JP2002094712A - Image processor and its control method, and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processor that can easily accept entry of parameters to be set in the case of carrying out a prescribed operation, to accommodate to a small-scale network environment, and to provide its control method and storage medium. SOLUTION: The image processor registers parameters to be set for carrying out a prescribed operation from an MFP(multi function peripheral) 1 or an optional host computer connected to a network 10 as a set of the parameters and assigns the parameter set to a parameter set call key 27 and depressing a parameter set call key 27, as required, in the operation of the MFP1 (at image read or facsimile transmission reception) operates the MFP1.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, a control method thereof, and a storage medium, and more particularly, to an image processing apparatus connectable to a plurality of host computers via a network, a control method thereof, and a storage medium. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an image processing apparatus such as an image scanner, a facsimile, and a multifunction peripheral including those functions, various parameters (resolution, black and white, color,
Each user (user) must set transmission conditions and the like each time the image processing apparatus is used, and it is necessary to perform complicated key operations to input them.

In an image scanner, a scan condition file is registered in advance in a scanner device,
There has been proposed a network scanner device capable of selecting a scan condition file from a host computer connected to the scanner device via the operation unit or a network and executing a scan (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-28).
No. 4448).

[0004] Further, parameters serving as operating conditions of the image processing apparatus are registered in advance in a server connected to the network, desired parameters are obtained from the server before executing the job, and the job is executed based on the obtained parameters. (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-1999).
346288).

[0005]

However, in the above-described network scanner apparatus, when performing a scanning operation on the apparatus body, it takes time and effort to select a desired scanning condition from a similar scanning condition file.
Under scanning conditions where there is little difference from the default setting, the operation may be more complicated than setting on the apparatus main body.

In the above-described image processing apparatus, a server connected to a network is indispensable, and cannot be used in a small-scale network in which a dedicated server is not installed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and it is possible to easily input a plurality of parameters to be set when executing a predetermined operation, and to provide an image which can be used in a small-scale network environment. It is an object to provide a processing device, a control method thereof, and a storage medium.

[0008]

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing apparatus including an operation unit having a plurality of keys, and an image processing apparatus connected to a plurality of host computers via a network. An execution unit for executing a predetermined operation; a parameter set registration unit for registering a plurality of parameters for the execution unit as a single parameter set; Key assignment means for assigning to at least one of the keys, and setting means for setting the registered parameter set when the assigned key is pressed.

[0009] The image processing apparatus according to the second aspect is the first aspect.
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the host computer is configured to register a plurality of parameters to be set when the image processing apparatus performs a predetermined operation, as one set of parameters. .

[0010] The image processing apparatus according to the third aspect is the first aspect.
Or the image processing device according to 2, wherein the parameter set registration unit registers a plurality of the parameter sets,
The key assigning means assigns the plurality of registered parameter sets to different keys or different key combinations.

[0011] The image processing apparatus according to the fourth aspect is the first aspect.
The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The parameter set includes at least one of a document size, resolution, color / monochrome / grayscale, scan area, brightness, contrast, threshold, and transmission destination.

An image processing apparatus according to a fifth aspect of the present invention provides the image processing apparatus according to the first aspect.
The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The predetermined operation executed by the execution means includes image reading of the document, and the parameter set includes a condition for reading the image.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image processing apparatus according to the fifth aspect.
In the above image processing apparatus, the image reading condition includes a designation of a storage destination of the read image data.

An image processing apparatus according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the first aspect of the invention.
The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The predetermined operation executed by the execution means includes facsimile transmission / reception of the document, and the parameter set includes a transmission condition of an image of the document.

[0015] The image processing apparatus according to the eighth aspect is the seventh aspect.
In the image processing apparatus described in the above, the image transmission conditions,
It is characterized by including designation of a transmission destination for transmitting an image.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing apparatus according to the first aspect.
The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
At least one of the plurality of keys includes a one-touch key.

In order to achieve the above object, a control method according to a tenth aspect includes operating means having a plurality of keys,
In a method for controlling an image processing apparatus connected to a plurality of host computers via a network, an execution step of executing a predetermined operation, and a parameter set for registering a plurality of parameters for the execution step as a set of parameters A registration step, a key assignment step of assigning the registered set of parameters to at least one of the plurality of keys, and setting the registered parameter set when the assigned key is pressed. And a setting step.

