Copying device and control method therefor
Abstract
[Task] Provided is an excellent copying apparatus and a control method thereof capable of copying a plurality of copies while maintaining the original quality of the original.
Solution.When the digital multifunction device captures an image for one page, it first checks whether there is a graphic code indicating the page ID in the image. If the graphic code is found, then the corresponding page ID is searched in the database. If the page ID is found in the database, the scanned image just captured is discarded, the print data associated with the page ID is retrieved instead, and the print operation is used to generate the print image and print it on paper. Print. On the other hand, if the graphic code indicating the page ID is found in the scan image, but the corresponding page ID is not registered in the database, or the graphic code indicating the page ID exists in the scan image. If not, the scanned image is copied as is to paper by a normal copy operation.
Term
Term ended
Projected expiry passed 28 March 2017, 9.5 years ago.
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- Today
17 claims: 13 independent, 4 dependent
- 1【特許請求の範囲】 【請求項1】ページ単位で原本を受容して複写又は印刷を行うタイプの複写装置であって、 ページ上の画像情報をページ識別情報と関連付けて格納する格納部と、 受容した原本上の画像を読み取る画像読み取り部と、 読み取った画像上でページ識別情報を認識するページ識別情報認識部と、 認識されたページ識別情報に対応する画像情報を前記格納部から取り出す画像情報取出部と、 前記画像読み取り部にて読み取った画像情報に代えて前記画像情報取出部から取り出された画像情報を用紙に複写又は印刷する出力部と、を含むことを特徴とする複写装置。
- 2【請求項2】ページ単位で原本を受容して複写又は印刷を行うタイプの複写装置であって、 ページ上の画像情報をページ識別情報と関連付けて格納する格納部と、 受容した原本上の画像を読み取る画像読み取り部と、 読み取った画像上でページ識別情報の有無を検出する検出部と、 読み取った画像上でページ識別情報が検出されたときには、該ページ識別情報を前記格納部内で検索する検索部と、 前記格納部にページ識別情報が存在する場合には、該ページ識別情報に対応する画像情報を前記格納部から取り出す画像情報取出部と、 前記画像読み取り部にて読み取った画像情報に代えて前記画像情報取出部から取り出された画像情報を用紙に複写又は印刷する出力部と、を具備することを特徴とする複写装置。
- 3【請求項3】ページ単位で原本を受容して複写又は印刷を行うタイプの複写装置であって、 ページ上の画像情報をページ識別情報と関連付けて格納する格納部と、 受容した原本上の画像を読み取る画像読み取り部と、 読み取った画像上でページ識別情報の有無を検出する検出部と、 読み取った画像上でページ識別情報が検出されたときには、該ページ識別情報を前記格納部内で検索する検索部と、 前記格納部にページ識別情報が存在する場合には、該ページ識別情報に対応する画像情報を前記格納部から取り出す画像情報取出部と、 前記画像情報取出部によって画像情報が取り出されたときには取り出された画像情報を用紙に複写又は印刷し、それ以外のときには前記画像読み取り部にて読み取った画像情報を用紙に複写する出力部と、を具備することを特徴とする複写装置。
- 4【請求項4】ページ単位で原本を受容して複写又は印刷を行うタイプの複写装置であって、 ページ上のイメージ情報をページ識別情報と関連付けて格納する格納部と、 与えられたイメージ情報を複写又は印刷する出力部と、 受容した原本上の画像を読み取るスキャナと、 前記スキャナのスキャン・イメージを処理するイメージ・プロセッサと、 前記イメージ・プロセッサが生成したイメージ中でページ識別情報の有無を確認し、ページ識別情報があるときは該ページ識別情報が前記格納部にあるかどうかを確認し、前記格納部でページ識別情報が見つかれば該当するイメージ情報を前記出力部に渡し、ページ識別情報が前記格納部で見つからないとき又はページ識別情報がスキャン・イメージ上にないときはイメージをそのまま前記出力部に渡すページ識別情報制御部と、 を具備することを特徴とする複写装置。
- 5【請求項5】オンライン・データを伝送可能なネットワーク経由で他の装置に接続された、ページ単位で原本を受容してネットワーク上に伝送するタイプの複写装置であって、 ネットワークと接続するための入出力インターフェース部と、 ページ上の画像を記述したオンライン・データをページ識別情報と関連付けて格納する格納部と、 受容した原本上の画像を読み取る画像読み取り部と、 読み取った画像上でページ識別情報を認識するページ識別情報認識部と、 認識されたページ識別情報に対応するオンライン・データを前記格納部から取り出すデータ取出部と、 前記画像読み取り部にて読み取った画像情報に代えて前記データ取出部が取り出したオンライン・データを入出力インターフェース部からネットワークに発送するデータ発送部と、を含むことを特徴とする複写装置。
- 6【請求項6】オンライン・データを伝送可能なネットワーク経由で他の装置に接続された、ページ単位で原本を受容してネットワーク上に伝送するタイプの複写装置であって、 ネットワークと接続するための入出力インターフェース部と、 ページ上の画像を記述したオンライン・データをページ識別情報と関連付けて格納する格納部と、 受容した原本上の画像を読み取る画像読み取り部と、 読み取った画像上でページ識別情報の有無を検出する検出部と、 読み取った画像上でページ識別情報が検出されたときには、該ページ識別情報を前記格納部内で検索する検索部と、 前記格納部にページ識別情報が存在する場合には、該ページ識別情報に対応するオンライン・データを前記格納部から取り出すデータ取出部と、 前記画像読み取りにて読み取った画像情報に代えて前記データ取出部が取り出されたオンライン・データを入出力インターフェース部からネットワークに発送するデータ発送部と、 を具備することを特徴とする複写装置。
- 7【請求項7】オンライン・データを伝送可能なネットワーク経由で他の装置に接続された、ページ単位で原本を受容してネットワーク上に伝送するタイプの複写装置であって、 ネットワークと接続するための入出力インターフェース部と、 ページ上の画像を記述したオンライン・データをページ識別情報と関連付けて格納する格納部と、 受容した原本上の画像を読み取る画像読み取り部と、 読み取った画像上でページ識別情報の有無を検出する検出部と、 読み取った画像上でページ識別情報が検出されたときには、該ページ識別情報を前記格納部内で検索する検索部と、 前記格納部にページ識別情報が存在する場合には、該ページ識別情報に対応するオンライン・データを前記格納部から取り出すデータ取出部と、 前記画像読み取り部が読み取った画像情報をオンライン・データに加工するデータ加工部と、 前記データ取出部がオンライン・データを取り出すことができたときには該オンライン・データを入出力インターフェース部からネットワークに発送し、それ以外のときには前記データ加工部が生成したオンライン・データを入出力インターフェース部からネットワークに発送するデータ発送部と、を具備することを特徴とする複写装置。
- 8【請求項8】オンライン・データを伝送可能なネットワーク経由で他の装置に接続された、ページ単位で原本を受容してネットワーク上に伝送するタイプの複写装置であって、 ネットワークと接続するための入出力インターフェース部と、 ページ上のイメージを記述したオンライン・データをページ識別情報と関連付けて格納する格納部と、 受容した原本上の画像を読み取るスキャナと、 前記スキャナのスキャン・イメージを処理するイメージ・プロセッサと、 前記イメージ・プロセッサが生成したイメージをオンライン・データに加工するデータ加工部と、 前記イメージ・プロセッサが生成したイメージ中でページ識別情報の有無を確認し、ページ識別情報があるときは該ページ識別情報が前記格納部にあるかどうかを確認し、前記格納部でページ識別情報が見つかれば該当するオンライン・データを入出力インターフェース部からネットワークに発送し、ページ識別情報が前記格納部で見つからないとき又はページ識別情報がスキャン・イメージ上にないときは前記データ加工部が生成したオンライン・データを入出力インターフェース部からネットワークに発送するページ識別情報制御部と、を具備することを特徴とする複写装置。
- 9【請求項9】ページ単位で原本を受容して複写又は印刷を行うタイプの複写装置を制御する方法であって、 ページ上の画像情報をページ識別情報と関連付けて予めデータベースに蓄積しておく段階と、 受容した原本上の画像を読み取る段階と、 読み取った画像上でページ識別情報の有無を検出する段階と、 読み取った画像上でページ識別情報が検出されたときには、該ページ識別情報を前記データベース内で検索する検索部と、 前記データベース内にページ識別情報が存在する場合には、該ページ識別情報に対応する画像情報を前記データベースから取り出す段階と、 前記データベースから画像情報が取り出されたときには該画像情報を用紙に複写又は印刷し、それ以外のときには受容した原本から読み取った画像情報を用紙に複写する段階と、を具備することを特徴とする複写装置の制御方法。
- 10【請求項10】オンライン・データを伝送可能なネットワーク経由で他の装置に接続された、ページ単位で原本を受容してネットワーク上に伝送するタイプの複写装置の制御方法であって、 ページ上の画像を記述したオンライン・データをページ識別情報と関連付けて予めデータベースに蓄積しておく段階と、 受容した原本上の画像を読み取る段階と、 読み取った画像上でページ識別情報の有無を検出する段階と、 読み取った画像上でページ識別情報が検出されたときには、該ページ識別情報を前記データベース内で検索する段階と、 前記データベース内にページ識別情報が存在する場合には、該ページ識別情報に対応するオンライン・データを前記データベースから取り出してネットワーク上に伝送する段階と、 前記データベース内にページ識別情報が存在しない場合又は原本から読み取った画像上にページ識別情報がない場合には、原本から読み取った画像を解釈してオンライン・データに加工してからネットワーク上に伝送する段階と、を具備することを特徴とする複写装置の制御方法。
- 11【請求項11】読み取った画像中にページ識別情報はあるが前記格納部には登録されていないときには該ページ識別情報を用紙に複写又は印刷しないことを特徴とする請求項2乃至4のいずれかに記載の複写装置。
- 12【請求項12】読み取った画像中にページ識別情報はあるが前記格納部には登録されていないときには該ページ識別情報に該当する部分を削除したオンライン・データを発送することを特徴とする請求項6乃至8のいずれかに記載の複写装置。
- 13【請求項13】ページ識別情報は、原本の所定位置に付されたバーコードであることを特徴とする請求項1乃至8のいずれかに記載の複写装置。
- 14【請求項14】ページ識別情報は、原本の所定位置に付された肉眼で不可視な埋込み画像であることを特徴とする請求項1乃至8のいずれかに記載の複写装置。
- 15【請求項15】ページ識別情報は、原本の裏面に付された画像であることを特徴とする請求項1乃至8のいずれかに記載の複写装置。
- 16【請求項16】読み取った画像中にページ識別情報はあるが前記格納部には登録されていないときには該ページ識別情報を用紙に複写又は印刷しないことを特徴とする請求項9に記載の複写装置の制御方法。
- 17【請求項17】読み取った画像中にページ識別情報はあるが前記格納部には登録されていないときには該ページ識別情報に該当する部分を削除したオンライン・データを発送することを特徴とする請求項10に記載の複写装置の制御方法。
Independent claims17
408 paragraphs in 1 section, as filed
Description: TECHNICAL FIELD [Detailed description of the invention]
【0001】
[Technical field to which the invention belongs]
The present invention relates to a copying device for copying original data or images input by image scanning or the like on paper or transmitting them on a network and a control method thereof, and in particular, receiving and copying the original on a page-by-page basis or a network. The present invention relates to a copying device of the type transmitted above and a control method thereof. More specifically, the present invention relates to a copying apparatus capable of copying a plurality of copies and transmitting to a network while maintaining the original quality of the original, and a control method thereof.
