JP2003271338A - Image forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize an image forming system for providing an environment easily available even by different kinds of image forming devices connected through a network where image data are temporarily stored, and then read and printed by those different kinds of image forming devices, and the optimal image can be obtained. <P>SOLUTION: An image providing side compound machine 1 is provided with an image data file and image converting software for converting image data into a raster image, and operating parts 3 and 4 make an image providing side compound machine 1 execute the image converting software, and transfer the raster image obtained by converting the image data to a desired printing function side compound machine 2 in order to execute print. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming system, and more particularly to an image forming system using a networked multifunction peripheral.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a network of digital copying machines has been proposed. For example, the image forming apparatus includes an image input unit that captures an image and converts the image into image data, a storage unit that stores the captured image data, an image output unit that forms a visible image based on the image data, and an image processing procedure. A command input unit for inputting a command relating to the storage unit, a control unit for managing the storage capacity of the storage unit and controlling the entire apparatus, and a data transfer unit for transferring image data to an external storage device or another image forming apparatus via a network. If the data amount of the image data is larger than the storage capacity of the storage unit, the image data exceeding the storage capacity is stored in an external storage device via the data transfer unit and the network, or another image is formed as necessary. Operations such as transferring image data to an apparatus via a data transfer unit and a network and forming a visible image at an image output unit of another image forming apparatus have been realized.

However, when image data input by an image input unit of one image forming apparatus is formed into a visible image by an image output unit of another image forming apparatus, it is simply transferred as input image data. However, depending on the combination of the characteristics of the image input unit and the image output unit in different types of image forming apparatuses, there are problems such as image deterioration and reduction in processing speed.

[0004]

As described above, when image data is transferred between image forming apparatuses connected to the network for printing or copying, the image to be output may differ depending on different models. There are problems such as deterioration and a decrease in processing speed. The present invention solves this problem by a relatively simple method, and temporarily stores the image data in an image forming apparatus connected to a network or a multifunctional machine having multiple functions such as a copy function, a FAX function, and a printer function. If you want to obtain the optimum image even if it is output to an image forming device of another model connected to the network, you can create an environment that is easy to use even if you store it in a different model. The challenge is to realize an image forming system that can be provided.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an image forming system in which an image providing unit, a print function unit, and an operation unit are connected via a network. The raster image has a data file and image conversion software for converting the image data in the image data file into a raster image, and the operation unit causes the image providing unit to execute the image conversion software to convert the image data. Is transferred to the desired print function unit to perform printing.

Further, when the image conversion software for converting image data of different formats into a raster image is provided on a common file device and the output format of the print function unit is different, the desired image conversion software is changed to the desired print function. The image data is converted into a raster image in the desired print function unit and printed.

When the operation unit displays the image data in thumbnail form on the reduced image, the thumbnail image creating software is downloaded and executed by the image providing unit, and the obtained thumbnail image data is acquired by the operation unit. It is characterized in that it is converted and displayed on the side.

When the operation unit displays the thumbnail image in a thumbnail image in thumbnail form, the print function unit is used to execute the thumbnail image creation software so that the image providing unit executes the thumbnail image creation software. It is characterized in that software is downloaded to the image providing unit, the obtained thumbnail image data is converted on the operation unit side, and thumbnail display is performed.

In addition to the image data, the data on the image providing unit includes information such as in what device the image data was created, the date and time when the image data was created, and the image processing parameters for creating the image data. It is characterized by including a document concerning image information consisting of.

Further, the document file relating to the image information can be transferred in response to a request from other image providing unit, print function unit and operation unit.

Further, based on the image processing parameters,
The image conversion software for converting image data into a raster image is downloaded from the image providing unit and executed by the print function unit to perform printing.

Further, the image conversion software is JA
It is characterized by being a VA applet.

Further, the image providing unit and the print function unit are multifunctional machines having multiple functions such as a copy function, a FAX function, and a printer function.

