JP2004282721A - Image input device, image output device, image forming system, control method of image input device, control method of image output device, image processing system, control method of image processing system, and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To more conspicuously improve convenience in a remote output mode where for example an image forming apparatus on a reception side performs a printing processing in response to information concerning the direction of a document detected by an image forming apparatus on a transmission side. <P>SOLUTION: Image data inputted into a first device (digital composite machine 1001) including at least an input unit capable of inputting image data and a communication unit capable of data communication is rendered to data communication via the communication unit to set a remote output mode for outputting the image data through a second device (digital composite machine 1020) including at least a communication unit capable of data communication and an output unit capable of outputting the image data, whereby information concerning the direction of the image data inputted into the first device is acquired by the first device. In the remote output mode, the image data transmitted from the first device is outputted by the second device in an output format in conformity with the information concerning the direction acquired by the first device. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to, for example, remote copy process control in an image forming system including an image input device and an image output device communicably connected via a predetermined communication medium.

  In recent years, with the spread of networks in offices and the like, image forming apparatuses such as digital copiers and printers having a network connection function have been widely used, and printing and scanning using these image forming apparatuses via a network have been widely used. An image forming system capable of performing image processing has become widespread (Patent Document 1).

  In such an image forming system, a document is scanned by a certain device, and the scanned image is transmitted to a printer on a designated network and printed, thereby performing a copy operation by remote copying, or the scanned image is transmitted to a plurality of printers. It is possible to perform operations such as continuous copying in which copying is performed. It is also possible to transmit image data stored and stored on the local device side to a remote printer for printing.

  Further, when a printer designated for remote copy reception is instructed to print from a device on a certain network, the printer can also receive reception of remote print from a plurality of other devices, and can be received from a storage device on the remote printer. By spooling, a plurality of jobs can be printed from a plurality of printers.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. H11-163873 proposes a copying machine that detects the orientation of a document and determines image processing represented by a reduced layout or the like and a staple position based on the detection result. Have been.
JP 2002-176522 A JP-A-9-247427

  However, as described above, in one copying machine, the orientation of the original is detected, and image processing (for example, processing of the page printing function, processing of the reduced layout function, processing of the binding processing function, and the like) and the like are performed based on the detection result. Despite being able to perform this, in the conventional remote copy and multiple copy, the document orientation detection detected by the local machine (transmitting image forming apparatus) is detected by the remote machine (receiving image forming apparatus). ), The remote machine cannot perform image editing processing according to the image orientation detection result detected by the local machine and print it, etc., and remote output such as remote copy (remote print) or cascade copy Further improvement in convenience in the mode is desired.

  The present invention is directed to an image input device, an image output device, an image forming system, an image input device control method, an image output device control method, an image processing system, an image processing system control method, and a program that solve the above-described problems. And a storage medium.

  Further, the present invention significantly improves the convenience in the remote output mode, for example, such that the print processing corresponding to the document orientation information detected by the transmission side image forming apparatus can be performed by the reception side image forming apparatus. Image input apparatus, image output apparatus, image forming system, image input apparatus control method, image output apparatus control method, image processing system, image processing system control method, program, and storage medium capable of constructing a remote output environment The purpose is to provide.

  The present invention relates to an image input device capable of data communication with an image output device, a designating unit for designating an image editing process for a document, a reading unit for reading image data from the document, and an image data of the document read by the reading unit. A document direction detecting means for detecting a direction of a document with respect to the image data, and transmitting a detection result of the document direction detecting means and an image editing process designation by the designation means to the image output device. And a second transmitting unit that reads out the image data stored in the storage unit and transmits the image data to the image output device.

  The present invention also provides an image output device capable of performing data communication with an image input device, wherein the image input device receives the image data from the image input device based on a document orientation detection result received from the image input device. The image processing apparatus further includes an image processing unit that performs image processing according to the image editing process designation received from the apparatus, and an output unit that prints out image data that has been subjected to image processing by the image processing unit.

  The present invention also relates to an image forming system capable of outputting image data input by an image input device by an image output device capable of data communication with the image input device, wherein the image input device performs image editing processing on a document. Designation means for designating an image, reading means for reading image data from the document, storage means for storing image data of the document read by the reading means, and document direction detection for detecting the direction of the document with respect to the image data Means, first detection means for transmitting a result of detection by the document direction detection means and designation of image editing processing by the designation means to the image output device, and reading image data stored in the storage means to read the image data. And a second transmitting means for transmitting to the output device, wherein the image output device is configured to receive the original received from the image input device. Image processing means for performing image processing according to the image editing processing designation received from the image input device on image data received from the image input device, based on the detection result; and image processing performed by the image processing means. Output means for printing and outputting the image data.

  Further, the present invention provides a first device having at least an input unit capable of inputting image data and a communication unit capable of data communication, and a second device having at least a communication unit capable of data communication and an output unit capable of outputting image data. And a remote output mode for setting a remote output mode for causing the second device to output image data input to the first device by performing data communication via the communication unit. Setting means, orientation information acquisition control means for causing the first device to acquire orientation information of image data input to the first device, and image data to be output by the second device in the remote output mode. Transmitting the orientation information acquired by the first device from the second device to the second device; A transmission control unit that controls transmission to the device, a reception control unit that causes the second device to receive the image data and the orientation information transmitted from the first device, and an image data received from the first device. Image processing control means for controlling the second device so as to perform image processing according to the orientation information received from the first device, and control means for outputting image data processed by the second device to the second device. It is characterized by having.

  Further, the present invention provides a first device having at least an input unit capable of inputting image data and a communication unit capable of data communication, and a second device having at least a communication unit capable of data communication and an output unit capable of outputting image data. And a remote output mode for setting a remote output mode for causing the second device to output image data input to the first device by performing data communication via the communication unit. Setting means, direction information acquisition control means for causing the first device to acquire direction information of image data input to the first device, and in the remote output mode, the image data transmitted from the first device, Control to output by the second device in an output form according to the orientation information obtained by the first device And having a stage.

  The present invention also provides a first device having at least an input unit capable of inputting image data and a communication unit capable of data communication, and a second device having at least a communication unit capable of data communication and a printing unit capable of printing image data. A method for controlling the image processing system, the method comprising: communicating data of the image data input to the first device via the communication means, and setting a remote print mode for printing by the second device. A remote print mode setting step, a page print mode setting step for setting a page print mode for printing the page number information together with the input image data on the recording paper, and a page print mode setting step for printing the page number information on the recording paper in the page print mode. Page for setting print position on recording paper Character mode detailed setting step, the remote print mode setting step sets the remote print mode, and the page print mode setting step sets the page print mode, and the page print detail setting step sets the recording paper. Is set to print page number information at the lower right of the image, and if the image data input to the first device to be processed in the remote print mode is image data in a downward state, the image in the downward state The control means controls the printing means of the second device to print the processed image data obtained by rotating the data to an upward state on the recording paper, and displays the processed image data on the lower right of the recording paper on which the processed image data is printed. And a control step of controlling to print the page number information of the image data. And butterflies.

  The present invention also provides a first device having at least an input unit capable of inputting image data and a communication unit capable of data communication, and a second device having at least a communication unit capable of data communication and a printing unit capable of printing image data. A method for controlling the image processing system, the method comprising: communicating data of the image data input to the first device via the communication means, and setting a remote print mode for printing by the second device. A remote print mode setting step, a staple mode setting step of setting a staple mode for performing staple processing on recording paper on which input image data has been printed, and setting a staple position on the recording paper in the staple mode Staple mode detailed setting step The remote print mode is set in the remote print mode setting step, the staple mode is set in the staple mode setting step, and the upper left of the recording paper is stapled in the staple mode detailed setting step When setting is made, and the image data input to the first device to be processed in the remote print mode is image data in a downward state, the image data in the downward state is rotated to an upward state. Control for controlling the processed image data to be printed on the recording paper by the printing means of the second device, and for controlling the second device to perform staple processing on the upper left of the recording paper on which the processed image data is printed. And a step.

  According to the present invention, the image input device specifies an image editing process for a document, reads image data from the document, stores image data of the read document in a memory, and stores the image data of the document in the memory. Detecting the orientation, transmitting the document orientation detection result and the image editing process designation to an image output device via a predetermined communication medium, reading image data stored in the memory, and transmitting the communication medium to the image output device. The image data received from the image input device on the image output device side based on the document orientation detection result received from the image input device. Since image processing according to the processing designation is performed and the image data subjected to the image processing is printed out, the image data corresponding to the document orientation information detected by the image forming apparatus on the transmission side is used. It becomes the lint process allow the receiving side of the image forming apparatus, the effect of such can be constructed remote imaging environment to remarkably improve the convenience of the remote printing.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a network configuration of an image forming system to which the image input device and the image output device of the present invention can be applied.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1001 denotes a digital multifunction peripheral (also referred to as a first image forming apparatus, a first image processing apparatus, or simply a first device) which can function at least as an example of an image input apparatus, which will be described later. It has a memory unit such as a scanner and a hard disk, and a printer. The digital multifunction peripheral 1001 transmits job data (also simply referred to as image data or images) read from a scanner to a local area network (LAN) 1010 via its own memory (network scanner function) or receives data from the LAN 1010. The printed image can be printed out by a printer via its own memory (network printer function).

  Further, the digital multifunction peripheral 1001 transmits an image read from the scanner to the PSTN or ISDN 1030 (a facsimile transmission function) or prints out an image received from the PSTN or ISDN 1030 by a facsimile transmission unit such as a modem described later. (Facsimile reception print function).

  Further, the digital multi-function peripheral 1001 can print data captured by the scanner of its own device by its own printer via its own memory (this is called a local copy function).

  Also, the digital multifunction peripheral 1001 can transfer the data captured by the scanner of the multifunction peripheral 1001 via the memory of the multifunction peripheral 1001 to a digital multifunction peripheral 1020 (or 2902 shown in FIG. 14 described later) that can function as at least an example of an image output device. , And 2903), and can be printed by the printer unit of the digital multifunction peripheral 1020 (or 2902 or 2903 shown in FIG. 14) (this is called a remote copy function). As described above, the digital multifunction peripheral 1001 is configured as a multifunction device that enables data communication with another remote device via the communication unit and has a plurality of functions.

  It should be noted that the image forming system of FIG. 1 as an example of the present embodiment has a digital multifunction peripheral 1020 capable of performing data communication with the digital multifunction peripheral 1001 and digital multifunction peripherals 2902 and 2903 (second image forming apparatus, , A second image processing apparatus or simply a second device) includes various units equivalent to the digital multifunction peripheral 1001 (scanner unit, memory unit such as hard disk, printer unit, etc.), and various functions (network). The image forming system includes a scanner function, a network printer function, a facsimile transmission function, a facsimile reception print function, a local copy function, and a remote copy function. Machine 1020 (2902, 290 shown in FIG. 14) Is set to be executed in). However, the present embodiment is not limited to this, and a system in which at least a part of the units and functions of the digital multifunction peripheral 1001 is included in the digital multifunction peripheral 1020 (2902 and 2903 shown in FIG. 14) may be used. Is applicable.

  The digital multifunction peripheral 1001 and the digital multifunction peripheral 1020 (2902 and 2903 shown in FIG. 14) each include a plurality of units such as a memory unit such as a scanner unit and a hard disk, a print unit, and a controller. May be an integrated device having a plurality of units in one device, or may have a system configuration in which each unit is incorporated in the system as a separate device in a separate housing. .

  As described above, the present embodiment is applicable to various device / system configurations, but in any case, the present invention can be applied to any configuration capable of realizing the operation control of the present embodiment described later.

  A database server 1002 manages the binary image and the multi-valued image read by the digital multifunction peripheral 1001 as a database. Reference numeral 1003 denotes a database client of the database server 1002, which can browse / search image data stored in the database server 1002.

  An electronic mail server 1004 can receive an image read by the digital multifunction peripheral 1001 as an electronic mail attachment. An e-mail client 1005 can receive and browse the e-mail received by the e-mail server 1004, and can transmit e-mail.

  Reference numeral 1006 denotes a WWW server that provides an HTML document to the LAN 1010. The digital MFP 1001 can print out an HTML document provided by the WWW server 1006. 1007 is a DNS server.

  A router 1011 connects the LAN 1010 with the Internet / intranet 1012. In the Internet / intranet 1012, devices similar to the database server 1002, the WWW server 1006, the electronic mail server 1004, and the digital multifunction peripheral 1001 are connected to the database server 1021, the WWW server 1022, the electronic mail server 1023, and the digital multifunction peripheral. 1020.

  On the other hand, the digital multifunction peripheral 1001 can transmit and receive data to and from the FAX device 1031 via the PSTN or ISDN 1030. A printer 1040 is also connected to the LAN 1010 so that an image read by the digital multifunction peripheral 1001 can be printed out.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an overall hardware configuration of the digital multifunction peripheral 1001 shown in FIG.

  2, reference numeral 2000 denotes a controller unit which is connected to a scanner 2070 as an image input device and a printer 2095 as an image output device, and has a LAN 2011 (corresponding to the LAN 1010 in FIG. 1) and a public line (WAN) 2051 (FIG. 1). (Equivalent to the PSTN or ISDN 1030) for inputting and outputting image information and device information.

  In the controller unit 2000, reference numeral 2001 denotes a CPU, which is a controller that controls the entire system based on a program stored in the ROM 2003, the HDD 2004, or another storage medium. Reference numeral 2002 denotes a RAM, which is a system work memory for the operation of the CPU 2001 and is also an image memory for temporarily storing image data. The ROM 2003 is a boot ROM, and stores a system boot program. An HDD 2004 is a hard disk drive and stores system software, image data, and the like.

  Reference numeral 2006 denotes an operation unit I / F, which is an interface unit with the operation unit 2012, and outputs image data to be displayed on the operation unit 2012 to the operation unit 2012. The operation unit I / F 2006 has a function of transmitting information input by the user of the system from the operation unit 2012 to the CPU 2001. Reference numeral 2010 denotes a network unit which is connected to the LAN 2011 to input and output information. The modem 2050 is connected to the public line 2051 and inputs and outputs information. The above devices are arranged on the system bus 2007.

