JP4252018B2 - Image output system and image output apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image output system and an image output apparatus that can control the start timing of output processing.

  Conventionally, there has been an image output device that corresponds to a single-function device such as a scanner device, a printer device, a copy device, or a facsimile device, or a multifunction device that combines a scanner function, a printer function, a copy function, or a facsimile function. Yes. In such an image output apparatus, a single apparatus is often used by a plurality of users, and various measures are taken in order to cope with a case where processing requests from each user overlap. Further, such an image output apparatus is generally connected to a communication network in order to improve convenience. For connection to the communication network, a wireless system such as a wireless LAN may be applied for facilitating the wiring work in addition to applying the wired system as the communication system.

  Concerning the network connection of image output devices, a network system in which a plurality of printing devices are connected is constructed, and printing devices suitable for conditions are extracted and displayed in response to inquiries about printing from each user. There has been proposed a print processing system corresponding to the use by the user and the reception of a plurality of jobs (for example, see Patent Document 1).

Further, a multi-way communication terminal has been proposed as a communication network constructed by wired and wireless lines (see, for example, Patent Document 2). This multi-path communication terminal has a wired line communication control unit that can be connected to a wired line, and a wireless line communication control unit that can be connected to a wireless line, and can be wired or wireless according to preset conditions or line usage conditions. By automatically switching to any line and performing communication, various communication situations and usage situations can be handled. Note that the multi-path communication terminal itself does not have an image forming function. However, by connecting a communication device such as a multi-path communication terminal to an image forming apparatus that does not include a communication unit, the image forming apparatus is connected to the outside. Communication can be realized.
JP 11-353140 A JP-A-9-247037

  When print data is transmitted from an information processing apparatus connected to the image forming apparatus by wire, the print data is transmitted after various settings are made by a print driver installed in the information processing apparatus. It is also possible to check the output image before sending the print data. However, when data is transmitted by wireless communication from a communication device such as a cellular phone and the image forming apparatus executes output processing, first, the data to be output by the communication device is selected and selected. Data is transmitted to the image forming apparatus. When the image forming apparatus receives data, an output image is created from the data and output processing is started.

  As described above, when output processing is performed by transmitting data from a communication apparatus, the processing is started when the image forming apparatus receives the data. Therefore, there is an opportunity to check the contents of the output data. There is a problem that it becomes difficult for the user to determine whether or not the target data is output. Although it is possible to display the data on the display unit of the communication device in advance and confirm the data to be transmitted before transmitting the data, generally the display unit of the mobile phone has a narrow display range, so the entire data is stored once. However, there are still problems that it is difficult to confirm details because the image is reduced when the entire image is displayed.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and includes an accepting unit that accepts an execution request for output processing and a control unit that controls the start timing of the output processing, and performs output processing when image data is received. Conventionally, output processing is started when data is received by selecting either the first timing to start or the second timing to start output processing after waiting until an execution request is received. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image output system and an image output apparatus that can allow a user to confirm by waiting until an output request is received while securing the flow of the process.

An image output system according to the present invention includes a portable transmission device that transmits image data by wireless communication , an image that receives image data transmitted from the transmission device, and performs output processing based on the received image data in the image output system and an output device, the image output device includes a receiving unit that receives the execution request of the output processing, and control means for controlling the start timing of the output processing, the control means, from the transmission device When receiving a request for changing the start timing from the transmission device when receiving the image data, the receiving means starts the output process based on the image data from the first timing when the output process is started. to change to the second timing to start the output process based on the image data after waiting until receiving an execution request by It characterized that you have.

  In the present invention, the first timing for starting the output processing when image data is received, comprising a receiving means for receiving an execution request for the output processing and a control means for controlling the start timing of the output processing, or Since either one of the second timings for starting the output process after waiting until the execution request is received is selected, when the output process is started at the first timing, the data is received. When output is started at the second timing, the process waits until there is an execution request.

An image output system according to the present invention receives a portable transmission device that transmits data by wireless communication, data transmitted from the transmission device, generates image data for output based on the received data, In an image output system including an image output device that performs output processing based on generated image data, the image output device includes a receiving unit that receives an execution request for output processing, and a control unit that controls start timing of the output processing. The control means receives the start timing of the output process based on the image data generated from the data when receiving a request for changing the start timing from the transmitter when receiving the data from the transmitter. to start output processing from a first timing to start outputting processing when after waiting until receiving an execution request by said receiving means Characterized in that you have to be changed to the second timing.

  In the present invention, the first timing for starting the output processing when image data is received, comprising a receiving means for receiving an execution request for the output processing and a control means for controlling the start timing of the output processing, or Since either one of the second timings for starting the output process after waiting until the execution request is received is selected, when the output process is started at the first timing, the data is received. When output is started at the second timing, the process waits until there is an execution request.

  The image output system according to the present invention is characterized in that the image output apparatus includes means for displaying the image data when receiving the execution request.

  In the present invention, since the image data is displayed when the execution request is received, the user is given an opportunity to confirm the contents of the image to be output.

  In the present invention, when a change request is received with respect to the start timing of the output process, since the timing is switched from one timing to the other, for example, the first output process is started when data is received. Only when it is necessary to check data while giving priority to processing at the timing, it is possible to perform an operation for switching to the second timing.

  In the present invention, the received data is output at the first timing, and when the change request is received, the second data is switched to the second timing. Therefore, the output process is performed when the data is received. It is possible to perform an operation to switch to the second timing only when it is necessary to check the data while giving priority to the processing at the first timing to start the operation.

  In the present invention, since the transmission device transmits data by wireless communication, it becomes possible to use a mobile phone or a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) as the transmission device.

  The image output system according to the present invention is characterized in that the transmitting device is a mobile phone.

  In the present invention, since a mobile phone is used as the transmission device, an image output system including the mobile phone can be constructed, and the range of use can be expanded.

An image output device according to the present invention receives image data transmitted from the outside by wireless communication, and performs an output process based on the received image data. Control means for controlling the start timing of the output processing, and when the control means receives a request for changing the start timing from the transmission source of the image data when receiving the image data, an output based on the image data to change the start timing of the processing, to the second timing to start the output process based on the image data after waiting the first timing to start output processing upon receiving until receiving an execution request by said receiving means It is characterized by the above.

  In the present invention, a first timing for starting output processing when image data is received, comprising receiving means for receiving an execution request for output processing and control means for controlling the start timing of output processing, Alternatively, since either one of the second timings for starting the output processing after waiting until the execution request is received is selected, when the output processing is started at the first timing, the data is received. When the output is started at the second timing, the process waits until there is an execution request.

An image output apparatus according to the present invention receives data transmitted from outside by wireless communication , generates output image data based on the received data, and performs output processing based on the generated image data The apparatus includes a receiving unit that receives an output process execution request and a control unit that controls a start timing of the output process. The control unit receives a request to change the start timing from the transmission source of the data when the data is received. Is received, the output process start timing based on the image data generated from the data is waited until the execution means accepts the execution request from the first timing at which the output process is started at the time of reception. It is characterized by changing to the 2nd timing which starts.

  In the present invention, the first timing for starting the output processing when image data is received, comprising a receiving means for receiving an execution request for the output processing and a control means for controlling the start timing of the output processing, or Since either one of the second timings for starting the output process after waiting until the execution request is received is selected, when the output process is started at the first timing, the data is received. When output is started at the second timing, the process waits until there is an execution request.

  The image output apparatus according to the present invention comprises means for displaying the image data when receiving the execution request.

  In the present invention, since the image data is displayed when the execution request is received, the user is given an opportunity to confirm the contents of the image to be output.

  In the present invention, when a change request is received with respect to the start timing of the output process, since the timing is switched from one timing to the other, for example, the first output process is started when data is received. Only when it is necessary to check data while giving priority to processing at the timing, it is possible to perform an operation for switching to the second timing.

  In the case of the present invention, the image processing apparatus includes a receiving unit that receives an execution request for output processing and a control unit that controls the start timing of the output processing, and the first timing or execution for starting the output processing when image data is received. One of the second timings at which the output process is started after waiting until the request is accepted is selected. Therefore, when the output process is started at the first timing, the process can be started when the data is received. On the other hand, when the output process is started at the second timing, the process waits until there is an execution request. Therefore, the user can be given an opportunity to confirm the data to be output.

  According to the present invention, image data is displayed when an execution request is received. Therefore, the user can be given an opportunity to confirm the data to be output.

  According to the present invention, when a change request is received regarding the start timing of the output process, the timing is switched from one timing to the other. Therefore, for example, priority is given to processing at the first timing when output processing is started when data is received, and an operation for switching to the second timing is accepted only when data confirmation is necessary. be able to.

  According to the present invention, the received data is output at the first timing, and when the change request is received, the data is switched to the second timing. Therefore, it is possible to accept an operation for switching to the second timing only when it is necessary to check the data while giving priority to processing at the first timing at which output processing is started when data is received. it can.