As a result, it is possible to realize an image forming system capable of performing image data conversion by software that does not depend on a model, appropriately converting an image desired by a user, and executing printing. Further, it is possible to realize an image forming system capable of executing the display of the preview screen independent of the model and the system operation from any device on the network.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION An image forming system according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the entire image forming system of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 is an image providing side multifunction machine having a copy server function, reference numeral 2 is a printing function side multifunction machine, reference numeral 3 is an operation unit A formed of a PC (personal computer) terminal, and reference numeral 4 is an operation formed of a mobile phone terminal. Part B, reference numeral 5 is a network such as the Internet. The configuration shown in FIG. 1 has an image providing side multifunction machine 1 having a copy server function for storing an image read by a scanner unit that captures an image to be copied on a network 5 in a storage unit.
And a multifunction printer 2 on the printing function side for printing, and a PC for operating
The network configuration includes the terminal 3 or the mobile terminal 4. As a matter of course, a plurality of respective devices providing each function may exist on the network 5.

Software for printing the data of the image-providing-side multifunction peripheral 1 is downloaded and executed by the operation unit A3 and the operation unit B4 by the copy server function.
Displayed by the browser (browsing software). Also, in the system this time, the printing function side multifunction device 2 is also equipped with JAVA, and the similar software can be obtained by accessing the image providing side multifunction device 1 which is a copy server from the function side multifunction device 2. Can be executed.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship among the image providing side multifunction machine 1, the printing function side multifunction machine 2, the operating section A3 and the operating section B4. The web server function 11 is executed on the copy server of the image-providing multi-function peripheral 1 in which data for printing and the like is stored, the file name on the copy server is displayed, and operation instructions such as printing and preview are given. It can be carried out. From the client side PC terminal 3 or portable terminal 4 or printing function side multifunction machine 2 to the web server 1
When the user accesses the web page 12 on page 1 and selects the copy server, the operation software is downloaded from the server and executed.

When a printing or preview instruction is given on the operation software, the designated copy data storage unit 1
5, the model-specific data is first downloaded to the multifunction printer 2 on the printing function side. Here, if the same processing as that of the printing apparatus can be performed, the common image data section 16 is transferred as it is (the image conversion software is not downloaded), is sent to the print image generation section 25 as it is, and printing becomes possible. If the image-providing multifunctional device 1 and the printing function-side multifunctional device 2 are of different models, the information relating to image processing may be different (information such as characters and photo portions). In such a case, the printing function side multifunction device 2 may not be able to obtain detailed information and may not be able to perform appropriate printing.

In the case of the image forming system of the present invention, when a print instruction is issued from the PC terminal 3 or the mobile terminal 4 or the printing function side multifunction machine 2, either speed priority or image quality priority is selected. Data is taken out from the common image data section 16 on the copy server side of the multi-functional apparatus 1 on the providing side, an image is generated, and printing is performed. On the other hand, when the image quality priority is designated, detailed image processing software (image conversion applet 14) executed on the copy server side of the image providing side multifunction peripheral 1 is sent to the printing side,
Common image data section 16 and unique image data section 17
Both of them are taken out from the server side of the image-providing-side multifunction machine 1, and are executed by the printing side of the printing-function-side multifunction machine 2 to generate an image, and printing is performed.

Further, in the case of a copy server such as the image providing side multifunction machine 1, there may be a case where data generated by another machine is stored. In the case of print data generated by such another machine, the image conversion applet is downloaded from the generation source multifunction peripheral (not shown) according to the information of the unique image data 17 to create an image.

When the preview display is designated, the image conversion software for preview is executed on the server side of the image providing side multifunction machine 1 and the generated image data is used for the PC terminal 3 or the portable terminal 4. Alternatively, the operation side such as the multifunction peripheral 2 on the print function side calls and displays. Even in this case, in the case of a file format that cannot be converted, the image data generating software is downloaded from the generating multifunction peripheral to generate the preview screen. In the case of the mobile terminal 4, the image conversion applet 34 can be downloaded on the terminal side to perform image conversion and preview display.