  Reference numeral 2005 denotes an image bus I / F, which is a bus bridge that connects the system bus 2007 to the image bus 2008 that transfers image data at high speed and converts the data structure. The image bus 2008 is configured by a PCI bus or IEEE1394. The following devices are arranged on the image bus 2008.

  Reference numeral 2060 denotes a RIP (raster image processor) for developing a PDL code into a bitmap image. Reference numeral 2020 denotes a device I / F unit that connects the scanner unit 2070 or printer 2095, which is an image input / output device, to the controller unit 2000, and performs synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data.

  A scanner image processing unit 2080 performs correction, processing, and editing on input image data. A printer image processing unit 2090 performs printer correction, resolution conversion, and the like on print output image data.

  A document orientation detection unit 2500 detects the document orientation of the input image data, that is, whether the document is placed up, down, left, or right, and whether the document is written vertically or horizontally (whether it is a portrait document or a landscape document). ) And outputs the result. Note that the document direction detection unit 2500 generates two types of information as document direction detection data. One is document orientation information as first information for specifying which direction of the input document is up, down, left, or right, and the other is a vertically written document or a horizontally written document. Document type information as second information for specifying whether there is a document (a portrait document or a landscape document). The document orientation detection data including the two types of information can be transmitted from the own device to another digital multifunction peripheral (1020) in the remote copy mode even when the document data is printed by the printer unit of the own device (digital multifunction peripheral 1001). The CPU 2001 controls the original data so that the original data can be transmitted to the digital multifunction peripherals 2902 and 2903, etc., and printed by the printer unit of the other digital multifunction peripherals.

  For example, when the local copy mode is selected by a user operation on the operation unit of the own apparatus (digital multifunction peripheral 1001), the CPU 2001 extracts original image data provided by the own apparatus from original image data input via the scanner unit of the own apparatus. An output image based on the document orientation detection data acquired from the orientation detection unit 2500 is generated via a memory unit or the like of the own device, and the generated output image is controlled to be printed on recording paper by a printer unit of the own device. .

  On the other hand, when the remote copy mode is selected by a user operation on the operation unit of the own apparatus (digital multifunction peripheral 1001), the CPU 2001 transmits the original image data input via the scanner unit of the own apparatus to another remote copy destination. The digital multifunction peripheral (1020, 2902, or 2903) is controlled to transmit data via the communication unit. At this time, the data is acquired from the original orientation detection unit 2500 of the apparatus in association with the image data to be printed. The document orientation detection data and the print output condition setting parameters and the like set by the user are also controlled to be transmitted to the other digital multifunction peripherals 1020, 2902, and 2903 as remote copy destinations via the communication unit. I do. Then, the other digital multifunction peripheral side generates output image data obtained by performing image processing based on the document orientation detection data and the print output condition data on the document image data, and outputs the document orientation detection data and Control is performed so that the output image data created based on the output conditions and the like is printed out on recording paper by the printer unit of the other digital MFP.

  The method of detecting the document orientation by the document orientation detection unit 2500 uses, for example, a method known in the related art, for example, a method of determining by combining character recognition and rotation of image information. The document orientation detection data is generated so as to be represented by a total of 3 bits including a code of 2 bits indicating the top, bottom, left and right of the document and a code of 1 bit indicating whether the document is vertical or horizontal.

  As an example of a specific method, for example, an image signal of a document is input to the document direction detection unit 2500, and a character area portion is specified from the input image signal. Then, only the character portion in the image is extracted by character region separation. Then, a character area is cut out based on the cumulative histogram in the vertical direction / horizontal direction in the document. Here, by checking whether more images are arranged in the vertical direction or the horizontal direction, the type of the original is vertical writing (portrait original) or horizontal writing (landscape original). To identify.

  For example, if the ratio of the images arranged in the horizontal direction is larger than the ratio of the images arranged in the vertical direction, it is determined that the document is a landscape original (horizontal writing). Is larger than the ratio of images arranged in the horizontal direction, it is determined that the document is a portrait document (vertical writing). When determining the orientation of the document, the document direction detection unit 2500 further cuts out characters from the cut-out character area in units of one character. Then, a character direction matching process is performed to determine whether the cut-out character faces up, down, left, or right.

  Specifically, for example, the direction of the character is recognized by determining the degree of matching between the cut-out character rotated by 90 degrees and sample character data prepared in advance in a memory (not shown) of the apparatus. More specifically, for example, the match rate (match degree) between the cut-out character and the sample character for the character direction of 0 degrees, and the match rate (match degree) between the cut-out character and the sample character for the character direction of 90 degrees ), The match rate (match degree) between the cut-out character and the sample character for the character direction of 180 degrees, and the match rate (match degree) between the cut-out character and the sample character for the character direction of 270 degrees. Then, an angle having a higher degree of matching is determined as the character direction of the character data. Then, this information is adopted as the orientation of the document. Note that the document direction detection unit 2500 can also detect the document direction of image data registered in a memory box area B described later in the HDD 2004.

  Reference numeral 2030 denotes an image rotation processing unit which performs rotation processing on input image data based on processing conditions set by a user via the operation unit and original direction detection data acquired from the original direction detection unit 2500. Reference numeral 2040 denotes an image compression processing unit which performs compression / expansion processing such as JPEG for multi-valued image data and JBIG, MMR, and MH for binary image data.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing image input / output devices (scanner 2070, printer 2095) constituting digital multifunction peripheral 1001 shown in FIG. 2, and the same components as those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals. . Each unit provided in the digital multifunction peripheral 1001 is configured to be controllable by the CPU 2001.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a scanner 2070, which is an image input device, illuminates an image on paper serving as a document, and scans a CCD line sensor (not shown), thereby converting the image into raster image data 2071 (FIG. 2). Convert to a signal. The manuscript paper is set on a tray 2073 of a manuscript feeder 2072, and when the apparatus user gives an instruction to start reading from the operation unit 2012, the CPU 2001 gives an instruction to the scanner 2070. The manuscript feeder 2072 feeds the manuscript paper one by one, and An image reading operation is performed.

  Also, the document feeder 2072 is provided with a document size detection sensor (not shown) required to realize an automatic paper selection mode described later, and can detect the size of the set document.

  A printer 2095, which is an image output device, converts raster image data 2096 (FIG. 2) into an image on a sheet. The method is an electrophotographic method using a photosensitive drum or a photosensitive belt (laser beam method, laser beam method, LED system), an ink-jet system that discharges ink from a minute nozzle array to print an image directly on paper, a liquid crystal shutter system, a thermal transfer system, a sublimation system, and the like, but any system or other system may be used. The activation of the printing operation in the printer 2095 is started by an instruction 2096 from the CPU 2001.

  The printer 2095 has a plurality of paper feed stages so that different paper sizes or different paper orientations can be selected, and includes paper cassettes 2101, 1022, 2103, and 2104 corresponding thereto. Reference numeral 2111 denotes a paper discharge tray for receiving printed paper.

  FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the configuration of the operation unit 2012 shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 4, reference numeral 2013 denotes an LCD display unit (hereinafter, simply referred to as a display unit), on which a touch panel sheet is stuck on the LCD, which displays an operation screen of the system and, when a displayed key is pressed, its position. The information is transmitted to the CPU 2001. Reference numeral 2014 denotes a start key which is used to start an operation of reading a document image. At the center of the start key 2014, there is a two-color LED 2018 of green and red, which indicates whether or not the start key 2014 can be used.

  Reference numeral 2015 denotes a stop key, which functions to stop an operation in operation. An ID key 2016 is used to input a user ID of a user. A reset key 2017 is used to initialize settings from the operation unit.

  Note that the CPU 2001 (FIG. 2) controls the operation unit 2012 including the display unit 2013, and, for example, displays an operation screen for selecting a local copy mode or an operation screen for selecting a remote copy mode on the display unit 2013. And the like in response to a key operation of the user, and a processing condition setting screen for setting print output processing conditions for a job (document image data) to be processed (for example, 21 and the like, an operation screen for setting detailed setting parameters in the page printing mode, and the like are also controlled to be displayed on the display unit 2013 in response to a user operation.

  In addition, when the remote copy mode is selected, the CPU 2001 selects a device for executing the remote copy from among the remote copy destination candidates when there are a plurality of printing apparatuses capable of performing the remote copy. (For example, the operation screen of FIG. 16) is displayed on the display unit 2013.

  As described above, the CPU 2001 also controls the display of the display unit 2013 of the operation unit 2012, and controls the related units to execute the operation according to the instruction from the user set via the operation screen.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the scanner image processing unit 2080 shown in FIG. 2, and the same components as those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  In FIG. 5, reference numeral 2081 denotes an image bus I / F controller which is connected to the image bus 2008, controls the bus access sequence, and controls and timings of each device in the scanner image processing unit 2080. A filter processing unit 2082 performs a convolution operation using a spatial filter. Reference numeral 2083 denotes an editing unit that recognizes a closed area surrounded by a marker pen from input image data and performs image processing such as shadowing, shading, and negative / positive inversion on the image data in the closed area.

  Reference numeral 2084 denotes a scaling unit for performing enlargement and reduction by performing an interpolation operation in the main scanning direction of the raster image when changing the resolution of the read image. The magnification in the sub-scanning direction is changed by changing the scanning speed of an image reading line sensor (not shown). Reference numeral 2085 denotes a table which performs table conversion for converting image data, which is read luminance data, into density data. Reference numeral 2086 denotes a binarizing unit, which binarizes multi-value grayscale image data by error diffusion processing or screen processing. The image data on which these processes have been completed is transferred to the image bus 2008 via the image bus I / F controller 2081 again.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the printer image processing unit 2090 shown in FIG. 2, and the same components as those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  In FIG. 6, reference numeral 2091 denotes an image bus I / F controller which is connected to the image bus 2008 to control the bus access sequence and control and timing of each device in the printer image processing unit 2090. Reference numeral 2092 denotes a resolution conversion unit which performs resolution conversion for converting image data received from the network 2011 or the public line 2051 into the resolution of the printer 2095. Reference numeral 2093 denotes a smoothing processing unit which performs processing for smoothing jaggies (roughness of an image appearing at a black-and-white boundary such as an oblique line) of the image data after resolution conversion.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the image compression processing unit 2040 shown in FIG. 2, and the same components as those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  In FIG. 7, reference numeral 2041 denotes an image bus I / F controller, which is connected to the image bus 2008 and functions to control the bus access sequence, and performs timing control and image control for exchanging data with the input buffer 2042 and the output buffer 2045. Control such as mode setting for the compression unit 2043 is performed. The processing procedure of the image compression processing unit 2040 will be described below.

  Through the image bus 2008, the CPU 2001 makes settings for image compression control in the image bus I / F controller 2041. With this setting, the image bus I / F controller 2041 performs settings necessary for image compression (for example, settings such as MMR compression and JBIG expansion) for the image compression unit 2043. After making the necessary settings, the CPU 2001 again permits the image bus I / F controller 2041 to transfer image data. In accordance with this permission, the image bus I / F controller 2041 starts transferring image data from the RAM 2002 or each device on the image bus 2008. The received image data is temporarily stored in the input buffer 2042, and the image is transferred at a constant speed in response to an image data request from the image compression unit 2043. At this time, the input buffer determines whether image data can be transferred between the image bus I / F controller 2041 and the image compression unit 2043, reads image data from the image bus 2008, and sends the image data to the image compression unit 2043. If the writing of the image is impossible, control is performed so as not to transfer data (hereinafter, such control is referred to as handshake).

  The image compression unit 2043 temporarily stores the received image data in the RAM 2044. This is because several lines of data are required depending on the type of image compression processing to be performed when performing image compression. To compress the first one line, several lines of image data must be prepared. This is because image compression cannot be performed unless the image is compressed. The image data subjected to the image compression is immediately sent to the output buffer 2045. The output buffer 2045 performs handshaking with the image bus I / F controller 2041 and the image compression unit 2043, and transfers image data to the image bus I / F controller 2041.

  The image bus I / F controller 2041 transfers the transferred compressed (or decompressed) image data to the RAM 2002 or each device on the image bus 2008. Such a series of processing is repeated until there is no processing request from the CPU 2001 (when processing of the required number of pages is completed) or until a stop request is issued from the image compression unit (for example, when an error occurs during compression and decompression). It is.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the image rotation processing unit 2030 shown in FIG. 2, and the same components as those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  In FIG. 8, reference numeral 2031 denotes an image bus I / F controller, which is connected to the image bus 2008 to control the bus sequence thereof, to control the image rotation unit 2032 to set a mode and the like, and to transfer image data to the image rotation unit 2032. To perform timing control. The processing procedure of the image rotation processing unit 2030 will be described below.

  Through the image bus 2008, the CPU 2001 makes settings for image rotation control in the image bus I / F controller 2031. With this setting, the image bus I / F controller 2031 makes settings necessary for image rotation (for example, setting of image size, rotation direction, angle, etc.) for the image rotation unit 2032. After performing these necessary settings, the CPU 2001 again permits the image bus I / F controller 2031 to transfer image data. In accordance with this permission, the image bus I / F controller 2031 starts transferring image data from the RAM 2002 or each device on the image bus 2008. Here, it is assumed that the image size to be rotated is 32 × 32 (bit) with 32 bits as its size, and that the image data is transferred in units of 32 bits when the image data is transferred onto the image bus 2008 ( The image to be handled is assumed to be binary.

  As described above, in order to obtain a 32 × 32 (bit) image, it is necessary to perform the above-described unit data transfer 32 times as shown in FIG. 9, and to transfer image data from discontinuous addresses. There is.

  The image data transferred by the discontinuous addressing is written to the RAM 2033 so that the image data is rotated to a desired angle at the time of reading. For example, in the case of a 90-degree counterclockwise rotation, the first transferred 32-bit image data is written in the Y direction as shown in FIG. By reading in the X direction at the time of reading, the image is rotated.

  After the 32 × 32 (bit) image rotation (writing to the RAM 2033) is completed, the image rotation unit 2032 reads the image data from the RAM 2033 by the above-described reading method, and transfers the image to the image bus I / F controller 2031.

  The image bus I / F controller 2031 receiving the rotated image data transfers the data to the RAM 2002 or each device on the image bus 2008 by continuous addressing.

