The present invention has been proposed in view of the above points, and stores an information processing apparatus that allows a user to arbitrarily change the page of a document that has been captured, and that can be output according to the changed page, and a program therefor. The object is to provide a storage medium.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
To achieve the above object, the information processing apparatus of the invention described in claim 1 stores a plurality and capturing means for capturing the data page by page, a file consists of data captured by the capturing means storage means and from among each of the data constituting the stored one another in a different file in the storage means, and a page changing means for changing the page information of the data designated by the user, the page information data by the page change means for And output means for outputting the data constituting the different files having changed in the order of the pages changed by the page changing means . An information processing apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is the information processing apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein different files include a character data file and an image data file.
[0008]
According to this information processing apparatus, the page changing means, a page of each data constituting different files to each other stored in the storage means, so to change based on the page change instruction operation of a user, for example, character data Data constituting different files such as a file and an image data file can be edited and output in the page order desired by the user.
[0009]
As the information processing apparatus, for example, a computer such as a personal computer or a workstation can be considered. Furthermore, a computer system in which a modem or a scanner is built in or connected to these computers is also included in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention.
[0010]
Further, the information processing apparatus of the invention described in claim 3, there is provided an information processing apparatus according to claim 2, character data, a document data created by word processor application software, the image data, the scanner This is image data obtained by reading the original .
[0011]
According to this information processing apparatus, in addition to the effect of the information processing apparatus according to claim 2, the document data created by the application software of the word processor and the image data obtained by reading the document by the scanner can be arbitrarily combined. Can be output in order.
[0012]
Furthermore, an information processing apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the information processing apparatus according to the third aspect , wherein the page recognizes a page based on the image data described at a predetermined position of the document read by the scanner. Recognizing means is provided, and the output means processes the page recognized by the page recognizing means as the page of the original unless changed by the page changing means.
[0013]
According to this information processing apparatus, in addition to the effect of the information processing apparatus according to the third aspect , pages can be automatically added to a document read by a scanner.
[0014]
An information processing apparatus according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the information processing apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the output means is stored in a storage means in a modem for facsimile communication. The data of the different files is output in the order of the pages changed by the page changing means .
[0015]
According to this information processing apparatus, in addition to the effect of the information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , data of different files stored in the storage means is changed by the page changing means. Fax can be sent in page order .
[0016]
Further, an information processing apparatus according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the information processing apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the output means includes different files stored in the storage means in the printer. Are output in the order of the pages changed by the page changing means .
[0017]
According to this information processing apparatus, in addition to the effect of the information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , data of different files stored in the storage means is changed by the page changing means. Print in page order .
[0018]
The storage medium of the invention described in claim 7, a computer, a capturing means to capture data in page units, a storage means for storing a plurality of files and a data captured by the capturing means The page changing means for changing the page information of the data designated by the user from the data constituting the different files stored in the storage means, and the page information of the data changed by the page changing means . A program for causing a computer to function as output means for outputting data constituting different files in the order of pages changed by the page change means is readable by a computer .
[0019]
According to this storage medium, the information processing apparatus according to claim 1 can be realized by installing the contents in a personal computer or the like.
[0020]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.
[0021]
FIG. 1 is a circuit block diagram showing a state in which peripheral devices are connected to a personal computer as an example of an information processing apparatus according to the present invention. The personal computer 1 employs a so-called multi-window GUI, and can simultaneously activate a plurality of application software. The multifunction peripheral device (hereinafter referred to as “MFD”) 2 has a plurality of functions such as a facsimile, a printer, an image scanner, and a copier. Note that MFD is an abbreviation for multi-function device.
[0022]
The personal computer 1 includes a processor 11, a ROM 12, a RAM 13, a gate array 14, an interface 15, a hard disk device 16, a flexible disk drive 17, and an operation unit 18. The processor 11, the ROM 12, the RAM 13, the gate array 14, and the interface 15 are mutually connected by a bus line. The bus line includes a data bus, an address bus, and a control signal line.
[0023]
The processor 11 operates based on programs such as an OS and various application software installed in the hard disk device 16 to perform information processing. The ROM 12 stores various data. The RAM 13 is used by various application software and stores various data. The gate array 14 functions as an interface between the processor 11 and the hard disk device 16 and the flexible disk drive 17. The interface 15 controls transmission / reception of data between the personal computer 1 and the MFD 2 based on a standard such as RS-232C. The hard disk device 16 stores various application software programs. The flexible disk drive 17 reads the contents of the flexible disk. The operation unit 18 includes a keyboard and a mouse and outputs an operation signal based on an operation by a user.
[0024]
The MFD 2 includes a CPU 21, a RAM 22, a ROM 23, a gate array 24, an interface 25, a scanner 26, a printer 27, and a modem 28. The CPU 21, RAM 22, ROM 23, gate array 24, and interface 25 are connected to each other by a bus line. The bus line includes a data bus, an address bus, and a control signal line. The interface 25 is connected to the interface 15 of the personal computer 1 via a cable 31, and a telephone line 32 is connected to the modem 28.
[0025]
The CPU 21 controls the entire MFD 2. The RAM 22 stores various data. The ROM 23 stores a program for controlling the MFD 2 and the like. The gate array 24 functions as an interface between the CPU 21 and the scanner 26, the printer 27, and the modem 28. The interface 25 controls transmission / reception of data between the personal computer 1 and the MFD 2 based on a standard such as RS-232C. The scanner 26 reads an image of a document and converts it into an image signal. The printer 27 prints an image based on the image data. When transmitting / receiving facsimile communication, the modem 28 modulates the carrier wave with the transmission data and demodulates the reception carrier wave to extract the reception data.
[0026]
The hard disk device 16 of the personal computer 1 uses the modem 28 of the MFD 2 to perform facsimile communication between the personal computer 1 and another facsimile device or the like. MFD control application software for realizing various functions, such as printing an image or taking an image signal read by the scanner 26 into the personal computer 1, is installed. The MFD control application software is installed in the hard disk device 16 by inserting a flexible disk into the flexible disk drive 17 and performing a predetermined operation on the operation unit 18. This MFD control application software includes software called a FAX driver that performs data conversion such as conversion of text data into bitmap data, software called a log manager that manages and displays a communication history, and between the personal computer 1 and the MFD 2 It is composed of software called status monitor that manages the transmission and reception of data.
[0027]
That is, the processor 11 takes in the character data and image data in units of pages, and the page of the character data and image data fetched by the fetching means for the page change instruction operation to the operation unit 18 of the user. A page changing unit that changes based on the output unit, an output unit that outputs character data and image data captured by the capturing unit in order of pages by an output instruction operation to the operation unit 18 by the user, and a document read by the scanner. Page recognition means for recognizing a page based on image data described at a predetermined location is realized.
[0028]
Next, the operation of the information processing apparatus configured as described above will be described. Document data created by a user of the personal computer 1 using, for example, word processor application software is stored in the hard disk device 16 as a document file. For example, when a handwritten document or the like is read by the scanner 26 of the MFD 2, the image signal from the scanner 26 is A / D converted by the gate array 24 and is converted into binary or multi-valued image data as the interface 25, the cable. 31, the interface 15, and the gate array 14 to be stored in the hard disk device 16. Further, the processor 11 develops image data described in a predetermined area of the original read by the scanner 26 in the RAM 13, performs character recognition, determines a page, and stores the page information in the hard disk device 16. Append to data. That is, page information is automatically added to the image data stored in the hard disk device 16 by describing a number representing a page in a predetermined area of the document. Note that page information is generally added to document data created by application software of a word processor.
[0029]
When it is desired to select an arbitrary page from a plurality of files stored in the hard disk device 16 and collectively transmit or print it by facsimile, application software called a binder is used. That is, when the user starts application software called a binder and word processor application software, reads a document file created by the word processor from the hard disk device 16 and arbitrarily designates a page to be loaded into the binder, the designated 1 Alternatively, document data of a plurality of pages is taken into the binder. Further, when an image data file read by the scanner 26 and stored in the hard disk device 16 is designated, the image data is taken into the binder. Specifically, document data and image data are converted into image data in a predetermined format and stored in the hard disk device 16 as a binder file.
[0030]
Since the document data and image data taken into the binder are paged by the application software or character recognition of the word processor that created them, they are generally not in the order in which they are to be sent or printed. Therefore, when the user operates the operation unit 18 to perform a page change instruction operation, the page information of the document data or the image data is changed. That is, pages can be set in the order that the user wants to send or print.
[0031]
When the user performs a transmission instruction operation as an example of an output instruction operation on the operation unit 18, document data and image data captured by the binder are read from the hard disk device 16 and stored in the RAM 13. After being read out from the RAM 13 in page order and encoded, it is supplied to the modem 28 via the interface 15, cable 31, interface 25, and gate array 24, modulated by the modem 28, and sent to the telephone line 32. Sent out.
[0032]
When the user performs a print instruction operation as an example of an output instruction operation on the operation unit 18, document data and image data captured by the binder are read from the hard disk device 16 and stored in the RAM 13. The data is read from the RAM 13 in page order, supplied to the printer 27 via the interface 15, the cable 31, the interface 25, and the gate array 24, and printed on the recording paper by the printer 27.
[0033]
Note that the format of information for recording page numbers on recording paper and printed recording paper on the receiving side of facsimile communication is arbitrary. For example, numbers such as 1 and 2 are simply recorded on the recording paper. Alternatively, the total number of pages may be recorded simultaneously, such as 1/3 or 2/3.
[0034]
The main points of the above operation are conceptually shown as a flowchart in FIG. That is, if the user performs an instruction to fetch the operation unit 18 (S1: YES), the specified page data is fetched and stored in the hard disk device 16 (S2). If the change instruction operation is performed (S3: YES), the page information of the data stored in the hard disk device 16 is changed (S4), and if the user performs an output instruction operation on the operation unit 18 (S5: YES), The data stored in the hard disk device 16 is output in page order (S6). Of course, the flowchart of FIG. 2 is conceptual, and the processor 11 does not perform these processes continuously.
