JPH11219270A - Image processing system and method - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Problem] To perform a copying process using a scanner and a printer connected to a LAN, the time and labor required for document reading and document replacement in the scanner become a bottleneck. In a network (50) to which a plurality of scanners (20) and a printer (30) are connected, a system controller (40) recognizes a scanner (20) used for a job, and causes the recognized scanner (20) to execute a scan task for reading a document image. The image data received from the scanner 20 is stored in the hard disk 8. After the scan task is completed, the image data read from the hard disk 8 is sent to the printer 30 as print data, and the printer 30 executes a print process based on the print data.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an image processing system and a method thereof, and more particularly to an image processing system and a method in which a plurality of image reading apparatuses and at least one image forming apparatus are networked.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When copying an original, a single copying machine in which a scanner and a printer are integrated is generally used. However, recently, with the spread and speeding up of networks, relatively inexpensive scanners and printers are connected to a local network, and these scanners and printers are controlled by a host computer or other controller, and originals are printed. Copying systems are becoming popular.

That is, recently, printing is often performed from an application running on a plurality of host computers also connected to a local area network (LAN) using a high-speed printer connected to the LAN. this
If a relatively inexpensive low-speed scanner is connected to the LAN, a copying system that can replace a copying machine can be constructed by utilizing the host computer and printer resources so far.

[0004]

The above-described copying system can be realized at a considerably low cost, but unlike a copying machine in which a scanner and a printer are integrated, a large amount of documents cannot be read at a time. . Therefore, the time and labor required for the document reading and document replacement work in the scanner become a bottleneck. Further, since the printer is not released while the copying process is being performed, printing cannot be performed by the host computer.

In a copying machine, the reading speed of a scanner is almost the same as the printing speed of a printer, and reading and printing processes are performed synchronously. Therefore, even if a memory is used, image data for one page is used. It is sufficient to have a memory capable of storing However, in a copying system using a scanner and a printer connected to a LAN, the operation speed of the scanner and that of the printer are usually different. Even if the operation speeds of the scanner and the printer match, a configuration for buffering the image data read by the scanner is indispensable because the data transfer status of the LAN depends on other traffic. Usually, a hard disk or the like is used for such buffering.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problem, and an image processing system capable of performing an efficient copying process using a system in which a low-cost image reading apparatus and an image forming apparatus are networked. And a method thereof.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an image processing system and method capable of performing copy processing by effectively utilizing resources of a system in which a low-cost image reading apparatus and image forming apparatus are networked. I do.

[0008]

The present invention has the following configuration as one means for achieving the above object.

An image processing system according to the present invention is an image processing system in which a plurality of image reading apparatuses and an image forming apparatus are networked. The image processing apparatus recognizes an image reading apparatus to be used for a job, and recognizes the image reading apparatus. Control means for executing reading processing and causing the image forming apparatus to execute printing processing, and storage means for storing image data received from the image reading apparatus, wherein the control means reads out from the storage means. The image data is sent to the image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus executes a printing process based on the image data.

Also, the present invention is an image processing system in which a plurality of image reading apparatuses and a plurality of image forming apparatuses are networked, and recognizes the processing speed of the reading processing of the image reading apparatus and the printing processing of the image forming apparatus. Recognition means;
A printing process based on image data output from one of the plurality of image reading devices, based on a recognized processing speed,
Control means for causing one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses to execute.

An image processing method according to the present invention is an image processing method in an image processing system in which a plurality of image reading apparatuses and image forming apparatuses are networked, and recognizes and recognizes an image reading apparatus used for a job. Causing the image reading device to perform a reading process, storing image data received from the image reading device in a storage unit, and sending the image data read from the storage unit to the image forming device,
A printing process based on the image data is performed by the image forming apparatus.

Also, there is provided an image processing method in an image processing system in which a plurality of image reading devices and a plurality of image forming devices are networked, wherein a reading process of the image reading device and a printing process of the image forming device are performed. Recognizing speed, and causing one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses to execute a printing process based on image data output from one of the plurality of image reading devices based on the recognized processing speed. I do.

[0013]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0014]

First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a printing system according to a first embodiment. Host computer 10, multiple scanners 20, printing device 30, and system controller 40
Are connected by a network 50 and can transmit and receive data to and from each other.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the system controller 40. The input interface 2 receives network information and image data to be printed via the network 50. Meanwhile, the output interface 7
Outputs print data and print processing information to the network 50. The CPU 3 controls the system controller 40 based on control programs and various data stored in the ROM 4 and various data temporarily stored in the RAM 5. Data having a relatively large data amount, such as image data to be printed, is stored on the hard disk 8 by the CPU 3. These components are connected to the system bus 6.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by the CPU 3 of the system controller 40.