  Such a series of processing is repeated until there is no more processing request from the CPU 2001 (when processing of the required number of pages is completed).

  FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the device I / F unit 2020 shown in FIG. 2, and the same components as those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  In FIG. 11, reference numeral 2021 denotes an image bus I / F controller which is connected to the image bus 2008 to control the bus access sequence and control and timing of each device in the device I / F unit 2020. Further, the image bus I / F controller 2021 generates control signals to the external scanner 2070 and printer 2095.

  A scan buffer 2022 temporarily stores image data sent from the scanner 2070 and outputs the image data in synchronization with the image bus 2008. Reference numeral 2023 denotes a serial / parallel / parallel / serial conversion unit which sequentially arranges or decomposes image data stored in the scan buffer 2022 and converts the image data into a data width of image data that can be transferred to the image bus 2008.

  Reference numeral 2024 denotes a parallel-serial / serial-parallel conversion unit which decomposes or arranges the image data transferred from the image bus 2008 and converts the image data into a data width of image data that can be stored in the print buffer 2025. The print buffer 2025 temporarily stores the image data sent from the image bus 2008, and outputs the image data in synchronization with the printer 2095.

  Next, the processing procedure when the device I / F unit 2020 scans an image will be described below.

  First, the image data sent from the scanner 2070 is stored in the scan buffer 2022 in synchronization with the timing signal sent from the scanner 2070. When the image bus 2008 is a PCI bus, when the buffer contains 32 bits or more of image data, the image data is sent from the buffer to the serial / parallel / serial / serial conversion unit 2023 in a 32 bit first-in first-out manner. The image data is converted to bit image data and transferred to the image bus 2008 via the image bus I / F controller 2021. If the image bus 2008 is IEEE1394, the image data in the buffer is sent to the serial / parallel / serial / serial conversion unit 2023 from the buffer on a first-in first-out basis, and is converted into serial image data. Transfer to the bus 2008.

  Next, a processing procedure when the device I / F unit 2020 prints an image will be described below.

  When the image bus 2008 is a PCI bus, 32-bit image data sent from the image bus is received by the image bus I / F controller 2021 and sent to the parallel / serial / serial / parallel conversion unit 2024, where the input data of the printer 2095 is input. The image data is decomposed into bit-number image data and stored in the print buffer 2025. When the image bus 2008 is IEEE1394, the serial image data sent from the image bus 2008 is received by the image bus I / F controller 2021 and sent to the parallel / serial / serial / parallel conversion unit 2024, where the input data of the printer 2095 is input. The image data is converted into image data of a bit number and stored in the print buffer 2025. Then, in synchronization with a timing signal sent from the printer 2095, the image data in the buffer is sent to the printer 2095 on a first-in first-out basis.

  FIG. 12 is a software block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of software that operates in the digital multifunction peripheral 1001 illustrated in FIG. 2. The CPU 2001 illustrated in FIG. 2 executes a program stored in the ROM 2003 or the HDD 2004 or another storage medium. It is realized by executing.

  In FIG. 12, reference numeral 1501 denotes a user interface (UI), which is a module that mediates with a device when an operator performs various operations and settings of the multifunction peripheral. The user interface 1501 transfers input information to various modules, which will be described later, and requests processing or sets data in accordance with the operation of the operator.

  Reference numeral 1502 denotes an address book (Address-Book), which is a database module that manages data transmission destinations, communication destinations, and the like. The contents of the address book 1502 are used to add, delete, and acquire data by an operation from the user interface 1501 and to provide data transmission / communication destination information to each module described later by an operation of an operator.

  A web server (Web-Server) module 1503 is used for notifying management information of the digital multi-function peripheral 1001 in response to a request from a web client (not shown). This management information is read through an API control unit (Control-API) 1518 described later, and is notified to a Web client via an HTTP module 1512, a TCP / IP module 1516, and a network driver (Network-Driver) 1517 described later. You.

  Reference numeral 1504 denotes a broadcast (Universal-Send), which is a module for managing data distribution, and distributes data specified by the operator via the user interface 1501 to a communication (output) destination similarly specified. . Also, when an operator instructs generation of distribution data using the scanner function of the present apparatus, the broadcast 1504 operates the apparatus via an API control unit 1518 to be described later to generate data.

  Reference numeral 1505 denotes a P550 module which is executed when a printer is designated as an output destination in the broadcast 1504. Reference numeral 1506 denotes an e-mail module, which is executed when an e-mail address is specified as a communication destination in the broadcast 1504. Reference numeral 1507 denotes a DB module which is executed when a database is designated as an output destination in the broadcast 1504. Reference numeral 1508 denotes a DP module which is executed when a digital multifunction peripheral similar to the present apparatus is designated as an output destination in the broadcast 1504.

  A remote copy scan (Remote-Copy-Scan) module 1509 uses the scanner function of the digital multi-function peripheral 1001, and uses the other digital multi-function peripheral connected via a network or the like as an output destination and realizes the digital multi-function peripheral 1001 alone. This module performs the same processing as the copy function.

  Reference numeral 1510 denotes a remote copy-print (Remote-Copy-Print) module, which uses the printer function of the digital multifunction peripheral 1001 and uses the other multifunction peripheral connected via a network or the like as an input destination, and is realized by the digital multifunction peripheral 1001. This module performs the same processing as the copy function.

  Reference numeral 1511 denotes a Web-Pull-Print module, which reads and prints information of various homepages on the Internet or an intranet.

  The HTTP module 1512 is a module used when the digital multifunction peripheral 1001 communicates by HTTP, and provides communication to the web server module 1503 and the web pull print module 1511 by a TCP / IP module 1516 described later. is there.

  The lpr module 1513 provides communication to a printer module (P550 module) 1505 in the above-mentioned broadcast distribution 1504 by a TCP / IP module 1516 described later.

  Reference numeral 1514 denotes an SMTP module which provides communication to an e-mail module 1506 in the above-described broadcast distribution 1504 by a TCP / IP module 1516 described later.

  Reference numeral 1515 denotes an SLM (Salutation-Manager) module, which communicates with a database module 1507, a DP module 1508, a remote copy scan module 1509, and a remote copy print module 1510 in the broadcast 1504 by a TCP / IP module 1516 described later. Is provided.

  The TCP / IP communication module 1516 provides network communication to the above-described various modules using a network driver 1517 described below.

  Reference numeral 1517 denotes a network driver which controls a portion physically connected to the network.

  The API control unit 1518 provides an interface to a downstream module such as a job manager (Job-Manager) 1519 described later for an upstream module such as the broadcast 1504, and depends on the dependency between the upstream module and the downstream module. It reduces relationships and enhances their diversion.

  Reference numeral 1519 denotes a job manager, which interprets processing instructed by the various modules described above via the API control unit 1518 and gives instructions to each of the modules described below. This module centrally manages hardware processes executed in the digital multifunction peripheral 1001.

  Reference numeral 1520 denotes a codec manager (CODEC-Manager), which manages and controls various types of data compression / decompression in the processing specified by the job manager 1519.

  Reference numeral 1521 denotes an FBE encoder (FBE-Encoder) which compresses data read by a scan process executed by the job manager 1519 and the scan manager (Scan-Manager) 1524 in the FBE format.

  Reference numeral 1522 denotes a JPEG codec (JPEG-CODEC), which performs JPEG compression of read data in a scan process executed by the job manager 1519 and the scan manager 1524 and a print process executed by the print manager 1526. And JPEG expansion processing of print data.

  Reference numeral 1523 denotes an MMR codec (MMR-CODEC), which performs MMR compression of read data and MMR of print data in a scan process performed by the job manager 1519 and the scan manager 1524 and a print process performed by the print manager 1526. The decompression process is performed.

  A scan manager (Scan-Manager) 1524 manages and controls a scan process specified by the job manager 1519. Reference numeral 1525 denotes a SCSI driver which communicates between the scan manager 1524 and the scanner unit to which the digital multifunction peripheral 1001 is internally connected.

  A print manager (Print-Manager) 1526 manages and controls print processing instructed by the job manager 1519. An engine interface (Engine-I / F) driver 1527 provides an interface between the print manager 1526 and the printing unit.

  Reference numeral 1528 denotes a parallel port driver, which provides an I / F when the web pull print 1511 outputs data to an output device (not shown) via the parallel port.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of an application incorporated in an image forming system to which the image input apparatus and the image forming apparatus of the present invention can be applied will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing embedded application blocks related to image distribution in an image forming system to which the image input device and the image forming device of the present invention can be applied.

  In FIG. 13, reference numeral 4050 denotes a block indicating a UI (User-Interface) application of the operation unit according to the embodiment described with reference to FIG. Reference numeral 4100 denotes a block indicating a transmitting side of the remote copy application (for example, a device as a remote copy source such as the digital multifunction peripheral 1001). Reference numeral 4150 denotes a block indicating the transmitting side of the broadcast (Universal-Send). Reference numeral 4200 denotes a block indicating a Web-Pull-Print module. Reference numeral 4250 denotes a block indicating a web server module.

  Reference numeral 4300 denotes a block indicating a remote copy receiving side (remote print side, for example, another device as a remote copy destination such as the digital multifunction peripheral 1020 and the digital multifunction peripherals 2902 and 2903). Reference numeral 4350 denotes a block for receiving and printing the image transmitted by the broadcast distribution using a general-purpose printer. Reference numeral 4400 denotes a block indicating the remote print receiving side (the remote print side (for example, another device as a remote copy destination such as the digital multifunction peripheral 1020 or the digital multifunction peripherals 2902 and 2903). Reference numeral 4450 is transmitted by broadcast distribution. This is a block for receiving and storing the received image in a known Notes server (Notes-Server).

  Reference numeral 4500 denotes a block for receiving and storing the image transmitted by the broadcast distribution in the image database server. Reference numeral 4550 denotes a block for receiving and storing the image transmitted by the broadcast distribution in a known mail server (Mail-Server). Reference numeral 4600 denotes a block for receiving and storing a multi-valued image transmitted from the broadcast. Reference numeral 4650 denotes a block indicating a publicly known web server (Web-Server) including information contents. Reference numeral 4700 denotes a known web browser that accesses the web server or the like of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, the application group will be described in detail with reference to each block.

  First, under the control of the CPU 2001 of the digital multifunction peripheral 1001 as an example of a remote copy source, the UI application 4050 mainly operates the digital multifunction peripheral 1001 in the digital multifunction peripheral 1001 in this example. (Starting for the part 2012) will be described.

  The details of the UI application 4050 are as described above. Here, the address book (Address-Book) 4051 will be described. The address book 4051 corresponds to the address book 1502 shown in FIG. 12, and is stored in a nonvolatile storage device (such as a nonvolatile memory or a hard disk) in the digital multi-function peripheral 1001. Describes the characteristics of the devices connected to the network. For example, those listed in the following (a) to (h) are included.

(A) Formal name or alias name of device (b) Network address of device (c) Network protocol that device can process (d) Document format that device can process (e) Compression type that device can process (f) Image resolution that can be processed by the device (g) Paper size and paper feed stage information that can be fed in the case of a printer device (h) Folder name in which documents can be stored in the case of a server (computer) device Based on the information, the remote copy application 4100, the broadcast distribution application 4150, the web server application 4250, and the web pull print application 4200 can determine the characteristics of the distribution destination. The address book 4051 is editable and can be downloaded from a server computer or the like in a network and used, or can be directly referred to. Each application will be described in detail.

  Next, the remote copy application 4100 will be described.

  The remote copy application 4100 determines, from the address book 4051, resolution information that can be processed by the device designated as the distribution destination, and in accordance therewith, compresses the binary image read by the scanner using the well-known MMR compression. It is converted into a well-known TIFF (Tagged-Image-File-Format) and transmitted to a printer device on a network through the SLM 4103. Although not described in detail, the SLM 4103 is a type of a network protocol that includes device control information called a well-known salutation manager, and is also called a smart link manager.

  Next, the broadcast distribution application 4150 will be described.

  The broadcast delivery application 4150, unlike the remote copy application 4100, can transmit images to a plurality of delivery destinations by one image scan. The distribution destination is not limited to the printer device, and can be directly distributed to a so-called server computer. Hereinafter, description will be made in order according to the distribution destination.

  If it is determined from the address book 4051 that the device of the distribution destination can process LPD (Line-Printer-Daemon), which is a known network printer protocol, and LIPS (registered trademark), which is a known printer control command, the address book 4051 can be used. The image is read in accordance with the image resolution determined from 4051, and in the present embodiment, the image itself is compressed using a known FBE (First-Binari-Encoding), and is further LIPS (registered trademark) coded to obtain a known network. The data is transmitted to the partner device using LPR, which is a printer protocol.

  If the destination device is communicable with the SLM and is a server device, it determines the server address and the designation of the folder in the server from the address book 4051 and, similarly to the remote copy application 4100, reads the binary image read by the scanner. Can be compressed using a known MMR compression, converted to a known TIFF (Tagged-Image-File-Format), and stored in a specific folder of a server device on a network through an SLM.

  In the digital multifunction peripheral 1001, when the server serving as the partner device determines that the known JPEG-compressed multi-valued image can be processed, the multi-valued read image (multi-valued image) is processed in the same manner as the binary image. ) Can be converted into a well-known JFIF using a well-known JPEG compression and stored in a specific folder of a server device on a network through an SLM.

  If the destination device is a well-known E-mail server, the mail address described in the address book 4051 is determined, and the binary image read by the scanner is compressed using the well-known MMR compression. Tagged-Image-File-Format (TIFF) is transmitted to the E-mail server using a known Simple-Mail-Transfer-Protocol (SMTP). Subsequent distribution is performed according to mail server 4550.

  Next, the web pull print application 4200 will be described.

  The web pull print application 4200 reads and prints information of various homepages on the Internet or an intranet. The web server application 4250 notifies the web client of management information of its own device in response to a request from the web client.

  Hereinafter, an image forming system including the digital multifunction peripheral 1001 shown in FIG. 2 and performing the remote copy which is a feature of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 14 is a system configuration diagram showing the configuration of an image forming system that includes the digital multifunction peripheral 1001 shown in FIG. 2 and performs remote copy, which is also a feature of the present invention.

  The image forming system in FIG. 14 includes a digital multifunction peripheral 2902 and a digital multifunction peripheral 2903 in addition to the above-described digital multifunction peripheral 1001. These digital multifunction peripherals 1001, 2902, and 2903 have a local area. It is connected via a network 1010 and can communicate various data (image data to be printed, various processing condition data, status command data, status data, and the like).

  FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of allocating a storage area of a hard disk 2004 (the same configuration and the same code is used) that each device of the digital multifunction peripherals 1001, 2902 and 2903 shown in FIG. is there. Each of the digital multifunction peripherals 1001, 902, and 2903 has a built-in hard disk 2004, has a local copy function and a remote copy function, and is configured to be able to execute the same function as any other device from any device. I have. In an example described later, an example is described in which the digital multifunction peripheral 1001 causes another device to execute the remote copy mode.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the hard disk 2004 is divided into a temporary area A and a memory box area B. The temporary area A is further divided into four areas A1 to A4. A1 is an area for temporarily storing image data for electronic sort processing or the like at the time of local copying (when image data read by the scanner of the own device is printed by the printer of the own device). A2 is an area (remote area) for temporarily storing image data for remote copy reception printing (when image data received from another digital multifunction peripheral is printed by its own printer). A3 is an area for temporarily storing image data for PDL reception printing (when PDL data received from an external device such as a host computer is printed by its own printer). A4 is an area for temporarily storing image data by other functions. The memory box area B is an area for registering an image.

  It should be noted that a remote copy mode in which image data captured by the own device via either the scanner unit of the own device or the communication unit of the own device is printed by a printer unit of another device (for example, a digital multifunction peripheral 2902 or 2903) is set. When executing, for example, any one of the temporary area A and the memory box area in the hard disk 2004 is configured to be usable, and the CPU 2001 can execute the memory control.

  FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a remote printer selection screen displayed on the display unit 2013 of the operation unit 2012 illustrated in FIG. 4 in the device (master device) on the transmission side when performing remote printing. In this case, the image data is transmitted from the digital multifunction peripheral 1001 as a remote copy source to another remote copy destination device (for example, the digital multifunction peripherals 2902 and 2903) and printed by the printer unit of the other device. Will be described.

  16, reference numeral 5001 denotes a remote printer selection screen. Under the control of the CPU 2001, a remote printer selection key on an operation screen (not shown) displayed on the display unit 2013 of the operation unit 2012 of the digital multifunction peripheral 1001 shown in FIG. Is a screen displayed on the display unit 2013 in response to the user pressing (instruction).

  On a remote printer selection screen 5001, reference numeral 5002 denotes a remote printer list for selecting a printer for remote printing. The remote printer list 5002 displays an overview of the printer, the status (whether or not remote printing can be performed), and the name of the printer. The display of the remote printer list 5002 can be scrolled up and down with an up scroll key 5003 and a down scroll key 5004.

  In this example, via the operation unit of the remote copy source digital multifunction peripheral 1001, the fact that there are four remote copy destination device candidates and the names of those candidates, and two of them have a print operation FIG. 9 shows an example of a display screen for notifying the user that the printer is in a non-executable state, the remaining two devices are print-executable, and the remote copy operation is a selectable candidate. I have.

  Regarding how the display screen is displayed by the CPU 2001, for example, when the CPU 2001 grasps the candidate and the name of the device of the remote copy destination, the device candidate and the device The user is requested to make a name registration setting, and is displayed on the display screen based on the registration information of the device.

  In ascertaining the operation status of each device, the CPU 2001 transmits status request data for requesting status information to each of the devices via the communication unit, and returns the request data as reply data of the request data. By collecting status information from each device, the operation status of each device can be grasped and displayed.

  In addition, the user can determine a remote copy destination via this screen 5001, and candidates for devices that can execute remote copy in the device list display area (in this example, the second and third devices). ), Any device can be selected. When any one of the devices is selected by the re-user, the CPU 2001 reversely displays the display line of the corresponding device, and further responds to the pressing of the OK key 5005 by the user in that state, and determines the remote copy destination. I do.

  An OK key 5005 is used to select any printer from the remote printer list 5002 and press (instruct) this key to set the printer selected in the remote printer list 5002 as remote printing. Reference numeral 5007 denotes a return key. When this key is pressed (instructed), the remote printer is not set and the screen returns to the upper screen (the screen displayed on the display unit 2013 before the screen, such as the initial screen of the copy mode).

  Hereinafter, a remote print process in an image forming system to which the image input device and the image output device of the present invention can be applied will be described with reference to FIGS.

  Here, in the system of FIG. 14, a job selection (not shown) to be displayed on the display unit 2013 among a plurality of image data stored in the memory box area B in the hard disk 2004 included in the digital multifunction peripheral 1001 Through a remote copy device selection screen (screen 5001 in FIG. 16) for displaying image data (also referred to as print data, document data, or simply job data) selected by the user via the screen on the display unit 2013. The remote copy (also referred to as remote print or remote output) is transmitted to another device selected by the user (here, the digital multifunction peripheral 2903 is specified in the remote printer list 5002 shown in FIG. 16). Printer of the previous device (digital multifunction peripheral 2903 in this example) Is described using an example in the case of controlling by the CPU2001 of the digital MFP 1001 includes so as to print at.

  The digital multi-function peripheral (1001, 2902, or 2903) of the present embodiment stores the scanner unit 2070 of its own device and the communication unit such as the network unit 2010 and the modem unit 250 in the memory box area B in the hard disk 2004 of the own device. A plurality of image data input via any of them can be registered, and a desired image data from the image data in the box area is displayed on a display unit 2013 via a job selection screen (not shown). In response to an instruction from the user set in the operation unit 2012, the selected image data is printed by, for example, a printer unit of the own device, or transmitted through a communication unit of the own device. It has a function (box function) for transmitting data to the device and printing it on the printer unit of another device. And it enables the output desired job stored in the box area B (original image data) in the remote copy.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a first control processing procedure in an image forming system to which the image input device and the image output device of the present invention can be applied, and remote printing (also referred to as remote copying in the present embodiment). This corresponds to the processing on the transmitting side (here, the digital multifunction peripheral 1001) when performing. It is assumed that the processing of this flowchart (each step shown in FIG. 17) is totally controlled and executed by the CPU 2001 based on a program stored in the ROM 2003 or HDD 2004 or other storage medium shown in FIG. Also, as a premise, the user sets the remote copy mode via various operation screens (for example, each operation screen in FIG. 23 described later) displayed on the display unit 2013 of the digital multi-function peripheral 1001 and performs various types of printing. It is assumed that processing conditions have been set. Note that S2701 to S2708 indicate each step.

  First, when remote printing using the digital multifunction peripheral 2903 is instructed for image data in the memory box area B in the hard disk 2004 in the digital multifunction peripheral 1001 (when the CPU 2001 detects the instruction), the digital data on the receiving side is output. The MFP 2903 is notified that a remote print job is to be executed (S2701). The job execution notification content includes job mode data including document orientation detection result information (including the above-described first information on document orientation and the second information on document type). This document orientation detection result information indicates that, when image processing requiring a document orientation is specified and a job start is instructed, the document orientation detection unit 2500 determines the image in the memory box area B in a step (not shown) before step S2701. It is assumed that information on the document orientation of the data is detected and acquired for each page.

  In this embodiment, the user sets the remote copy mode for the digital multifunction peripheral 2903 as an example of a remote copy destination via a user interface (such as the operation unit 2012 and the display unit 2013) of the digital multifunction peripheral 1001 as an example of a remote copy source. When set, the CPU 2001 as a controller of the digital multifunction peripheral 1001 controls the digital multifunction peripheral 1001 to transmit the original image data to be remotely copied to the digital multifunction peripheral 2903 via the communication unit. At the same time, as described above, the job mode data is controlled to be transmitted in association with the document image data.

  The job mode data, which is transmitted by the CPU 2001 of the digital multifunction peripheral 1001 as an example of a remote copy source according to the present embodiment to a digital multifunction peripheral 2903 as an example of a remote copy destination via a communication unit, includes output processing. It contains at least two types of data: condition data and document orientation detection data.

  Note that the output processing condition data is, for example, print output condition data (for example, print output condition data set based on a user setting for specifying the output form of the document image data to be remotely copied). Processing condition data relating to the number of print copies, processing condition data relating to the document size, processing conditions relating to the paper size, processing condition data relating to post-processing such as stapling, punching and folding, and processing relating to a reduced layout mode such as the Nin1 mode Condition data, processing condition data relating to page number printing mode for assigning page numbers to sheets on which input original image data described below is recorded, and processing condition data relating to editing processing such as image rotation processing, reduction processing, enlargement processing, etc. Of multiple processing conditions that can be set in the digital multifunction peripheral 1001 such as A processing condition data and the like) set by the user.

  In addition, the document orientation detection data (the document orientation information of the document image data for identifying in which direction the document image data to be processed is input in the up, down, left, and right directions, and the type of the document image data are The document type information for specifying whether the document is a portrait document or a landscape document) is information that is set based on the detection result of the document orientation detection unit 2500.

  The CPU 2001 sets the output condition data as job data based on output conditions set by the user via the operation unit 2012 with respect to the document image data to be processed, and detects the document direction detection unit 2500 to perform processing. The document orientation detection data is set as the job data based on the document orientation detection information of the document image data.

  Note that the CPU 2001 controls the document orientation detection data to be stored in association with the hard disk for each of a plurality of jobs (image data) stored in the hard disk 2004 having the memory box area as described above. ing. For example, when the reader unit of the digital multifunction peripheral 1001 performs a reading process of a document image and stores the read image data in the memory box area, the CPU 2001 causes the reader unit to execute the document reading process. The original direction detection unit 2500 controls the original image data to execute the original direction detection process, and stores the read original image data and the original direction detection data of the original image data in the hard disk 2004 in association with each other.

  In addition, the CPU 2001 controls each of the plurality of jobs (image data) stored in the hard disk 2004 having the memory box area as described above so that the output condition data male can be stored in association with the hard disk. ing. For example, when the output conditions are set by the user via the operation unit when the input original image data is stored in the hard disk 204 (at the time of input), the CPU 2001 associates the output condition data with the original image data and stores the output condition data as described above. It is stored in the hard disk 2004. If the user sets output conditions via the operation unit when reading and outputting registered image data from the hard disk 2004 (at the time of output), the CPU 2001 executes processing according to the output conditions on the hard disk 2004. Is controlled to be executed for the image data read from the.

  Through such processing, the job data of the document image data read from the memory box area can be generated and output, and the CPU 2001 allows the remote copy source (also referred to as a local device. For example, the digital multifunction peripheral 1001 or the like) ) To a remote copy destination (also referred to as a remote device; for example, a digital multifunction peripheral 2903 or the like) so as to transmit the original image data via a communication unit or the like, and output the original image data for the original. The job data including the condition data and the document orientation detection data is controlled to be transmitted to the remote copy destination via the communication unit or the like in association with the document image data. , An output obtained by subjecting the original image data to processing based on information included in the job data. It is controlled so as to output by the remote copy destination of the printer unit such as an output unit an image.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the document image data (registered image data) held in the memory box area in the hard disk 2004 can be processed in the remote copy mode (in this case, the input processing). And output processing are asynchronous), and a job (image data) newly input to the apparatus via an input unit (for example, the scanner unit 2070) can be output in the remote copy mode. In this case, the input processing and the output processing are executed synchronously in real time.

  As the processing procedure, for example, during the period until the input processing of the original image data including the period before the input processing of the original image data by the scanner unit 2070 is completed, the selection of the remote copy mode via the operation unit 2012 is completed. And setting detailed print output conditions for the job in the remote copy mode by a user operation. The CPU 2001 causes the input unit to execute input processing of original image data to be remotely copied, and causes the original direction detection unit 2500 to execute original direction detection processing of the input original image data. Then, the input document image data is sequentially stored in the hard disk 2004 in association with the output processing condition data and the document orientation detection data information, and the document image data is stored together with the output processing condition data and the document orientation detection data as job data. Is controlled to be transferred to a remote copy destination (for example, digital multifunction peripheral 2903 or the like) via the communication unit. Then, the document image data is processed at the remote copy destination based on the document orientation detection data and the output processing condition data, and printed out.

  In this case, the data transmission method may be such that the input original image data is transmitted to the remote copy destination one page at a time in real time while the input processing is being performed. The pages may be stored in the hard disk 2004 of the own device, and may be collectively controlled so that the image data of all pages is transmitted to the remote copy destination at one time. In any case, the data is transmitted in association with the job data.

  Next, the image size required for the designated document data is obtained, and the total image size P (total page data size P) to be transmitted to the digital MFP 2903 on the receiving side is calculated (S2702). This data size information can be obtained by checking how much data the job has when, for example, the job is stored in the hard disk 2004. Next, an area securing command required for the total page data size P is issued to the digital MFP 2903 on the receiving side (S2703).

  Next, the flow advances to step S2704 to determine whether or not the area has been secured based on the response result of the area securing command from the digital multifunction peripheral 2903 on the receiving side. The image data is read from the area B on the area 2004, and the image data and the job mode data including the output processing condition data and the document orientation detection data for the image data are transmitted to the digital multifunction peripheral 2903 on the receiving side. To end.

  The job mode data corresponding to the document image data to be remotely copied may be transmitted in the processing step of step S2701, for example, without being transmitted to the remote copy destination in this processing step. In any case, any configuration may be used as long as the image data and the job mode data can be properly handled by the digital MFP 2903 on the receiving side.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S2704 that the area could not be secured from the response result of the area securing command from the digital multifunction peripheral 2903 on the receiving side, the memory 2013 is displayed on the display unit 2013 on the operation unit 2012 as shown in FIG. A selection screen including a message indicating that there is a possibility of interruption due to fullness is displayed to allow the user to select whether to continue processing (S2706), and the process advances to step S2707.