  In the case of the present invention, the transmission device transmits data by wireless communication. Therefore, a mobile phone or a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) can be used as the transmission device.

  In the case of the present invention, since a mobile phone is used as the transmission device, an image output system including the mobile phone can be constructed, and the range of use can be expanded.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings illustrating embodiments thereof.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of the image output system according to the present embodiment. In the figure, reference numeral 100 denotes an image output apparatus having a copy function for reading an image of a document and forming an image on paper, and a printer function for forming an image on paper based on data received from outside. A print job transmitted from a non-personal computer is received to perform print processing, and data transmitted from a portable communication device 200 such as a cellular phone is received to perform print processing.

  Data transmitted from the communication device 200 to the image output device 100 is image data captured by a digital still camera, document data created by a commercial application, and the like. These data are taken into the communication device 200 through a recording medium M (see FIG. 2) such as a memory card, for example, or created inside the communication device 200 according to a user operation instruction. When output processing is performed based on data taken into the communication device 200 and data created inside, the communication device 200 transmits the data to the image output device 100 by wireless communication.

  The image output apparatus 100 has two modes regarding the start timing of output processing based on received data. One is a mode in which output processing is started when data is received (hereinafter referred to as a first mode), and the other is confirmation by the user by displaying the received data on the display panel 113. This is a mode (hereinafter referred to as a second mode) in which output processing is started when the user confirms it. In the present embodiment, the process in the first mode is preferentially performed, and the process in the second mode is performed only when a mode change request is received before the output process is executed.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the internal configuration of the image output apparatus 100 and the communication apparatus 200. The image output apparatus 100 includes a control unit 101 that performs control related to output processing and a control unit 111 that performs control based on data input from the outside. The control units 101 and 111 include a CPU that executes various types of arithmetic processing, a ROM that stores a control program in advance, and a RAM that temporarily stores data generated during arithmetic processing by the CPU. The CPU loads the control program into the RAM and executes it, thereby controlling various hardware connected to the control units 101 and 111 and functioning as an image output apparatus according to the present invention.

  Examples of hardware connected to the control unit 101 include an image reading unit 102, a communication unit 103, a storage unit 104, and an image forming unit 105.

  The image reading unit 102 includes a light source that irradiates light to a reading document, an image sensor such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), an AD converter, and the like (not shown), and is set at a predetermined reading position. An image of the original is imaged on the image sensor and converted into an analog electric signal, and the obtained analog electric signal is AD converted by an AD converter. Then, digital image data is generated by correcting the light distribution characteristics of the light source at the time of document reading, sensitivity variations of the image sensor, and the like on the digital signal obtained by AD conversion.

  The communication unit 103 includes a communication interface for connecting an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer to the outside, and receives a print job transmitted from the connected information processing apparatus and notifies the information processing apparatus. To send information. The communication unit 103 controls transmission / reception of such various data.

  The storage unit 104 is, for example, a semiconductor memory. The storage unit 104 temporarily stores image data obtained by reading an image of a document by the image reading unit 102, a print job received by the communication unit 103, image data output from a user interface unit 110 described later, and the like. Is remembered.

  Image data input through the image reading unit 102 and the user interface unit 110 is sent to the image forming unit 105, and output processing is performed in the image forming unit 105. A print job input through the communication unit 103 is developed into image data by the control unit 101, and then sent to the image forming unit 105 for output processing.

The image forming unit 105 is, for example, a charger that charges the photosensitive drum to a predetermined potential, laser writing that emits a laser beam in accordance with image data received from the outside and generates an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum. An apparatus, a developing device that supplies toner to the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum to make it visible, a transfer device that transfers the toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum onto paper (not shown), etc. And an image desired by the user is formed on the sheet by an electrophotographic method.
The electrophotographic image forming unit 105 is provided, but it is needless to say that an ink jet, thermal transfer, and sublimation image forming unit may be provided.

  In addition to the hardware described above, the control unit 111, the operation panel 112, the display panel 113, the wireless communication unit 114, and the storage unit 115 are used in order to receive operations from the user and receive data from the communication device 200. The user interface unit 110 including the management unit 116 is provided.

  The operation panel 112 includes an operation unit having various operation keys for receiving operation instructions from the user, and a display unit that displays information to be notified to the user. The operation unit accepts a user's instruction such as a set value such as the number of output sheets, output density, a function switching operation, or an output start instruction. Further, the display unit displays various setting values input through the operation unit, the operation status of the image output apparatus, and the like.