【0002】
[Conventional technology]
With recent technological innovations, various office automation equipment has been developed and has become widespread in offices and homes. An example of OA equipment is a general-purpose personal computer (PC). Computers of this type can run various application programs such as word processors, spreadsheets, communications, etc. to help users perform their jobs on display screens (ie, desktops). In addition, computer users can enter data and edit documents via the keyboard and mouse.
【0003】
Another example of OA equipment is a "printer" that prints input and edited data on paper. Printers are usually PDL (Page Description Language)<sup>/*/</sup>It receives print information in the form of a language that describes data / images, and rasterizes the PDL to paint characters and images on paper. For example, a PC to which a printer is connected by a cable and a client PC in a remote location connected via various networks such as the Internet / intranet supply data in PDL format at the time of a print request . The data in PDL format is digital data and can be handled by a computer. In addition, PDL format print information can also be transmitted over a cable and connected via an external storage device (HDD, optical disk, etc .: also called "local disk") in a cable-connected PC or via a network. It can also be stored in an external storage device (such as an HDD or optical disk: also called a "remote disk") in a computer system (eg, a database server).
【0004】
Another example of OA equipment is "facsimile". Facsimile is connected to other facsimiles and PC / server machines via a general public line or a network such as the Internet / intranet, and facsimiles and data can be exchanged with each other. Facsimile generally exchanges facsimile data in the form of compressed digital data images or digital data such as PDL, and rasterizes (ie, bitmaps) the received compressed images or PDL data. It is designed to be printed on paper.
【0005】
Another example of OA equipment is a "copier" that transfers the original image read by a scanner onto paper. Whereas printers and facsimiles handle print information in a data format that can be transmitted online, such as PDL, conventional analog copiers optically copy scanned images as they are. In addition, digital copiers, which have recently become widespread, have come to digitize scanned analog images and then print them in a digital electrophotographic format.
【0006】
There are differences in printing methods between copiers and ordinary image fax machines and printers and PS (PostScript) fax machines. That is, in the former, the image on the document is scanned and input in an analog manner. Therefore, in the scanning process, the original data is deformed or lost, and the print quality on the output side is inevitably deteriorated. On the other hand, in the latter case, since the original data is digital information such as PDL, there is no factor of deterioration of print quality in the data input process.
【0007】
Recently, "multifunction peripherals" (MFPs) equipped with multiple printing functions such as printers, facsimiles, and copiers have appeared. A type of multifunction device that handles digital data is particularly called a "digital multifunction device". A digital multifunction device can operate on a network by equipping it with a communication interface, and prints in the form of digital data that can be transmitted online (hereinafter, simply referred to as "online data") such as PDL. Copy information can be exchanged with other devices. Further, by equipping a large-capacity external storage device such as a hard disk or an optical disk, it is possible to store print information of a large number of pages. The functions of the digital multifunction device include the following. That is, 1) Scan the original image with a scanner and duplicate it on other paper. In addition, when creating a duplicate, enlargement / reduction, trimming, image compounding, image processing, and the like may be performed. 2) Receive online data from a cabled PC and print it. 3) Exchange online data with networked facsimiles and PCs. It also prints the received online data. 4) Copy the image scanned by the scanner to another sheet of paper. In addition, the read image is converted into online data and further transmitted on the network. 5) Save the acquired print information to your own local disk or a remote disk on the network.
【0008】
According to a digital multifunction device, for example, a scanned image can be sent to a server machine (database server) via a network such as the Internet / intranet or a LAN such as Ethernet or Token Ring. In other words, by using the digital multifunction device, it becomes easy to centrally manage the documents and files of each user on the network on a specific server.
【0009】
Currently, the development and commercialization of digital multifunction devices are being promoted mainly by information equipment and copier manufacturers. For example, some lineups of Fuji Xerox's Able series and Canon's Pixel series correspond to digital multifunction devices. In addition, some printers have introduced products that incorporate some of the functions of digital multifunction devices. For example, in November 1996, HP Inc. of the United States announced the product of a laser printer "LaserJet5Si Mopier" that operates in a LAN environment.
【0010】
<< Note >> *: PDL (Page Description Language) is a language for instructing a page printer such as a laser printer to print an image. More specifically, PDL is a language (expression convention) that indicates where to write characters and where to draw figures in the space of one page. The printer generates a print image in the printer's built-in memory according to the instructions of the PDL data, and prints based on this. The PDL also contains conventions for representing bitmap data. Major PDLs include HP's "PCL", Adobe's "PostScript", Canon's "LIPS", IBM's "PAGES" and "IPDS".
【0011】
[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]
By the way, when copying documents and originals, there has been a demand for maintaining the original print quality. For example, copier users usually want the quality of the original copy for the duplicate. If the original image information is digital information such as PDL, there is no possibility that the data will be deformed or lost when the image information is exchanged. Therefore, in such a case, it will be possible to maintain good print quality based on the PDL data that describes the original print.
【0012】
There are differences in printing methods between copiers and ordinary image fax machines and printers and PS (PostScript) fax machines. That is, in the former, the image on the document is scanned and input in an analog manner. Therefore, in the scanning process, the original data is deformed or lost, and the print quality on the output side is inevitably deteriorated.
【0013】
However, in the case of a copier or image fax that scans and inputs the original image in an analog manner, it is difficult to obtain the original print quality of the duplicate. This is because when the original image (that is, analog data) is optically read by a scanner and digitized, the error and noise of the optical system are inevitably included. It is also possible that an error will occur as the fate of AD conversion. In particular, when copying a copy of the master as the original, or when making a copy of the original, the error and noise content of the scanned image increases with each generation, and the print quality is far from the original. In addition, the master original should be kept in a safe place, but it is difficult to manage the master original if it is taken out each time it is copied. Facsimile transmission Similarly, when sending a manuscript or scanning a document and filing it in a database server, there is a problem of print quality.
【0014】
The present invention has taken the above into consideration, and an object of the present invention is to provide an excellent copying apparatus and a control method thereof for copying original data or images input by image scanning or the like on paper or transmitting them to a network. There is.
【0015】
A further object of the present invention is to provide an excellent copying apparatus and a control method thereof of a type in which an original is received and copied on a page-by-page basis or transmitted to a network.
【0016】
A further object of the present invention is to provide an excellent copying apparatus and a control method thereof capable of copying a plurality of copies and transmitting to a network while maintaining the original quality of the original.
【0017】
A further object of the present invention is an excellent copying apparatus capable of copying a plurality of copies and transmitting to a network while maintaining the original quality of the original without incurring the trouble of storing and managing the original. The purpose is to provide a control method thereof.
【0018】
[Means for solving problems]
The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and the first aspect thereof is a copying apparatus of a type that accepts and copies or prints an original on a page-by-page basis, and accepts the original on a page-by-page basis. It is a type of copying device that performs copying or printing, and has a storage unit that stores image information on a page in association with page identification information, an image reading unit that reads the received image on the original, and a scanned image. Instead of the page identification information recognition unit that recognizes the page identification information, the image information extraction unit that extracts the image information corresponding to the recognized page identification information from the storage unit, and the image information read by the image reading unit. The copying apparatus includes an output unit that copies or prints image information taken out from the image information extraction unit on paper.
【0019】
The second aspect of the present invention is a copying device of a type that receives an original on a page-by-page basis and copies or prints the original, and has a storage unit that stores image information on the page in association with page identification information. An image reading unit that reads the received image on the original, a detection unit that detects the presence or absence of page identification information on the read image, and when page identification information is detected on the read image, the page identification information is used as described above. The search unit for searching in the storage unit, the image information extraction unit for extracting the image information corresponding to the page identification information from the storage unit, and the image reading unit when the page identification information exists in the storage unit. The copying apparatus is characterized by comprising an output unit that copies or prints image information taken out from the image information extraction unit on paper in place of the read image information.
【0020】
A third aspect of the present invention is a copying device of a type that receives an original on a page-by-page basis and copies or prints the original, and has a storage unit that stores image information on the page in association with page identification information. An image reading unit that reads the received image on the original, a detection unit that detects the presence or absence of page identification information on the read image, and when page identification information is detected on the read image, the page identification information is used as described above. The search unit for searching in the storage unit, the image information extraction unit for extracting the image information corresponding to the page identification information from the storage unit, and the image information extraction unit when the page identification information exists in the storage unit. It is characterized by including an output unit that copies or prints the extracted image information on a paper when the image information is taken out, and copies the image information read by the image reading unit on the paper at other times. It is a copying device to be used.
【0021】
A fourth aspect of the present invention is a copying device of a type that receives an original on a page-by-page basis and copies or prints the original, and has a storage unit that stores image information on the page in association with page identification information. An output unit that copies or prints the given image information, a scanner that reads the received image on the original, an image processor that processes the scanned image of the scanner, and a page in the image generated by the image processor. The presence or absence of the identification information is confirmed, and if there is the page identification information, it is confirmed whether or not the page identification information is in the storage unit, and if the page identification information is found in the storage unit, the corresponding image information is sent to the output unit. Copying is provided with a page identification information control unit that passes the image as it is to the output unit when the page identification information is not found in the storage unit or the page identification information is not on the scan image. It is a device.
【0022】
A fifth aspect of the present invention is a copying device of a type that is connected to another device via a network capable of transmitting online data, receives the original on a page-by-page basis, and transmits the original data on the network. An input / output interface unit for connecting to the network, a storage unit for storing online data describing the image on the page in association with the page identification information, and an image reading unit for reading the received image on the original. The page identification information recognition unit that recognizes the page identification information on the image, the data extraction unit that extracts the online data corresponding to the recognized page identification information from the storage unit, and the image information read by the image reading unit. Instead, it is a copying apparatus including a data sending unit that sends online data taken out by the data taking unit from an input / output interface unit to a network.