[0035]
Next, an output processing procedure for outputting image data and document data from the personal computer 1 to the MFD 2 in page order will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
[0036]
First, the processor 11 sets the variable N to 1 (S11), searches the page information of each data in the binder file stored in the hard disk device 16 (S12), and determines whether or not N pages of data exist. Judgment is made (S13). That is, the variable N represents the page of data to be output, and 1 is added every time one page of data is output. If there is N page data (S13: YES), the processor 11 reads the N page data from the hard disk device 16 (S14), and outputs the N page data (S15). That is, in the case of facsimile transmission, the data is output to the modem 28, and in the case of printing, the data is output to the printer 27. Then, the processor 11 searches the page information of each data in the binder file stored in the hard disk device 16 and determines whether there is a page larger than N (S16). That is, it is checked whether the output page is the last page. If there is no page greater than N (S16: NO), it means that the last page has already been output, and this routine is terminated.
[0037]
In S16, if there is a page larger than N (S16: YES), it means that there is still a page to be output, so 1 is added to N (S17), and the process returns to S12 to search for page information. The subsequent processing is continued.
[0038]
In S13, if there is no data for page N (S16: YES), it means that a page skip has occurred for some reason, so the process proceeds to S16 and the processing for the next page is continued.
[0039]
In the above embodiment, the output process for rearranging and outputting data to be output is executed by the processor 11 of the personal computer 1, but the output process may be executed by the CPU 21 of the MFD 2. In this case, data to be output is read from the hard disk device 16 and written in the RAM 22 of the MFD 2, and the CPU 21 executes processing for rearranging the pages in order.
[0040]
In the above embodiment, an example in which the modem 28 is built in the MFD 2 has been described. However, the modem may be built in the personal computer 1, and in this case, data for facsimile transmission is built in the personal computer 1. Output to the modem.
[0041]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the information processing apparatus of the first and second aspects of the present invention, the page changing means converts the pages of the data constituting the different files stored in the storage means to the user's page. Since the change is made based on the change instruction operation, data constituting different files such as a character data file and an image data file can be edited and output in the order of pages desired by the user.
[0042]
According to the information processing apparatus of the invention described in claim 3 , in addition to the effect of the information processing apparatus according to claim 2, it is obtained by reading the document with the document data created by the application software of the word processor and the scanner. The image data can be output together in any order.
[0043]
Furthermore, according to the information processing apparatus of the invention described in claim 4 , in addition to the effect of the information processing apparatus described in claim 3 , pages can be automatically added to the document read by the scanner.
[0044]
According to the information processing apparatus of the invention described in claim 5 , in addition to the effect of the information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , data of different files stored in the storage means Can be transmitted by facsimile in the order of pages changed by the page changing means .
[0045]
Furthermore, according to the information processing apparatus of the invention described in claim 6 , in addition to the effects of the information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , data of different files stored in the storage means Can be printed in the page order changed by the page changing means .
[0046]
Further, according to the storage medium of the invention described in claim 7 , the information processing apparatus according to claim 1 can be realized by installing the content in a personal computer or the like.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a circuit block diagram showing a state in which peripheral devices are connected to a personal computer as an example of an information processing apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart conceptually illustrating the main points of an operation performed by the information processing apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of output processing by the information processing apparatus according to the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Personal computer 2 MFD
11 Processor 13 RAM
14 Gate Array 15 Interface 16 Hard Disk Device 17 Flexible Disk Drive 18 Operation Unit 21 CPU
22 RAM
24 Gate array 25 Interface 26 Scanner 27 Printer 28 Modem 31 Cable 32 Telephone line

Claims (7)

And capturing means to capture the data in units of pages,
Storage means for storing a plurality of files composed of data captured by the capture means ;
A page changing means for changing page information of data designated by the user from each data constituting different files stored in the storage means ,
An information processing apparatus comprising: output means for outputting data constituting different files in which page information of data is changed by the page changing means in the order of pages changed by the page changing means . The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the different files include a character data file and an image data file . The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the character data is document data created by application software of a word processor, and the image data is image data obtained by reading a document with a scanner. Comprising a page recognizing means for recognizing a page based on image data described in a predetermined portion of the document read by the scanner,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the output unit processes a page recognized by the page recognition unit as a page of the original unless changed by the page changing unit. Said output means, information according to any one of claims 1 to 4 and outputs the data of different files from each other stored in the storage unit to the modem for facsimile communication in order of pages changed by the page change means Processing equipment. And the output means, the information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 and outputs the data of different files each other stored in the storage unit to the printer the page order changed by the page change means. Computer
Means for capturing data page by page,
Storage means for storing a plurality of files composed of data captured by the capture means ;
A page changing means for changing page information of data designated by the user from each data constituting different files stored in the storage means ,
Output means for outputting data constituting different files in which the page information of the data is changed by the page changing means in the order of the pages changed by the page changing means ;
A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing the computer to function .

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