JP2004094563A - System and method for forming image - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To store an information-added document itself as a backup. <P>SOLUTION: Information of a server and a file name are extracted by reading out the information-added document D5 embedded with information such as a document server 2 stored with an original electronic document and the file name by an image reading part 17 in a copying unit 3 (S1). A user selects the propriety of storage of an image in the document D5 (S3), and the user selects a holder in an external storage part 15 of the copying unit 3 when selecting the storage (S4). The image in the document D5 is read out (S5) to be stored in the holder in the external storage part 15 (S6). When finding the original electronic document based upon information on the extracted server and file name, the original electronic document is acquired from the document server 2 to be printed by the printing unit 3 (S8). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention includes, for example, an image forming apparatus having a function of extracting information from a document storing information such as a server storing an original electronic document and a file name (hereinafter referred to as an information-added document). The present invention relates to an image forming system and an image forming method.
[0002]
Further, the present invention relates to an image forming system and an image forming method for printing an electronic document created by a computer terminal such as a PC.
[0003]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, in a copying apparatus as this type of image forming apparatus, only information marked from an information-added document such as a mark sheet by an image reading apparatus in the copying apparatus has been obtained.
[0004]
Also, when printing an electronic document created by a computer terminal such as a PC, the electronic document is printed by a printing device connected to the computer terminal, and the document output from the printing device is printed by a copying apparatus. The image itself is read and printed by an image reading device in the copying apparatus.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above-described conventional image forming system, it is the responsibility of the user to own and store the information-added document. Therefore, if the user forgets where the information-added document was stored, it was difficult to obtain the original electronic document.
[0006]
In addition, when an image of a document itself is read by an image reading device and printed, the image is deteriorated when grandchild copying is repeated many times by a copying device. In particular, when the distributed document is printed in a reduced size such as so-called 4IN1, it is small and hard to see.
[0007]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming system and an image forming method that can save an information-added document itself and make a backup.
[0008]
It is another object of the present invention to provide an image forming system and an image forming method capable of performing printing without deterioration of an image by always printing an original electronic document.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, an image forming system according to the present invention, when printing an electronic document created by an information processing apparatus by an image forming apparatus, adds storage destination information indicating a location where the electronic document is stored. An image forming system that prints the read information-added document, reading means for reading the information-added document, storage means for storing the read information-added document in storage means, and storing the read information-added document from the read information-added document. Extracting means for extracting destination information, wherein the electronic document is acquired and printed based on the extracted storage destination information.
[0010]
Further, the image forming system of the present invention prints an electronic document created by the first information processing apparatus by the first image forming apparatus, reads the document output from the first image forming apparatus, and prints the second document by the second image processing apparatus. In the image forming system for printing with the image forming apparatus, the electronic document created by the first information processing apparatus is stored in the second information processing apparatus, and the electronic document is output from the first image forming apparatus. Adding means for adding storage destination information indicating the location of the electronic document stored in the second information processing apparatus to the document to make the information-added document; reading the information-added document; Extracting means for extracting the added storage destination information; and reading means for reading the electronic document from the second information processing apparatus based on the extracted storage destination information. The document to the second Characterized by printing the image forming apparatus.
[0011]
According to the image forming method of the present invention, when an electronic document created by an information processing apparatus is printed by an image forming apparatus, an information-added document to which storage destination information indicating a place where the electronic document is stored is printed. A reading step of reading the information-added document; a storing step of storing the read information-added document in a storage unit; and an extracting step of extracting the storage destination information from the read information-added document. A printing step of acquiring and printing the electronic document based on the extracted storage location information.
[0012]
Further, according to the image forming method of the present invention, the electronic document created by the first information processing apparatus is printed by the first image forming apparatus, the document output from the first image forming apparatus is read, and the second document is read. Storing an electronic document created by the first information processing apparatus in a second information processing apparatus; and outputting the electronic document created by the first information processing apparatus to the second information processing apparatus. An additional step of adding storage destination information indicating the location of the electronic document stored in the second information processing apparatus to a document to form an information-added original; reading the information-added original; An extracting step of extracting the added storage destination information; a reading step of reading the electronic document from the second information processing device based on the extracted storage destination information; The second And having a printing step of printing by the image forming apparatus.