【0023】
A sixth aspect of the present invention is a copying device of a type that is connected to another device via a network capable of transmitting online data, receives the original on a page-by-page basis, and transmits the original data on the network. An input / output interface unit for connecting to the network, a storage unit for storing online data describing the image on the page in association with the page identification information, and an image reading unit for reading the received image on the original. A detection unit that detects the presence or absence of page identification information on the image, a search unit that searches for the page identification information in the storage unit when the page identification information is detected on the read image, and page identification in the storage unit. When the information exists, the data retrieval unit that extracts the online data corresponding to the page identification information from the storage unit and the online data retrieval unit that retrieves the data retrieval unit in place of the image information read by the image reading. -A copying device characterized by including a data shipping unit that ships data from an input / output interface unit to a network.
【0024】
The seventh aspect of the present invention is a copying device of a type that is connected to another device via a network capable of transmitting online data, receives the original on a page-by-page basis, and transmits the original data on the network. An input / output interface unit for connecting to the network, a storage unit for storing online data describing the image on the page in association with the page identification information, and an image reading unit for reading the received image on the original. A detection unit that detects the presence or absence of page identification information on the image, a search unit that searches for the page identification information in the storage unit when the page identification information is detected on the read image, and page identification in the storage unit. When information exists, a data extraction unit that extracts online data corresponding to the page identification information from the storage unit, a data processing unit that processes the image information read by the image reading unit into online data, and a data processing unit. When the data extraction unit can retrieve the online data, the online data is sent from the input / output interface unit to the network, and at other times, the online data generated by the data processing unit is sent from the input / output interface unit. It is a copying device characterized by having a data shipping unit for shipping to a network.
【0025】
The eighth aspect of the present invention is a copying device of a type that is connected to another device via a network capable of transmitting online data, receives the original on a page-by-page basis, and transmits the original data on the network. An input / output interface unit for connecting to a network, a storage unit that stores online data describing an image on a page in association with page identification information, a scanner that reads the received image on the original, and a scan of the scanner. -The image processor that processes the image, the data processing unit that processes the image generated by the image processor into online data, and the image generated by the image processor are checked for the presence or absence of page identification information, and the page is displayed. If there is identification information, it is confirmed whether the page identification information is in the storage unit, and if the page identification information is found in the storage unit, the corresponding online data is sent from the input / output interface unit to the network to identify the page. When the information cannot be found in the storage unit or when the page identification information is not on the scan image, the page identification information control unit that sends the online data generated by the data processing unit from the input / output interface unit to the network. It is a copying apparatus characterized by being provided.
【0026】
Further, the ninth aspect of the present invention is a method of controlling a copying device of a type that accepts an original on a page-by-page basis and copies or prints the original, and associates image information on the page with page identification information in a database in advance. The stage of accumulating in, the stage of reading the received image on the original, the stage of detecting the presence or absence of page identification information on the read image, and when the page identification information is detected on the read image, A search unit that searches for page identification information in the database, a step of extracting image information corresponding to the page identification information from the database when the page identification information exists in the database, and image information from the database. A method for controlling a copying apparatus, which comprises a step of copying or printing the image information on a paper when the information is taken out, and copying the image information read from the received original on the paper at other times. is there.
【0027】
Further, the tenth aspect of the present invention is a control method of a copying device of a type that receives an original on a page-by-page basis and transmits it on a network, which is connected to another device via a network capable of transmitting online data. Therefore, the online data that describes the image on the page is associated with the page identification information and stored in the database in advance, the stage of reading the received image on the original, and the stage of reading the page identification information on the read image. The stage of detecting the presence or absence, the stage of searching the page identification information in the database when the page identification information is detected on the read image, and the stage of searching the page identification information in the database, if the page identification information exists in the database, the said. When the online data corresponding to the page identification information is taken out from the database and transmitted on the network, and when the page identification information does not exist in the database or when the page identification information does not exist on the image read from the original. It is a control method of a copying apparatus, which comprises a stage of interpreting an image read from an original, processing it into online data, and then transmitting it on a network.
【0028】
Here, the page identification information may be a barcode attached to a predetermined position of the original, an embedded image attached to a predetermined position of the original, which is invisible to the naked eye, or an image attached to the back surface of the original. Good.
【0029】
Further, in the second to fourth or ninth aspect of the present invention, when the read image contains page identification information but is not registered in the storage unit, the page identification information is not copied or printed on paper. You may do so.
【0030】
Further, in the sixth to eighth or tenth aspects of the present invention, when the read image contains the page identification information but is not registered in the storage unit, the portion corresponding to the page identification information is deleted. You may want to ship the online data.
【0031】
[Action]
The present invention can be embodied in a hardware environment such as a digital multifunction device (described above) that supports print operations, facsimile operations, and copy operations. However, it is premised that the digital multifunction device has a master form printing function. Here, the master form should be regarded as an original manuscript for printing a plurality of copies or for sending to a facsimile or a database server, that is, for "reproduction".
【0032】
A digital multifunction device is usually in the form of a print request from a cable-connected PC or a network-connected client PC, or fax reception data from a facsimile (or other digital multifunction device) on a network (general public line). Then, the print data of the master form is received. Here, the print data is handled not in the scan image itself but in the form of digital data consisting of a description language called PDL (Page Description Language). The print data in PDL format can be processed by a computer and can be stored in an external storage device such as a hard disk or an optical disk.
【0033】
When printing a master form, the digital multifunction device first assigns unique identification information (hereinafter referred to as "page ID") to the page, and associates the assigned page ID with the print data itself. Store in an external storage device (eg, hard disk). In addition, a graphic code indicating the assigned page ID is printed at a predetermined position on the paper for printing the master form. The graphic code may be in the form of a bar code, for example, and is preferably printed on the peripheral edge of the paper so as not to damage the original printed image. Alternatively, the graphic code may be an embedded image that is invisible to the naked eye, or an image attached to the back surface of the original. It is assumed that the PDL format print data stored as the master form describes the original print of the master form.
【0034】
Copy operation: The digital multifunction device scans the image of the original copy on a page-by-page basis with a scanner during the copy operation. When you have captured one page of images, first check if there is a graphic code indicating the page ID in the scanned image. Once the graphic code is found, it then searches its external storage for the appropriate page ID. If the page ID is found in the external storage device, the scanned image just captured is discarded, and instead, the print data associated with the page ID is taken out from the external storage device for normal printing. Print by data processing operation. The extracted print data is PDL data describing the original print, and therefore the original print quality of the print image is ensured.
【0035】
If a graphic code indicating the page ID is found in the scanned image, but the corresponding page ID is not registered in its own external storage device, the scanned image can be printed on paper as it is by a normal copy operation. Make a copy. If the original copy was printed on the master form by another digital multifunction device, or because it was printed on the master form on the same digital multifunction device long ago, it has already been discarded from its own external storage device. This would be the case.
【0036】
In addition, when the graphic code indicating the page ID does not exist in the scanned image, that is, when the original copy is not the master form in the first place, the scanned image is copied to the paper as it is by a normal copy operation.
【0037】
Since the scanned image generally contains errors and noise during reading, the print quality gradually deteriorates when the scanned image is used repeatedly. According to the present invention, it should be fully understood that the original print quality is maintained as a result of preferentially using the already stored print data over the scanned image just read for reproducing the image. ..
【0038】
The operation of reproducing the image from the PDL data stored in the external storage device is performed on a page-by-page basis. The order in which the pages are played does not depend on the order in which the PDL data is stored. Therefore, even if the pages are rearranged or the necessary pages are selected after printing the master form, the original copy can be reproduced in the rearranged page order. Also, even if some pages are modified and replaced with the master form printed again, the updated master form can be faithfully reproduced. Further, even if the master form and the copy original that is not the master form are mixed and set in the scanner, the pages of the master form are surely reproduced based on the original print data. The operator does not need to be aware of the replacement of the master form or the mixing of pages that are not the master form when performing the copy operation.
【0039】
Facsimile operation: For example, when a pair of digital multifunction devices are connected by a network such as the Internet / intranet, a facsimile manuscript is transmitted from one digital multifunction device to the other digital multifunction device in the same manner as a conventional facsimile. be able to.
【0040】
The digital multifunction device that is the transmission source captures the image of the transmitted original from the scanner on a page-by-page basis. When you have captured one page of images, first check if there is a graphic code indicating the page ID in the scanned image. Once the graphic code is found, it then searches its external storage for the appropriate page ID. If the page ID is found on the external storage device, the scanned image just captured is discarded, and instead, the print data associated with the page ID is extracted and sent in PDL format to the destination. Send to a digital multifunction device. The transmitted PDL data describes the original print, and therefore the original print quality of the original is ensured on the fax receiving side.
【0041】
If a graphic code indicating the page ID is found in the scanned image, but the corresponding page ID is not registered in its own external storage device, wrap the scanned image in PDL format.<sup>/**/</sup>, Send to the destination digital multifunction device. This may be the case when the transmitted document is printed on the master form by another digital multifunction device, or when the master form is printed on the same digital multifunction device long ago and has already been discarded from its own external storage device. Would fall under.
【0042】
Also, if there is no graphic code indicating the page ID in the scanned image, that is, if the transmitted document is not in the master form in the first place, the scanned image is wrapped in PDL format and then sent to the destination digital multifunction device. ..
【0043】
There are two advantages to sending scan data as PDL format data rather than as an image. First, since the data capacity of the description language format data such as PDL is smaller than that of the image data, the load on network communication is lightened. Secondly, since the digital multifunction device on the receiving side regenerates the image using the source data, the same original print quality as that of the transmitting source can be maintained even in the printing process on the receiving side.
【0044】
Further, the digital multifunction device on the receiving side may assign a page ID to each page of the received transmission manuscript again and store the PDL data of each page in its own external storage device. In this case, the fax manuscript received by fax is printed as a new master form on the receiving side, and thereafter, when copying this manuscript, the print quality at the time of reception (that is, the original) is maintained.
【0045】
It should be fully understood that even in the case of facsimile operation, the original print quality is maintained as a result of prioritizing the already stored print data over the scanned image just read for image reproduction. ..
【0046】
The operation of reproducing the image from the PDL data stored in the external storage device is performed on a page-by-page basis. The order in which the pages are played does not depend on the order in which the PDL data is stored. Therefore, even if the pages are rearranged or the necessary pages are selected after printing the master form, the transmitted manuscript can be sent out in the rearranged page order. Also, even if some pages are modified and replaced with the master form printed again, the updated master form can be faithfully reproduced. Further, even if the master form and the transmitted manuscript that is not the master form are mixed and set in the scanner, the pages of the master form are surely faxed based on the original print data. The operator does not need to be aware of the replacement of the master form or the mixing of pages that are not the master form when performing the facsimile operation.
【0047】
Filing operation to a database on a network: As described above, the digital multifunction device according to the present invention assigns a page ID to a page printed with a master form and transmits the print data online such as PDL. It is designed to be stored in an external storage device in a possible data format.
【0048】
On the other hand, users may want to centrally store (file) documents handled by their digital multifunction devices on a groupware server (for example, a database server) on a network such as the Internet. In such a case, the user may specify the address of the database server, set the desired filing document in the scanner, and transmit (that is, file transfer) in the same procedure as the facsimile operation.
【0049】
The digital multifunction device that is the source captures the image of the filing document from the scanner on a page-by-page basis. When you have captured one page of images, first check if there is a graphic code indicating the page ID in the scanned image. Once the graphic code is found, it then searches its external storage for the appropriate page ID. If the page ID is found on the external storage device, the scanned image just captured is discarded, and instead, the print data associated with the page ID is extracted and the destination database is stored in PDL format. Transfer the file to the server. The document file to be filed is PDL data that describes the original print, so the database server ensures the original print quality of the document file.
【0050】
If a graphic code indicating the page ID is found in the scan image, but the corresponding page ID is not registered on its own external storage device, wrap the scan image in PDL format and then database. -Transfer files to the server. This may be the case when the filing document was printed on the master form by another digital multifunction device, or when the master form was printed on the same digital multifunction device long ago and has already been discarded from its own external storage device. Would fall under.
【0051】
Also, if there is no graphic code indicating the page ID in the scan image, that is, if the filing document is not in the master form in the first place, the scan image is wrapped in PDL format and then transferred to the database server.
【0052】
On the other hand, the database server files each document file sent in the PDL format in its own external storage device (for example, a hard disk or an optical disk).
【0053】
Even in the case of document filing operations, it is fully understood that the original print quality is maintained as a result of prioritizing the already stored print data over the scanned image just read for image reproduction. I want to.
【0054】
Also, since the data is sent in PDL format instead of an image, the data capacity of the file becomes smaller and the load on network communication becomes lighter. In addition, the database server can maintain the original print quality when printing the stored document file.
【0055】
The operation of transferring the PDL data stored in the external storage device to a file is performed on a page-by-page basis. The order in which pages are transferred does not depend on the order in which PDL data is stored. Therefore, even if the order of the pages is changed or the necessary pages are selected after printing the master form, the files can be transferred in the rearranged page order. Also, even if some pages are modified and replaced with the master form printed again, the updated master form can be faithfully transferred. Even if the master form and the filing document that is not the master form are mixed and set in the scanner, the page of the master form is transferred as a file based on the original PDL data. The operator does not need to be aware of replacing the master form or mixing pages that are not the master form when filing a document.
【0056】
To summarize the above, according to the present invention, when the digital multifunction device (copying device) executes a copying / printing operation, if the image captured by the scanning is the master form, the scanning that has just been read is performed. -The print data saved in the external storage device is given priority over the output instead of the image. Therefore, when printing the master form, the original print quality is maintained.
【0057】
Still other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be clarified by more detailed description based on the examples of the present invention described later and the accompanying drawings.
【0058】
<< Note >> **: Wrapping the scanned image in PDL format means giving the PDL command to the scanned image data as it is or in a compressed form.
【0059】
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, examples of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
【0060】
A. Hardware configuration of digital multifunction devices FIG. 1 schematically shows a hardware configuration of a typical digital multifunction device 1 suitable for realizing the present invention. The digital multifunction device 1 includes a printing mechanism unit 100, a printer control unit 200, a digital copier control unit 300, a facsimile control unit 800, a digital scanner 400, an operation panel 500, and a bidirectional network interface 600. It is composed of a page ID control unit 700 and a hard disk 90 as a large-capacity storage medium. Each part will be described below.
【0061】
The printing mechanism unit 100 is a module for transferring characters and images to paper, and is a printing mechanism unit 11, a paper ejection mechanism unit 12, a paper feeding mechanism unit 13, a double-sided printing mechanism unit 14, and a raster buffer. Contains 15 and page buffer 16. The page buffer 16 receives the print image expanded in the bitmap on a page-by-page basis and temporarily stores it, and the raster buffer 15 takes out print information for several scanning lines from the page buffer 16 and temporarily stores it. The printing mechanism unit 11 sequentially transfers the print information for several scanning lines read from the raster buffer 15 to the paper supplied from the paper feeding mechanism unit 13. The paper on which the entire page has been printed is discharged to the paper ejection mechanism section 14. The paper ejection mechanism unit 14 may include a stacker that simply stacks copy papers, and a collator for aligning each of the papers that have been copied in a plurality of copies in page order or the like. Further, when double-sided printing is specified, the double-sided printing mechanism unit 14 turns over the paper on which single-sided printing has been completed and supplies it to the printing mechanism unit 11 again.
【0062】
The printer control unit 200 is a module for realizing the printer function of the digital multifunction device 1, and includes an input buffer 21, a PDL rasterizer 22, a page control unit 23, and a character generation mechanism 24. The input buffer 21 is a storage device for temporarily storing the print data received by the bidirectional network interface 600. Print data received from the outside is usually in PDL format. The character generation mechanism 24 is a device for generating a character image corresponding to a character represented by a character code in PDL data. The PDL rasterizer 22 is a device for generating a print image by expanding the print data in the PDL format into a bitmap while using the character image supplied from the character generation mechanism 24.
【0063】
The page control unit 23 is a device for advancing the printing work on a page-by-page basis. More specifically, the page control unit 23 sends out a print image developed into a bitmap on a page-by-page basis by the PDL rasterizer 22 to the print process (here, the page buffer 16) as a print screen, or stores the print image. Therefore, one page of print data is saved in PDL format on the hard disk 90. The print data is stored on the hard disk 90 when the master form is printed (described later). The page control unit 23 requests the page ID generation mechanism 72 (described later) to assign a page ID when printing the master form.
【0064】
The digital scanner 400 is a module for reading an image on a copy original, and an optical system (not shown) that irradiates the copy original or the like with a light source (for example, laser light) and reads the image by the reflected light, and an image. Includes electronic systems (not shown) that convert to digital data (well known). The digital scanner 400 may include a feeder (not shown) that sends an original or the like composed of a plurality of pages to the optical system one page at a time.
【0065】
The digital copier control unit 300 is a module for realizing the copy function of the digital multifunction device 1, and includes an input buffer 31, an image processing unit 32, and a page control unit 33. The input buffer 31 is a storage device for temporarily storing a scan image captured as digital data by the digital scanner 400. The image processing unit 32 is a device for developing a scanned image in the form of a bitmap. The image processing unit 32 can also perform various general image processing of a digital copier (for example, enlargement / reduction of an image, trimming, image processing, etc.). The page control unit 33 is a device for advancing the copying work on a page-by-page basis, and sends the image data of each page expanded on the bitmap to the printing process (here, the page buffer 16) as a printing screen. It has become.
【0066】
The facsimile control unit 800 is a module for realizing the facsimile function of the digital multifunction device 1, and includes a fax receiving unit 82, a fax transmitting unit 83, a document file transmitting unit 84, and an image PDL processing unit 85. I'm out.
【0067】
The fax receiving unit 82 is a device for receiving the transmitted facsimile data via the bidirectional network interface 600 (input unit 61). For example, facsimile data sent from another digital multifunction device is usually sent in the form of PDL format like print data. Therefore, the fax receiving unit 82 can perform the same printing process as when operating the printer by passing the facsimile data to the PDL rasterizer 22, and can also save each page on the hard disk 90.
【0068】
On the other hand, the fax transmission unit 83 is a device for transmitting facsimile data to a transmission destination via the bidirectional network interface 600 (output unit 62). Facsimile data for transmission is either already stored on hard disk 90 or read from the transmitted manuscript by a digital scanner 400. In the former case, since the facsimile data is in the PDL format that can be transmitted online, the fax transmission unit 83 need only pass the facsimile data taken out from the hard disk 90 to the output unit 62 as it is. In the latter case, the scanned image of the transmitted document is expanded into a bitmap by the image processing unit 32, further enclosed in the PDL format by the image PDL processing unit 85, and then passed to the fax transmission unit 83.
【0069】
The document file transmission unit 84 is a device for transferring a document file to a computer system (for example, a database server) on the network via a bidirectional network interface 600 (output unit 62). The document file for transfer, like the facsimile data, is already stored on the hard disk 90 or read from the filing document by the digital scanner 400. In the former case, since the document file is in the PDL format that can be transmitted online, the document file transmission unit 84 only needs to pass the document file extracted from the hard disk 90 to the output unit 62 as it is. In the latter case, the scanned image of the filing document is expanded into a bitmap by the image processing unit 32, further enclosed in the PDL format by the image PDL conversion processing unit 85, and then passed to the document file transmission unit 84.
【0070】
The operation panel 500 is a module for an operator to input various setting values and operation commands for copy operation, print operation, fax operation, document filing operation, and the like. For example, the operation of devices such as the number of copies, paper size, enlargement / reduction, double-sided printing, and master / form printing, and the settings such as the fax transmission destination and document file transfer destination are interactively set on the operation panel 500. be able to.
【0071】
The bidirectional network interface 600 is a module for realizing interconnection with an external device, and includes an input unit 61 and an output unit 62. A PC is connected to the interface 600 by a cable, or is connected to various networks such as the Internet / intranet. In the latter case, the digital multifunction device 1 can communicate with a PC, a server machine (for example, a database server), a facsimile, another digital multifunction device, or the like on the network. The input unit 61 is a device for receiving data sent via the network, and the received data is passed to the input buffer 21 or the fax receiving unit 82. Further, the output unit 62 is a device for preparing data to be transmitted on the network, and the transmission data is passed from the fax transmission unit 83 or the document file transmission unit 84. The interface 600 can handle data conforming to the PDL format.
【0072】
The page ID control unit 700 is a module for managing printing operations, copying operations, facsimile operations, and document filing operations on a page-by-page basis by using the page ID, and is a page ID recognition mechanism 71 and a page ID generation mechanism. It includes 72, a page ID graphic generation mechanism 73, and a page ID control block 74.
【0073】
The page ID is identification information unique to each page. When master form printing is specified in the printing process by the printer control unit 200, the page control unit 23 requests the page ID generation mechanism 72 to assign a page ID (described above). .. Upon receiving this request, the page ID generation mechanism 72 allocates one of the unused page IDs to the page to be printed on the master form, and allocates the page to the page ID graphic generation mechanism 73. Entrust the generation of graphic code indicating the ID. The graphic code generated by the page ID graphic generation mechanism 73 is sent to the page buffer 16 together with the print screen of the page sent by the page control unit 23, and as a result, the graphic code is displayed at a predetermined position on the paper on which the master form is printed. -The code will be printed. The graphic code indicating the page ID is a barcode attached to a predetermined position on the page, an embedded image invisible to the naked eye, or an image attached to the back surface of the original. May be good.