The control method according to claim 11 is the control method according to claim 10.
In the control method described above, the host computer includes:
A plurality of parameters set when the image processing apparatus performs a predetermined operation are registered as one set of parameters.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control method according to the tenth aspect.
Or the control method according to claim 11, wherein the parameter set registration step registers a plurality of the parameter sets, and the key assignment step assigns the plurality of registered parameter sets to different keys or different key combinations. And

According to a thirteenth aspect, a control method according to the tenth aspect is provided.
13. The control method according to any one of items 1 to 12, wherein the parameter set includes: document size, resolution, color /
Black and white / grayscale, scan area, brightness,
It is characterized by including at least one of a contrast, a threshold, and a transmission destination.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control method according to the tenth aspect.
14. The control method according to any one of claims 13 to 13, wherein the predetermined operation executed in the execution step includes image reading of the document, and the parameter set includes a condition for reading the image. .

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control method according to the fourteenth aspect.
In the control method described above, the image reading condition is:
It is characterized by including designation of a storage destination of the read image data.

The control method according to claim 16 is the control method according to claim 10.
14. The control method according to any one of claims 13 to 13, wherein the predetermined operation executed in the execution step includes facsimile transmission / reception of the document, and the parameter set includes a transmission condition of an image of the document. And

According to a seventeenth aspect, a control method according to the sixteenth aspect is provided.
In the above control method, the image transmission conditions include designation of a transmission destination to which the image is transmitted.

The control method according to claim 18 is the control method according to claim 10.
18. The control method according to any one of items 17 to 17, wherein at least one of the plurality of keys includes a one-touch key.

In order to achieve the above object, a storage medium according to claim 19 is characterized in that the control method according to any one of claims 10 to 18 is stored as a control program.

[0027]

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

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) 1 which is a multi-function device is an image processing device having a printer, a scanner, and a facsimile function. The MFP 1 includes a CPU 2, a network interface 3, a scanner unit 4, a printer unit 5, a facsimile control unit 6, and an operation unit 7, which are interconnected via a system bus 8.

The CPU 2 executes M based on control software stored in advance in a built-in ROM (not shown).
The control of each unit in the FP1 is performed. The network interface 3 is connected to an external network 10 and has a plurality of host computers 9 connected to the network 10.
a, 9b,..., and 9n, image data, and parameters serving as set operating conditions are transmitted and received. The scanner unit 4 feeds and conveys the originals set on the original table 12 shown in FIG. 2 to the image reading unit 13 while separating the originals one by one.
An image is read by a contact sensor (not shown) in 3. The printer unit 5 feeds and conveys the recording paper set on the recording paper stacking tray 14 shown in FIG. 2 while separating the recording paper one by one, and an inkjet recording unit (not shown) inside the main body.
To record an image on recording paper.

The facsimile control unit 6 transmits and receives facsimile data via the connected telephone line 11.
The operation unit 7 is provided on the operation panel 15 shown in FIG. 2 and includes an input device such as a keyboard for a user to input instructions and information, and a display device such as an LED and an LCD for displaying various information. . In addition, the user registers parameters as operating conditions for image reading, facsimile transmission / reception, and the like via the operation unit 7, and the registered parameters are stored in a memory (not shown) in the CPU 2.

Further, the MFP 1 includes host computers 9a and 9b, which are external devices such as a personal computer, and the like.
, 9n via the network 10.
For this reason, a parameter serving as a user's desired operating condition can be transmitted to MFP 1 by a user's predetermined key operation from any host computer.

FIG. 3 is an external view of the operation panel 15 of FIG.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 20 denotes a start key for starting image reading or facsimile transmission.
21 is a stop key for canceling the operation.
Reference numeral 22 denotes an on-hook key for manually connecting / disconnecting the telephone line, reference numeral 23 denotes a numeric keypad, and reference numeral 24 denotes an LCD display unit for displaying information. Reference numeral 25 denotes an error display unit using LEDs, and reference numeral 26 denotes various setting keys for setting reading resolution, color / monochrome, and the like. Reference numeral 27 denotes a one-touch key for inputting registered destination information (a telephone number of a facsimile transmission destination, an e-mail address, or the name of a host computer to which a scanned image is transferred) by one-touch. Mode key.

In this embodiment, when only the one-touch key 27 is pressed, only the above-mentioned destination information is input. However, when the one-touch key 27 is pressed after the mode key 28 is pressed, the parameter setting is performed. It functions as a call key, and can input a plurality of parameters registered in advance at a time. The mode key 28
Is a toggle type, and can be used as a normal one-touch key by pressing the mode key 28 again after pressing once to become the parameter set call key. Thereby, when registering the parameter set on the MFP 1 main body,
Although the number of key presses increases during the first registration, the number of key presses after the second time can be reduced. The operation unit 7
Can be reduced and the operability of the user can be further improved.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a registration process of the parameter set call key 27 in the MFP 1 of FIG.