[0013]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
An embodiment of an image forming system and an image forming method according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The image forming system of the present embodiment is applied to an information processing system including a copying machine.
[0014]
[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an information processing system according to the first embodiment. This information processing system has a configuration in which a computer terminal 1, a document server 2, and a copying apparatus 3 are connected via a computer network 5. The printing device 4 is directly connected to the computer terminal 1.
[0015]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the copying apparatus 3. As shown in FIG. The copying apparatus 3 includes a central processing unit 11, a main storage unit 12, a display unit 13, an input unit 14, an external storage unit 15, a printing unit 16, an image reading unit 17, a network unit 18, an e-mail unit 19, and a fax unit 20. The main part is constituted by the fingerprint authentication unit 21.
[0016]
The central processing unit 11 controls the main storage unit 12, the display unit 13, the input unit 14, the external storage unit 15, the printing unit 16, the image reading unit 17, the network unit 18, the e-mail unit 19, and the fax unit 20, Performs four arithmetic operations and logical operations.
[0017]
The main storage unit 12 can store information necessary for the information processing system to perform information processing, and can retrieve the information as needed. The display unit 13 displays processing results of figures, characters, and the like, and includes a CRT, a liquid crystal, a touch panel, and the like. The input unit 14 performs various inputs to the central processing unit 11, and includes a keyboard, a mouse, a card reader, a touch panel, and the like.
[0018]
The external storage unit 15 stores various types of information, and includes a magnetic storage device, a magneto-optical storage device, and the like. The external storage device of the copying apparatus is provided with a database that stores the failures and the notification destination information for each failure occurrence frequency. The printing unit 16 prints processing results of figures, characters, and the like.
[0019]
The image reading unit 17 converts a document such as paper into electronic information, and in the present embodiment, an auto feeder for automatically reading a plurality of documents is attached. The network unit 18 is connected to the computer network 5 by hardware. The e-mail section 19 transmits and receives e-mails to and from the outside via the computer network 5. The fax unit 20 performs facsimile transmission and reception with the outside. The fingerprint authentication section 21 reads a fingerprint and performs user authentication.
[0020]
Next, the operation of the information processing system having the above configuration will be described. This information processing system not only extracts information from an information-added document, but also reads an image of the information-added document itself, saves the image in an external storage unit 15, obtains an original electronic document using the extracted information, and copies the document. Print on the device.
[0021]
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a printing operation processing procedure. This processing program is stored in the external storage unit 15 in the copying apparatus 3, and is executed by the central processing unit 11. In the present embodiment, the document server 2 in which the original electronic document is stored and the information-added document D5 in which information such as the file name of the original electronic document is embedded (added) are read by the image reading unit 17 of the copying apparatus 3. It reads and extracts information on the server name and the file name from the information-added document D5 (step S1). Here, the additional information such as the server and the file name of the original electronic document embedded in the document includes a digital watermark, a barcode, a personal identification code, and the like, and is not particularly limited. This is the same in the following embodiments.
[0022]
It is determined whether or not information has been extracted from the information-added document D5 as a result of the image reading (step S2). If information cannot be extracted from the information-added document D5, the fact that no information has been extracted is displayed on the display unit 13 of the copying apparatus 3 (step S10), and the process ends.
[0023]
On the other hand, when the information can be extracted from the information-added document D5 in step S2, the user is made to select whether to save the image of the information-added document D5 itself (step S3). If the user selects to save, the user is caused to select an arbitrary folder in the external storage unit 15 of the copying apparatus 3 for saving the information-added original D5 itself (step S4).
[0024]
Then, the image of the information-added document D5 itself is read by the image reading unit 17 of the copying apparatus 3 (step S5). The read image of the information-added document D5 itself is stored in the external storage unit 15 of the copying apparatus 3 (step S6). After that, the processing shifts to the processing of step S7.
[0025]
On the other hand, if the user does not select to save in step S3, or if the image of the information-added document D5 itself read in step S6 is saved, based on the server and file name information extracted in step S2. Then, it is determined whether or not the original electronic document has been found (step S7).
