JP2007233845A - Image processor, control method of image processor, program and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To manage a job related information about an executed job while reducing cost. <P>SOLUTION: When the job is executed, image data related to the job and job management data are coded and output. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, a control method for the image processing apparatus, a program, and a storage medium.

  A barcode image and a two-dimensional code image which are black and white images are known. These barcode image and two-dimensional code image are images generated by encoding (also referred to as encoding) information. In this specification, an image generated by encoding information in this way is referred to as a code image.

  In addition, a technique is known in which a reader is brought close to a code image and information is extracted from digital data obtained by the scan.

  FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B are diagrams for explaining this encoding technique. First, FIG. 10A will be described.

  01 indicates a document image including a code image, a character image called a title, and a black line image. This document image is not digital data but paper itself. 02 indicates a copying machine.

  When the user places this document image 01 on the scanning stand of the multifunction device 02 and instructs scanning, the multifunction device 02 scans the document image and obtains digital data by scanning. Further, the multifunction device 02 recognizes that the code image is included in the digital data and extracts the code image. Further, information included in the extracted code image is extracted. If the extracted information is character information, the character information is converted into a character image and printed out. 03 indicates the printed paper. This paper 03 includes a character image called a title, a black line image, and a character image called a result of company A this year. That is, it can be seen that the code image included in the document image 01 is an image generated by encoding the character information of the result of company A this year.

  On the other hand, when the extracted information is image information, the image information is printed out. Reference numeral 13 in FIG. 10B denotes the printed paper. This paper 13 includes an image showing a picture of fireworks.

  A technique for encoding information in this way is called an encoding technique. An image generated from information by an encoding technique is called a code image.

  By the way, a unit for performing image processing exists inside the copying machine. The unit for performing image processing is referred to as a controller unit. Such a controller unit includes a CPU and a RAM. An apparatus provided with such a controller unit is called an image processing apparatus. Examples of such an image processing apparatus include a copying machine (controller unit + scanner unit + printing unit), a printer (controller unit + printing unit), a FAX (controller unit + FAX transmission unit), and a multifunction device (controller unit + scanner unit + printing unit). It is needless to say that (the part + FAX transmission part) is included.

  In the controller unit, there is an apparatus that can store information on an executed job in an external or internal storage device. As described above, a function that stores information related to the executed job in the storage device so that it can be retrieved later is called a job management function.

  Definitions of frequently used terms in the job management function are given below.

  The job is a job to be performed by the controller unit. The term job will be explained in an easy-to-understand manner using an example. Assume that the user places an A3 original image on the scanning stand of the copying machine, selects a 50% reduction setting, selects A3 as the output paper, and presses the copy button. Then, the work to be performed by the controller unit is that “the A3 document image data sent from the scanner unit is reduced by 50% both vertically and horizontally to obtain the reduced document image data. The new document image data is generated by adding the margin image data, and the generated new document image data is sent to the printing unit ”(see FIG. 11).

  In such a job management function, a job management report is output. Specifically, as shown in 501 in FIG. 5, job result data and job name and printed image data are formed on a paper and output. Specifically, the job result data is data obtained after the job is executed, such as the job execution date and time, the job execution time, the number of job executions, and the job execution result. As another technique, monochrome binary image data generated by encoding image data and job management data that is not particularly encoded are formed on paper and output. (See Patent Document 1). Such job management reports have been used by each user to check whether their communication has been successful. On the other hand, at present, emphasis is placed on preventing leakage of confidential documents and tracing outflow routes in the event of outflow.

Further, a technique is known in which both job management data and image data are registered in a server as digital data without being particularly encoded. This technique is called a job archive technique.
JP2002-170075

  However, even if such a job management report is used, it is not possible to track the outflow route when a confidential document is outflowed. For example, even if you can imagine when someone printed a confidential document, in order to confirm it, you have to turn over the accumulated job management reports one by one and look for it. . In other words, a large cost is required for job management and document management.