  The wireless communication unit 114 includes a communication interface conforming to a predetermined communication method in order to perform wireless communication with the communication device 200, and various types of information with the communication device 200 that has established a connection state with the communication method. Can be sent and received. Information received by the wireless communication unit 114 includes data such as image data and document data transmitted from the communication device 200.

  Data received by the wireless communication unit 114 is temporarily stored in the storage unit 115 which is a volatile memory. When the data received by the wireless communication unit 114 is temporarily stored in the storage unit 115, the control unit 111 generates image data for output from the data. For example, when the stored data is document data, the control unit 111 converts the document into data described in PDL (Page Description Language), that is, image data that can be interpreted by the image forming unit 105. The same applies when the stored data is image data.

  The management unit 116 is configured by a rewritable nonvolatile memory, and a part of the storage capacity is used as a mode management table for managing modes related to the start timing of output processing. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the mode management table. As described above, in the present embodiment, as a mode related to the start timing of the output process, the first mode in which the output process is started when data is received, and the received data is displayed on the display panel 113 to display the user. There is a second mode in which confirmation is prompted and output processing is started when confirmation by the user is obtained. In the mode management table, the status of the set mode can be managed by setting a flag for each of the first mode and the second mode. The control unit 111 can select either the first mode or the second mode by exclusively switching these flags.

  Hereinafter, the internal configuration of the communication apparatus 200 will be described. The communication device 200 includes a control unit 201, an operation unit 202, a display unit 203, a wireless communication unit 204, a storage unit 205, and a memory card IF 206. The control unit 201 includes a CPU that executes various arithmetic processes, a ROM that stores a control unit program, and a RAM that stores various data generated during the calculation by the CPU.

  The operation unit 202 includes various operation keys for receiving instructions from the user, and accepts input of various information, setting of a data transmission destination, and the like. The display unit 203 includes a liquid crystal display, and displays the operation status of the communication apparatus 200, various setting values input through the operation unit 202, information to be notified to the user, and the like.

  The wireless communication unit 204 includes a communication interface conforming to a predetermined communication method in order to perform wireless communication with the image output apparatus 100, and can transmit and receive various types of information after establishing a connection state using the communication method. ing. The information transmitted from the wireless communication unit 204 includes data for causing the image output apparatus 100 to perform output processing.

  The memory card IF 206 includes a card slot for mounting a portable recording medium M such as a memory card, a detection circuit for detecting whether or not the recording medium M is mounted, and data reading processing for the mounted recording medium M. And an interface circuit for executing a writing process, and data created outside using a personal computer or the like can be taken into the communication apparatus 200 via the recording medium M. Data captured through the memory card IF 206 is stored in the storage unit 205 configured by a semiconductor memory.

  Hereinafter, processing when data is transmitted from the communication device 200 to the image output device 100 to execute output processing will be described. 4 and 5 are flowcharts for explaining the procedure of processing executed in the image output system. When the control unit 201 of the communication apparatus 200 transmits data to the image output apparatus 100 to execute output processing, the control unit 201 first transmits a connection request to the image output apparatus 100 (step S11).

  The control unit 111 of the image output apparatus 100 determines whether or not there is a connection request from the communication apparatus 200 by monitoring the wireless communication unit 114 at appropriate time intervals (step S12). If it is determined that there is no connection (S12: NO), it waits until there is a connection request. If it is determined that there is a connection request from the communication device 200 (S12: YES), a response signal is transmitted to the communication device 200 in response to the connection request (step S13).

  After transmitting a connection request to the image output apparatus 100, the control unit 201 of the communication device 200 determines whether or not a response signal has been received by monitoring the wireless communication unit 204 at an appropriate time interval. (Step S14). When determining that the response signal from the image output apparatus 100 has not been received (S14: NO), the control unit 201 returns the process to step S11. When a response signal is received (S14: YES), a connection state between the communication device 200 and the image output device 100 is established (step S15). Then, the control unit 201 of the communication device 200 transmits data to the image output device 100 through the wireless communication unit 204 (step S16).

  When receiving the data transmitted from the communication device 200 (step S17), the control unit 111 of the image output device 100 determines whether the mode has been changed (step S18). The mode change may be executed by receiving a predetermined operation on the operation panel 112, or may be changed when a mode change request is received through the communication device 200. Also, when a connection request from the communication device 200 is received or data from the communication device 200 is received, the user is notified that the mode can be changed and the necessity of mode change is confirmed. You may make it do.

  When it is determined that the mode has not been changed (S18: NO), image data for output is generated to perform processing in the first mode (step S19), and the generated image data is imaged via the storage unit 104. The output process is executed by transferring to the forming unit 105 (step S20).