[0026]
If the original electronic document can be found, the original electronic document is acquired from the document server 2 based on the extracted information on the server and the file name, and printed by the copying apparatus 3 (step S8). On the other hand, if the original electronic document could not be found in step S7, the fact that the original electronic document could not be found is displayed on the display unit 13 of the copying apparatus 3 (step S9), and this processing ends.
[0027]
As described above, in the information processing system according to the first embodiment, the information-added document D5 itself can be saved and backed up. Therefore, if the information-added document D5 is lost, it is possible to acquire the information-added document by printing the stored document, thereby preventing the original electronic document from being unable to be acquired.
[0028]
[Second embodiment]
In the second embodiment, not only information is extracted from the information-added document, but also the image of the information-added document itself is read, and the information-added document is attached to the E-Mail from the copier and transmitted. An example is shown in which an original electronic document is acquired by using the same and printed by a copying apparatus. The configuration of the information processing system is the same as that of the first embodiment.
[0029]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a printing operation processing procedure according to the second embodiment. The same step processes as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same step numbers, and description thereof is omitted. In the second embodiment, step S4 of the first embodiment is changed to step S4A, and step S6 is changed to step S6A.
[0030]
If the user selects to save the information-added document itself in step S3, the user is prompted to enter the destination of the E-Mail for transmitting the information-added document itself (step S4A). When the image of the information-added document D5 itself is read by the image reading unit 17 of the copying apparatus 3 in step S5, the image of the information-added document itself read from the copying apparatus 3 is attached to E-Mail and transmitted (step S6A). ). After that, the processing shifts to the processing of step S7.
[0031]
As described above, in the second embodiment, the image of the information-added document itself is attached to the E-Mail and transmitted, so that it can be stored at an arbitrary destination. If the information-added document D5 is lost, the information-added document D5 is obtained from the stored destination, and the original document can be obtained based on the obtained document.
[0032]
[Third Embodiment]
In the third embodiment, information is added to an original document and printed as an information-added document, and the copying device reads the information-added document, thereby extracting the location where the original electronic document is stored and converting the original electronic document to the original document. This example shows a case where the information is acquired and printed by the copying apparatus. The configuration of the information processing system is the same as that of the first embodiment.
[0033]
FIGS. 5 and 6 are flowcharts showing a printing operation processing procedure in the third embodiment. The processing of steps S11 to S13 and S22 is executed by the computer terminal 1, and the other step processing is executed by the central processing unit 11 in the copying machine 3.
[0034]
First, when printing an original electronic document created by the computer terminal 1, the user is made to select whether to add (embed) information on the server and the file name where the original electronic document is stored (step S11).
[0035]
When adding the information of the server and the file name where the original electronic document is stored, the user specifies the server and the file name (step S12). The original electronic document is stored in the document server 2 with the specified file name in the specified server, the specified server and the file name are embedded as digital watermark information in the original electronic document, printed by the printing device 4, and the information is added. The document D5 is set (step S13).
[0036]
When the copying apparatus 3 is used, user authentication is performed using the fingerprint authentication unit 21 (step S14). It is determined whether the result of the user authentication is OK (step S15). If the user authentication has failed, a message indicating that the user authentication has failed is displayed on the display unit 13 of the copying apparatus 3, and the process returns to the user authentication screen (step S23). After that, the process returns to step S15. On the other hand, if the user authentication is successful, the information-added document D5 is read by the image reading unit 17 of the copying apparatus 3, thereby extracting information on the server name and the file name where the original electronic document is stored (step S16).
[0037]
It is determined whether or not information has been extracted from the read image (step S17). If the information has not been extracted, a message indicating that no information has been extracted is displayed on the display unit 13 of the copying apparatus 3 (step S18). This processing ends.
[0038]
On the other hand, if the information has been extracted in step S17, it is determined whether or not the original electronic document could be found using the extracted server name and file name information (step S19). If the original electronic document can be found, the original electronic document is obtained from the document server 2 using the extracted server name and file name, and printed by the copying apparatus 3 (step S20). Thereafter, the present process ends.
[0039]
On the other hand, if the original electronic document could not be found in step S19, the fact that the original electronic document could not be found is displayed on the display unit 13 of the copying apparatus 3 (step S21), and this processing ends.