In FIG. 4, the user performs predetermined key operations on the operation panel 15 of the MFP 1 or an arbitrary host computer to input desired parameters to the MFP 1 (step S41). Subsequently, when the completion of the parameter input is detected (YE in step S42).
S), it is determined whether or not a parameter set including a plurality of input parameters is to be registered in the parameter set call key 27 (step S43). When registering in the parameter set call key 27, which key should be registered? To the user and register the input parameter set in the parameter set call key 27 (step S
44), this process ends.

As a result, a plurality of parameters to be set when executing a predetermined operation can be registered as a single parameter set, and can be input by pressing the parameter set call key 27. Can be reduced. Further, the user can use a large display screen, a full keyboard, a mouse, and the like provided in the host computer, and can easily perform a registration operation.

In this embodiment, the parameters that can be registered in the parameter set call key 27 are:
(1) Document size, (2) Resolution, (3) Color / B / W / Grayscale, (4) Scan area, (5) Brightness, (6) Contrast, (7) Threshold, (8) Transmission destination (telephone Number, email address,
By combining these parameters, a parameter set suitable for the operation executed by the MFP 1 can be set and registered. Among them, (1) to (3) are parameters that can be set when using the facsimile function and the scanner function.
(4) to (7) are effective when using only the scanner function in the initial state, and when using the facsimile function, the set parameters are ignored. These settings can be enabled even when using the function. In addition, a plurality of parameter sets can be registered, and a plurality of registered parameter sets are respectively assigned to different keys or different key combinations, so that setting of operating conditions can be easily switched.

(8) The transmission destination is at least one of a telephone number, an e-mail address, and a host computer name.
One can be registered. In the present embodiment, when a predetermined parameter set call key 27 is pressed, if a telephone number is registered as a transmission destination, it is automatically recognized as facsimile transmission, while a host computer name is registered. At this time, the setting is automatically recognized as a setting for a scanner. When an e-mail address is registered as a transmission destination, it is possible to set in advance whether to recognize as a facsimile or a scanner by a user option. In addition, the automatic recognition of the transmission destination can be disabled by explicitly selecting the facsimile or the scanner by the key operation of the operation unit 15 by the user.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing facsimile transmission processing and scanner reading processing in MFP 1 of FIG.

In FIG. 5, the user places a document on the platen 12.
When the document is set on the upper side, the presence or absence of a document is determined by a document detection sensor (not shown) (step S51). Next, parameters for reading a document are set by various setting keys 26 on the operation panel 15, and a transmission destination is input by the ten keys 23 or the one-touch keys 27. At this time, if the parameter set has been registered in advance (YES in step S52), the user presses the parameter set call key 27 (continuous depression of the mode key 28 → the one-touch key 27) (step S53). Thereby, the setting of the parameters and the input of the transmission destination can be performed at once.

Next, when the user presses the start key (step S57), the image reading of the document is started (step S58). Subsequently, it is determined whether the facsimile transmission or the transfer of the scan image is performed based on the data registered in the above (8) transmission destination (step S5).
9) At the time of facsimile transmission, it connects to the telephone line 11 and transmits the read image (step S60).
When transferring the scanned image, the read image is transferred to the designated host computer via the network 10 (step S61), and the process ends.

As a result of the determination in step S52, if the parameter set has not been registered in advance (NO in step S52), the user manually sets the parameters (step S54). (YES in step S55), a transmission destination (transfer destination) is input (step S56), and the processes in and after step S57 are performed.

According to the above-described embodiment, a plurality of parameters to be set when executing a predetermined operation are registered as one set of parameters from the MFP 1 or an arbitrary host computer connected to the network 10. The parameter set is assigned to the parameter set call key 27 (FIG. 4), and when the MFP 1 operates (when an image is read,
The user presses the parameter set call key 27 as necessary at the time of facsimile transmission / reception (step S5 in FIG. 5).
3) Since the operation is performed, it is possible to easily input a plurality of parameters, and it can be used in a small-scale network environment where no dedicated server is installed. Further, since there is no need to make settings each time an image is read, setting errors can be reduced.

In the present embodiment, the R
The OM stores the control method of each unit in the MFP 1,
The program is supplied to the MFP 1 by an arbitrary storage medium storing a program for executing the control method for realizing the above-described embodiment, and the host computer 9a to
9n, the CPU 2, or one of the MPUs (not shown) may execute the program. As a storage medium for supplying this program, for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, or the like is used. Also,
Host computer 9a-9n, CPU2, or MPU
Instead of any one of the above, the above-described embodiment may be realized by a circuit (not shown) that performs the same operation as these.