  If the job archiving technique is used, it is possible to trace the outflow route when a confidential document is outflowed, but the amount of data to be stored in the server is enormous, and therefore the cost is very high.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus capable of managing jobs while reducing the cost of information relating to executed jobs. There is to offer.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, an image processing apparatus according to the present invention has the following configuration.

  That is, an execution unit that executes an instructed process on an input image, a job management data generation unit that generates job management data including an execution result in the execution unit, and a job management data generation unit And encoding means for generating a code image from the input job management data and the input image, and output means for outputting the code image generated by the encoding means.

(Object of invention)
It is possible to manage jobs while reducing the cost of information relating to executed jobs.

As explained above,
In an image processing device that executes jobs by inputting and outputting various data,
Image data storage means for storing the executed image data;
Two-dimensional encoding means for two-dimensionally encoding the image data;
Job attribute data storage means for storing attribute data attached to the job such as job end result and job execution date and time,
Job history data creation for creating image history data in association with job attribute data saved by the job attribute data saving unit by two-dimensionally encoding the image data saved by the image data saving unit Means,
By having job history data printing means for printing job history data created by the job history data creating means as a report,
This has the effect of providing an inexpensive and easy-to-use job history management function. By simply reading the job history data output as a report from a scanner such as a scanner of an image processing device, the original image data can be easily accessed. It can be reproduced.

Example 1
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an overview of the processing of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, a [109] MFP (MFP) is shown as an example of an image processing apparatus.

  The image data [101] to be processed includes scan data read by a scanner, PDL data sent via a transmission circuit such as a LAN or WAN, or data sent via a telephone line (FAX) or the like. Or data directly input from an external medium such as a USB device.

  The multifunction device [109] executes the instructed job. When the job execution is completed, the job result data and the encoded image data generated by encoding the input image data are printed out as a job management report with original image [108] [107].

  FIG. 2 shows an internal configuration of a multifunction peripheral (MFP) [109] as an example of an image processing apparatus.

  In FIG. 2, [200] is the entire multifunction peripheral. The multifunction machine [200] includes a CPU [201] that executes software stored in a ROM [202] or a large-scale storage device [210] such as a hard disk, and the CPU [201] is connected to the system bus [213]. Control each device to be controlled.

  [203] is a RAM that functions as a main memory, work area, and the like of the CPU [201]. [205] is an external input controller (PANELC), which controls instruction inputs from various buttons provided on the multifunction peripheral or the touch panel [206]. [207] is a display controller (DISPC), which controls the display of a display module (DISPLAY) [208] composed of a liquid crystal display, for example.

  [204] is a network interface card (NIC), and exchanges data with other network devices or file servers via the LAN [214].

  [211] is a paper printing unit realized by, for example, an electrophotographic system or an inkjet system.

  [212] is an image reading unit for reading an image printed on paper. In many cases, an automatic document feeder (not shown) is attached as an option to the image reading unit [212], and a plurality of documents can be automatically read.

  Note that the large-scale storage device [210] may also be used as a temporary storage location for images in some cases. In FIG. 2, although described as a hard disk, other non-volatile recording media may be used.

  Of these, [201], [202], [203], [204], [205], [207], [209], and [213] are included in the controller unit. [211] is included in the print unit. [212] is included in the scanner unit.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining job management data. The job management data is digital data stored in a storage device that is electrically connected to the controller unit.

  [302] is a job management number.

  [303] is the job name. For example, the destination name for a facsimile job, the destination address for a network transmission job, and the file name for a print job.

  [304] is the time when the execution of the job is started. This is a kind of job result data.

  [305] is the job execution time taken from the start to the end of the job. This is also a kind of job result data.

  [306] is the number of image data after reflecting the output condition. If the job is a copy job, the number of pages matches the number of sheets discharged to the discharge bin. This is also a kind of job result data.

  [307] is a job end status. That is, “OK” is entered for normal termination, and “NG” is entered for abnormal termination. This is also a kind of job result data.

  FIG. 5 shows an outline of conventional job management report data with original image [501] printed out after the job is completed, and an outline of job management report data [511] with original image of the present invention type. FIG.

  The conventional report data includes job management image data generated by imaging job management data in the area [502], image data of the first page in the image data before reflecting output conditions in the area [503], and Existed.

  In the report data according to the present invention, job management image data generated by imaging [502] job management data exists in the area [512], but the output condition is reflected in the area [503]. There is code image data generated by encoding the previous image data. Prior to the detailed description of the present invention, a definition of terms will be given.

  The output condition data includes output conditions such as conditions (50% reduction, dark, thin, double-sided, 2 in 1 etc.) and transmission conditions (send at 600 dpi) when the image data sent to the controller unit is formed on the sheet. It is data which shows. The image data before reflecting output conditions is image data before reflecting the output conditions. The image data after reflecting the output conditions is image data after reflecting the output conditions. In the previous example, the output condition data is data including “data indicating that the output sheet is A3” and “data indicating that 50% reduction is set”. The pre-output condition reflection image data is A3 size original image data sent from the scanner unit. The post-output condition reflected image data is new original image data with an A3 size margin to be sent to the print unit.

  FIG. 4 shows another example [401] of the present invention type report data, which replaces the report data [511] in FIG.

  Job management data exists in the area [402].

  In the area [403], there is encoded image data obtained by encoding the image data before reflecting the output condition. Since [402] and [403] are related data, as shown in the figure, for example, there is black line data surrounded by a frame line so that the relationship can be recognized by humans. .

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  Hereinafter, the flowchart of FIG. 6 will be described.

  When the start of an output job (copy job, print job, or transmission job) is instructed in [601], the output job is executed in [602], and the process proceeds to [603]. More specifically, the execution of the output job in [602] outputs the output image data after the predetermined processing after performing predetermined processing on the input image data. Here, output refers to print output, transmission output, and the like. Also, the input image data is included in the image data before reflecting the output condition (because the condition setting is not reflected at the time of input). Further, the output image data is referred to as post-output condition reflecting image data (because the condition setting has already been reflected at the time of output).

  In [603], it is determined whether or not the execution of the output job is finished. If it is determined in [603] that the execution of the output job has not ended, the process proceeds to [602]. If it is determined in [603] that the execution of the output job has been completed, the process proceeds to [604].

  In [604], the job result data described with reference to FIG. 3 is generated, a management number is issued, and these data are stored in the storage unit together with the job name. That is, job management data is generated, and the generated job management data is stored in the storage unit. Then, the process proceeds to [605].

  In [605], it is determined whether or not the job management data is normally stored. If the determination result is NG, the process proceeds to [608]. If it is OK, the process proceeds to [606].

  If the determination result in [605] indicates that the job result data has been successfully stored, the process proceeds to [606] to perform data size reduction processing. Details of processing in [606] (storage processing of image data before reflecting output conditions) will be described later in detail with reference to FIG.

  When the storage process of the image data before reflecting the output condition in [606] is completed, the process proceeds to [608]. If not completed, the process proceeds to [605].

  In the description here, the storage process of the image data before reflecting the output condition is executed after the storage process of the job management data, but either of the storage process of the print job result data and the image data before reflecting the output condition is performed. You can go first. However, it is the same in all cases that the storage process needs to be performed so that the job management data and the image data before reflecting the output condition are stored in the storage unit in a related form.

  Next, when the user instructs to print out the job management report data with document image in [611], it is determined in [612] whether the report can be printed out. Details of the process [612] for determining whether the report can be printed out will be described later with reference to FIG.

  In [613], it is determined whether print output of the report is started. If so, [return to 612. On the other hand, if started, the process proceeds to [614].

  In [614], the job management data is extracted from the storage means, and in [615], the extraction result is determined.

  If the result of extracting the job management data in [615] is NG, the process proceeds to [622] and the process is terminated. If it is OK, the process proceeds to [616].

  In [616], conversion to print data (also referred to as rasterization or imaging) is performed in order to print the job management data.

  In [617], it is determined whether or not the job management data has been imaged normally. If the determination result is NG, the process proceeds to [622] and the process is terminated. If it is OK, the process proceeds to [618].