[0040]
On the other hand, when the information of the server name and the file name is not embedded in the original electronic document in step S11, the original electronic document itself is printed without embedding these information in the original electronic document (step S22), and this processing is ended. .
[0041]
As described above, in the third embodiment, printing without deterioration of the image can be performed by always printing the original electronic document. For example, when 4IN1 printing is performed, the original electronic document on the server can be acquired and printed by printing as an information-added original document to which information has been added and reading the printed matter by an image reading device. Problems that are difficult to see.
[0042]
[Fourth embodiment]
In the fourth embodiment, information is added to an original electronic document and printed as an information-added original, and the copying device reads the information-added original, thereby extracting the location where the original electronic document is stored and extracting the original electronic document. Is acquired and transmitted by attaching it to E-Mail by the copying apparatus. Since the configuration of the information processing system is the same as that of the first embodiment, description thereof will be omitted.
[0043]
FIGS. 7 and 8 are flowcharts showing a printing operation processing procedure in the fourth embodiment. The same step processes as those in the third embodiment are denoted by the same step numbers, and their description is omitted. That is, the same step processing is performed except that step S20 of the third embodiment is changed to step S20A in the fourth embodiment.
[0044]
In step S19, when the original electronic document can be found using the extracted server and file name information, the original electronic document is obtained using the extracted server and file name information, and Sends it as an attached file to E-Mail to an arbitrary destination (step S20A). Thereafter, the present process ends.
[0045]
As described above, in the fourth embodiment, the original document is transmitted to any destination and stored, so that the original document can be easily acquired at the time of printing.
[0046]
[Fifth Embodiment]
In the fifth embodiment, information is added to an original electronic document and printed as an information-added original, and the copying device reads the information-added original, thereby extracting the location where the original electronic document is stored and extracting the original electronic document. Is acquired and stored in the external storage unit in the copying apparatus. Since the configuration of the information processing system is the same as that of the first embodiment, description thereof will be omitted.
[0047]
FIGS. 9 and 10 are flowcharts showing a printing operation processing procedure in the fifth embodiment. The same step processes as those in the third embodiment are denoted by the same step numbers, and their description is omitted. That is, the same step processing is performed except that step S20 of the third embodiment is changed to step S20B in the fifth embodiment.
[0048]
In step S19, when the original electronic document can be found using the extracted server and file name information, the original electronic document is obtained using the extracted server and file name information, and Is stored in the external storage unit 15 (step S20B).
[0049]
As described above, in the fifth embodiment, the original document is stored in the external storage unit 15 in the copying apparatus 3 so that the original document can be easily obtained at the time of printing.
[0050]
The above is an explanation of the embodiments of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to the configurations of these embodiments, and the functions described in the claims or the functions of the configurations of the embodiments are not limited to those described in the claims. Any configuration that can be achieved is applicable.
[0051]
For example, in the above-described embodiment, the copying apparatus is configured by a single device, but may be configured by a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, and the like).
[0052]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, the information-added document itself can be saved and backed up. Therefore, if the information-added document is lost, it is possible to acquire the information-added document by printing the stored document, thereby preventing the original electronic document from being unavailable.
[0053]
Further, according to the present invention, by always printing the original electronic document, it is possible to perform printing without image deterioration. For example, when performing 4IN1 printing, printing is performed as an information-added document to which information is added, and the printed matter is read by an image reading device, so that the original electronic document on the server can be acquired and printed as necessary. In addition, it is possible to solve the problem that the character is small and cannot be seen.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an information processing system according to a first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the copying apparatus 3;
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a printing operation processing procedure.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a printing operation processing procedure according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a printing operation processing procedure according to a third embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a printing operation processing procedure following FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a printing operation processing procedure according to a fourth embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a printing operation processing procedure continued from FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a printing operation processing procedure according to a fifth embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a printing operation processing procedure following FIG. 9;
[Explanation of symbols]
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 computer terminal 2 document server 3 copying device 4 printing device 11 central processing unit 15 external storage unit 16 printing unit 17 image reading unit 21 fingerprint authentication unit D5 information-added document

Claims (16)

When printing an electronic document created by an information processing apparatus by an image forming apparatus, an image forming system that prints an information-added original to which storage destination information indicating a place where the electronic document is stored is added.
