JP2007013322A - Network composite machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the convenience of a user when the user uses another terminal to view image data processed by a network composite machine. <P>SOLUTION: The network composite machine 200 includes an image data storage 212 for storing the image data processed by the network composite machine; a data converter 208 for converting the image data read from the storage 212 into a designated image format, on the basis of designation of an image format in transmitting the image data to a client terminal 100 connected to a network 250, if the designated image format is different from the image format of the image data stored in the storage section 212; and a data transmitter/receiver 202 for transmitting the image data based on the designated image format in response to a request for transmitting the image data from the client terminal 100. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a network multifunction peripheral.

In recent years, facsimile apparatuses having a network connection function and a web server function have been developed. Patent Document 1 discloses a facsimile server that has a built-in web server function and includes communication history information storage means for storing communication history information and means for sending the communication history information by HTTP. ing. In this facsimile server, device settings such as facsimile can be set from a browser of a client PC, a list of transmission / reception data of facsimile and mail can be referred to, contents can be browsed, or captured as an image file.
JP-A-11-55448

  Conventionally, the image format of the image file transmitted from the facsimile apparatus to the client PC has been fixed. For example, an image file can be browsed only in the Tiff format on a client PC. However, depending on how the image file is used on the client PC side, it may be desired to display the image file in another image format. For example, when printing an image file, there is a problem that the image size cannot be set well in the Tiff format.

  For example, when a color original is scanned by a facsimile apparatus having a color scan function, the read image data is stored in the JPEG format. In this case, each read original is stored as a different file. Therefore, if you want to see multiple image data, you have to browse one by one, which is troublesome.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a technique for improving user convenience when browsing image data processed by a network multifunction peripheral on another terminal. .

  According to the present invention, a network multifunction device connected to a network and having a web server function, an image data storage unit for storing image data processed by the network multifunction device, and an image on a client terminal connected to the network Based on the designation of the image format at the time of data transmission, when the designation is an image format different from the image data stored in the image data storage unit, the image data read from the image data storage unit is designated as the specified image format. There is provided a network multifunction device comprising: a data conversion unit for converting image data into a data transmission unit; and a data transmission unit for transmitting image data in a specified image format in response to a request for transmission of image data from a client terminal. The

  As a result, image data in a desired image format can be acquired on the client terminal side, and user convenience can be improved when browsing the image data.

  In the network multifunction peripheral of the present invention, the image data storage unit can store image data in a bitmap format or JPEG format, and the data conversion unit converts the image data stored in the image data storage unit into the Tiff format and It can be configured to be convertible to PDF format.

  In the network multifunction peripheral of the present invention, when converting the image data read from the image data storage unit, the data conversion unit integrates them into one file when there is an instruction to integrate a plurality of image data. Can be converted to image format.

  It should be noted that any combination of the above-described constituent elements and a conversion of the expression of the present invention between a method, an apparatus, a system, a recording medium, a computer program, etc. are also effective as an aspect of the present invention.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, when browsing the image data processed with the network multifunction device with another terminal, a user's convenience can be made favorable.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a network configuration including a network multifunction peripheral and a client terminal according to the present embodiment.

  The network multifunction device 200 can be, for example, a network facsimile apparatus having a facsimile transmission / reception function, a scanner function, a printer function, a document management function, or the like, or an MFP (Multi Functional Peripheral). The network multifunction device 200 has a web server function, and transmits processing data of the network multifunction device 200 and image data processed by the network multifunction device 200 to a client PC such as the client terminal 100 connected to the network 250. The network MFP 200 transmits a JavaScript (registered trademark) program for displaying the processing data and image data to a client PC such as the client terminal 100. This process is executed only when the Javascript program is not stored in the client PC. When the client terminal 100 acquires processing data from the network multifunction device 200 for the first time, the network multifunction device 200 can transmit a Javascript program together with the processing data.

  The client terminal 100 is a client PC such as a personal computer. The client terminal 100 is connected to the network multifunction device 200 via the network 250. The network 250 can be a local network such as a LAN (Local Area Network).