  In step S2707, when the CPU 2001 determines that the “Yes” key 2601 has been pressed on the selection screen illustrated in FIG. 18 and that the processing has been selected to be continued, the process proceeds to step S2705, where the area B on the hard disk 2004 The image data is read out, and the image data, the output processing condition data for the image data, and the job mode data including the document direction detection data of the document image data are transmitted to the digital multifunction peripheral 2903 on the receiving side. To end. As described above, even if a state in which the processing cannot be completed on the receiving side occurs, the remote copy job can be transmitted after the transmission side confirms the transmission approval by the user.

  On the other hand, in step S2707, if the CPU 2001 determines that the “No” key 2602 has been pressed on the selection screen shown in FIG. 18 and that processing has not been continued (interrupted), the process proceeds to step S2708, The processing is notified to the digital multifunction peripheral 2903 on the other side to stop the processing, and the processing is terminated (execution of the remote copy mode is prohibited).

  FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a second control processing procedure in the image forming system to which the image input device and the image output device of the present invention can be applied. This corresponds to the processing of the digital multifunction peripheral 2903) that receives the remote copy job from the multifunction peripheral 1001. It is assumed that the processing of this flowchart (each step shown in FIG. 19) is totally controlled and executed by the CPU 2001 based on a program stored in the ROM 2003 or HDD 2004 or another storage medium shown in FIG. Steps S2801 to S2819 indicate each step.

  First, when a remote print instruction is received from the digital multifunction peripheral 1001 on the transmission side, a job submission instruction is issued in the designated job mode (S2801). Next, the area reservation command is received, and the designated total image size P (total page data size P) is acquired from the parent machine (the digital MFP 1001 on the transmission side) (S2802). Next, it is determined whether or not the area corresponding to the total page data size P is in the remote print area A2 on the hard disk 2004 (S2803). If it is determined that there is an area, as shown in FIG. An area S for P size is reserved and secured from A2 (S2804).

  Next, the master device (the digital multifunction peripheral 1001 on the transmission side) is notified that the area for the designated total page data size P has been successfully secured (S2805). Next, job mode data including page data (image data for one page), output condition data, and document orientation detection data is received from the master unit (S2806), stored in area S (S2807), and received. A print instruction is issued to a predetermined unit such as a printer unit to execute a print process according to the job mode data of the image data (S2808). As a result, a remote copy operation in which the document orientation detection result is reflected is executed in the printer unit on the receiving side. Here, a case will be described in which the reception process and the print process reflecting the document orientation detection result are performed in real time one page at a time. However, the reception process is performed for all pages collectively, and then the document orientation detection result is reflected. The remote copy operation may be started by the printer unit. In this case, the printing operation is started after all the image data for all pages are stored in the memory such as the hard disk of the receiving device.

  Next, it is determined whether the page is the last page by confirming, for example, whether a last page command is added to the page data (S2809). If it is determined that the page is not the last page, the process returns to step S2806. . Here, by repeating the procedures of steps S2806 to S2809, it is possible to store the page data transmitted from the master unit in the area S and simultaneously issue a print instruction.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S2809 that the page is the last page, the process advances to step S2810 to release the area S secured after the printing process is completed (S2810), and the process ends.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S2803 that the area corresponding to the total page data size P is not in the remote print area A2 on the hard disk 2004, the process advances to step S2811 to notify the parent machine that the area could not be secured. . In this case, processing is performed using an area on the area A2 that is not reserved.

  When page data is received from the parent device (S2812), a page size Q is obtained (S2813), and an area for the size Q is secured from the temporary area P in the remote print area A2 on the hard disk 2004 shown in FIG. A request for obtaining the size Q for trying the data is performed (S2814).

  Next, in step S2815, it is determined whether or not an area of size Q has been secured (memory is not full). If it is determined that the area has not been secured (memory full), the process proceeds to step S2819, and a memory full error occurs. Stop processing.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S2815 that an area of size Q has been secured (memory is not full), the flow advances to step S2816 to issue a print instruction, and then it is determined whether the current page is the last page (S2817). If it is determined that the page is not the last page, the process returns to step S2812. Here, by repeating the procedures of steps S2812 to S2817, if the memory of the area P does not become full, the page data transmitted from the master unit can be stored in the area P and a print instruction can be issued at the same time.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S2817 that the page is the last page, the area secured from the area P is released after the print processing ends (S2818), and the processing ends.

  Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 21 to 29, print processing based on the document orientation detection result in the parent machine (for example, digital MFP 1001 on the transmitting side) is performed in the slave machine (digital MFP 2903 on the receiving side). As an example, a page printing process will be described. The page printing process prints the original image data to be printed on the recording paper, and adds additional information such as a number indicating the page number of the printing paper or a hyphenated number by the user on the printing paper. This is a process of printing at a specified position (upper right, upper center, upper left, lower right, lower center, lower left, etc.). An example in which such a page printing process is executed in the remote copy mode will be described.

  FIG. 21 illustrates a page print setting screen displayed on the display unit 2013 of the operation unit 2012 under the control of the CPU 2001 in the device on the transmission side (which is also simply referred to as a master machine; in this example, the digital multifunction peripheral 1001) when performing remote printing. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example.

  In FIG. 21, reference numeral 11100 denotes a page print setting screen for setting the print position, print size, and print threshold value, and a mode (not shown) displayed on the display unit 2013 of the operation unit 2012 shown in FIG. This is displayed by pressing (instructing) the page print setting key on the setting screen.

  Regarding the print position setting, any one of the print position determination keys 1111 to 11106 (upper right key 11101, upper center key 11102, upper left key 11103, lower left key 11104, lower center key 11105, lower right key 11106) is pressed (instructed). Thus, the position on the recording paper where the document image data is to be printed can be set from a plurality of candidates (in this example, upper left, upper center, upper right, lower left, lower center, lower right). .

  Reference numeral 11107 denotes a page print user support information display area for visually suggesting to the user the correspondence between the position corresponding to each of the print position determination keys and the document image. This allows the user to visually confirm at which position on the recording paper on which the document image data is to be printed the page number. When any one of the print position determination keys 1111 to 11106 is pressed, the pressed key is displayed (shaded display, inverted display, or the like) to make it valid (selected). . The initial setting (default setting) of the printing position is the lower center. In the initial state, the lower center key 11105 is shaded and the setting of this key is in the selected state.

  The print size of the page number to be printed at the determined print position is determined by pressing one of the print size keys 11109 to 11111 (small key 11109, middle key 11110, large key 11111), and the determined print is performed. The size is displayed in a print size display area 11108. When the small key 11109 is pressed, the print size becomes 10.5 points, when the middle key 11110 is pressed, the print size becomes 12 points, and when the large key 11111 is pressed, the print size becomes 14 points. Set to points. The pressed print size key is shaded. The initial value of the selected print size is 10.5 points, and the small key 11109 is shaded in the initial state.

  Reference numeral 11112 denotes a print threshold setting key. When this key is pressed (instructed), a print threshold setting unit (not shown) operates, and the print threshold setting key 11112 is shaded.

  Reference numeral 11113 denotes an OK key. When this key is pressed (instructed), the screen returns to a higher-level screen (mode setting screen), not shown, and the page print setting is determined. Reference numeral 11114 denotes a cancel key. When this key is pressed, the print position and print size are set to initial values, and the lower center key 11105 and the smaller key 11109 are shaded accordingly.

  When the user performs a series of print settings via the operation unit, the user can execute the setting of the page print mode for the job data to be processed through an operation screen for displaying the setting of the page print mode on the display unit 2013. The setting of other print output processing conditions for data (setting of the number of copies, setting of double-sided printing or single-sided printing, setting of post-processing such as staple mode, etc.) can be performed on various operation screens (for example, FIGS. 23 to 26). Through each operation screen shown in FIG. In addition, operation screens of a local copy mode and a remote copy mode for selecting whether to print job data (original image data) to be processed by local copy or remote copy (for example, an operation screen shown in FIG. 24) ) Is displayed on the display unit 2013, and the operation mode can be selected by the user. The CPU 2001 executes display control and operation control in accordance with the display control so as to selectively display such various user interface screens on the display unit 2013.

  For example, the CPU 2001 causes the display unit 2013 to display the operation screen 23000 in FIG. 23 as an initial screen, and allows the user to execute, for example, setting of a paper size, setting of the number of print copies, and setting of double-sided printing via the operation screen 23000. Further, in response to the key 23001 on the screen 23000 being pressed by the user, the CPU 2001 causes the display 2013 to display the operation screen 24000 shown in FIG. Then, the local copy mode is set in response to the key 24001 on the screen 24000 being pressed by the user. On the other hand, the remote copy mode is set in response to the key 24002 being pressed by the user, and the remote copy destination is specified via, for example, the operation screen shown in FIG.

  When the remote copy is selected, the setting of each processing condition made via each operation screen of FIGS. 23 to 26 is reflected as the processing condition for executing the remote copy.

  When key 23004 is pressed by the user while screen 23000 is displayed, CPU 2001 causes display unit 2013 to display screen 25000 shown in FIG. 25 for setting various application modes. Then, for example, in response to pressing of a key 25001 for setting the page print mode on screen 25000 by the user, CPU 2001 sets operation screen 11100 for setting the page print mode shown in FIG. 21 described above. Is displayed on the display unit 2013, and detailed setting of the page print mode can be executed.

  FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a third control processing procedure in the image forming system to which the image input device and the image output device of the present invention can be applied. This corresponds to page printing processing in the digital MFP 2903 on the receiving side that receives a remote copy job from the digital MFP 1001. It is assumed that the processing of this flowchart (each step shown in FIG. 22) is controlled and executed by the CPU 2001 based on a program stored in the ROM 2003 or the HDD 2004 or another storage medium shown in FIG. S2001 to S2008 indicate each step.

  Also, here, it is assumed that the remote copy mode is set via the screen 24000 shown in FIG. 24 in the parent machine (digital multifunction peripheral 1001 on the transmission side), and the page print mode is set via the screen 25000 shown in FIG. Is set, and the detailed setting of the page print mode is set on the screen 11100 shown in FIG. Then, the digital multifunction peripheral 1001 transmits various data (job mode data including print processing condition data and original orientation detection data and original image data corresponding to the job mode data) to the digital multifunction peripheral 2903. The data is transmitted under the control of the CPU 2001 of the digital multifunction peripheral 1001.

  Job data in which a page print mode is set (including job mode data including print processing condition data and document orientation detection data and document image data corresponding to the job mode data) is input via the communication unit of the digital multifunction peripheral 2903. When (Step S2801 or the like in FIG. 19) is performed, first, in Step S2001, a variable for counting the number of output pages (output page counter N) is initialized (N = 1) (that is, the first page is set). Next, in step S2002, the user obtains page print position information of page N specified by the operation unit of the master unit shown in FIG. 21 from the page print mode setting content included in the job mode data transmitted from the master unit. Then, in step S2003, the document orientation result information of N pages, which is included in the job mode data and is detected on the master device side, is acquired.

  Next, in step S2004, a page print position on the image data corresponding to the document orientation result is determined. That is, the top and bottom direction of the image data is determined based on the document orientation result, and the image data position corresponding to the page print position specified by the user is determined.

  Then, in step S2005 (if there is a print instruction in step S2808 in FIG. 19), print numeric data is combined with the image data position of the image data determined in step S2004, and in step S2006, the image data is printed out.

  Next, in step S2007, it is determined whether or not the last page has been output. If it is determined that the last page has not been output, the process proceeds to step S2008, where a variable (output page counter) N is incremented, and the process proceeds to step S2002. Return.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S2007 that the last page has been output, the page printing process ends.

  The present embodiment relates to an image forming system including the above-described first device (for example, a digital multifunction peripheral 1001) and a second device (for example, a digital multifunction peripheral 2903) capable of performing data communication with the first device. By making the above-described control executable, the following output processing becomes possible. This will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 28 is a schematic diagram illustrating a control example of the present embodiment.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 28, a document of three pages in A4 size, the first page document and the third page document are in a downward (inverted) state, and the second page document is in an upward (erect) state. Job A is input by a first device (here, a digital multifunction peripheral 1001) as a local (also referred to as a remote copy source) side, and the job A is input into a second device (here, a digital multifunction peripheral) as a remote side. When the data is transferred to the second device and printed (remote copy) in the page printing mode by the second device, the following procedure and control are performed.

  First, it is assumed that the job A is set on the scanner unit of the digital MFP 1001 as a user operation. The CPU 2001 responds to the user setting on the operation screen 23000 in FIG. 23 displayed on the display unit 2013 of the digital multi-function peripheral 1001, and outputs paper size information (here, A4 size) and output number information (here, In response to pressing of the key 24002 by the user via the operation screen 24000 in FIG. 24 for obtaining the first copy) and allowing the user to select the local copy mode or the remote copy mode, A remote copy mode is selected for A.

  In response to the user pressing the application mode key 23004 on the screen 23000, the display content of the display unit 2013 is switched to the operation screen 25000 for allowing the user to set various application modes for job A. A key 25001 for selecting a page print mode, which is an image forming mode for printing page number information together with the original image data on the recording paper on which the original image data of job A is printed, is displayed on the operation screen 25000 by the user. In response to the depression, the CPU 2001 sets the page printing mode for the job A, and sets the printing position on the recording paper of the page number information to be printed on the recording paper together with the original image data of the job A by the user. The display unit 2013 displays a page print setting screen 11100 shown in FIG. Then, in response to the user setting on the screen, the CPU 2001 acquires page number position information (here, the lower right of the recording paper) as detailed information of the page print mode.

  In response to the completion of the above-described user operation and the pressing of the start key 2014 of the operation unit 2012 of the digital multifunction peripheral 1001 by the user, the CPU 2001 causes the various units to start and execute the actual processing for the job A. Control. For example, the scanner unit causes the scanner unit to execute reading processing of a document of job A set in the scanner of the digital multifunction peripheral 1001, and sequentially stores the read original on the hard disk 2004 of the digital multifunction peripheral 1001. In parallel with the reading process of the job A, the document orientation detection unit 2500 of the digital multifunction peripheral 1001 executes the document orientation detection process of the document image data of the job A. Acquire the document orientation detection result.