Reading means for reading the information-added document;
Storage means for storing the read information-added document in storage means;
Extracting means for extracting the storage destination information from the read information added document,
An image forming system for acquiring and printing the electronic document based on the extracted storage location information. First selection means for allowing a user to select whether or not to store the information-added document in storage means in the image forming apparatus;
A second selection unit configured to allow a user to select an arbitrary folder in the storage unit when storing in the storage unit in the image forming apparatus;
2. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit stores the information-added document in the selected folder. When the information-added document is stored in the storage unit, a first selection unit that allows a user to select whether to transmit the information-added document to a predetermined destination,
When transmitting the information-added document, a second selection unit that allows a user to select the predetermined destination;
2. The image forming system according to claim 1, further comprising a transmission unit configured to transmit the read information-added document to the selected predetermined destination. An image forming system which prints an electronic document created by a first information processing apparatus by a first image forming apparatus and prints by a second image forming apparatus using a document output from the first image forming apparatus At
Storage means for storing an electronic document created by the first information processing device in a second information processing device;
An adding unit that adds storage destination information indicating a location of the electronic document stored in the second information processing apparatus to a document output from the first image forming apparatus to obtain an information-added document;
Extracting means for reading the information-added document and extracting storage destination information added to the information-added document;
Reading means for reading the electronic document from the second information processing device based on the extracted storage destination information,
An image forming system, wherein the read electronic document is printed by the second image forming apparatus. The image forming system according to claim 4, further comprising a designation unit that allows a user to designate the storage destination information when the electronic document is stored in the second information processing apparatus. The image forming system according to claim 4, further comprising an authentication unit configured to authenticate a user who uses the second image forming apparatus. 5. The image forming system according to claim 4, further comprising a storage unit configured to store the read electronic document in a storage unit in the second image forming apparatus. The image forming system according to claim 4, further comprising a transmission unit configured to transmit the read electronic document to an arbitrary destination. When an electronic document created by an information processing device is printed by an image forming apparatus, an image forming method for printing an information-added document to which storage destination information indicating a place where the electronic document is stored is added.
A reading step of reading the information-added document;
A storage step of storing the read information-added document in storage means;
An extracting step of extracting the storage destination information from the read information-added document;
A printing step of acquiring and printing the electronic document based on the extracted storage location information. A first selection step for allowing a user to select whether or not to store the information-added document in storage means in the image forming apparatus;
A second selection step of allowing a user to select an arbitrary folder in the storage unit when storing the data in the storage unit in the image forming apparatus;
The image forming method according to claim 9, wherein in the storing step, the information-added document is stored in the selected folder. A first selection step for allowing a user to select whether or not to transmit the information-added document to a predetermined destination when the information-added document is stored in the storage unit;
A second selecting step for allowing the user to select the predetermined destination when transmitting the information-added document;
10. The image forming method according to claim 9, further comprising: transmitting the read information-added document to the selected predetermined destination. An image forming method in which an electronic document created by a first information processing apparatus is printed by a first image forming apparatus and printed by a second image forming apparatus using a document output from the first image forming apparatus At
Saving a digital document created by the first information processing device in a second information processing device;
An adding step of adding storage destination information indicating a location of the electronic document stored in the second information processing apparatus to a document output from the first image forming apparatus to obtain an information-added document;
An extracting step of reading the information-added document and extracting storage destination information added to the information-added document;
Reading the electronic document from the second information processing device based on the extracted storage destination information;
Printing the read electronic document with the second image forming apparatus. 13. The image forming method according to claim 12, further comprising, when storing the electronic document in the second information processing apparatus, a specifying step of allowing a user to specify the storage destination information. 13. The image forming method according to claim 12, further comprising an authentication step of authenticating a user who uses the second image forming apparatus. 13. The image forming method according to claim 12, further comprising a storing step of storing the read electronic document in a storage unit in the second image forming apparatus. 13. The image forming method according to claim 12, further comprising a transmission step of transmitting the read electronic document to an arbitrary destination.

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