  Each component of the client terminal 100 and the network multifunction device 200 includes an arbitrary computer CPU, memory, a program for realizing the components shown in the figure loaded in the memory, a storage unit such as a hard disk for storing the program, a network connection It is realized by an arbitrary combination of hardware and software with a focus on the user interface. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that there are various modifications to the implementation method and apparatus. Each figure described below shows functional unit blocks, not hardware unit configurations.

  The network MFP 200 includes a data transmission / reception unit 202 (data transmission unit), a data reading unit 204, an image format designation receiving unit 206, a data conversion unit 208, a processing data storage unit 210, and an image data storage unit 212. In FIG. 1, the configuration of portions not related to the essence of the present invention is omitted, and for example, a document reading unit and an image processing unit are not shown.

  The data transmission / reception unit 202 transmits / receives data to / from other terminals such as the client terminal 100 connected to the network 250.

  The processing data storage unit 210 stores processing data that is a list of processes processed by the network MFP 200, such as a scan data list, a transmission / reception data list, a bulletin board data list, a circulation / distribution data list, and a processing request data list. . The image data storage unit 212 stores image data processed by the network multifunction device 200. In the present embodiment, the image data storage unit 212 stores bitmap format image data.

  The data reading unit 204 reads data from the processing data storage unit 210 and the image data storage unit 212. The data reading unit 204 reads the processing data and image data from the processing data storage unit 210 and the image data storage unit 212 when there is a request for transmission of processing data and image data from the client terminal 100 via the data transmission / reception unit 202.

  The image format designation accepting unit 206 accepts designation of an image format of image data to be transmitted from the client terminal 100 via the data transmission / reception unit 202. The data conversion unit 208 converts the image data into image data of the designated image format received by the image format designation receiving unit 206. The image format designation receiving unit 206 determines whether the image data read by the data reading unit 204 is the designated image format. If the image data read by the data reading unit 204 is not in the designated image format, the image format designation receiving unit 206 instructs the data conversion unit 208 to convert the image format of the image data.

  In the present embodiment, the image format designation accepting unit 206 accepts designation of the Tiff format or PDF format from the client terminal 100. The data conversion unit 208 converts bitmap format image data into a Tiff format or a PDF format.

  The data transmission / reception unit 202 transmits the processing data read by the data reading unit 204, the image data read by the data reading unit 204, or the image data converted by the data conversion unit 208 to the client terminal 100.

  The client terminal 100 includes a data transmission / reception unit 102, an instruction reception unit 104, a display unit 106, an image format designation processing unit 108, and a data storage unit 110.

  The data transmission / reception unit 102 transmits / receives data to / from other terminals such as the network multifunction device 200 connected to the network 250. Specifically, the data transmission / reception unit 102 requests the network multifunction device 200 to transmit processing data and image data, and receives the processing data and image data from the network multifunction device 200. The data transmission / reception unit 102 stores the received data in the data storage unit 110.

  The data transmitting / receiving unit 102 also acquires a display processing program for displaying processing data transmitted from the network multifunction device 200 from the network multifunction device 200. In the present embodiment, the display processing program is a Javascript program. The display unit 106 displays data received by the data transmission / reception unit 102, data stored in the data storage unit 110, and the like. The display unit 106 can display a browser screen. The browser screen displayed by the display unit 106 will be described later.

  The instruction receiving unit 104 receives a user instruction. The image format designation processing unit 108 performs processing for designating the image format of the image data requested to be transmitted when the network multifunction peripheral 200 requests transmission of image data. For example, when the instruction receiving unit 104 receives an image format designation from the user, the image format designation processing unit 108 designates the image format. The data storage unit 110 can store default image format settings. The image format designation processing unit 108 refers to the data storage unit 110 and designates a default image format when no image format is designated by the user. Note that the user have entered whether to transmit the request of the image data in advance in any image format, it can also be stored in the data storage unit 110 as a default. In the present embodiment, the image format designated by the image format designation processing unit 108 is a Tiff format or a PDF format. In the present embodiment, the client terminal 100 may include a general PDF file browsing software such as an acrobat reader. Accordingly, by acquiring image data in the PDF format, it is possible to perform print processing after performing size adjustment or the like using PDF file browsing software.