The command sent from the host computer 10 or the scanner 20 via the network 50 is
The job is started by receiving the data through the input interface 2. When the received command indicates a copy job, it recognizes which scanner 20 is to be used for the job (step S1), accesses the scanner 20 to be used for the job (step S2), and performs document image reading processing. A scan task to be activated is started (step S3). Step S4
Steps S2 and S3 are repeated until the scan tasks of all the scanners 20 used for the job are started.

The image data of the original image sent from the scanner 20 is stored in the hard disk 8 as described later.
Is stored in Then, check the progress of each scan task of all scanners 20 used for the job (step
S5) If all scanners 20 used for the job have not finished reading the original image, the process waits for a predetermined time in step S6, and then returns to step S5. When the scanning tasks of all the scanners 20 used for the job are completed, a printing process is performed for each image data stored in the hard disk 8 (step S7). The print data generated by this printing process is sent to the printing device 30 via the output interface 7 and the network 50, and the document image is copied.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the processing contents of the scan task executed by the scanner 20. When the scan task is activated, the scanner 20
An image for one page of the document is read (step S11), and the obtained image data is sent to the system controller 40 (step S12). System controller 4 that received the image data
The CPU 3 of 0 stores the image data in the hard disk 8.

When the reading process for one page is completed, the scanner 20 determines whether or not the reading process of the image data of all pages of the document is completed by the determination in step S13. Returning to S11, the image data of the next page is read. When the reading process of all the originals is completed, the fact is notified to the CPU 3 of the system controller 40 (step S14), and the scan task is ended.

In the above description, the scan task is executed by the scanner 20. If the scan task is executed by the scanner 20, the processing is distributed and the load on the CPU 3 of the system controller 40 can be reduced. This is particularly effective when many scanners 20 are operated in parallel.

On the other hand, the CPU 3 of the system controller 40 can execute the scan task. In this case, CP
Although the load of U3 and the traffic of the network 50 increase, the configuration of the scanner 20 can be simplified and the cost can be reduced, so that the scanner 20 is suitable for a small office of about a few.

The system controller 40 can also be realized by supplying software for realizing the function to a personal computer. Therefore, the functions of the system controller 40 described above are transferred to the host computer.
It can also be run as one of ten tasks.

When the host computer 10 receives an instruction to give priority to the printing process, the system controller
40 sends the print data for one page to the printing device 30, and then releases the printing device 30 once. Thereby, the printing process by the host computer 10 becomes executable.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, a user can copy and print at high speed by scanning in parallel from a plurality of low-speed scanners and reading a large number of documents in a short time.

[0026]

Second Embodiment Hereinafter, an image processing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Note that, in the present embodiment,
Components that are substantially the same as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a printing system according to the second embodiment. Host computer 10, multiple scanners 20, multiple printing devices 30, and system controller
41 is connected by a network 50 and can transmit and receive data to and from each other.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the system controller 41, which is the same as the system controller 40 of the first embodiment except that the hard disk 8 is not provided.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by the CPU 3 of the system controller 41.

The command sent from the host computer 10 or the scanner 20 via the network 50 is
The job is started by receiving the data through the input interface 2. When the received command indicates a copy job, the processing speed of image reading by the scanner 20 used for the job is recognized (step S11). Specifically, the processing speed is inquired to the scanner 20 to be used, or the processing speed of the scanner 20 to be used is obtained from the data attached to the received command.

Next, the printing processing speed of the printing device 30 connected to the network 50 is recognized (step S12). Specifically, the processing speed is inquired to the printing device 30, or the processing speed is obtained from data stored in the RAM 5 or the like. If a printing device 30 having a processing speed substantially matching the processing speed of the scanner 20 is found (step S1).
3) The synchronous copying process described above is executed between the scanner 20 used for the job and the printing device 30 (step S14). If no printing device 30 having a processing speed substantially equal to the processing speed of the scanner 20 is found (step S15), the printing device 30 having the processing speed closest to the processing speed of the scanner 20 is selected (step S16). Execute copy processing using RAM5 as image memory (step
S17). Note that the determination in step S13 is desirably that the processing speed of the scanner 20 is slightly higher than the processing speed of the printing device 30, but at least if the processing speed of the printing device 30 is high, it is possible to execute a synchronous copying process. it can.

If the system controller 41 connected to the network 50 performs the above processing and can perform synchronous processing, the copying processing can be realized with a small amount of memory.
Even when the synchronous copying process is impossible, the copying process can be performed with a minimum memory.

Further, even if another copy job occurs during the execution of the copy process, the optimum resource can be used for each job, so that the combination of the scanner 20 and the printing apparatus 30 is fixed. As a result, the processing efficiency and use efficiency of the entire system can be improved. In particular, if the network 50 is high-speed and the scanner 20 or the printing device 30
This is effective when the processing speed is low.