The program supplied by the storage medium is written into a memory (not shown) provided in a function expansion board (not shown) inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit (not shown) connected to the computer, and then the function expansion is performed. A CPU or the like (not shown) provided in the board or the function expansion unit may execute a part or all of the program. In addition, an OS or the like running on the computer may execute part or all of the program.

[0048]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, a plurality of parameters included in a parameter set can be set at a time, so that a plurality of parameters can be set easily. In addition, the user does not need to set a plurality of parameters each time a predetermined operation is performed, so that setting errors can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the MFP 1 of FIG.

FIG. 3 is an external view of an operation panel 15 of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a registration process of registering a parameter set in MFP 1 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a facsimile transmission process and a scanner reading process in the MFP 1 of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 MFP 2 CPU 7 Operation section 9a, 9b, ..., 9n Host computer 10 Network 15 Operation panel 27 One-touch key (Parameter set call key) 28 Mode key

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat II (Reference) G06F 3/12 G06F 3/12 C (72) Inventor Yasuo Komada 3- 30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Stock In-house (72) Inventor Hiroshi Fukada 3- 30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Shigeyuki Sugiyama 3- 30-2 Shimomaruko 3-chome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72 Inventor Noriaki Seto 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo F-term (reference) in Canon Inc. AA27 AA35 AB20 AE15 AF00 5E501 AA06 AA15 AB04 AC25 BA02 BA05 CA04 CA05 CB02 DA13 EA02

Claims (19)

[Claims] 1. An image processing apparatus comprising an operation unit having a plurality of keys and connected to a plurality of host computers via a network, wherein: an execution unit for executing a predetermined operation; Parameter set registering means for registering parameters as one parameter set; key assigning means for assigning the registered one parameter set to at least one of the plurality of keys; and the assigned key being pressed. An image processing apparatus comprising: a setting unit configured to set the registered parameter set. 2. The computer according to claim 1, wherein the host computer registers a plurality of parameters to be set when the image processing apparatus performs a predetermined operation, as one set of parameters. 2. The image processing device according to 1. 3. The parameter set registration unit registers a plurality of the parameter sets, and the key assignment unit includes:
3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of registered parameter sets are assigned to different keys or different key combinations. 4. The parameter set includes a document size,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising at least one of resolution, color / monochrome / grayscale, scan area, brightness, contrast, threshold, and transmission destination. 5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined operation executed by the execution unit includes image reading of the document, and the parameter set includes a condition for reading the image. An image processing apparatus according to claim 1. 6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the image reading condition includes designation of a storage destination of the read image data. 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined operation executed by the execution unit includes facsimile transmission / reception of the document, and the parameter set includes a transmission condition of an image of the document. 2. The image processing device according to claim 1. 8. The image processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the transmission condition of the image includes designation of a transmission destination to which the image is transmitted. 9. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said plurality of keys comprises a one-touch key.
The image processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. 10. An operating means having a plurality of keys,
In a method for controlling an image processing apparatus connected to a plurality of host computers via a network, an execution step of executing a predetermined operation, and a parameter set for registering a plurality of parameters for the execution step as a set of parameters A registration step; a key assignment step of assigning the registered one set of parameters to at least one of the plurality of keys; and a setting for setting the registered parameter set when the assigned key is pressed. And a control method. 11. The computer according to claim 1, wherein the host computer registers a plurality of parameters to be set when the image processing apparatus executes a predetermined operation, as a set of parameters. 10. The control method according to 10. 12. The parameter set registering step includes registering a plurality of parameter sets, and the key assigning step assigns the plurality of registered parameter sets to different keys or different key combinations. Item 12. The control method according to Item 10 or 11. 13. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the parameter set includes at least one of a document size, a resolution, a color / monochrome / grayscale, a scan area, brightness, contrast, a threshold, and a transmission destination. 13. The control method according to any one of the above items 12. 14. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the predetermined operation executed in the execution step includes image reading of the document, and the parameter set includes a condition for reading the image. The control method described in the section. 15. The control method according to claim 14, wherein the image reading condition includes designation of a storage destination of the read image data. 16. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the predetermined operation executed in the execution step includes facsimile transmission / reception of the document, and the parameter set includes a transmission condition of an image of the document. Or the control method according to claim 1. 17. The control method according to claim 16, wherein the transmission condition of the image includes designation of a transmission destination to which the image is transmitted. 18. At least one of said plurality of keys,
18. The control method according to claim 10, comprising one-touch keys. 19. A storage medium storing the control method according to claim 10 as a control program.