  In [618], layout processing (1) between the imaged job management data and the image data before reflecting the output condition is performed. That is, job management report data with image data before reflecting output conditions (for example, [511] in FIG. 5) is generated. Details of the layout process (1) will be described in the description of FIG.

  In this explanation, the layout processing of the image data is executed after the rasterization processing of the job result data, but if the relation between the job result data and the image data can be printed, the processing order is changed. However, similar results can be obtained.

  After the layout process is completed in [618], it is determined in [619] whether the generation process for one page of job management report data is completed.

  If the determination result in [619] determines that the processing for one page of the report has not been completed, the process returns to [614] to repeat the processing from the job management data extraction processing.

  If the determination result in [619] determines that the processing for one page of the report has been completed, the process proceeds to [620], and the job management report data with image data before reflecting the output condition is sent to the print unit to form an image.

  In [621], an end condition such as whether there is any other job management report data is checked.

  If it is determined in [621] that the process has been completed, the process proceeds to [622] and the process is terminated.

  If it is determined in [621] that the process has been completed, the process returns to [614], and the process is repeated from the job management data extraction process. Hereinafter, the flowchart of FIG. 9 will be described.

  Here, when saving or printing a report, the flow [901] to [913] when compressing or cutting image data and the output state determination processing flow [921] when starting report printing are described. 927].

  Details of the data size reduction process [606] in FIG. 6 will be described below with reference to FIG.

  When the data size reduction process is started in [901], the data size of the image data before reflecting the output condition is acquired in [902] (the size of 30 KB, 50 KB, etc., not 5 cm × 4 cm), and then The print area size for printing the code image in [903] (not the size of 30 KB or 50 KB, but the size of 5 cm × 4 cm. Specifically, for example, the area size of the area of [513]) To win.

  The two sizes obtained in [902] and [903] are compared in [904]. In comparison, of course, comparison between the data size and the area size cannot be simply performed. However, since there is a limit to the amount of information (data size) that can be embedded in a code image of a certain area size, this limit amount is used. That is, in this embodiment, the area size of the area for printing the code image is converted into a limit amount, and the converted limit amount is compared with the data size of the image data before reflecting the output condition.

  In [905], the comparison result is determined. As a result of the determination in [905], if the data size of the image data before reflecting the output condition is smaller than or equal to the limit amount, the process proceeds to [913]. If the data size of the image data before reflecting the output condition is larger than the limit amount, the process proceeds to [906].

  In [906], a processing method such as compression, truncation, or increase of the print area size is selected. When selecting this processing method, information registered in advance may be referred to, or a processing method based on the instruction may be selected by referring to an instruction from the user. In the case of an instruction from the user, the controller unit controls to display a warning notification on the display [208] display unit, and accepts an instruction from the user via PANEL [206] for the display. A configuration in which control is performed is conceivable.

  [907] The method selected in [906] is determined in [907], and if it is determined to compress the image data before reflecting the output condition, in [908] before reflecting the output condition. The image data is compressed, and the compressed image data size before reflecting the output condition is acquired and compared with the limit amount. If it is determined that the image data before reflecting the output condition is to be cut off, the process proceeds to [909] and a part of the image data before reflecting the output condition is cut off.

  If the comparison result of [908] is determined in [910] and the image data size before reflecting the output condition is larger than the limit amount, the image data before reflecting the output condition is cut off in [911]. On the other hand, if the image data size before reflecting the output condition is smaller than the limit amount, the process proceeds to [913] and the process is terminated.

  In the process of cutting image data before reflecting the output conditions in [911] and [909], the boundary of the image data before reflecting the output condition may be cut off at the page boundary of the image data before reflecting the output condition, or the cut size. May be rounded down to minimize. Further, the truncation method may be registered in the apparatus, or a processing method based on the instruction may be selected with an instruction from the user.

  If it is determined in [907] that the area size is to be increased without reducing the data size of the pre-output condition reflection image data, the area size is increased. However, if the number of pages becomes too large, it is better to control to display a warning. Of course, in that case, it is a premise that the limit page number and the like are registered in advance.