【0074】
The page ID control block 74 is a device for managing print data on a page-by-page basis, and includes a page ID reference table. When the master form is printed, the page is given a page ID and the print data of the page is stored on the hard disk 90 (described above). At this time, the page ID control block 74 associates the assigned page ID with the storage address of the print data of the page and registers it in the page ID reference table. In this embodiment, both the hard disk 90 and the page ID reference table are configured in the first-in first-out (FIFO) format, and the PDL data of the old master form and the recorded contents of the page ID are sequentially swept out. It has become like.
【0075】
The page ID recognition mechanism 71 detects the presence of a graphic code indicating the page ID in the scan image (more accurately, the print screen generated from the scan image) read by the digital scanner 400. Moreover, it is a device for recognizing the page ID.
【0076】
When the scanned image contains the page ID, that is, the copy original set in the scanner 400 is the paper on which the master form is printed, the page ID recognition mechanism 71 first prints the recognized page ID on the page. Search in the ID reference table. When the page ID is found in the page ID reference table, the page ID control block 74 extracts the print data of the page from the corresponding storage address in the hard disk 90 and passes it to the PDL rasterizer 22. As a result, the scanned image just read by the scanner 400 is discarded, and the print data taken out from the hard disk 90 is printed on the paper by the printing process of the printer control unit 200 (however, during facsimile operation or during facsimile operation). During the document filing operation, the print data retrieved from the hard disk 90 will be sent / transferred in place of the scanned image: see below.
【0077】
On the other hand, if the scanned image contains a page ID but the page ID is not found in the page ID reference table, the page ID recognition mechanism 71 prints expanded into a bitmap by the image processing unit 32. Since the screen is sent to the page buffer 16 as it is, the scan image is printed according to the normal copy operation (however, during the facsimile operation or the document filing operation, the scan image expanded to the bitmap by the image processing unit 32 is performed. The image is enclosed in PDL format by the image PDL conversion processing unit 85, and then transmitted / transferred: described later. If the page ID cannot be found in the page ID reference table, the copy original set in the scanner 400 was printed on the master form by another digital multifunction device, or the master form was printed. Is a long time ago, and it depends on the fact that the corresponding PDL data on the hard disk 90 is swept out by the FIFO method, and the page ID is already discarded from the page ID reference table.
【0078】
Further, even if the scanned image does not have a page ID, that is, the original copy set in the scanner 400 is not the paper on which the master form is printed, the page ID recognition mechanism 71 uses the image processing unit 32 to convert the image to a bitmap. Since the expanded print screen is sent to the page buffer 16 as it is, the scan image is printed according to the normal copy operation (however, during the facsimile operation or the document filing operation, the image processing unit 32 expands it into a bitmap. The scanned image is enclosed in PDL format by the image PDL conversion processing unit 85, and then transmitted / transferred: described later.
【0079】
Here, it should be fully understood that the page ID recognition mechanism 71 includes a function of preferentially using the print data already stored over the scanned image just read.
【0080】
The hard disk 90 is equipped for purposes such as filing print data in PDL format. The disk 90 is not limited to a hard disk as long as it can provide a large-capacity storage medium. For example, an optical disk may be used.
【0081】
In addition to those shown in FIG. 1, many hardware blocks are required to configure the digital multifunction device 1. However, these are well known to those skilled in the art and do not constitute the gist of the present invention, and are therefore omitted in the present specification. Also, please note that in order to avoid complications in the drawings, only a part of the connections between each hardware block in the drawings are shown.
【0082】
B. Operation of digital multifunction devices In the previous section, the hardware of the digital multifunction device 1 that embodies the present invention has been described. In this section, the operation of the present invention as well as the operation of the multifunction device 1 will be described.
【0083】
B-1. Master form printing "Master form printing" is an operation format for printing paper (hereinafter, simply referred to as "master form") to be used as a master form. In the master form printing in this embodiment, a unique page ID is assigned to the page to be the master form, the page is printed together with the graphic code indicating the page ID, and the page is associated with the assigned page ID. It is designed to save the print data of. Since the graphic code indicating the page ID is printed in a predetermined place on the printed paper of the master form, by recognizing the graphic code of the page ID from the scan data of the master form, the original Print data can be retrieved. The print data is usually digital data in PDL format (described above), and there is no concern that the print data will be deteriorated when stored and ejected to the hard disk 90. Master form printing is a pretreatment for suitably realizing the present invention.
【0084】
The master form print is specified, for example, by adding a command to that effect to the beginning of the print data on the print client PC side on the network (the client PC usually uses a printer driver to give itself). You can specify the settings of the connected digital multifunction device). Alternatively, the master form print can be specified interactively on the desktop screen of an external computer system connected to the interface 600 by cable / network or on the operation panel 500. Further, as the print data for the master form, the print data (PDL data) sent from the PC connected to the cable / network or the facsimile data (PDL data) received by fax is used.
【0085】
FIG. 2 shows a flowchart of the processing procedure when printing the master form using the print data sent from the external PC connected by the cable / network.
【0086】
The process is started by receiving a print request from the PC (step S100). First, the digital multifunction device 1 interprets the contents of the received print instruction (step S102). Then, it is determined whether master form printing is currently specified (step S104).
【0087】
If master form printing is not specified, it is just a normal page printing process. Therefore, the sent print data in the PDL format is expanded into a bitmap to generate a print screen for one page (step S106), and the print screen is printed on paper (step S108). The page printing process is repeated until the final page (step S110). The collaborative operation of each hardware block in the printing process is as described in Section A.
【0088】
On the other hand, when master form printing is specified, the sent PDL format print data is expanded into a bitmap to generate a print screen for one page (step S112), and the print data for this page is generated. Is stored on hard disk 90 (step S114).
【0089】
Further, the page ID generation mechanism 72 generates a page ID for this page (step S116). Then, the page ID control block 74 associates the page ID with the storage address of the print data on the hard disk 90 and records it in the page ID reference table (step S118).
【0090】
Next, the page ID graphic generation mechanism 73 generates a graphic code indicating the page ID assigned to the page and sends it to the page buffer 16. As a result, the print screen and the graphic code generated from the print data in the PDL format are printed together on the master form (step S120). The collaborative operation of each hardware block in the printing process is as described in Section A.
【0091】
The master form printing process of steps S112 to S120 is repeated until the final page (step S122). Then, after printing the final page, the process is completed (step S124).
【0092】
FIG. 3 shows a flowchart of the processing procedure when printing the master form using the received fax data.
【0093】
The process is started by receiving facsimile data via the network (step S200). In this embodiment, designation / cancellation of master form printing is optional in the case of printing processing, but master form printing is always performed in the case of fax reception (however, master form printing at the time of fax reception). The present invention can be realized even if the above is optionally designed).
【0094】
First, the received PDL format facsimile data is expanded into a bitmap to generate a print screen for one page (step S202), and the facsimile data of this page is stored on the hard disk 90 (step S204). ..
【0095】
Further, the page ID generation mechanism 72 generates a page ID for this page (step S206). Then, the page ID control block 74 associates the page ID with the storage address of the facsimile data on the hard disk 90 and records it in the page ID reference table (step S208).
【0096】
Next, the page ID graphic generation mechanism 73 generates a graphic code indicating the page ID assigned to the page and sends it to the page buffer 16. As a result, the print screen and graphic code generated from the facsimile data in PDL format are printed together on the master form (step S210). The collaborative operation of each hardware block in the printing process is as described in Section A.
【0097】
The master form printing process of steps S202 to S210 is repeated until the final page (step S212). Then, after printing the final page, the process is completed (step S214).
【0098】
Figure 4 illustrates an overview of how the master form is printed.
【0099】
When one page of PDL data is received in the form of a print request from a PC or a fax, the PDL data is first stored on the hard disk 90.
【0100】
Then, when the page ID generation mechanism 72 assigns a page ID to this page, the page ID is recorded in the page ID reference table in association with the storage address of the PDL data on the hard disk 90.
【0101】
The received PDL data is expanded into a bitmap by the PDL rasterizer 22 to generate a print screen. On the other hand, a graphic code indicating the assigned page ID is generated by the page ID graphic generation mechanism 73 and sent to the rear 100 of the printing machine together with the print screen. As a result, a graphic code is attached to a predetermined position on the master form (for example, the upper right corner).
【0102】
An example of a graphic code is a barcode as shown. By printing the graphic code on the peripheral part of the master form, damage to the print screen is avoided. By replacing the graphic code with a barcode and making it an embedded image that is invisible to the naked eye, the graphic code can be printed anywhere without damaging the printed image. Also, printing the graphic code on the back side of the master form paper would further reduce the risk of damaging the printed image.
【0103】
B-2. Copy operation The digital multifunction device 1 according to this embodiment is characterized in that it can copy and print while maintaining the original print quality of the original captured by image scanning or the like. This feature will be exhibited in the copy operation in the first place.
【0104】
FIG. 5 shows a flowchart of the processing procedure when the digital multifunction device 1 performs a copy operation. The operation is started, for example, by setting the copy original in the digital scanner 400 and instructing the start of copying on the operation panel 500 (step S300).
【0105】
The digital scanner 400 reads the image of the original copy on a page-by-page basis, and the digital copier control unit 300 processes the scanned image to sequentially generate a print screen for one page (step S302).
【0106】
When the page ID recognition mechanism 71 receives the print screen for one page, it first confirms whether or not a graphic code indicating the page ID exists in the screen (step S304).
【0107】
If the graphic code indicating the page ID is not found in the print screen, the original copy is no longer the master form, that is, the digital multifunction device 1 has not accumulated the print data for the page. Therefore, the page ID recognition mechanism 71 passes the print screen created based on the scanned image to the print mechanism unit 100 as it is. As a result, one page of the scanned image is copied to the paper as a normal copy operation (step S306). The collaborative operation of each hardware block in the copying process is as described in Section A.
【0108】
When a graphic code indicating the page ID is found in the print screen, the page ID recognition mechanism 71 further recognizes the page ID indicated by the graphic code (step S308) and in the page ID reference table (described above). The page ID is searched (step S310).