  Next, the browser screen displayed by the display unit 106 will be described. The display unit 106 can display the browser screen as shown in FIG. 2 by the Javascript program transmitted from the network multifunction device 200. Here, a folder for scanning, transmission, reception, shared reception, bulletin board, circulation / distribution, processing request, and option is transmitted as processing data from the network MFP 200 and displayed as a list for each folder on the browser screen 300. Is done. Further, tabs 302a to 302h of these folders are displayed, and by selecting (clicking) any of the tabs 302a to 302h, a list of the folders is displayed. Here, a list of processing request folders is displayed.

  In the processing request folder, a list including a plurality of items, such as subject, details, processing status, requester, person in charge, document classification, date and time, and data corresponding to them is displayed. In addition, here, item names of some of the plurality of items are displayed in the keyword input boxes 304a to 304e. Each keyword input box 304a to 304e is a pull-down type, and is configured to display a character string stored as a corresponding item as a selectable keyword in the list. When the user pulls down one of the keyword input boxes and selects one of the character strings, the character string is handled as a keyword. Thus, by selecting a desired keyword from the list displayed on the browser screen 300, the list can be filtered and displayed.

  In each folder, for example, the number of display items and the setting of display pages can be set.

  Furthermore, in the item “subject”, a “Tiff” button and a “PDF” button are displayed together with the title of each image data. When the user selects (clicks) either the “Tiff” button or the “PDF” button, the instruction receiving unit 104 receives a transmission request for image data and an image format of the Tiff format or the PDF format. The image format designation processing unit 108 designates the image format accepted by the instruction accepting unit 104 as the image format of the image data requested to be transmitted. The data transmission / reception unit 102 transmits an image data transmission request to the network multifunction device 200 together with an image format designation.

  As another example, the display unit 106 may be configured not to display the “Tiff” button and the “PDF” button. In this case, the user can set the image format of the image data acquired from the network multifunction peripheral 200 in advance from the setting screen or the like. The setting screen can be opened from the option folder. This setting is stored in the data storage unit 110 as a default image format. In this case, when the user selects any image data, the instruction receiving unit 104 receives a transmission request for image data. The image format designation processing unit 108 refers to the data storage unit 110 and designates the image format set as a default as the image format of the image data requested to be transmitted. The data transmission / reception unit 102 transmits an image data transmission request to the network multifunction device 200 together with an image format designation.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the network MFP 200 and the client terminal 100.
When there is a processing data transmission request (YES in S100), the data transmitting / receiving unit 102 requests the network multifunction device 200 to transmit processing data (S102). In the present embodiment, the processing data transmission request can be made when the user logs into the browser screen 300.

  In the network multifunction peripheral 200, the data reading unit 204 receives a processing data transmission request via the data transmission / reception unit 202 and reads predetermined processing data from the processing data storage unit 210. The data transmitting / receiving unit 202 transmits the processing data read by the data reading unit 204 to the client terminal 100 (S104).

  In the client terminal 100, the processing data transmitted from the network multifunction device 200 is displayed as a list on the display unit 106 (S106).

  In the client terminal 100, when the instruction receiving unit 104 receives a transmission request for image data (YES in S108), the image format designation processing unit 108 determines whether an image format is designated (S110). If an image format is designated (YES in S110), the image format designation processing unit 108 determines whether or not to store the image format as a default in the data storage unit 110 (S112). When the image format is stored as a default (YES in S112), the image format designation processing unit 108 stores the image format in the data storage unit 110 (S114). This makes it possible to default the image format once specified. On the other hand, when the image format is not designated in step S110 (NO in S110), the image format designation processing unit 108 refers to the data storage unit 110 and designates the image format designated as the default (S116). .

  Subsequently, the data transmission / reception unit 102 transmits a request for the designated image format and image data to the network MFP 200 (S118).