  At this time, the CPU 2001 obtains document size information (here, A4 size) of the job A based on document size detection result information output from the scanner unit. Accordingly, the CPU 2001 obtains “portrait original (vertical writing original) and downward (180 °)” as original orientation detection information of the first page of the original included in job A including three A4 size originals. Then, “portrait original (vertical writing) and upward (0 °)” is acquired as the original orientation detection information of the second page of the job A, and “portrait original (portrait original) is acquired as the original orientation detection information of the third page. (Written manuscript) and downward (180 °) ”.

  After the above series of processing, the CPU 2001 mainly outputs the job A output processing condition data (document number: 3, sheet size: A4 size, sheet size: A4 size, number of output copies: One copy, remote copy mode, page print mode, page print position: lower right), and original direction detection data of job A obtained from the original direction detection result from original direction detection section 2500 (first page: portrait original (Downward, second page: portrait original, upward, third page: portrait original, downward)) is set in a memory such as a hard disk 2004 as job mode data of job A, and job A stored in the hard disk 2004 is set. The job mode data of job A is associated with the original image data together with the original image data by the communication unit. For example, data is transferred to the digital multifunction peripheral 2903 on the remote side via a predetermined communication medium such as the local area network 1010 shown in FIG. 14, and the job A includes the output processing condition data and the document orientation detection data. It controls the digital multifunction peripheral 2903 to execute a printing process as a remote copy according to the mode data.

  More specifically, control is performed such that the processed image data of job A is printed in units of pages on each of the three recording papers through an image rotation process on the original image of job A according to the above-described original orientation detection data. At the same time, control is performed so that the page numbers (-1-, -2, and -3-) of the document of the job A are printed on the lower right portion of the recording paper. The output result by the control of this embodiment is shown by 24002 in FIG.

  Here, the features of the present embodiment will be described by comparing the output result 24002 by the control of the present embodiment with the output result 24001 when the output is performed without using the control of the present embodiment.

  The output result 24001 is an example of a case where the job A is remotely copied in the page print mode without reflecting the document orientation detection result. The results of the first and third pages of the output result 24001 will be described. And the output of the second page and the direction of the output image (B) are 90 ° opposite to each other, resulting in an incorrect job output result. In addition, the lower right page numbers (−1− and −) 3) The printing orientation relationship between the information and the original image (A or C) on the recording paper is also inappropriate.

  In the present embodiment, the output result such as 24001 is prohibited on the remote side, and as shown in the output result 24002, the output result reflecting the document orientation detection result on the local side is output on the remote side. It is controlled as possible.

  Specifically, for example, these images are formed in an erect state (upward) based on information that the first and third pages are downward as the document detection data of the job A acquired on the local side. As described above, the image processing for rotating the image of the first page and the image of the third page by 180 ° is executed, and then the rotated image data of the original is printed on each recording paper. Control is performed so as to print together with page number information (−1−, −3−).

  Note that the image subjected to the 180 ° rotation processing may be created using a memory such as a hard disk of the digital multifunction peripheral 2903 on the remote side. Further, based on the information that the second page is upward as the document detection data of the job A, the image of the second page of the job A is printed on the recording paper in the 0 ° state without performing the rotation process. Control is performed so as to print together with (-2-).

  With this configuration, the image forming system according to the present embodiment prohibits the remote side from outputting an inappropriate output result such as 24001 that does not reflect the original orientation detection result on the local side, The remote side generates and outputs an appropriate output result such as 24002 reflecting the document orientation detection result on the remote side.

  When an output image according to the document orientation detection result obtained by the local device is output by the remote device, an image rotation instruction according to the document orientation detection result from the local side to the remote side (for example, when the document is Then, an image rotation instruction command for rotating the image by 180 °) may be transmitted, and the device on the remote side may execute the image rotation processing according to the received image rotation instruction. The configuration may be such that only the document orientation detection result is transferred, and the remote device determines the image rotation angle in accordance with the received document orientation detection result information and rotates the image. Is such that the output like 24001 can be prohibited and a proper output image like 24002 can be printed. Good.

  As described above, when the output result such as 24002 is generated on the remote side, the control unit (CPU 2001) of the device on the local side (here, the digital multifunction peripheral 1001) may mainly perform the output control. The output may be controlled mainly by a control unit (a CPU equivalent to the CPU 2001) of a device on the remote side (here, the digital multifunction peripheral 2903), or the local and remote control units may cooperate. Thus, a configuration such as 24002 that can generate an output result on the remote side may be used. In any case, any configuration that can output an appropriate output result as shown by 24002 on the remote side may be used.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, an improper output result is generated and output unless an image editing process such as a rotation process is performed on a document image as in the image forming mode such as the page number printing mode described above. The effect is exhibited in the image forming mode. That is, the control of the present embodiment is not limited to the image forming mode such as the page number printing mode, and the image forming mode which can use the image editing process such as the image rotation process among other various image forming modes. (Especially, an image forming mode that affects the image rotation processing). Hereinafter, an example thereof will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 29 is a schematic diagram illustrating a control example of the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 29, a job B consisting of three pages of originals of A4 size and 1 to 3 originals in a downward (inverted) state is sent to the first device as the local side (here, the digital multifunction peripheral 1001). When the job B is transferred to a second device (here, the digital multifunction peripheral 2903) on the remote side and printed (remote copy) in the staple mode by the second device, the following is performed. Procedure and control. In the staple mode, the staple unit included in the first device or the second device is designated by the user among a plurality of staple position candidates (for example, upper left, upper right, lower left, lower right) on the recording paper. The stapling process is executed at a staple position (for example, upper left).

  First, it is assumed that the job B is set on the scanner unit of the digital multi-function peripheral 1001 as a user operation. The CPU 2001 responds to the user setting on the operation screen 23000 in FIG. 23 displayed on the display unit 2013 of the digital multi-function peripheral 1001, and outputs paper size information (here, A4 size) and output number information (here, In response to pressing of the key 24002 by the user via the operation screen 24000 in FIG. 24 for obtaining the first copy) and allowing the user to select the local copy mode or the remote copy mode, Select the remote copy mode for B.

  Also, in response to the user pressing the sorter key 23003 on the screen 23000, the display content of the display unit 2013 is switched to the operation screen 26000 in FIG. 26 for allowing the user to set the sort processing type for the job B. . Then, a key 26001 for executing staple processing by a staple unit (not shown) for performing staple processing on a sheet provided in the digital multifunction peripheral 2903 on the recording paper on which the document image data of the job B is printed is operated. In response to being pressed by the user on screen 26000, CPU 2001 sets the staple mode for job B, and determines at which position on the recording paper to print the original image data of job B the stapling process is performed. Is displayed on the display unit 2013 to allow the user to set the staple position setting screen 27000 shown in FIG. Then, in response to the user setting on the screen, the CPU 2001 acquires staple position information (here, upper left of the recording paper) as detailed information of the staple mode.

  In response to the completion of the above-described user operation and the pressing of the start key 2014 of the operation unit 2012 of the digital multi-function peripheral 1001 by the user, the CPU 2001 causes the various units to start and execute the actual processing for the job B. Control. For example, the scanner unit causes the scanner unit of the digital multifunction peripheral 1001 to perform a reading process of a document set in the scanner of the digital multifunction peripheral 1001 and sequentially stores the read original on the hard disk 2004 of the digital multifunction peripheral 1001. In parallel with the reading process of the job B, the document orientation detecting unit 2500 of the digital multifunction peripheral 1001 executes the document orientation detecting process of the document image data of the job B. Acquire the document orientation detection result. At this time, the CPU 2001 acquires document size information (here, A4 size) of the job B based on document size detection result information output from the scanner unit.

  As a result, the CPU 2001 obtains “portrait original (vertical writing original) and downward (180 °)” as the original orientation detection information of the first page of the original included in the job B including three pages of the A4 size original. Then, “portrait original (vertical writing) and downward (180 °)” is acquired as the original orientation detection information of the second page of the job A, and “portrait original (portrait) is acquired as the original orientation detection information of the third page. (Written manuscript) and downward (180 °) ”.

  Through the above series of processing, the CPU 2001 mainly outputs the output processing condition data of the job B (number of pages: three, document size: A4 size, paper size: A4 size, number of output copies: 2 copies, remote copy mode, staple mode, staple position: upper left) and original direction detection data of job B acquired based on the original direction detection result from original direction detection section 2500 (first page: portrait original, downward, (Page: Portrait original / downward, 3rd page: Portrait original / downward) is set in a memory such as a hard disk 2004 as job mode data of job B.

  Then, job mode data of job B is associated with the document image data of job A stored in the hard disk 2004 by a communication unit (for example, a communication unit such as a network unit 2010 or a modem unit 2050) in a predetermined manner. Job data including the output processing condition data and the document orientation detection data by transferring the job B to the remote digital multifunction peripheral 2903 via a communication medium (e.g., LAN 1010, LAN 2011, WAN 2051). Is controlled to cause the digital multifunction peripheral 2903 to execute a printing process as a remote copy according to the above.

  More specifically, the digital multifunction peripheral 2903 executes image rotation processing on the document image of job B according to the document orientation detection data, and prints the processed image data of job B on each of the three recording sheets. At the same time, the staple unit of the digital multifunction peripheral 2903 executes staple processing on the upper left position of the sheet bundle of three recording papers on which the rotated image of the job B is printed. Control is performed so that two sets of output result bundles are created. An output result by the control of this embodiment is shown in 24004 of FIG.

  Here, the features of the present embodiment will be described by comparing the output result 24004 by the control of the present embodiment with the output result 24003 when the output is performed without using the control of the present embodiment. The output result 24003 is an example of a case where the job B is remotely copied in the staple mode (staple position: upper left) according to only the output processing condition data without reflecting the document orientation detection result. In FIG. 7, the output image is output downward, resulting in an incorrect job output result, and the printing relationship between the upper left staple position and the image is also inappropriate.

  In the present embodiment, the output result such as 24003 is prohibited from being output by the device on the remote side, and as shown in the output result 24004, the output result reflecting the document orientation detection result on the local side is displayed on the remote side. Is controlled to enable output.

  Specifically, for example, these images are formed in an erect state (upward) based on information that the first to third pages are downward as the document detection data of the job B acquired on the local side. As described above, the image processing for rotating the image of the first page, the image of the second page, and the image of the third page respectively by 180 ° is executed, and the rotated original image data is recorded one by one on a recording paper. Is controlled to be printed. The image subjected to the rotation processing may be created using a memory such as a hard disk of the digital multifunction peripheral 2903 on the remote side. The output bundle of the first copy is subjected to stapling processing by the stapler unit of the remote device, and the output image of the second copy is sequentially read from the hard disk and printed on recording paper also for the output of the second copy. Then, control is performed to execute the stapling process (see the output result 24004 in FIG. 29).

  With this configuration, the image forming system according to the present embodiment can detect the document orientation on the local side not only in the page print mode as shown in FIG. 28 described above but also in the image forming mode such as the staple mode. Prohibiting the remote side from outputting an inappropriate output result such as 24003 where the result is not reflected on the remote side, and outputting an appropriate output result such as 24004 reflecting the document orientation detection result on the local side on the remote side. Control to generate and output.

  As described above, the present embodiment is not limited to the page print mode and the staple mode, and executes an image editing process such as a rotation process of image data, and prints the edited image on recording paper. Such an image forming mode is applicable when remote copying (remote printing) job data (image data) set by a user.

  Further, in the above example, the case has been described in which the CPU 2001 controls the original orientation detection unit 2500 to execute the original orientation detection processing for all pages of the original included in the job to be remotely copied. The present invention is not limited to this. Only the original image of a predetermined page (for example, the original image of the first page) included in the job to be remotely copied is subjected to the original direction detection processing by the original direction detection unit 2500, and the pages subsequent to the predetermined page ( For example, the configuration may be such that all the original images on the second and subsequent pages are controlled in accordance with the detection result of the original image of the predetermined page (for example, the original image of the first page) detected by the original orientation detection unit 2500. (For example, referring to FIG. 29, based on the information that the original of the first page is downward, Is not limited to the original image, including, controls to 180 ° rotation of all the document images subsequent page).

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, when remote copy is performed, the document orientation detection process is performed by the document orientation detection unit 2500 only for a predetermined page (for example, the first page) of a document included in a job to be remotely copied. The operation mode (the first detection mode) in which the remote copy processing is executed and the original orientation is set for all pages of the original included in the job to be remotely copied in the case of performing the remote copy as in the above embodiment. An operation mode (second detection mode) for executing the remote copy process after the original orientation detection process is executed by the detection unit 2500 is provided in advance in the local device (for example, the digital multifunction peripheral 1001). , A user interface unit of the local device (for example, the operation unit 2012 or the display unit 2). By the user via the 13, etc.) and can select a desired detection mode, controller, such as CPU2001 may be appropriately selected executable control constitutes a detection mode selected by the user. Of course, the present embodiment is also applicable to an apparatus / system having only one of the operation modes.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, when remote copying is performed, the image data before being subjected to the image rotation processing together with the document direction detection data acquired by the local device from the local device to the remote device. The description has been mainly given of the configuration in the case where the device on the remote side performs image rotation processing based on the received document orientation detection data and performs control so that the image rotated processing image is printed on recording paper. However, the present embodiment is not limited to this, and may have the following configuration.

  For example, when performing remote copy, image rotation processing in accordance with document orientation detection data acquired by a local device is performed on a local device (for example, digital multifunction peripheral 1001) for document image data to be remotely copied. A predetermined unit (for example, image rotation processing unit 2030) executes the rotation-processed image data on a local device, and then executes a communication unit (for example, network unit 2010 or modem). 2050), the CPU 2001 controls the remote-side device (for example, the digital multifunction peripheral 2903) to transfer the rotated image data, and the remote-side device performs the image rotation without executing the image rotation process. Control to print rotated image data It may be configured such.

  In this case, the job mode data in which the output processing condition data is set without setting the document orientation detection data is transferred to a remote device, and the rotation processing is performed by the remote device in accordance with the output processing condition data. Control is performed to execute image output processing.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, when remote copy is performed in this manner, the original orientation detection data acquired by the local device is not transferred to the remote device, but is transmitted by the local device. After performing image rotation processing in accordance with the document orientation detection data, transfer the rotated image data to the remote device and print the processed image data without performing the rotation processing on the remote device. The operation mode (first processing mode) and the document orientation detection data acquired by the local device from the local device to the remote device when performing the remote copy as in the above embodiment. The image data before image rotation processing is transferred, and the received document orientation detection data is An operation mode (second processing mode) for performing image rotation processing based on the image rotation processing and printing the image subjected to the image rotation processing on recording paper is provided in advance in the local device (for example, the digital multifunction peripheral 1001). The user can select a desired processing mode via a user interface unit (for example, the operation unit 2012 or the display unit 2013) of the local device, and the controller such as the CPU 2001 appropriately changes the processing mode selected by the user. A configuration in which selection is made executable may be employed.

  Of course, the present embodiment is also applicable to an apparatus / system having only one of the operation modes.

  Also, in the present embodiment, as in the previous embodiment, when remote copying is performed, the operation mode (first mode) in which image data is transferred from the local device to the remote device page by page from the local device. Transfer mode) and when executing remote copy, all image data for all pages are stored in the memory (for example, the hard disk 2004) of the local device (for example, the digital multifunction peripheral 1001), and then all the pages are printed. The operation mode (second transfer mode) for transferring data from the device on the local side to the device on the remote side (for example, the digital multifunction peripheral 2903) is collectively described in units, and the device on the local side (for example, the digital multifunction peripheral 1001) ), The user interface of the local device For example, to enable selecting a desired transfer mode by the user via the operation unit 2012 and display unit 2013, and the like), the controller, such as CPU 2001, may be appropriately selected executable control constitutes a transfer mode in response to a user operation. Of course, the present embodiment is also applicable to an apparatus / system having only one of the operation modes.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, various configurations and forms can be applied. In any case, remote copy such as the output result 24001 shown in FIG. 28 or the output result 24003 shown in FIG. 29 is executed. In this case, a local controller such as the CPU 2001 and / or a remote controller controls so as to prohibit an inappropriate output image not reflecting the document orientation detection result from being output by a remote device. The controller outputs an appropriate output image, such as the output result 24002 shown in FIG. 28 or the output result 24004 shown in FIG. Any embodiment can be applied as long as the configuration is such that the output is possible.

  Further, as described above, the present embodiment performs more appropriate image processing by performing image editing processing such as rotation of original image data input to a local device, including staple mode and page print mode. An image forming mode in which an output result is obtained in a remote copy mode (for example, a reduced layout mode in which a plurality of images are collectively printed on one sheet, or a punching process such as a punching process is performed on a recording sheet on which an image is formed) The punching mode, the bookbinding mode, and the like) are selected by the user via the operation unit of the local device, and the local device obtains the document orientation acquired by the local device. The configuration that controls image output in the output mode based on the detection information has been mainly described. Also in consideration of productivity such as shortening the time required for image editing processing in definitive like the image rotation processing may be configured as follows.

  For example, the above-described control is defined as a first control sequence, and separately from this, the document image data is input in any direction by the local device without depending on the document direction detection information acquired by the local device. Regardless of whether the document data is subjected to image editing processing such as rotation processing based on the document detection information as described above, the document data input by the local device without being output by the remote device. Control is performed so that the remote device prints out the image data in the same orientation as the orientation (for example, the document image data on which the image reading process has been performed in the local A sequence in which the device performs a printing process while the device is in the downward state is performed by the system as a second control sequence. In this case, the first control sequence and the second control sequence can be selectively executed.

  Then, for example, by performing image editing processing such as staple mode, page print mode, reduced layout mode, punch mode, and the like, rotation processing of original image data input to a local device, more appropriate image output When an image forming mode (referred to as a first type image forming mode) in which a result is obtained in the remote copy mode is set by the user on the operation unit of the local device, the first control sequence is performed. The first device and the second device are controlled to be executed.

  On the other hand, the staple mode or the page print mode is not set, and the first type image forming mode as described above is not set, and instead, the output is performed without executing the editing processing such as the image rotation processing. An image forming mode that does not greatly affect the result and does not result in a useless output result (for example, a non-post-processing mode such as a non-sort mode in which print output is simply performed without performing post-processing such as sorting processing or stapling processing is included. This is referred to as a second type of image forming mode.), When the user sets the operation on the operation unit of the local device, the execution of the first control sequence is prohibited, and the second control is performed. The first device and the second device are controlled to execute the sequence.

  Further, each of the above-described embodiments mainly describes the case of the remote output mode in which image data (job) input to one image data source such as one local device is output by one remote device. However, in the present embodiment, image data (job) input to one image data generation source such as one local device is printed by, for example, a printer included in the local device, and the remote device Can also be applied to a multiple print mode (multiple copy) mode in which printing is performed by a plurality of printers, such as a printer that is equipped with a printer. In response to the operation, the control of each of the above forms can be executed even in the multiple printing mode. It can be formed. Thus, for example, when the multiple print mode is set by the user, the controller such as the CPU 2001 acquires the document image data input by the scanner unit of the local device by the document direction detection unit of the local device. In the output form according to the document orientation detection data, the local device controls the printer to be printed out by the printer included in the local device, and also converts the document image data input by the scanner of the local device into the local device. In the output form according to the document orientation detection data obtained by the document orientation detection unit, control is performed so that printing is performed by a printer unit included in a remote device capable of data communication with the local device. In this way, control is performed so that printing processes by a plurality of printers are executed in parallel according to the document orientation detection information.

  As described above, it is possible to provide a remote output environment and system construction that can respond to various needs from users and realize both improvement of operability and productivity.

  In the conventional remote copy or multiple copy, there is no means for notifying the receiving-side image forming apparatus of the document orientation information detected by the transmitting-side image forming apparatus, and the receiving-side image forming apparatus uses the transmitting-side image forming apparatus. Could not perform print processing in accordance with the detected image orientation detection result, but transmits the document orientation information detected by the transmitting image forming apparatus to the receiving image forming apparatus as in the above processing. Since the receiving side image forming apparatus can perform the printing process according to the image orientation detection result detected by the transmitting side image forming apparatus, there is an effect that the convenience of remote printing is improved.

  In the present embodiment, the page print mode and the staple mode are set from the parent machine (for example, a digital multifunction peripheral on the transmission side (at least a local device having an image input unit and a unit for acquiring document orientation detection information and a data communication unit)). In the above description, the processing in the case where the print mode for printing the header and the footer, the print mode for printing the copy number, and the print mode corresponding to the image processing according to the vertical direction of the image are specified. However, based on the document orientation information detected by the master unit, the slave unit (for example, a digital multifunction peripheral (at least a remote device having at least a data communication unit and an image output unit) on the receiving side) sets the print mode (header, footer print mode, The image forming process according to the copy number printing mode and the printing mode corresponding to the image processing according to the vertical direction of the image) It may be configured to print processing by.

  Also, in the present embodiment, a case has been described in which a digital multi-function peripheral is used as a parent device (transmission-side device (image input device)). However, a network scanner or the like may be used, and data transmission to a remote device is possible. The device may have a communication function, or may have a single function having only a transmission function.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, a case has been described in which a digital multi-function peripheral is used as a child device (reception-side device (image output device)), but a network printer, a printer connected to a network via a print server, or the like is used. Alternatively, the device may be a device capable of outputting data obtained from a local device, or may be a single-function device having only an output function.

  In the above-described embodiment, in the case where image data stored in advance in the memory box area B of the hard disk 2004 in the parent machine (digital multifunction peripheral (image input device) on the transmission side) is remotely printed, The case where the original is read and the orientation of the original is detected by the scanner 2070 of the digital multifunction peripheral (image input device) on the transmission side to perform remote printing (that is, remote copying) has been described. Alternatively, it goes without saying that the present invention includes only one of the configurations. In the latter case, in a step (not shown) before step S2701 in FIG. 17, a document image is read by the scanner 2070, and the document direction detection unit 2500 can detect the document direction for each page from the read document image. You may.

  In the present embodiment, when image data in the memory box area B of the hard disk 2004 is to be remotely printed, the document orientation detection unit 2500 determines the document orientation of the image data in the memory box area B after a remote print instruction from the user. Although the case of detection has been described, for image data for which the document orientation has been detected once, the document orientation detection result is registered in the memory box area B in association with the image data, and the document orientation detection is not performed from the next time. The detection result may be read and notified to the slave unit side. The job in the box area B may be held in the area B even after remote printing, and the remote area may be repeatedly used in response to a request from the user. It controls printing to be executable, and every time remote printing is performed, the document orientation detection information of the job is saved. May be available to configure remote print reads from Li.

  Further, when registering the image data in the memory box area B, the document orientation detection unit 2500 detects the document orientation of the image data to be registered, and registers the detection result in the memory box area B in association with the image data. May be configured.

  As described above, the document orientation detection may be performed for each page of the image data (that is, for each document), or only the first page of the document bundle may be considered to be the same. Further, these may be configured to be selectable by a user. In the case where the original orientation is detected only for the first page of the original bundle and all the originals are considered to be in the same direction, if the original bundle contains an original with an inverted top and bottom by mistake, the image processing is correctly performed for the original with the inverted top and bottom. However, the document orientation detection time can be greatly reduced and the remote print time can be shortened.

  On the other hand, when the document detection is performed for each page of the image data (that is, for each document), even if the document bundle includes a document with the reversed top and bottom by mistake, the document with the reversed top and bottom is also detected. Image processing can be performed correctly, and accuracy is improved.

  Therefore, if the system is configured to be selectable by the user as described above, it is possible to provide a system that can select whether to emphasize accuracy or to improve processing time according to the user's desire.

  In the present embodiment, a control example in which image data transmitted from the local side is printed in an output form based on the orientation information of the document image data acquired on the local side by the device on the remote side will be mainly described. Therefore, the remote copy (remote print) is called, but the present embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the remote device may output image data received from the local device on the display unit in an output form in accordance with the document orientation detection data (for example, a document orientation detection result acquired on the local side may be used). For example, the received image may be displayed in a preview based on the orientation based on the data, the data may be transferred to an external device (for example, e-mail transmission), or the data may be stored in a storage medium such as a hard disk. As described above, the present embodiment is applicable even when functioning as the remote output mode including at least one of the print output process, the display output process, and the data transfer process.

  Although the embodiment has been described above, the present invention can take an embodiment as, for example, a system, an apparatus, a method, a program, a storage medium, or the like, and specifically includes a plurality of devices. The present invention may be applied to a system or an apparatus including one device.

  Further, a combination of the respective modifications of the above embodiment is also included in the present invention. A logical OR configuration or a logical AND configuration of each mode is also applicable to the present embodiment.

  As described above, a first device (for example, digital multifunction peripheral 1001) having at least an input unit capable of inputting image data and a communication unit capable of data communication, and a communication unit capable of data communication and capable of outputting image data In an image processing system (for example, FIG. 1) including a second device (for example, a digital multifunction peripheral 1020) having at least a simple output unit, image data input to the first device is transmitted to the communication unit (for example, a network unit). 2010), the remote device sets a remote output mode for causing the second device to output, and causes the first device to acquire the orientation information of the image data input to the first device. In the mode, the image data transmitted from the first device is transmitted to the first device. In the output form according to the orientation information obtained in the above, by causing the second device to output, for example, print processing according to the document orientation information detected by the image forming apparatus on the transmission side, in the image forming apparatus on the receiving side For example, it is possible to construct a remote output environment that greatly improves the convenience in the remote output mode.

  Hereinafter, the configuration of a data processing program readable by an image forming system to which the image input device and the image output device according to the present invention can be applied will be described with reference to a memory map shown in FIG.

  FIG. 30 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a storage medium that stores various data processing programs that can be read by an image forming system to which the image input device and the image output device according to the present invention can be applied.

  Although not shown, information for managing a group of programs stored in the storage medium, for example, version information, a creator, and the like are also stored, and information dependent on the OS or the like on the program reading side, for example, a program is identified and displayed. Icons and the like may also be stored.

  Further, data dependent on various programs is also managed in the directory. Further, when the program or data to be installed is compressed, a program or the like for decompressing may be stored.

  The program code for executing the functions shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 17, 19, and 22 according to the present embodiment, and the control for displaying the operation screens and the like shown in FIGS. The program may be executed by the host computer with a program code for executing, and a program code for executing a series of output operation control shown in FIGS. 28 and 29. In this case, the present invention is applied even when a group of information including a program is supplied to the output device from a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a flash memory, or an FD, or from an external storage medium via a network. Things.

  As described above, the storage medium storing the program codes of the software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to the system or the apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or the apparatus stores the storage medium in the storage medium. It goes without saying that the object of the present invention is also achieved by reading and executing the program code thus obtained.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium implements the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

  Therefore, as long as it has the function of the program, the form of the program does not matter, such as the object code, the program executed by the interpreter, and the script data supplied to the OS.

  Examples of a storage medium for supplying the program include a flexible disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, an MO, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a CD-RW, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, and a DVD. Can be used.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the function of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

  In addition, as a method for supplying the program, a client computer is connected to a homepage on the Internet using a browser, and the computer program itself of the present invention or the compressed file including the automatic installation function is stored on a recording medium such as a hard disk. It can also be supplied by downloading. Further, the present invention can also be realized by dividing the program code constituting the program of the present invention into a plurality of files and downloading each file from a different homepage. That is, a WWW server, an ftp server, or the like that allows a plurality of users to download a program file for implementing the functional processing of the present invention on a computer is also included in the claims of the present invention.

  In addition, the program of the present invention is encrypted, stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, distributed to users, and downloaded to a user who satisfies predetermined conditions from a homepage via the Internet to download key information for decryption. It is also possible to execute the encrypted program by using the key information and install the program on a computer to realize the program.

  When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a part or all of the actual processing is performed and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

  Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided on a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a CPU or the like provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

  Further, the present invention may be applied to a system including a plurality of devices or to an apparatus including a single device. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to a case where the present invention is achieved by supplying a program to a system or an apparatus. In this case, by reading a storage medium storing a program represented by software for achieving the present invention into the system or the apparatus, the system or the apparatus can enjoy the effects of the present invention. .

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications (including organic combinations of the embodiments) are possible based on the spirit of the present invention, and those are excluded from the scope of the present invention. is not.