【0109】
If the page ID exists in the print screen but is not recorded in the page ID reference table, the hard disk 90 is not currently accumulating the print data corresponding to this page. Therefore, the page ID recognition mechanism 71 passes the print screen created based on the scanned image to the print mechanism unit 100 as it is. As a result, one page of the scanned image is copied to the paper as a normal copy operation (step S312 S306). If the page ID is not found in the page ID reference table, the copy original set in the scanner 400 is a master form generated by another digital multifunction device, or it was generated long ago by the same digital multifunction device. It is a master form, and it depends on the fact that the corresponding PDL data on the hard disk 90 has already been swept out by the FIFO method and the page ID is also discarded from the page ID reference table. In this case, since the graphic code on the print screen has no meaning for the digital multifunction device 1, it is preferable to delete the graphic code portion from the print screen and copy it to paper (step S314). The collaborative operation of each hardware block in the copying process is as described in Section A.
【0110】
On the other hand, if the page ID existing in the print screen is also found in the page ID reference table, it means that the original copy set in the scanner 400 is the master form and the print data is recorded in the multifunction device 1. means. Therefore, the page ID control block 74 retrieves the print data from the corresponding storage address on the hard disk 90 and passes it to the PDL rasterizer 22 (step S316). The PDL rasterizer 22 expands the print data in the PDL format into a bitmap to generate a print image for one page, and the page control unit 23 sends this as a print screen to the print mechanism unit 100 (step S318). As a result, the printer control unit 200 performs a print process, and a print screen equivalent to the master form is printed on the paper (step S320). On the other hand, the scanned image just read by the scanner 400 will be discarded and the normal copy operation will not be performed.
【0111】
As described above, the print data stored on the hard disk 90 is PDL-formatted data, and the image described by the PDL data is not deformed or deteriorated by writing / reading to / from the disk 90. On the other hand, the scanned image contains certain errors and noise. Therefore, in this embodiment, the original print quality can be maintained by preferentially using the print data already stored over the scanned image just read by the scanner 400.
【0112】
When the printing process for one page by step S320 or S306 is completed, it is confirmed whether the copy processing is completed up to the final page, that is, whether the copy original set in the digital scanner 400 still exists. If the original copy still remains, the process returns to step S302 and the same process as described above is repeated. If the same processing is completed for all the copy originals, the processing routine itself ends (step S324).
【0113】
By the way, you may want to rotate the original copy 180 degrees (that is, turn it upside down) to copy it on paper. According to the digital multifunction device 1 according to the present embodiment, only by rotating the master form by 180 degrees and setting it in the digital scanner 400, a print output having the same orientation as the original copy and maintaining the original print quality can be obtained. be able to. However, in this process, it is necessary to replace steps S312, S316, and S318 surrounded by a broken line with FIG. 6 in the flowchart shown in FIG. Hereinafter, FIG. 6 will be described.
【0114】
When the page ID recognition mechanism 71 finds the page ID recognized on the print screen in the page ID reference table, it then determines whether the graphic code indicating the page ID is rotated 180 degrees on the print screen. (Step S350).
【0115】
If the graphic code is not rotated 180 degrees, that is, if the master form is set on the scanner 400 in its normal orientation, page ID control block 74 prints from the corresponding storage address on hard disk 90. Take the data and pass it to the PDL rasterizer 22 (step S352). Then, the PDL rasterizer 22 expands the print data in the PDL format into a bitmap as it is to generate a print image for one page, and the page control unit 23 sends this as a print screen to the print mechanism unit 100 (step S354). ). As a result, a print screen equivalent to the master form is printed on the paper in the normal orientation.
【0116】
On the other hand, if the graphic code is rotated 180 degrees, i.e. the master form is set in the scanner 400 in the opposite direction, the page ID control block 74 corresponds in the hard disk 90. Extract the print data from the storage address and pass it to the PDL rasterizer 22 (step S352). However, the PDL rasterizer 22 rotates the print data in the PDL format by 180 degrees, develops it into a bitmap, generates a print image, and sends it to the print mechanism unit 100 (step S358). As a result, it is possible to obtain a print output that is rotated 180 degrees like the original copy and maintains the original print quality of the master form.
【0117】
FIG. 7 illustrates an outline of the copy operation when the master form having the page ID registered in the page ID reference table is accepted.
【0118】
When the image for one page of the original copy is read by the digital scanner 400, the image processing unit 32 processes the scanned image into a print screen for one page, and then the page ID recognition mechanism 71 displays a graphic indicating the page ID. Check if the code (barcode in this example) exists on the print screen.
【0119】
If the graphic code is found, look up the page ID it indicates in the page ID lookup table. When the page ID is found, the scan image just read from the scanner 400 is discarded, and instead, the PDL data read from the corresponding storage address on the hard disk 90 is sent to the printer control unit 200 (PDL). Pass it to the rasterizer 22).
【0120】
As a result, the printer control unit 200 performs the print processing instead of the copy processing by the digital copier control unit 300. That is, since the printing mechanism unit 100 performs printing processing based on the PDL data read from the hard disk 90, the print image of the paper has the original print quality equivalent to that of the master form.
【0121】
In addition, FIG. 8 illustrates an outline of the copy operation when a master form having a page ID not registered in the page ID reference table is accepted.
【0122】
When the image of one page of the original copy is read by the digital scanner 400, the image processing unit 32 processes the scan data into a print screen for one page, and then the page ID recognition mechanism 71 displays a graphic indicating the page ID. Check if the code (barcode in this example) exists on the print screen.
【0123】
If the graphic code is found, look up the page ID it indicates in the page ID lookup table. If the page ID cannot be found in the page ID reference table, the print screen generated from the scan image of the digital scanner 400 is passed to the printing mechanism unit 100 as it is, and the copy process is executed by the digital copier control unit 300. Will be done. If the page ID is not found in the page ID lookup table, it means that the master form was generated by another digital multifunction device, or that the master form was generated a long time ago and is on hard disk 90. It depends on the fact that the relevant PDL data has already been swept out by the FIFO method and the page ID has been discarded from the page ID reference table.
【0124】
In addition, FIG. 9 illustrates an outline of the copy operation when a copy original that is not a master form is accepted.
【0125】
When the image of one page of the original copy is read by the digital scanner 400, the image processing unit 32 processes the scan data into a print screen for one page, and then the page ID recognition mechanism 71 displays a graphic indicating the page ID. Check if the code (barcode in this example) exists on the print screen.
【0126】
A copy original without a graphic code indicating the page ID is, in short, an original that is not a master form. The original image data, which is not the master form, is not enclosed in the PDL format and has the property that it cannot be transmitted over the network as it is. Therefore, a copy original or a transmitted manuscript that is not a master form will be referred to as a "non-online manuscript" in the present specification.
【0127】
When the copy original, which is a non-online original, is accepted, the digital multifunction device 1 passes the print screen generated from the scan image of the digital scanner 400 to the printing mechanism unit 100 as it is, and the digital copier control unit 300 copies the original. The process is executed.
【0128】
In addition, FIG. 10 illustrates an outline of a copy operation when a multi-page copy original is accepted in a form in which a master form and a non-online manuscript are mixed.
【0129】
As shown in the figure, when a page that is a non-online manuscript is accepted, the print screen generated from the scanned image is copied as it is. On the other hand, when the page which is the master form is accepted, the scanned image of the scanner 400 is discarded, and the print data read from the hard disk 90 is printed in its place. Even if it is a master form, the print screen generated from the scan image is copied as it is for the pages that are not saved. The same applies when copying multiple copies. Fully understand that when copying a master form, the saved PDL data is printed instead of copying the scanned image, so the same original print quality as the master form is maintained. I want to be.
【0130】
Scanned images generally contain reading errors and noise, so repeated use of scanned images will gradually reduce print quality. As a reminder, according to the digital multifunction device 1 according to this embodiment, as a result of prioritizing the print data already stored over the scanned image just read by the scanner 400 during the copy operation, the original Please fully understand that the print quality is maintained.
【0131】
The above-mentioned copy processing, that is, the reproduction processing of the master form is performed on a page-by-page basis. The order in which the pages are played does not depend on the order in which the master forms are stored on hard disk 90. Therefore, even if the page order of the master form is rearranged or the necessary pages are selected, the original copy can be reproduced in the rearranged page order. Also, even if some pages are modified and replaced with the master form printed again, the updated master form can be faithfully reproduced. Further, even if the master form and the non-online manuscript are mixed and set in the scanner 400, the pages of the master form are surely reproduced based on the original print data. The operator does not need to be aware of the replacement of master forms or the random mixing of non-online manuscripts when copying.
【0132】
B-3. Facsimile transmission operation The digital multifunction device 1 according to this embodiment will show its characteristic power even at the time of facsimile transmission.
【0133】
FIG. 11 shows a flowchart of the processing procedure when the digital multifunction device 1 performs a fax transmission operation. The operation is started, for example, by setting the fax transmission manuscript in the digital scanner 400, designating the destination address of the fax transmission destination, and instructing the operation panel 500 to start the fax transmission (step S400).
【0134】
The digital scanner 400 reads the image of the faxed original on a page-by-page basis, and the digital copier control unit 300 processes the scanned image to sequentially generate a print screen for one page (step S402).
【0135】
When the page ID recognition mechanism 71 receives the print screen for one page, it first confirms whether or not a graphic code indicating the page ID exists in the screen (step S404).
【0136】
If the graphic code indicating the page ID is not found in the print screen, the transmitted manuscript is no longer the master form, that is, the digital multifunction device 1 has not accumulated the print data for the page. Therefore, the page ID recognition mechanism 71 passes the print screen created based on the scanned image to the image processing unit 85 as it is. The image processing unit 85 converts the print screen into facsimile data enclosed in PDL format and then passes it to the fax transmission unit 83. Then, the fax transmission unit 83 transmits the fax limit data onto the network via the bidirectional network interface 600 (output unit 62) (step S406). Please note that the facsimile data is enclosed in PDL format.
【0137】
When a graphic code indicating the page ID is found in the print screen, the page ID recognition mechanism 71 further recognizes the page ID indicated by the graphic code (step S408) and in the page ID reference table (described above). The page ID is searched (step S410).
【0138】
If the page ID exists in the print screen but is not recorded in the page ID reference table, it means that the digital multifunction device 1 does not currently store the print data corresponding to this page. Therefore, the page ID recognition mechanism 71 passes the print screen created based on the scanned image to the image processing unit 85 as it is. The image processing unit 85 converts the print screen into facsimile data enclosed in PDL format and then passes it to the fax transmission unit 83. Then, the fax transmission unit 83 transmits the fax limit data onto the network via the bidirectional network interface 600 (output unit 62) (step S412 S406). If the page ID is not found in the page ID reference table, the transmission document read by the scanner 400 is a master form generated by another digital multifunction device, or it was generated long ago by the same digital multifunction device. It is a master form and relies on the fact that the relevant PDL data on the hard disk 90 has already been swept out by the FIFO method and the page ID has been discarded from the page ID reference table. In this case, since the graphic code on the fax transmission manuscript has no meaning to the digital multifunction device 1, it is preferable to delete the graphic code portion from the facsimile data (step S414). Please note that the facsimile data is enclosed in PDL format.