  In the network MFP 200, the data reading unit 204 reads image data from the image data storage unit 212 (S120). The image format designation receiving unit 206 determines whether or not the image format of the image data read by the data reading unit 204 is the specified image format, and determines whether or not to convert the image format (S122). If conversion of the image format of the image data is necessary (YES in S122), the data conversion unit 208 performs data conversion (S124). When conversion is not necessary (NO in S122), the process proceeds to step S126 as it is. The data transmitting / receiving unit 202 transmits the image data of the designated image format to the client terminal 100 (S126).

  In the client terminal 100, the display unit 106 displays the image data transmitted from the network multifunction device 200 (S128). When the image data transmitted from the network multifunction device 200 is in the PDF format, the image data can be browsed by an acrobat reader. Thereafter, appropriate processing such as printing processing is performed.

  According to the network multifunction peripheral 200 in the present embodiment, image data of a designated image format can be transmitted to the client terminal 100. Thereby, in the network multifunction peripheral 200, the user can display the image data in a desired image format, and the convenience for the user can be improved.

  The present invention has been described based on the embodiments. The embodiments are exemplifications, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to combinations of the respective constituent elements and processing processes, and such modifications are within the scope of the present invention. .

  In the above embodiment, an example in which the default image format is stored in the data storage unit 110 of the client terminal 100 has been described. However, the default image format can also be stored in the network MFP 200. In this case, the network MFP 200 can store the default image format in association with the user ID. The client terminal 100 can also transmit a user ID when making a transmission request for image data to the network MFP 200. As a result, the network multifunction peripheral 200 can generate image data in the default image format for each user and transmit it to the client terminal 100.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the example in which the image data in the bitmap format is stored in the image data storage unit 212 of the network MFP 200 has been shown. However, the image data storage unit 212 can store, for example, Tiff format image data. In this case, when the image format designation receiving unit 206 receives transmission of image data in the Tiff format, the image data is transmitted to the client terminal 100 without the image data conversion performed by the data conversion unit 208.

  Further, in the client terminal 100, the display unit 106 can display an “integration” button for inputting an instruction to combine a plurality of image data into one file. When the user selects a plurality of image files and selects the “integrate” button, the instruction is transmitted to the network MFP 200. In the network MFP 200, the image format designation accepting unit 206 accepts an instruction to integrate a plurality of image data together with designation of the image format. The data conversion unit 208 integrates the image data into one file and converts it into a designated image format.

  Thus, for example, when the network multifunction peripheral 200 can acquire color image data and image data in JPEG format is stored in the image data storage unit 212, a plurality of image data are handled as one file. be able to. As described above, conventionally, when a color original is scanned by the network multifunction peripheral 200 having a color scan function, the read image data is stored as a different file for each original in the JPEG format. However, when converting a plurality of image data in JPEG format into, for example, PDF format, if they are integrated into one file, the client terminal 100 can collectively display them as one file or perform print processing. it can.

1 is a block diagram showing a network configuration including a network multifunction peripheral and a client terminal in an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the browser display screen displayed by a display part. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the network multifunction peripheral and client terminal in embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Client terminal 102 Data transmission / reception part 104 Instruction reception part 106 Display part 110 Data storage part 200 Network multifunction machine 202 Data transmission / reception part 204 Data reading part 206 Image format designation | designated reception part 208 Data conversion part 210 Process data storage part 212 Image data storage part

Claims (3)

A network multifunction device connected to a network and having a web server function,
An image data storage unit for storing image data processed by the network multifunction peripheral;
Based on the designation of the image format when transmitting the image data to the client terminal connected to the network, when the designation is an image format different from the image data stored in the image data storage unit, the image A data conversion unit that converts the image data read from the data storage unit into a designated image format;
A data transmission unit for transmitting the image data in the designated image format in response to a transmission request for the image data from the client terminal;
A network multifunction device characterized by including: The network multifunction device according to claim 1,
The image data storage unit stores the image data in a bitmap format or JPEG format,
The network multifunction device, wherein the data conversion unit is capable of converting the image data stored in the image data storage unit into a Tiff format and a PDF format. The network multifunction device according to claim 1,
When there is an instruction to integrate a plurality of image data when converting the image data read from the image data storage unit, the data conversion unit integrates them into one file and converts it into the image format A network multifunction device characterized by

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