  Although various examples and embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, those skilled in the art are not intended to limit the spirit and scope of the present invention to the specific description herein.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the image input device specifies an image editing process for a document, reads image data from the document, stores image data of the read document in a memory, Detecting the orientation of the original with respect to the image data, transmitting the original orientation detection result and the image editing process designation to an image output device via a predetermined communication medium, reading out the image data stored in the memory, The image output device transmits the image data received from the image input device based on the document orientation detection result received from the image input device on the image output device side. Performs image processing according to the image editing process designation received from the input device, and prints out the image-processed image data. Was made the printing process in accordance with an original orientation information to allow the receiving side of the image forming apparatus, the effect of such can be constructed remote imaging environment to remarkably improve the convenience of the remote printing.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a network configuration of an image forming system to which an image input device and an image output device according to the present invention can be applied. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an overall hardware configuration of the digital multifunction peripheral illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an image input / output device (scanner, printer) constituting the digital multi-functional peripheral shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating a configuration of an operation unit illustrated in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a scanner image processing unit illustrated in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer image processing unit illustrated in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image compression processing unit illustrated in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image rotation processing unit illustrated in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an operation of an image rotation processing unit illustrated in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an operation of an image rotation processing unit illustrated in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a device I / F unit illustrated in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is a software block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of software that operates in the digital multifunction peripheral illustrated in FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating embedded application blocks related to image distribution in an image forming system to which the image input apparatus and the image forming apparatus of the present invention can be applied. FIG. 3 is a system configuration diagram showing a configuration of an image forming system that includes the digital multi-function peripheral shown in FIG. 2 and executes a remote copy which is also a feature of the present invention. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of allocating storage areas of a hard disk in the digital multi-function peripheral illustrated in FIG. 14. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a remote printer selection screen displayed on an LCD display unit of an operation unit illustrated in FIG. 4 in a transmission-side device (master device) when performing remote printing. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a first control processing procedure in an image forming system to which the image input device and the image output device according to the present invention can be applied. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a message screen displayed on the LCD display unit of the operation unit illustrated in FIG. 4 and indicating that there is a possibility of interruption due to memory full. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a second control processing procedure in the image forming system to which the image input device and the image output device of the present invention can be applied. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of allocation of a remote print area in a storage area of a hard disk in the digital multi-function peripheral illustrated in FIG. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a page print setting screen displayed on an LCD display unit of an operation unit in a transmission-side device (master device) when performing remote printing. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a third control processing procedure in an image forming system to which the image input device and the image output device according to the present invention can be applied. It is a figure showing an example of a user interface screen of this embodiment. It is a figure showing an example of a user interface screen of this embodiment. It is a figure showing an example of a user interface screen of this embodiment. It is a figure showing an example of a user interface screen of this embodiment. It is a figure showing an example of a user interface screen of this embodiment. It is a figure showing the example of control of this embodiment. It is a figure showing the example of control of this embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a storage medium that stores various data processing programs that can be read by an image forming system to which the image input device and the image output device of the present invention can be applied.

Explanation of reference numerals

1001 Digital multifunction peripheral 1010 Local area network 2001 CPU
2002 RAM
2003 ROM
2004 HDD
2013 LCD display unit 2070 Scanner 2095 Printer 2902 Digital copier 2903 Digital copier

Claims (22)

In an image input device capable of data communication with an image output device,
Designating means for designating an image editing process for a document;
Reading means for reading image data from the document,
Storage means for storing image data of a document read by the reading means,
Document direction detecting means for detecting the direction of the document with respect to the image data,
A first transmission unit that transmits a detection result of the document orientation detection unit and an image editing process designation by the designation unit to the image output device;
A second transmission unit that reads out the image data stored in the storage unit and transmits the image data to the image output device;
An image input device comprising: In an image output device capable of data communication with an image input device,
Image processing means for performing image processing according to an image editing process designation received from the image input device on image data received from the image input device, based on a document orientation detection result received from the image input device; and ,
Output means for printing out image data image-processed by the image processing means,
An image output device comprising: An image forming system capable of outputting image data input by an image input device by an image output device capable of data communication with the image input device,
The image input device,
Designating means for designating an image editing process for a document;
Reading means for reading image data from the document,
Storage means for storing image data of a document read by the reading means,
Document direction detecting means for detecting the direction of the document with respect to the image data,
A first transmission unit that transmits a detection result of the document orientation detection unit and an image editing process designation by the designation unit to the image output device;
Second transmission means for reading out the image data stored in the storage means and transmitting it to the image output device,
The image output device,
Image processing means for performing image processing according to an image editing process designation received from the image input device on image data received from the image input device, based on a document orientation detection result received from the image input device; and ,
Output means for printing out image data image-processed by the image processing means,
An image forming system comprising: In a control method of an image input device capable of data communication with an image output device,
A designating step for designating an image editing process for the manuscript;
A reading step of reading image data from the document,
A storage step of storing in a memory image data of the document read by the reading step,
A document orientation detecting step of detecting a document orientation with respect to the image data,
A first transmission step of transmitting a detection result in the document orientation detection step and an image editing process designation in the designation step to the image output device;
A second transmission step of reading the image data stored in the memory and transmitting the image data to the image output device;
A method for controlling an image input device, comprising: In a control method of an image output device capable of communicating with an image input device,
An image processing step of performing image processing according to an image editing process specification received from the image input device on image data received from the image input device, based on a document orientation detection result received from the image input device; ,
An output step of printing out the image processed image data,
A method for controlling an image output device, comprising: Image processing system including a first device having at least input means capable of inputting image data and a communication means capable of data communication, and a second device having at least communication means capable of data communication and output means capable of outputting image data And
Remote output mode setting means for performing data communication of the image data input to the first device via the communication means and setting a remote output mode for output by the second device;
Orientation information acquisition control means for causing the first device to acquire orientation information of image data input to the first device,
In the remote output mode, image data to be output by the second device is transmitted from the first device to the second device, and the orientation information acquired by the first device is transmitted to the second device. Transmission control means for controlling;
Reception control means for causing the second device to receive the image data and the orientation information transmitted from the first device,
Image processing control means for controlling the second device to perform image processing on the image data received from the first device according to the orientation information received from the first device;
Control means for causing the second device to output image data subjected to image processing by the second device,
An image processing system comprising: Image processing system including a first device having at least input means capable of inputting image data and a communication means capable of data communication, and a second device having at least communication means capable of data communication and output means capable of outputting image data And
Remote output mode setting means for performing data communication of the image data input to the first device via the communication means and setting a remote output mode for output by the second device;
Orientation information acquisition control means for causing the first device to acquire orientation information of image data input to the first device,
Control means for causing the second device to output image data transmitted from the first device in the remote output mode in an output form according to the orientation information obtained by the first device;
An image processing system comprising: Image processing including a first device having at least an input unit capable of inputting image data and a communication unit capable of data communication, and a second device having at least a communication unit capable of data communication and an output unit capable of outputting image data A method of controlling a system,
A remote output mode setting step of performing a data communication with the image data input to the first device via the communication means and setting a remote output mode for outputting the image data by the second device;
Orientation information acquisition control step of causing the first device to acquire orientation information of the image data input to the first device;
In the remote output mode, a control step of causing the second device to output image data transmitted from the first device in an output form according to the orientation information acquired by the first device,
A control method for an image processing system, comprising:   In the control step, in the remote output mode, when a first image forming mode requiring image editing processing such as rotation processing of image data is set, the image data transmitted from the first device, A first sequence output by the second device can be executed in an output form according to the orientation information obtained by one device, and in the remote output mode, image editing processing such as rotation processing of image data is not required. When the second image forming mode is set, the first sequence is prohibited, and the image data transmitted from the first device is output in an output form that does not depend on the orientation information of the image data. 9. The control method according to claim 8, wherein the second sequence output by the device is executable.   In the remote output mode, the image data transmitted from the first device when at least one of the image forming modes of the staple mode, the page print mode, the reduced layout mode, and the punch mode is set in the remote output mode. In the output form according to the orientation information obtained by the first device, a first sequence to be output by the second device is executable, and in the remote output mode, when a non-sort mode is set, Prohibiting the first sequence and enabling the second sequence to output the image data transmitted from the first device by the second device in an output form not depending on the orientation information of the image data. 10. The control method for an image processing system according to claim 8, wherein: The control step, in the remote output mode, a series of image data consisting of a plurality of pages transmitted from the first device, the image orientation according to the orientation information obtained by the first device, the second device Can be output by
The control step includes: in the remote output mode, a first mode for processing the series of image data composed of the plurality of pages according to the orientation information acquired for each page of the series of image data composed of the plurality of pages; and In the mode, a second mode for processing the series of image data composed of a plurality of pages according to orientation information of a predetermined page of the series of image data composed of the plurality of pages can be selectively executed. Item 11. The control method for an image processing system according to any one of Items 8 to 10.   The control step includes, in the remote output mode, processing the processed image data obtained by performing image processing on the image data input to the first device in accordance with the orientation information acquired by the first device. A first processing mode in which the processed image data is output by the second device after being generated by the device; and in the remote output mode, the first device performs processing on the image data input to the first device. And a second processing mode in which the second device generates processed image data on which image processing has been performed in accordance with the acquired orientation information, and outputs the processed image data on the second device. The control method of an image processing system according to claim 8, wherein the method is enabled.   The control step includes, in the remote output mode, a series of image data including a plurality of pages transmitted from the first device, in an output form according to the orientation information acquired by the first device, the second device In the case of output by the controller, the controller causes the first device to transfer data from the first device to the second device in page units, and causes the first device to store all pages of the series of image data. The second transfer mode in which image data of all pages are collectively transferred from the first device to the second device is selectively executable. A control method for the image processing system according to any one of the above.   14. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein each of the first device and the second device includes an image input unit, a document orientation detection unit, a storage unit capable of storing image data for a plurality of pages, and a printer unit. The control method of the image processing system according to any one of the above.   At least one of the first device and the second device is a multifunction device having a plurality of functions including at least one of a copy function, a printer function, a facsimile function, a box function, and a network scanner function. The control method for an image processing system according to claim 8, wherein:   At least one of the first device and the second device is a single function device including at least one of a copy function, a printer function, a facsimile function, a box function, and a network scanner function. The control method for an image processing system according to any one of claims 8 to 15, wherein: An image processing system including a first device having at least an input unit capable of inputting image data and a communication unit capable of data communication, and a second device having at least a communication unit capable of data communication and a printing unit capable of printing image data Control method,
A remote print mode setting step of performing data communication of the image data input to the first device via the communication means and setting a remote print mode for printing by the second device;
A page print mode setting step for setting a page print mode for printing page number information on recording paper together with the input image data;
A page print mode detailed setting step for setting a print position on the recording paper of page number information to be printed on the recording paper in the page print mode,
The remote print mode is set in the remote print mode setting step, the page print mode is set in the page print mode setting step, and the page number information is set at the lower right of the recording paper in the page print detail setting step. Is set, and if the image data input to the first device to be processed in the remote print mode is image data in a downward state, the image data in the downward state is changed to an image in an upward state. The control means controls the printing means of the second device to print the rotated processed image data on a recording paper, and displays the page number information of the processed image data on the lower right of the recording paper on which the processed image data is printed. A control step for controlling to be printed;
A control method comprising: An image processing system including a first device having at least an input unit capable of inputting image data and a communication unit capable of data communication, and a second device having at least a communication unit capable of data communication and a printing unit capable of printing image data Control method,
A remote print mode setting step of performing data communication of the image data input to the first device via the communication means and setting a remote print mode for printing by the second device;
A staple mode setting step of setting a staple mode for performing staple processing on recording paper on which input image data is printed;
A staple mode detail setting step for setting a staple position on recording paper in the staple mode,
In the remote print mode setting step, the remote print mode is set, and in the staple mode setting step, the staple mode is set, and in the staple mode detailed setting step, a setting for performing staple processing on the upper left of the recording paper is set. When the image data input to the first device to be processed in the remote print mode is image data in a downward state, the image data in the downward state has been rotated to an upward state. A control step of controlling the image data to be printed on the recording paper by the printing means of the second device, and controlling the second device to perform a stapling process on the upper left of the recording paper on which the processed image data is printed; ,
A control method comprising: An image processing system including a first device having at least an input unit capable of inputting image data and a communication unit capable of data communication, and a second device having at least a communication unit capable of data communication and a printing unit capable of printing image data And
Remote print mode setting means for performing data communication of image data input to the first device via the communication means and setting a remote print mode for printing by the second device;
Page print mode setting means for setting a page print mode for printing page number information on recording paper together with input image data;
Page print mode detailed setting means for setting a print position on the recording paper of page number information to be printed on the recording paper in the page print mode,
The remote print mode is set by the remote print mode setting means, the page print mode is set by the page print mode setting means, and page number information is set at the lower right of the recording paper by the page print detail setting means. Is set, and if the image data input to the first device to be processed in the remote print mode is image data in a downward state, the image data in the downward state is changed to an image in an upward state. The control means controls the printing means of the second device to print the rotated processed image data on a recording paper, and displays the page number information of the processed image data on the lower right of the recording paper on which the processed image data is printed. Control means for controlling to be printed,
An image processing system comprising: An image processing system including a first device having at least an input unit capable of inputting image data and a communication unit capable of data communication, and a second device having at least a communication unit capable of data communication and a printing unit capable of printing image data And
Remote print mode setting means for performing data communication of image data input to the first device via the communication means and setting a remote print mode for printing by the second device;
Staple mode setting means for setting a staple mode for performing staple processing on recording paper on which input image data is printed,
Staple mode detail setting means for setting a staple position on recording paper in the staple mode,
The remote print mode is set by the remote print mode setting means, the staple mode is set by the staple mode setting means, and the setting for performing staple processing on the upper left of the recording paper is set by the staple mode detailed setting means. When the image data input to the first device to be processed in the remote print mode is image data in a downward state, the image data in the downward state has been rotated to an upward state. Control means for controlling the image data to be printed on the recording paper by the printing means of the second device, and controlling the second device so as to staple the upper left of the recording paper on which the processed image data is printed; ,
An image processing system comprising:   A program for executing the control method according to any one of claims 4, 5, 8 to 18.   A storage medium storing a computer-readable program for executing the control method according to claim 4.

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