【0139】
On the other hand, if the page ID existing on the print screen is also found in the page ID reference table, the fax transmission manuscript set in the scanner 400 is the master form and the print data is recorded inside the multifunction device 1. Means. Therefore, page ID control block 74 retrieves facsimile data from the corresponding storage address in hard disk 90 and passes it to fax originator 83 (step S416). Then, the fax transmission unit 83 transmits the received PDL data onto the network via the bidirectional network interface 600 (output unit 62) (step S418). In other words, PDL data equivalent to the master form is faxed.
【0140】
As described above, the print data stored on the hard disk 90 is PDL-formatted data, and the image described by the PDL data is not deformed or deteriorated by writing / reading to / from the disk 90. On the other hand, the scanned image contains certain errors and noise. Therefore, in this embodiment, the original print quality of the fax transmission manuscript can be maintained by preferentially using the print data already stored over the scanned image just read by the scanner 400.
【0141】
When the fax transmission process for one page by step S418 or S406 is completed, it is confirmed whether the fax transmission process is completed up to the final page, that is, whether the transmission document set in the digital scanner 400 still exists. If the original to be transmitted still remains, the process returns to step S402, and the same process as described above is repeated. If the same processing is completed for all the transmitted documents, the processing routine itself ends (step S422).
【0142】
By the way, you may want to rotate a fax manuscript by 180 degrees (that is, turn it upside down) and send it. According to the digital multifunction device 1 according to the present embodiment, simply by rotating the master form by 180 degrees and setting it in the digital scanner 400, the facsimile data maintaining the original print quality is oriented in the same direction as the transmitted document. Can be sent. However, in this process, in the flowchart shown in FIG. 11, it is necessary to replace steps S412, S416, and S418 surrounded by the broken line with FIG. Hereinafter, FIG. 12 will be described.
【0143】
When the page ID recognition mechanism 71 finds the page ID recognized on the print screen in the page ID reference table, it then determines whether the graphic code indicating the page ID is rotated 180 degrees on the print screen (step). S450).
【0144】
If the graphic code is not rotated 180 degrees, that is, if the master form is set in the scanner 400 in the normal orientation, the page ID control block 74 prints from the corresponding storage address in the hard disk 90. The data is retrieved and passed to fax originator 83 (step S452). Then, the fax transmission unit 83 transmits the received PDL data as it is to the network via the bidirectional network interface 600 (output unit 62) (step S458). As a result, PDL data equivalent to the master form will be faxed in the normal orientation.
【0145】
On the other hand, if the graphic code is rotated 180 degrees, i.e. the master form is set in the scanner 400 in the opposite direction, the page ID control block 74 corresponds in the hard disk 90. Extract the print data from the storage address and pass it to the fax sender 83 (step S454). Here, the fax transmission unit 83 attaches a 180-degree rotation PDL command to the print data in the PDL format (step S456), and then passes it to the bidirectional network interface 600 (output unit 62). As a result, PDL data equivalent to the master form is sent out on the network in the opposite direction to the normal one (step S458).
【0146】
FIG. 13 illustrates an outline of the fax transmission operation when the master form having the page ID registered in the page ID reference table is accepted.
【0147】
When the image of one page of the transmitted original is read by the digital scanner 400, the image processing unit 32 processes the scanned image into a print screen, and then the page ID recognition mechanism 71 displays a graphic code (book) indicating the page ID. Check if the barcode) exists in the print screen in the example.
【0148】
If the graphic code is found, look up the page ID it indicates in the page ID lookup table. When the page ID is found, the scanned image just read by the scanner 400 is discarded, and instead, the PDL data read from the corresponding storage address on the hard disk 90 is passed to the fax transmission unit 83. It is transmitted to the destination device (for example, another digital multifunction device or PC) via the network.
【0149】
As a result, the PDL data that describes the master form itself is faxed instead of the scanned image of the transmitted manuscript. In other words, the facsimile data received at the destination has the original print quality equivalent to that of the master form.
【0150】
If a graphic code indicating the page ID exists on the transmitted manuscript, but the page ID cannot be found in the page ID reference table, scan the transmitted manuscript according to substantially the same operation as in FIG. 8 in the copy operation. Facsimile data generated from the image is transmitted.
【0151】
In addition, FIG. 14 illustrates an outline of the fax transmission operation of processing when a fax transmission manuscript (that is, a non-online manuscript) that is not a master form is received.
【0152】
When the image of one page of the transmitted original is read by the digital scanner 400, the image processing unit 32 processes the scanned image into a print screen, and then the page ID recognition mechanism 71 displays a graphic code (book) indicating the page ID. Check if the barcode) exists in the print screen in the example.
【0153】
A transmitted manuscript without a graphic code indicating a page ID is, in short, a "non-online manuscript" that is not a master form. A handwritten cover page (display) when sending a fax is an example of a non-online manuscript. The image data of such a non-online manuscript is not enclosed in the PDL format and cannot be transmitted on the network as it is.
【0154】
When a page that is a non-online manuscript is accepted, the print screen generated from the scanned image of the digital scanner 400 is further enclosed in the PDL format by the image processing unit 85. After that, the fax transmission unit 83 transmits the facsimile data converted into PDL data to the destination device (for example, another digital multifunction device or PC) via the network.
【0155】
Scanned images generally contain reading errors and noise, so repeated use of scanned images will gradually reduce print quality. According to the digital multifunction device 1 according to the present embodiment, the original print quality is maintained as a result of preferentially using the already stored print data over the scan image just read by the scanner 400 during the facsimile operation. It will be. In addition, since the facsimile data is sent in PDL format instead of as a scan image, the data capacity is reduced and the load on network communication is reduced. Further, since the digital multifunction device on the receiving side regenerates the image using the source data, the original print quality can be maintained on the receiving side as well.
【0156】
The above-mentioned facsimile transmission processing, that is, the reproduction processing of the master form is performed on a page-by-page basis. The order in which the pages are played does not depend on the order in which the master forms are stored on hard disk 90. Therefore, even if the page order of the master form is rearranged or the necessary pages are selected, the transmitted manuscript can be sent to the fax destination in the rearranged page order. Also, even if some pages are modified and replaced with the master form printed again, the updated master form can be faithfully reproduced. Further, even if the master form and the non-online manuscript are mixed and set in the scanner 400, the pages of the master form are surely reproduced based on the original print data. The operator does not need to be aware of the replacement of the master form or the random mixing of non-online manuscripts when performing the facsimile transmission operation.
【0157】
B-4. Document filing operation to the database on the network The digital multifunction device 1 according to this embodiment will show its characteristic power even when the document filing is transmitted to the database on the network. Here, the database on the network is a database server installed on the network such as the Internet / intranet, or a local disk of the database server. A local disk is composed of a large-capacity storage device such as a hard disk or an optical disk, and is also called a "remote disk".
【0158】
FIG. 15 shows a flowchart of the processing procedure when the digital multifunction device 1 performs a document filing operation on a database server (remote disk) on the network. The operation is performed, for example, by setting a document (manuscript) for filing in the digital scanner 400, designating the address of the file transfer destination (database server), and instructing the start of document filing on the operation panel 500. Start (step S500).
【0159】
The digital scanner 400 reads the image of the filing document on a page-by-page basis, and the digital copier control unit 300 processes the scan image to sequentially generate a print screen for one page (step S502).
【0160】
When the page ID recognition mechanism 71 receives the print screen for one page, it first confirms whether or not a graphic code indicating the page ID exists in the screen (step S504).
【0161】
If the graphic code indicating the page ID is not found in the print screen, the page is no longer the master form, that is, the digital multifunction device 1 has not accumulated the print data for the page. Therefore, the page ID recognition mechanism 71 passes the print screen generated from the scan image of the scanner 400 to the image processing unit 85. The image processing unit 85 converts the print screen into a document file enclosed in PDL format, and then passes the print screen to the document file transmission unit 84. Then, the document file transmission unit 84 transmits this PDL data onto the network via the bidirectional network interface 600 (output unit 62) (step S506). Please note that the document file is enclosed in PDL format.
【0162】
If the page ID exists in the print screen but is not recorded in the page ID reference table, it means that the digital multifunction device 1 does not currently store the print data corresponding to this page. Therefore, the page ID recognition mechanism 71 passes the print screen generated from the scan image of the scanner 400 to the image processing unit 85. The image processing unit 85 converts the print screen into a document file enclosed in PDL format, and then passes the print screen to the document file transmission unit 84. Then, the document file transmission unit 84 transmits the document file onto the network via the bidirectional network interface 600 (output unit 62) (step S512 S506). If the page ID is not found in the page ID reference table, the filing document read by the scanner 400 is a master form generated by another digital multifunction device, or it was generated long ago by the same digital multifunction device. It is a master form and relies on the fact that the relevant PDL data on the hard disk 90 has already been swept out by the FIFO method and the page ID has been discarded from the page ID reference table. In this case, since the graphic code on the document file has no meaning for the digital multifunction device 1, it is preferable to delete the graphic code portion from the document file (step S514). Please note that the document file is enclosed in PDL format.
【0163】
On the other hand, if the page ID existing in the print screen is also found in the page ID reference table, it means that the filing document set in the scanner 400 is the master form and the print data is recorded inside the multifunction device 1. means. Therefore, the page ID control block 74 extracts the print data from the corresponding storage address in the hard disk 90 and passes it to the document file originator 84 (step S516). Then, the document file transmission unit 84 transmits the received PDL data onto the network via the bidirectional network interface 600 (output unit 62) (step S518). In other words, the PDL data equivalent to the master form is transferred as a document file to the remote disk.
【0164】
As already mentioned, the document file stored on the hard disk 90 is in PDL format, and the image described by the PDL data is not deformed or deteriorated by writing / reading to / from the disk 90. On the other hand, the scanned image read by the scanner 400 contains certain errors and noise. Therefore, in this embodiment, the original print quality can be maintained by preferentially using the print data that has already been saved over the scan image that has just been read.
【0165】
When the document file transmission process for one page by step S518 or S506 is completed, it is confirmed whether the fax transmission process is completed up to the final page, that is, whether the filing document set in the digital scanner 400 still exists. If the filing document still remains, the process returns to step S502 and the same process as described above is repeated. When the same processing is completed for all the filing documents, the processing routine itself ends (step S522).
【0166】
You may also want to rotate the filing document by 180 degrees (that is, turn it upside down) and send it. According to the digital multifunction device 1 according to the present embodiment, the document file maintaining the original print quality is transmitted in the same direction as the filing document simply by rotating the master form by 180 degrees and setting it in the digital scanner 400. can do. For this process, it is necessary to modify steps S512, S516, and S518 surrounded by a broken line in the flowchart shown in FIG. However, since the modification contents are substantially the same as those in FIG. 12, the description thereof is omitted here.
【0167】
FIG. 16 illustrates an outline of the document filing operation when the master form having the page ID registered in the page ID reference table is accepted.
【0168】
When the image of one page of the filing document is read by the digital scanner 400, the image processing unit 32 processes the scanned image into a print screen, and then the page ID recognition mechanism 71 displays a graphic code (book) indicating the page ID. Check if the barcode) exists in the print screen in the example.
【0169】
If the graphic code is found, look up the page ID it indicates in the page ID lookup table. Then, when the page ID is found, the scanned image just read is discarded, and instead, the PDL data read from the corresponding storage address of the hard disk 90 is passed to the document file transmission unit 84. The file is transferred to the destination device (for example, database server) via the network.
【0170】
As a result, the PDL data that describes the master form itself is transferred to the file instead of the scanned image of the filing document. In other words, the document file received at the destination has the original print quality equivalent to that of the master form.
【0171】
If the page ID exists on the filing document in which the graphic code indicating the page ID is set, but the page ID cannot be found in the page ID reference table, the filing document follows substantially the same operation as in FIG. 8 in the copy operation. The document file generated from the scan image of is sent.
【0172】
In addition, FIG. 17 illustrates an outline of the document filing operation when a filing document (non-online manuscript) that is not a master form is accepted.
【0173】
When the image of one page of the filing document is read by the digital scanner 400, the image processing unit 32 processes the scanned image into a print screen, and then the page ID recognition mechanism 71 displays a graphic code (book) indicating the page ID. Check if the barcode) exists in the print screen in the example.
【0174】
A filing document without a graphic code indicating the page ID is, in short, a manuscript that is not a master form. The image data of the manuscript that is not the master form is not enclosed in the PDL format and is a "non-online manuscript" that cannot be transferred as it is via the network.
【0175】
When a page that is a non-online manuscript is accepted, the print screen generated from the scanned image of the digital scanner 400 is further enclosed in the PDL format by the image processing unit 85. After that, the document file transmission unit 85 transfers the document file converted into PDL data to the destination device (for example, a database server) via the network.
【0176】
Scanned images generally contain reading errors and noise, so repeated use of scanned images will gradually reduce print quality. According to the digital multifunction device 1 according to the present embodiment, the original print quality is maintained as a result of preferentially using the already stored print data over the scan image of the scanner 400 during the document filing operation. Become. In addition, since the facsimile data is sent in PDL format instead of as a scan image, the data capacity is reduced and the load on network communication is reduced. Further, since the digital multifunction device on the receiving side regenerates the image using the source data, the original print quality of the document file can be maintained on the receiving side as well.
【0177】
The document filing transmission process described above, that is, the master form reproduction process is performed on a page-by-page basis. The order in which the pages are played does not depend on the order in which the master forms are stored on hard disk 90. Therefore, even if the page order of the master form is rearranged or the required pages are selected, the filing documents can be transferred to the database server in the rearranged page order. Also, even if some pages are modified and replaced with the master form printed again, the updated master form can be faithfully reproduced. Further, even if the master form and the non-online manuscript are mixed and set in the scanner 400, the pages of the master form are surely reproduced based on the original print data. The operator does not need to be aware of the replacement of master forms or the random mixing of non-online manuscripts when filing documents.
【0178】
C. Addendum The present invention has been described in detail with reference to specific examples. However, it is self-evident that a person skilled in the art can modify or substitute the embodiment without departing from the gist of the present invention. That is, the present invention has been disclosed in the form of an example, and should not be construed in a limited manner. In order to judge the gist of the present invention, the column of claims described at the beginning should be taken into consideration.
【0179】
[Effect of the invention]
As described in detail above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an excellent copying apparatus and a control method thereof capable of copying a plurality of copies and transmitting to a network while maintaining the original quality of the original. ..
【0180】
Further, according to the present invention, an excellent copying apparatus capable of copying a plurality of copies or transmitting to a network while maintaining the original quality of the original without incurring the trouble of storing and managing the original. The control method can be provided.
【0181】
According to the present invention, when the image captured by scanning is a master form, the printed image stored in its own external storage device is output or transmitted to the network instead of the scanned image. Therefore, please fully understand that the original quality is maintained.
【0182】
According to the present invention, the final document can be easily edited by rearranging, deleting, adding, and replacing the originals on the scanner. The copy, fax, and document filing processes are based on the final edited document. In addition, a master form in which print data is already stored in an external storage device or a non-online document that is not stored in a mixture may be set on the scanner, and the digital multifunction device may be set according to each page. It is designed to copy, print, fax, and file documents. The operator does not have to be aware of whether or not each page set in the scanner is a master form, and only needs to perform the same operation as a conventional copier or facsimile.
[Simple explanation of drawings]
[Figure 1]
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a hardware configuration of a typical digital multifunction device suitable for realizing the present invention.
[Figure 2]
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when printing a master form using print data sent from a client PC connected by a cable / network.
[Fig. 3]
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when printing a master form using fax reception data.
[Fig. 4]
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an outline of how the master form is printed.
[Fig. 5]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when the digital multifunction device 1 performs a copy operation.
[Fig. 6]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when the digital multifunction device 1 performs a copy operation, and more specifically, a processing performed when the master form is supplied in a direction rotated by 180 degrees. It is a figure which showed another example.
[Fig. 7]
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an outline of how the digital multifunction device 1 performs a copy operation, and more specifically, a state when a master form having a page ID registered in the page ID reference table is accepted. It is a figure which showed.
[Fig. 8]
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an outline of how the digital multifunction device 1 performs a copy operation. More specifically, when a master form having a page ID not registered in the page ID reference table is accepted. It is a figure which showed the state.
[Fig. 9]
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an outline of how the digital multifunction device 1 performs a copy operation, and more specifically, a diagram showing a state when a copy original (non-online manuscript) that is not a master form is received. Is.
[Fig. 10]
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an outline of how the digital multifunction device 1 performs a copy operation. More specifically, when a multi-page copy original is received in a form in which a master form and a non-online manuscript are mixed. It is a figure which showed the state of.
[Fig. 11]
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when the digital multifunction device 1 performs a fax transmission operation.
[Fig. 12]
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when the digital multifunction device 1 performs a fax transmission operation, and more specifically, processing performed when the master form is supplied in a direction rotated by 180 degrees. It is a figure which showed another example.
[Fig. 13]
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an outline of how the digital multifunction device 1 performs a fax transmission operation, and more specifically, when a master form having a page ID registered in the page ID reference table is accepted. It is a figure which showed the state.
[Fig. 14]
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an outline of how the digital multifunction device 1 performs a fax transmission operation, and more specifically, shows a state when a copy original (non-online manuscript) that is not a master form is received. It is a figure.
[Fig. 15]
FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when the digital multifunction device 1 performs a document filing operation on a remote disk.
[Fig. 16]
FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an outline of how the digital multifunction device 1 performs a document filing operation on a remote disk, and more specifically, a master form having a page ID registered in the page ID reference table. It is a figure which showed the state when it received.
[Fig. 17]
FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an outline of how the digital multifunction device 1 performs a document filing operation on a remote disk. More specifically, when a copy original (non-online manuscript) that is not a master form is accepted. It is a figure which showed the state of.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 ... Digital multifunction device, 11 ... Printing mechanism, 12 ... Paper ejection mechanism, 13 ... Feeding mechanism, 14 ... Double-sided printing mechanism, 15 ... Raster buffer , 16 ... page buffer, 21 ... input buffer, 22 ... PDL rasterizer, 23 ... page control, 24 ... character generation mechanism, 31 ... input buffer, 32 ... Image processing unit, 33 ... page control unit, 61 ... input unit, 62 ... output unit, 71 ... page ID recognition mechanism, 72 ... page ID generation mechanism, 73 ... page ID Graphic generation mechanism, 74 ... page ID control block, 82 ... fax receiver, 83 ... fax sender, 84 ... document file sender, 85 ... image PDL processing section, 90. .. Hard disk, 100 ... Printing mechanism, 200 ... Printer control, 300 ... Digital copier control, 400 ... Digital scanner, 500 ... Control panel, 600 .. .Two-way network interface, 700 ... page ID control, 800 ... facsimile control.
Every citation, both ways
| Document | Relation | Office | Cited during |
|---|---|---|---|
| JPWO2017057161A1 | Cited by | Japan | Search report |
| US7414741B2 | Cited by | United States of America | Applicant |
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| US6945717B2 | Cited by | United States of America | Applicant |
| JP2005157553A | Cited by | Japan | Search report |
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| JP2008294550A | Cited by | Japan | Examiner |
| US8018605B2 | Cited by | United States of America | Applicant |
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| JP2007304889A | Cited by | Japan | Examiner |
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| JP2006155381A | Cited by | Japan | Search report |
| JP2009188595A | Cited by | Japan | Examiner |
| US7813550B2 | Cited by | United States of America | Applicant |
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| US7593961B2 | Cited by | United States of America | Applicant |
| WO2004068368A1 | Cited by | World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) | International search |
| WO0173539A1 | Cited by | World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) | International search |
| JP2004348706A | Cited by | Japan | Search report |
| JP2009182439A | Cited by | Japan | Examiner |
2 members in 2 offices
Priority claims2
| Document | Office | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7736597 | Japan | A | |
| JP19970077365 | – | – | – |
Members2
| Document | Office | Kind | |
|---|---|---|---|
| JPH10285378AThis record | Japan | A | |
| US6466329B1 | United States of America | B1 |
Numbers
- Publication
- 10-285378
- Publication, DOCDB
- H10285378
- Publication, EPODOC
- JPH10285378
- Application
- 9077365
- Application, DOCDB
- 7736597
- Application, EPODOC
- JP19970077365
Titles2
- Japanese
- 【発明の名称】複写装置及びその制御方法
- English
- INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY: Copying apparatus and its control method
Classification
- CPC, 9
- H04N1/00355
- H04N1/00363
- H04N1/2175
- H04N1/32138
- H04N2201/0094
- H04N2201/3226
- H04N2201/3254
- H04N2201/3271
- H04N2201/3274
- IPC, 8
- B41J5 30
- G03G21 00
- G06F3 12
- G06T1 00
- H04N1 00
- H04N1 21
- H04N1 32
- H04N1 387