  Hereinafter, the flowchart of FIG. 8 will be described.

  Here, the layout process of the image data before reflecting the output condition in [618] in FIG. 6 will be described.

  When the image data layout process before reflection of output conditions (1) is started in [801], the image data before reflection of output conditions is extracted in [802], and the image data before reflection of output conditions is successfully extracted in [803]. Judge whether.

  If it is determined that the determination result in [803] could not be extracted normally, the process proceeds to [807], and only the job management data already imaged in [616] is laid out and the process is terminated. In this step, it is determined that the image data before reflecting the output condition cannot be normally extracted even when the image data does not exist in the storage unit.

  When it is determined that the determination result in [803] has been successfully extracted, the encoded image data is generated by performing the encoding process on the image data before reflecting the output condition extracted in [804], and the process proceeds to [805]. . In [805], it is determined whether the image data before reflecting the output condition has been normally encoded. If the determination result in [805] determines that the encoding has not been performed normally, the process proceeds to [807].

  If the determination result in [805] is determined to have been encoded normally, the job management data in [806] (more precisely, job management image data formed by imaging the job management data in [616]) ) And the code image data are combined to generate job management report data with image data, and the process is terminated.

  The processing performed in [612] in FIG. 6 will be described below. That is, a process for determining whether a report can be printed out will be described.

  When the determination process is started in [1321], it is confirmed in [1322] whether or not there has been a report print output instruction from the user.

  As a result of the confirmation in [1323], if there is a print output instruction, the process proceeds to [1326], and if not, the process proceeds to [1324].

  In [1324], the number of job management data stored in the storage unit is checked, and in [1325], it is determined whether the number has reached the upper limit of storage. Here, it is the same even if it judges using the threshold value for performing report printing, and those numerical values may be registered into the apparatus, and may ask for an instruction from the user.

  When it is determined that the determination result in [1325] has reached the upper limit, the process proceeds to [1326] and report output is started.

  If it is determined that the determination result in [1325] has not reached the upper limit, the process proceeds to [1327] and the process ends with the processing result that the report has not been output.

  Further, this flow is a flow in which the operator instruction check and the upper limit check are sequentially executed, but the same is true if the operator instruction check and the upper limit check are operated as separate processes.

  By outputting the job management report of the present invention type as described above, it is possible to manage jobs while reducing the cost of information relating to executed jobs.

(Example 2)
Hereinafter, the flowchart of FIG. 7 will be described.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 7, [701] to [707] are the same as those in which the processing [606] is omitted from [601] to [608] in the flowchart of FIG. Description of is omitted.

  In addition, regarding [711] to [722] in the flowchart of FIG. 7, [618] image data layout (1) between [611] and [622] in the flowchart of FIG. Since it is the same as that changed to (2), description here is abbreviate | omitted. Details of the processing of the image data layout (2) will be described later with reference to FIG.

  In addition, regarding [1211] to [1219] which are the image data layout processing before reflecting the output condition (2) in FIG. 12, [801] in the flowchart of FIG. 8 except that the data size reduction processing [1214] is additionally performed. To [808], the description is omitted here.

  The data size reduction process [1214] is the same as the process shown in FIG.

(Other examples)
In the above embodiment, the code image is generated based on the input image data (a kind of image data before reflecting the output condition), and the generated code image is output as a job management report. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a code image may be generated based on the output image data that is output (a kind of image data for reflecting output conditions), and the generated code image may be output as a job management report.

  In the above embodiment, the description has been made on the assumption that the job management report is finally printed out. However, the job management report data is simply set in advance, instead of printing out the job management report. The same effect can be obtained by sending to a destination (dedicated server managed by the administrator, mail address of the administrator or job executor, etc.). However, in this case, the administrator periodically prints out the job management report.

  In the first and second embodiments described above, the code image determination unit, the processing unit, the JPEG conversion unit, the decompression unit, and the storage processing unit are described as hardware controlled by the CPU. However, the present invention can be realized even if each means has a function realized by the CPU executing various programs stored in the storage means.

  Of course, the various programs may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. In that case, the object of the present invention can also be achieved by loading a program stored in a computer-readable storage medium into a RAM or the like and executing the loaded program by the CPU.

The conceptual diagram which showed the whole image of the process of this invention Block diagram showing the MFP (MFP) [109] in FIG. Overview of conventional job management reports for multiple jobs Outline of job management report for multiple jobs in the present invention Summary of job management (result) reports for one job in the past and the present invention The flowchart which showed the processing flow in this invention The flowchart which showed the processing flow in this invention The flowchart which showed the processing flow in this invention The flowchart which showed the processing flow in this invention (A) is a diagram showing an image forming apparatus that extracts information from a code image and outputs an image obtained by converting the information into a character image. (B) is a diagram that extracts information from the code image and converts the information into a bitmap. The figure which showed the image forming device which outputs the image Diagram showing reduced printing Flowchart showing the processing flow of job data layout 2 A flowchart showing the processing flow of the output state determination process

Claims (14)

Execution means for executing an instructed process on the input image;
Job management data generation means for generating job management data including execution results in the execution means;
Encoding means for generating a code image from the job management data generated by the job management data generation means and the input image;
An image processing apparatus comprising: output means for outputting the code image generated by the encoding means. The encoding means includes
The job management data generated by the job management data generation means when the total information amount of the job management data generated by the job management data generation means and the input image is a predetermined amount or less; The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an encoded image is generated by encoding the input image. The encoding means includes
When the total amount of information of the job management data generated by the job management data generation unit and the input image is greater than a predetermined amount, the data size of the input image is reduced, 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image after the reduction and the job management data generated by the job management data generation unit are encoded to generate a code image. Execution means for executing an instructed process on the input image to generate and output an output image;
Job management data generation means for generating job management data including execution results in the execution means;
Encoding means for generating a code image from the job management data generated by the job management data generation means and the image output by the execution means;
An image processing apparatus comprising: output means for outputting the code image generated by the encoding means. The encoding means includes
Job management data generated by the job management data generation means when the total information amount of the job management data generated by the job management data generation means and the output image output is a predetermined amount or less; The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the output image is encoded to generate a code image. The encoding means includes
When the total amount of information of the job management data generated by the job management data generation unit and the output image output is larger than a predetermined amount, the data size of the output image output is reduced, and the data 6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the code image is generated by encoding the output image after the size reduction and the job management data generated by the job management data generation unit. An execution step of executing an instructed process on the input image;
A job management data generation step for generating job management data including an execution result in the execution step;
An encoding step for generating a code image from the job management data generated in the job management data generation step and the input image;
An image processing apparatus control method comprising: an output step of outputting the code image generated in the encoding step. The encoding step includes
The job management data generated in the job management data generation step when the total information amount of the job management data generated in the job management data generation step and the input image is a predetermined amount or less; 8. The method of controlling an image processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein a code image is generated by encoding the input image. The encoding step includes
When the total amount of information of the job management data generated in the job management data generation step and the input image is greater than a predetermined amount, the data size of the input image is reduced, 9. The method of controlling an image processing apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the code image is generated by encoding the reduced image and the job management data generated in the job management data generation step. An execution step of executing an instructed process to generate and output an output image for the input image;
A job management data generation step for generating job management data including an execution result in the execution step;
An encoding step for generating a code image from the job management data generated in the job management data generation step and the image output in the execution step;
An image processing apparatus control method comprising: an output step of outputting the code image generated in the encoding step. The encoding step includes
Job management data generated in the job management data generation step when the total amount of information of the job management data generated in the job management data generation step and the output image output is a predetermined amount or less; The method according to claim 4, wherein the output image is encoded to generate a code image. The encoding step includes
When the total information amount of the job management data generated in the job management data generation step and the output image output is larger than a predetermined amount, the data size of the output image output is reduced, and the data The image processing apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, wherein a code image is generated by encoding the output image after the size reduction and the job management data generated in the job management data generation step. Control method.   The program for making a computer perform each process of the method of Claim 7 thru | or 12.   A computer-readable storage medium storing the program according to claim 13.

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