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the mode has been changed (S18: YES), a confirmation screen is displayed on the display panel 113 in order to prompt the user to confirm the data to be output (step S21). FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a confirmation screen. An output image 113c generated from the received data is displayed on the confirmation screen. The user can confirm whether or not the image to be output is the target one based on the display content of the confirmation screen. In addition, an execution button 113a for accepting an output request and a cancel button 113b for canceling the output process are arranged on the upper portion of the confirmation screen so that the selection by the user can be accepted. .

  Next, the control unit 111 determines whether an output request has been accepted (step S22). When the execution button 113a is pressed on the confirmation screen described above, that is, when an output request is received (S22: YES), image data for output is generated (step S23), and the generated image data is stored via the storage unit 104. The image data is transferred to the image forming unit 105 to execute output processing (step S24). Then, the control unit 111 changes the mode to the first mode (step S25), and ends the processing according to this flowchart.

  If no output request has been received (S22: NO), the control unit 111 determines whether or not to cancel the process (step S26). If it is determined not to cancel (S26: NO), the process returns to step S22. When the cancel button 113b is pressed on the confirmation screen described above, that is, when it is determined to cancel the process (S26: YES), the control unit 111 executes the cancel process (step S27). In the cancel process, a process of invalidating data temporarily held in the storage unit 115 is performed. After executing the cancel process, the control unit 111 changes the mode to the first mode (S25) and ends the process according to this flowchart.

1 is a schematic diagram showing an overall configuration of an image output system according to the present embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of an image output device and a communication apparatus. It is a conceptual diagram which shows an example of a mode management table. It is a flowchart explaining the procedure of the process performed with this image output system. It is a flowchart explaining the procedure of the process performed with this image output system. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of a confirmation screen.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Image output device 101 Control part 102 Image reading part 105 Image formation part 110 User interface part 111 Control part 112 Operation panel 113 Display panel 114 Wireless communication part 115 Storage part 116 Management part 200 Communication apparatus 201 Control part 202 Operation part 203 Display part 204 wireless communication unit 205 storage unit 206 memory card IF
M recording medium

Claims (7)

An image output system comprising: a portable transmission device that transmits image data by wireless communication ; and an image output device that receives image data transmitted from the transmission device and executes output processing based on the received image data ,
The image output apparatus includes a receiving unit that receives an output process execution request and a control unit that controls a start timing of the output process, and the control unit receives the image data from the transmission apparatus. When a request to change the start timing is received from the first, after waiting for the start timing of the output process based on the image data from the first timing at which the output process is started until the execution request is received by the receiving means An image output system, wherein the output process is changed to a second timing for starting the output process based on the image data. A portable transmission device that transmits data by wireless communication , and receives data transmitted from the transmission device, generates image data for output based on the received data, and performs output processing based on the generated image data In an image output system comprising an image output device for performing
The image output apparatus includes an accepting unit that receives an output processing execution request and a control unit that controls a start timing of the output process. The control unit receives data from the transmitting device when the data is received from the transmitting device. When the start timing change request is received, the start timing of the output process based on the image data generated from the data is received from the first timing when the output process is started until the reception means receives the execution request. An image output system characterized by changing to a second timing for starting output processing after waiting.   3. The image output system according to claim 1, wherein the image output apparatus includes a unit that displays the image data when the execution request is received. 4. The image output system according to claim 1, wherein the transmission device is a mobile phone. In an image output apparatus that receives image data transmitted from outside by wireless communication and executes output processing based on the received image data,
A receiving unit that receives an output processing execution request; and a control unit that controls a start timing of the output processing. The control unit receives a start timing change request from a transmission source of the image data when the image data is received. If accepted, the output process based on the image data is waited until the execution request is received by the accepting means from the first timing at which the output process is started when the output process is received. The image output apparatus is characterized in that it is changed to a second timing for starting the operation. In an image output apparatus that receives data transmitted from the outside by wireless communication , generates output image data based on the received data, and performs output processing based on the generated image data.
A receiving unit that receives an execution request for an output process; and a control unit that controls a start timing of the output process. The control unit receives a start timing change request from a transmission source of the data when the data is received. If the start timing of the output process based on the image data generated from the data, starts the output processing from a first timing to start output processing at the time of reception after waiting until receiving an execution request by said receiving means An image output apparatus characterized by being changed to the second timing. When receiving the execution request, the image output apparatus according to claim 5 or claim 6, characterized in that it comprises means for displaying the image data.

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