[0023]

As described above, in the invention of claim 1 of the present invention, the image providing unit has the image data file and the image conversion software for converting the image data into the raster image, and the operation unit performs the image conversion. The software is executed by the image providing unit, the raster image obtained by converting the image data is transferred to the desired print function unit, and printing is performed. As a result, it is possible to realize an image forming system capable of printing image data desired by the user with an arbitrary print function unit.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the image conversion software for converting image data of different formats into a raster image is provided on a common file device, and when the output format of the print function unit is different, a desired image is obtained. The conversion software is downloaded to a desired print function unit, the image data is converted into a raster image in the desired print function unit, and printing is performed. Accordingly, it is possible to realize an image forming system capable of appropriately printing the image data desired by the user with an arbitrary print function unit.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the image data is displayed as a reduced image on the operation unit, the thumbnail image creating software is downloaded and executed by the image providing unit, and the obtained thumbnail image data is operated. It is converted and displayed on the department side. Accordingly, it is possible to realize an image forming system in which the preview screen can be displayed and operated by an arbitrary operation unit.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in order to cause the image providing unit to execute the thumbnail image creating software, the thumbnail image creating software is downloaded from the print function unit to the image providing unit, and the obtained thumbnail is obtained. The image data is converted on the operation unit side to display thumbnails. Accordingly, it is possible to realize an image forming system in which the preview screen can be appropriately displayed and operated by an arbitrary operation unit.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the data on the image providing unit, in addition to the image data, in which device the image data was created, the date and time when the image data was created,
It is characterized in that it includes a document relating to image information including information such as image processing parameters for creating image data. As a result, it is possible to realize an image forming system capable of performing conversion suitable for a device in which image data is created and performing optimum printing and image display.

The invention according to claim 6 of the present invention is characterized in that a document file relating to image information can be transferred in response to a request from another image providing unit, a print function unit and an operation unit. As a result, it is possible to realize an image forming system capable of performing printing and image display suitable for the device in which the image data is created by an arbitrary device.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, image conversion software for converting image data into a raster image based on the image processing parameter is downloaded from the image providing unit and executed by the print function unit to perform printing. It is characterized by As a result, it is possible to realize an image forming system capable of performing printing suitable for a device in which image data is created by an arbitrary printing unit.

The invention according to claim 8 of the present invention is characterized in that the image conversion software is a JAVA applet. In this way, by using the JAVA applet, which is platform-independent software,
An image forming system capable of appropriately converting and printing an image desired by a user can be realized.

The invention according to claim 9 of the present invention is characterized in that the image providing unit and the print function unit are multifunctional machines having multiple functions such as a copy function, a FAX function, and a printer function. As a result, it is possible to realize an image forming system capable of appropriately converting and printing an image desired by a user using a commercially available multifunction peripheral.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an image forming system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship between respective devices of the image forming system of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Image-providing MFP 2 Printing function side multifunction machine 3 Operation part A 4 Operation part B 5 network

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. An image forming system in which an image providing unit, a print function unit, and an operation unit are connected via a network, wherein the image providing unit includes an image data file and a raster image of the image data in the image data file. Image conversion software for converting into image data, the operation unit causes the image providing unit to execute the image conversion software, and transfers the raster image obtained by converting the image data to a desired print function unit to perform printing. Image forming system characterized by. 2. The image conversion software for converting image data of different formats into a raster image is provided on a common file device, and when the output format of the print function unit is different, the desired image conversion software is changed to the desired print function. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the image forming system downloads the image data, converts the image data into a raster image in the desired print function unit, and prints the raster image. 3. The thumbnail image creation software is downloaded and executed by the image providing unit when the image data is displayed as a thumbnail image on the thumbnail image by the operation unit, and the obtained thumbnail image data is acquired by the operation unit. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the image is converted and displayed on the side. 4. When the operation unit causes the image data to be displayed as a thumbnail image in a thumbnail form, the print function unit creates the thumbnail image for executing the thumbnail image creation software by the image providing unit. 4. The image forming system according to claim 3, wherein software is downloaded to the image providing unit, the obtained thumbnail image data is converted on the operation unit side, and thumbnail display is performed. 5. The data on the image providing unit includes, in addition to the image data, information such as in which device the image data was created, the date and time when the image data was created, and image processing parameters for creating the image data. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the image forming system includes a document relating to image information. 6. The image forming system according to claim 5, wherein the document file relating to the image information can be transferred in response to a request from another image providing unit, a print function unit and an operation unit. 7. The image conversion software for converting image data into a raster image based on the image processing parameter is downloaded from the image providing unit and executed by the print function unit to perform printing. The image forming system according to claim 5. 8. The image conversion software is JAVA.
An image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, which is a (registered trademark) applet. 9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image providing unit and the print function unit are multifunctional machines having multiple functions such as a copy function, a FAX function, and a printer function. Image forming system.