In the synchronous copying process,
The image data output from the scanner 20 may be directly input to the printing device 30. If the printing device 30
If the image data output from the scanner 20 cannot be directly processed, the CPU 3 of the system controller 41 converts the image data received from the scanner 20 into print data for the printing device 30 by using the RAM 5 as a work memory, Printing device 30
Perform processing to send to. Even if the CPU 3 performs such data conversion processing, if the processing speed of the CPU 3 is sufficient, it is possible to cause the CPU 3 to perform synchronous processing.

The system controller 41 is not necessarily connected to the network 50 by itself, but may be built in the printing device 30 or the scanner 20, or may be realized on the host computer 10.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the processing speed of the reading process of the scanner 20 and the printing process speed of the printing device 30 are recognized, and the synchronous process in the copying process is performed. It is possible to perform high-speed copy processing by effectively utilizing the resources above 50.

[0037]

[Other Embodiments] Even if the present invention is applied to a system including a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), an apparatus (for example, a copying machine) Machine, facsimile machine, etc.).

Another object of the present invention is to provide a storage medium storing program codes of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or an apparatus, and to provide a computer (or a CPU or M
Needless to say, this can also be achieved by the PU) reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium implements the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also the OS running on the computer based on the instructions of the program code.
It goes without saying that an (operating system) performs a part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

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

[0040]

As described above, according to the present invention,
It is possible to provide an image processing system and an image processing method that perform efficient copy processing using a system in which a low-cost image reading apparatus and an image forming apparatus are networked.

Further, it is possible to provide an image processing system and a method for performing copy processing by effectively utilizing the resources of a system in which a low-cost image reading apparatus and an image forming apparatus are networked.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a system controller shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing executed by a CPU of the system controller illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining processing contents of a scan task;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a printing system according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a system controller shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process executed by a CPU of the system controller illustrated in FIG. 6;

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code FI H04N 1/00 107 G06F 15/64 450C

Claims (11)

[Claims] An image processing system in which a plurality of image reading apparatuses and an image forming apparatus are networked, wherein the image reading apparatus recognizes an image reading apparatus used for a job, and causes the image reading apparatus to execute a reading process. Control means for causing the image forming apparatus to execute a printing process; and storage means for storing image data received from the image reading apparatus, wherein the control means stores the image data read from the storage means in the image forming apparatus. And causing the image forming apparatus to execute a printing process based on the image data. 2. The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein at least one image reading device is used for the job. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit converts the image data read from the storage unit into print data for the image forming apparatus and sends the print data to the image forming apparatus. An image processing system according to claim 1. 4. An image processing system in which a plurality of image reading apparatuses and a plurality of image forming apparatuses are networked, wherein the processing speed of the reading processing of the image reading apparatus and the processing speed of the printing processing of the image forming apparatus are recognized. Recognition means, a printing process based on image data output from one of the plurality of image reading devices, based on the recognized processing speed,
An image processing system comprising: a control unit configured to be executed by one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses. 5. The image processing system according to claim 4, wherein the printing process is performed by an image forming apparatus having a processing speed substantially equal to a processing speed of an image reading device that outputs the image data. . 6. When there is no image forming apparatus having a processing speed substantially equal to the processing speed of the image reading device that outputs the image data, the control unit has a processing speed closest to the processing speed of the image reading device. 6. The image processing system according to claim 5, wherein the image forming apparatus causes the image forming apparatus to perform the print processing. 7. A printing process in a case where there is no image forming apparatus having a processing speed substantially equal to a processing speed of an image reading device that outputs the image data, is performed using a memory managed by the control unit. 7. The image processing system according to claim 6, wherein: 8. An image processing method in an image processing system in which a plurality of image reading apparatuses and image forming apparatuses are networked, wherein an image reading apparatus used for a job is recognized, and the recognized image reading apparatus performs a reading process. And storing the image data received from the image reading device in a storage unit, sending the image data read from the storage unit to the image forming device, and performing a printing process based on the image data in the image forming device. An image processing method. 9. An image processing method in an image processing system in which a plurality of image reading devices and a plurality of image forming devices are networked, wherein a reading process of the image reading device and a printing process of the image forming device are performed. Recognizing the speed, printing processing based on image data output from one of the plurality of image reading devices, based on the recognized processing speed,
An image processing method, wherein the method is executed by one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses. 10. A recording medium on which a program code of an image processing method in an image processing system in which an image forming apparatus is networked with a plurality of image reading apparatuses and which recognizes an image reading apparatus used for a job. A code of a step, a code of a step of causing a recognized image reading apparatus to execute a reading process, and storing image data received from the image reading apparatus in a storage unit, and a step of storing the image data read from the storage unit in the image. A code for sending to the forming apparatus and causing the image forming apparatus to execute a printing process based on the image data. 11. A recording medium storing a plurality of image reading apparatuses and a program code of an image processing method in an image processing system in which a plurality of image forming apparatuses are networked. A code of a step of recognizing a processing speed of a printing process of the image forming apparatus, and a printing process based on image data output from one of the plurality of image reading devices, based on the recognized processing speed,
A code for executing one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses.