JP2010114840A - Image forming apparatus and confirmation system for stored image - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To accomplish an image forming apparatus, in which user friendliness is improved, for not only automatically acquiring and utilizing image data but also acquiring and utilizing also image data of an updated image other than a latest image as needed. <P>SOLUTION: In the case where read image data are obtained by updating stored image data, in an image forming apparatus 104, read image data are managed in association with non-updated image data. Each time, image data are updated, display data of the updated image data are generated and update information including information indicating a place where the display data are stored is generated. A QR code 105 of the update information is then displayed on an operation panel 103 together with an update date/time list. When it is desired to confirm an updated image, the displayed QR code 105 is photographed by a cellular phone 109. By accessing the place where the display data are stored, the display data for the updated image are downloaded from the image forming apparatus 104 and contents are confirmed on a display screen 110. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a document filing function for reading an image of a document as image data and storing it in a recording medium such as an HDD, and a confirmation system for a stored image stored in the image forming apparatus using the function. Is.

  In recent years, there is an image forming apparatus called a multi function printer (MFP) capable of realizing a plurality of functions such as a printer, a copy, a FAX, and a scanner in one apparatus.

  Some of these image forming apparatuses have a document filing function (hereinafter abbreviated as a filing function) that includes a large-capacity recording medium such as an HDD and reads an image of an original as image data and performs filing. is there. The read image data is managed, for example, with a file name, a user name, and information on the reading date and time. The user can call and print the stored image data by inputting a user name or a file name as required (for example, Patent Document 1).

  In addition, when the print information (update date / time) of the document image is converted into a barcode and printed over the document, and the image with the barcode is scanned, it does not match the update date / time of the stored image data. A technique has also been proposed in which old date and time data is deleted and replaced with new date and time image data (for example, Patent Document 2).

  According to this, since the image saved once as image data is automatically replaced with the latest image data every time an updated image is read, the user has updated without being aware of it. Printed images can be obtained.

  That is, by using such a filing function, the image forming apparatus can be used as a document server. As a result, it is possible to solve problems such as a problem of storage space, a problem of loss, and a troublesome time for searching for a desired printed matter, which are problems when the document is stored in a printed matter.

  In addition, a technique has been proposed in which an image forming apparatus is connected to an external device such as a mobile phone via a network and operated using the external device.

For example, in Patent Document 3, when the image forming apparatus confirms that there is a person in the vicinity, identification information for identifying the image forming apparatus itself is generated, converted into a QR code, and displayed. The mobile phone provided by the user reads this, converts it to identification information again, accesses the image forming apparatus via the mobile phone base station, and designates it using the operation designation screen transmitted from the image forming apparatus. The operation information transmitted to the image forming apparatus is described.
JP-A-9-270902 (published October 14, 1997) JP 2005-198177 (published July 21, 2005) JP 2007-164448 (released on June 28, 2007)

  However, in the conventional configuration, there is a problem that when an image forming apparatus having a filing function is used as a document server, it is easy to use but not so good.

  In other words, in the conventional configuration, when updating the stored image data, the image data updated in association with each update is not managed for each update, and the image data before the update is deleted. , And replace with new image data. Therefore, even if the user wants to obtain a printed material of the image before the update, it cannot be printed.

  Also, with respect to image data that has already been updated, it is not included in the image indicated by the first saved image data, and the number of updates added at the time of update is added. I want to know, but I can't know.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object thereof is not only automatic update of image data but also update other than the latest in an image forming apparatus capable of storing image data with a document filing function. An object of the present invention is to provide an easy-to-use image forming apparatus and a filing image confirmation system that can be acquired and used as needed by image users.

  In order to solve the above problems, an image forming apparatus of the present invention reads an image of a document as image data, and stores the read image data in the recording medium. An image data storage unit to be stored in the storage, an update determination unit to determine whether the read image data is an updated image data stored in the recording medium, and the update determination unit to store When it is determined that the image data is updated, the update management unit manages the read image data in association with the image data before the update, and the updated image data every time the image data is updated Display data generation unit for generating the display data and storing the display data in the recording medium, and the display generated by the display data generation unit for each update of the image data An update information generation unit that generates update information including information indicating a data storage location, and a code that can be read by an external device connected via a communication network with the update information generated by the update information generation unit A code information conversion unit for converting information, a display control unit for displaying the code information converted by the code information conversion unit on the display screen together with the update date and time in association with the update date and time, and a request from the external device And a transmission / reception unit for transmitting predetermined display data stored in the recording medium to the external device.

  According to this, the image data storage unit stores the read image data in the recording medium. Here, the update determination unit determines whether the read image data is the updated image data. If it is determined that the image has been updated, the update management unit manages the read image data in association with the image data before being updated. Each time the image data is updated, the display data generation unit generates display data for the updated image data and stores it in the recording medium, and the update information generation unit stores the generated display data. Update information including the information indicating is generated. The update information generated in this way is converted into code information such as a QR code that can be read by an external device connected via a communication network by the code information conversion unit, and the converted code information Is displayed on the display screen together with the update date list in association with the update date. The transmission / reception unit receives a request from an external device, and transmits predetermined display data stored in the recording medium in response to the received request.

  Thereby, even in an environment where the update of registered images is automatically managed, the user acquires not only the latest update image (registered image) but also an update image (registered image) of a desired update time. Can be printed and improved usability.

  In addition, an update image corresponding to the update date can be confirmed by displaying it on the screen using an external device such as a mobile phone, so it is possible to easily obtain a desired update image without printing the update image one by one. Can look into.

  In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the update determination unit further specifies an update location of the read image data, and the display data generation unit displays the read image data. As the data for use, it is preferable that the display data with the mark added to the update location specified by the update determination unit is generated.

  According to the above configuration, the update determination unit specifies an update location of the read image data, and the display data generation unit specifies the update location specified by the update determination unit as display data for the read image data. If the user reads the code information of the desired update date and accesses it with a mobile phone as an external device to display the update screen, the display data in the update image is generated. An image with a mark added to the location updated at the update time is displayed.

  This makes it possible to easily recognize the update contents of the update times. For example, it is possible to easily know how many times the contents added in the update were added and However, it improves further.

  In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, it is preferable that the number of updates in the update date / time list can be arbitrarily set.

  According to said structure, according to an update condition, it becomes possible to acquire the information of the update history which a user desires. For example, if there are frequent updates when the update history count is set low, the old update information and the registered image (update image) for that time will disappear, but the update history count will be reset. By doing so, older update information and registered images (updated images) can also be confirmed.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the update information includes, in addition to the information indicating the storage location of the display image of the updated image data, file name information, update date information, and updater information. May be included.

  By including the update date and time information and the updater information in the update information, the user who has read the code information that has been converted into code information can display the file name, update date and time on the screen of the external device, such as a mobile phone. The information can be confirmed by the updater. Even if the updater's information is not displayed for the convenience of the display panel of the image forming apparatus, the updater can be confirmed. Therefore, if the updater is different from the update image being searched for, the code information can be reread before accessing the storage location of the display image.

  In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, it is preferable that the image forming apparatus further includes an update location print mode in which only the update location specified by the update determination unit is printed out.

  According to this, since it is possible to print only the update portion in the update image, which has not been assumed in the past, it is not necessary to print the entire update image (registered image), and it is desired to print only the updated portion. Can be used by the user who wants to use it.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a system for checking a stored image according to the present invention stores a stored image using a document filing function that reads an image of a document as image data and stores the image on a recording medium included in the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes an image data storage unit that stores the read image data in the recording medium, and the read image data is an update of the image data stored in the recording medium. An update determination unit for determining whether or not there is an image, and when the update determination unit determines that the stored image data has been updated, the read image data is associated with the image data before the update. An update management unit that manages the display data, and a display data generation unit that generates display data for the updated image data and stores the updated image data for each update of the image data The update information generation unit that generates update information including information indicating the storage location of the display data generated by the display data generation unit, and the update information generation unit each time the image data is updated The code information conversion unit that converts the updated information into code information that can be read by an external device connected via a communication network, and the code information converted by the code information conversion unit is associated with the update date and time. A display control unit to be displayed on the display screen together with the update date list, and transmission / reception for receiving a request from the external device and transmitting predetermined display data stored in the recording medium to the external device in response to the request The external device includes: a code information reading unit that reads code information; a code analysis unit that analyzes code information read by the code information reading unit; Access to the display data storage location included in the information, display data acquisition unit for acquiring display data, update information returned by the code analysis unit, and acquisition by the display data acquisition unit And a display unit for displaying the displayed display data.

  The image forming apparatus may be realized by a computer. In this case, a program for realizing the image forming apparatus in the computer by causing the computer to operate as each unit also falls within the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, a computer-readable recording medium on which the above program is recorded also falls within the scope of the present invention.

  As described above, according to the present invention, in the image forming apparatus capable of storing image data with the document filing function, not only the image data is automatically updated but also the image data before the update is required by the user as needed. An object of the present invention is to provide an easy-to-use image forming apparatus that can be acquired and used, and a filing image confirmation system.

  An embodiment according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram schematically illustrating an example of a configuration of a confirmation system for a stored image stored in an HDD or the like of an image forming apparatus with a document filing function according to the present embodiment.

  The stored image confirmation system 1 includes an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) 104 that is an image forming apparatus having a document filing function, an external device such as a mobile phone 109, a mobile phone base station apparatus 101, and a communication line 102.

  The MFP 104 is a multifunction machine including an operation panel unit 103 configured by a liquid crystal touch panel or the like, and includes a Web server 106. The MFP 104 is connected to the mobile phone base station apparatus 101 via a communication line 102 such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet.

  The mobile phone 109 is, for example, a mobile phone, and can perform wireless communication with the MFP 104 via the mobile phone base station apparatus 101 and has a Web browser 108. That is, the MFP 104 and the mobile phone 109 can establish communication via the mobile phone base station apparatus 101.

  The MFP 104 can generate update information including information indicating a storage location where display data for updated image data stored in an HDD, which will be described later, is stored, and can be read and decoded by the mobile phone 109. It is converted into code information and displayed on the operation panel unit 103. In the present embodiment, a QR (Quick Response) code 105, which is a kind of two-dimensional code, is used as code information.

  The mobile phone 109 includes a camera 107 for capturing an image, and the camera 107 captures the QR code 105 displayed on the operation panel unit 103. In addition, the mobile phone 109 includes a display screen 110.

  The QR code 105 includes URL (Uniform Resource Locator) information of the Web server 106 of the MFP 104. The mobile phone 109 can access the Web server 106 of the MFP 104, which is a server specified by the URL, by specifying the URL included in the QR code 105 using the Web browser 108.

  The MFP 104 is a server specified by a URL included in the QR code 105 displayed on the operation panel unit 103, and the mobile phone 109 can access the MFP 104 by this URL. In other words, the mobile phone 109 that has accessed the MFP 104 is a mobile phone that has been accessed using the URL included in the QR code 105 displayed on the operation panel unit 103.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a main configuration of the MFP 104. The MFP 104 includes an image reading unit 201, an image forming unit 202, a storage control unit 223, an update management unit 203, an image editing unit 204, an image comparison unit 205, a QR code generation unit 206, an operation panel control unit 207, a time management unit 208, A storage unit 209, a data transmission / reception unit 221 and the like are included, and these are connected by a dedicated bus 222.

  The image reading unit 201 reads an image (document image) such as a document as image data. The image data read by the image reading unit 201 is sent to the storage unit (recording medium) 209 via the bus 222 under the control of the storage control unit 223 configured by a CPU or the like.

  The storage unit 209 includes a large-capacity memory such as an HDD. The storage unit 209 includes an image storage unit 210 that stores image data, and an update information storage unit 214 that stores update information.

  Image data read by the image reading unit 201 using the document filing function is stored in the registered image storage unit 211 in the image storage unit 210 by the storage control unit 223.

  The image forming unit 202 forms an image on a recording material such as paper based on image data read by the image reading unit 201 or image data input from the outside.

  The image comparison unit (update determination unit) 205 includes image data (hereinafter, registered image data) that has been stored in the registered image storage unit 211 and image data that has been read this time and stored in the registered image storage unit 211 ( Hereinafter, the read image data) is compared, and it is determined whether or not these two image data correspond to the relationship between the registered image and the updated image, that is, whether the image data is the same file (file No.). Judgment. In the present embodiment, the image comparison unit 205 compares the image of the first page of the read image data with the registered image data, and determines whether or not they are the same file.

  Further, in this embodiment, when the image comparison unit 205 determines that the image data is the same file, the image comparison unit 205 compares the read image data with the update image data to identify the update area (update location) of the read image. It is also what you do. When the update has already been performed and there are a plurality of update images of the same file, the image comparison unit 205 updates the update date and time, in other words, the update image data and the read image data having the largest number of updates. And compare.

  The update management unit 203 uses the read image data that has been confirmed to be the same file as the registered image data by the identification of the image comparison unit 205 as the update image data, the first update image data, and the second update image. Data, third updated image data, etc. are managed in association with the number of updates. The updated image data is nothing but registered image data.

  The update management unit 203 manages a plurality of update image data of the same file in the update order by associating the number of updates with the write address of the update image data on the registered image storage unit 211. An example of associating the update count with the write address of the updated image data is shown below.

First updated image data: write address “A0000-B9988”
Second updated image data: write address “D0976 to F1111”
Third updated image data: write address “J3456 to L5555”
Furthermore, the update management unit 203 updates the update area identified by the image comparison unit 205 by, for example, an update image (registered image) represented by a page number including the update area and a row in the page. Manage by area information. As the number of lines on one page is increased, the area boundary line for each update can be set in detail. The update area information is stored in the update information storage unit 214. In the present embodiment, the update management unit 203 also manages new registration of image data as the 0th update. Therefore, in the case of newly registered image data, the whole is managed as update area information.

  The image editing unit (display data generation unit) 204 generates display data for updated image data every time the image data is updated, and stores it in the display image storage unit 212 in the image storage unit 210. . As will be described in detail later, when the user accesses the MFP 104 via the mobile phone 109 and performs a confirmation process for checking the update area of the update image, the display image 110 is displayed on the display screen 110 of the mobile phone 109. Will be displayed.

  In particular, in this embodiment, the image editing unit 204 adds a conspicuous mark such as a red frame to the update area specified by the image comparison unit 205 so that the user can visually recognize the update area at a glance. The display data of the marked image is generated. Thus, when the confirmation process is performed, the marked image is displayed on the display screen 110 of the mobile phone 109. As described above, in this embodiment, new registration of image data is also managed as the 0th update, so that the image editing unit 204 encloses the entire image data with a frame in the case of newly registered image data. Generate a marked image.

  In addition, when the user designates update area printing for printing only the update area, the image editing unit 204 extracts only the update area in the update image (registered image) read from the registered image storage unit 211. It also has a function to edit images. The update area extracted image is temporarily stored in the print image storage unit 213 in the image storage unit 210 and sent to the image forming unit 202. Update area information is used to edit the update area excerpt image.

  The QR code generation unit (update information generation unit, code information conversion unit) 206 stores the display data generated by the image editing unit 204 and stored in the display image storage unit 212 every time the image data is updated. The update information including the information indicating is generated and converted into the QR code 105.

  In the present embodiment, the update information includes information on “file name”, “update date / time”, and “updater” in addition to the information indicating the storage location of the display data of the update image data. Information on the storage location of the display data is included as a link URL including the URL of the Web server 106 of the MFP 104.

  The update information included in these QR codes is stored in the update information storage unit 214 in the storage unit 209 under the management of the update management unit 223 described above. The update management unit 223 stores the file name, updater, update date, URL, update area information, and QR code in the update information storage unit 214 in association with the update image data every time the image data is updated. .

  Here, the “file name” has the same name before and after the update if it is the same file. Note that in the case of new registration in which the read image data is the first registration, the process proceeds to a new registration process to be described later, and the user inputs according to the guidance displayed on the operation panel unit 103.

  The “updater” information may be input by the user or the like according to the guidance displayed on the operation panel unit 103 for each update. If the MFP 104 has a user approval function, the read user information may be input. It is good also as a structure which uses and saves automatically.

  The “update date and time” information is the date and time when a document such as a document is read by the image reading unit 201 and is automatically saved by the time management unit 208.

  As described above, the URL indicates the storage location of the display data for each update data in the display image storage unit 212, and the corresponding URL is stored each time the image data is updated and display data is generated. Is done. As a result, when the user accesses the URL with the mobile phone 109, the corresponding display image, in this embodiment, the marked image with the frame-like mark attached to the update area is displayed on the display screen of the mobile phone 109. It can be displayed.

  As described above, the update area information is page number and line information including the update area in the update image.

  FIG. 9A shows the management content of the update information storage unit 214. Image data with the same “file name” is managed by the same “file number”, and “update date / time”, “updater”, “update area information”, update image for each update image data with the same “file name” The “URL” indicating the storage location of the display data and the storage location of the QR code of the updated image data are managed. In this embodiment, the “number of lines” indicating the update area information is set to 100 lines for one page of the document, and the number of lines of management contents in the update information storage unit 214 is also described in accordance with 100 lines. Yes.

  Further, in the example of FIG. 9, the update image data for five times can be left for each file. Here, the five pieces of update history information are sequentially input from the bottom of the management sheet, and when the number of updates exceeds four, the update history of the newly registered read image at the bottom is deleted, and the update 5 By adding the new update history for the first time, the latest five update histories can always be confirmed. The user can set an arbitrary number of the update history storage count and the update history display order.

  FIG. 9B shows an example of a URL indicating the storage location of display data. In this example, the file No. in FIG. The update date and time of “Meetings of XX Meeting 2” is “2008/07/24/13: 54: 21”. Here, the header of the URL is “http://abc.com”, and the MFP unique ID, which is MFP unique information, is “mfp1”. In addition, the storage folder is “docu”, and after that, the file No. -“02-20080724135421” followed by the update date and time follows. The update air information shown in FIG. 9A is “1st page 0th line to 3rd page 10th line”, and there are two blanks in the history. Therefore, the registered image data is newly registered. is there.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the operation panel unit 103 can be configured by a touch panel, for example, and has a role of displaying key input operations of various operations of the MFP 104, setting / operation status, and the like, and plays two types of roles of key input and display. Yes.

  The data transmission / reception unit (transmission / reception unit) 221 transmits and receives data, and is connected from the data transmission / reception unit 221 to the mobile phone base station apparatus 101 via a communication line such as the Internet. When a URL is accessed from the mobile phone 109, the display data with a mark is transmitted through the data transmission / reception unit 221.

  The time management unit 208 acquires and inputs an update date and time that is the date and time when the image reading unit 201 reads the document.

  Next, a process for storing an image in the storage unit 209 of image data read by the filling function in the MFP 104 will be described.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the document reading process of the MFP 104. First, a document is set on the document reading tray (S301). After the original is set, “document filing function” and “require update confirmation of read original” are set on the operation panel unit 103 of the MFP 104 (S302).

  When the reading execution key displayed on the operation panel unit 103 is pressed after the setting is completed (S303), the first page of the document is read by the image reading unit 201 and stored in the registered image storage unit 211 of the image storage unit 210 as image data. Saved (S304). The read image data and the registered image data stored in the registered image storage unit 211 are compared by the image comparison unit 205 (S305), and it is determined whether there is a registered image corresponding to the same file (S306). ).

  If it is determined in S306 that the same file does not exist, a selection as to whether or not to newly register the read image is displayed on the operation panel unit 103 (S311). Here, when the user “register” is selected, a new document registration process (the flow in FIG. 4) described later is performed (S312). If the user does not select “Register”, the flow ends.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S306 that the same file exists, a display prompting confirmation of the file name is displayed on the operation panel unit 103 (S307), and a document update process (flow in FIG. 5) is performed (S308). .

  After performing the new document process in S312 or the document update process in S308, the process proceeds to S309, in which the image editing unit 204 generates display data with a mark in the update area, and stores it in the display image storage unit 212. To do. As described above, when the new document processing of S312 is performed, a marked image in which the entire image is surrounded by a frame or the like is generated here.

  Thereafter, the QR code generation unit 206 encodes the update information (new registration is 0th update) in the update information storage unit 214 to generate a QR code, and stores the QR code in the update information storage unit 214 (S310). This completes the document reading flow.

  Next, the new document process performed in S312 of the flowchart of FIG. 3 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a detailed flowchart showing the flow of new document registration (S312).

  First, when new document registration is selected, a new registration file of a document read by the image reading unit 201 is created (S401). Next, it is determined whether or not all pages of the set document have been read (S402). If reading of all pages is not completed, the next page is read (S404), and the newly registered file created in S401 is read. In addition, the read image data is added (S405). Until reading of all pages is completed, determination of completion of reading of the original, reading of the original, and addition of pages to the newly registered file are repeated (S402 → S404 → S405 → S402).

  When it is determined in step S <b> 402 that reading of all pages of the document has been completed, information on a new registration file to be stored in the update information storage unit 214 is created and stored in the update information storage unit 214. This completes the new document registration process.

  In the case of new document registration, the file name is entered by the user by key input on the operation panel unit 103 together with the updater information. Other update information (update date / time, URL, update area, QR code) is automatically input by the MFP 104. For example, the update date and time is input by obtaining the time when the document is read from the time management unit 208.

  As the update area, since the first-time original reading is newly registered, as described above, all the read pages are targeted. However, for the last page, the line up to which the text is input is the target, and the blank space portion is not the target.

  As the URL, the update area, that is, the storage destination of the display data of the marked image in which the image for all pages is surrounded by a red frame or the like is input. As the QR code, the QR code generation unit 206 inputs the input file name, the updater, the update date and time, and the URL converted into a QR code.

  Next, the new document process performed in S308 of the flowchart of FIG. 3 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a detailed flowchart of the flow of document update (S308).

  First, the image comparison unit 205 compares the image data of the read image read by the image reading unit 201 with the image data of the same file stored in the registered image storage unit 211, The update area is identified (S501). Next, it is determined whether or not all pages of the set document have been read (S502). If reading of all pages is not completed, the next page is read (S504), and the process returns to S501 again to update. Identify areas. As described above, until it is determined that the original reading and the identification of the update area have been completed for all pages, the determination of the completion of the original reading, the reading of the original, and the identification of the update area are repeated (S502 → S504 → S501 → S502).

  If it is determined in S502 that reading of all pages of the document has been completed, information to be stored is stored in the update information storage unit 214 (S503), and the document update flow is completed.

  In the case of document update processing, only the updater is entered as update information by key input from the operation panel unit 103, and other update information (file name, update date, URL, update area, QR code) is stored in the MFP 104. Automatically entered. The update date / time, URL, and QR code are the same as those described in the new document data registration flowchart of FIG. In other cases, since the registered document originally exists as the file name, the same file name is input, and the update area page number and the number of lines determined by the image comparison unit 205 are input as the update area information.

  Next, a process for confirming the update state of the image data stored in the registered image storage unit 211 of the MFP 104 and printing only the update area in the image data of a desired update time will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the update document printing process in the MFP 104. First, an updated document print mode is set on the operation panel unit 103 (S601). The updated document print mode is a mode in which only an image in an update area of a desired update time is printed.

  FIG. 8 shows a display example of the operation panel unit 103 when the updated document print mode is set. As shown in the figure, “copy”, “scan”, “document filing”, and “update document print” at the top are mode keys 801 for selecting a mode to be used.

  When the user selects “update document print mode” in the use mode shown in FIG. 8 (S601), as shown in FIG. 8, registered images (registered documents) stored in the registered image storage unit 211 are displayed. The saved file list 802 is displayed (S602). When the user selects and presses a file name to be printed from the file list 802 (S603), the display format of the selected file name, for example, the display color is changed to a color different from other file names, and the saved file list is displayed. The update history (update date list) 803 of the selected file is displayed on the right side of 802 (S604).

  The update history 803 displays a list of update dates and times and a QR code 105 corresponding to each update date and time.

  As for the display count of the update history, five times are displayed in FIG. 8, but it is assumed that the user can determine an arbitrary number of times by setting the MFP 104. In addition, the display order of the QR codes corresponding to the update time is displayed in the new order from the bottom to the top. This can also be determined by the user.

  Next, the update information is confirmed by reading the QR code of the desired update date and time in the screen of FIG. 8 displayed on the operation panel unit 103 of the MFP 104 using the photographing function of the mobile phone 109 owned by itself. Then, the update information confirmation process by the QR code reading (the flow of FIG. 7) is performed by the user (S605).

  After the confirmation by the user is completed, an update history key to be displayed on the operation panel unit 103 is selected (S606), and when the print key is pressed (S607), the image editing unit 204 updates the update image corresponding to the selected update history. Only the update area is printed (S608), thereby completing the update document print flow.

  In this way, the user reads a QR code of a desired update history using a communication terminal device (here, a mobile phone) having a QR code reading function. Then, the file name of the update image in the update history, the update date / time, the updater, and the URL for accessing the image with the update area are displayed on the display screen of the mobile phone, and the update area displayed by accessing the URL is marked After confirming the marked image with the mark, if the content is desired to be printed, only the update area of the updated image can be printed.

  With reference to FIG. 7, the update information confirmation process by reading the QR code performed in S605 of the flowchart of FIG. 6 will be described. FIG. 7 is a detailed flowchart showing the flow of the update information confirmation process (S605) by reading the QR code.

  First, the user selects a QR code read mode of the mobile phone 109 having a QR code reading function (S701). Next, the QR code corresponding to the update date and time to be confirmed is read by the camera 107 of the mobile phone 109 from the update history 803 displayed on the operation panel unit 103 of the MFP 104 shown in FIG. 8 (S702). The mobile phone 109 decodes the read QR code to restore the update information (S703), and displays the restored update information on the display screen 110 of the mobile phone 109 (S704).

  When the QR code is read, the update information displayed on the display screen 110 of the mobile phone 109 is text information, and the storage location of the marked image is stored together with the file name of the update image, the update date and time, and the information written by the updater. The URL for accessing is displayed.

  When the user designates to access the displayed URL (S705), the mobile phone 109 displays the update image display image stored in the location indicated by the URL of the display image storage unit 212 in the MFP 104. Here, the display image of the marked image with a mark in the update area is downloaded and displayed on the display screen 110 (S706). Thereby, the user can confirm the contents of the updated image. Since the update area updated with the update image of the selected update date and time is marked with a red frame or the like, the contents updated at this time can be easily and reliably visually recognized. When the user scrolls the screen of the display screen 110 of the mobile phone 109, the mobile phone 109 displays all the documents before the selected update history on the display screen 110. Thereby, the user can browse all the documents before the selected update history without re-reading the QR code.

  If the user does not select access in the step of whether or not to access the URL, the update information confirmation flow by reading the QR code is terminated.

  10 (a) and 10 (b), the first registered image newly registered in the file name “XX communication form” managed in the update information storage unit 214 shown in FIG. Updated images (updated 4 times).

  In this example, FIG. 11 shows the update area in each update time from the first registered image to 4 times after the update. As shown in the figure, the update area from the first update to the second update is located on the first page, and the update areas for the third to fourth updates are located on the second page.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a method in which the image comparison unit 205 identifies an update area. Here, the first registered image and the first updated image updated from this registered image will be described as an example. The update area is identified by extracting the image difference between the first registered image and the first updated image. The first registered image is displayed with a vertical line as shown in FIG. 12A, and the first updated image is displayed with a horizontal line as shown in FIG. 12B. FIG. 12C is a diagram in which both images are compared and a difference is extracted, and shows an update area for the first update. In FIG. 12C, in the upper part, the vertical line display part and the horizontal line display part overlap each other, which is a common part between the first registered image and the first update image, and only the horizontal line is applied. The part is an area added at the first update, and becomes the update area at the first update.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the contents displayed on the display screen 110 of the mobile phone 109, and 130 in the gray frame is the display screen. As an example, a display result when the URL to the display image (marked image) of the update image for the third update shown in FIG. 11 is accessed is shown. As shown in FIG. 11, the update area for the third update is about the upper half of the second page, and this portion is displayed at the top of the display screen 110. Further, only the selected update area for the third update is highlighted with a red frame.

  At this time, the document image of the first page (from the first registered image to the second update) can be displayed by scrolling the screen. As an area that can be displayed on the screen 130, there is an update document before the selected update date and time. Therefore, if it is desired to display an updated image after the selected update date and time, the QR code of the newer update date and time is read again from the operation panel unit 103 of the MFP 104, and the URL of the display image is accessed to obtain a newer image. An update date display image (marked image) can be displayed.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a result of printing only the update area in the update document printing process. As an example 1, FIG. 14A shows a case where the update area for the third update is printed in the state where the four updates shown in FIG. 11 are performed. In the display screen 110 of the mobile phone 109 in FIG. 13, since the area surrounded by the red frame is the update area for the third update, only the inside of the red frame is printed.

  As an example 2, FIG. 14B shows a case where the update area for the fourth update is printed in the state where the four updates shown in FIG. 11 are performed. The update area for the fourth update is about the lower half of the second page. When printing, only the update area for the fourth update is printed by masking the update area for the third update existing on the same second page and making it blank. However, in order to avoid the beginning of the page starting from a blank, it is possible to print by filling the blank and displaying the beginning of the fourth update area at the beginning of the page as shown in FIG. To do. At that time, if update areas with the same number of updates exist across multiple pages, only the print start page can be filled with blank areas, and the subsequent pages will be printed with the layout as updated images. To do.

  In the above-described embodiment, the storage control unit 223, the image editing unit 204, the update management unit 203, the image comparison unit 205, the QR code generation unit 206, the control unit of the operation panel unit 103, and the like in the MFP 104 are CPU, MPU, and the like. It may be realized by software using a processor such as. That is, the MFP 104 includes a central processing unit (CPU) that executes instructions of a control program that implements each function, a read only memory (ROM) that stores the program, a random access memory (RAM) that expands the program, and the program And a storage device (recording medium) such as a memory for storing various data. An object of the present invention is to provide a recording medium in which a program code (execution format program, intermediate code program, source program) of a control program of the MFP 104 which is software for realizing the above-described functions is recorded in the MFP 104. This is achieved by reading and executing the program code recorded on the recording medium by the computer (or CPU or MPU).

  Examples of the recording medium include tapes such as magnetic tapes and cassette tapes, magnetic disks such as floppy (registered trademark) disks / hard disks, and disks including optical disks such as CD-ROM / MO / MD / DVD / CD-R. Card system such as IC card, IC card (including memory card) / optical card, or semiconductor memory system such as mask ROM / EPROM / EEPROM / flash ROM.

  Further, the MFP 104 may be configured to be connectable to a communication network, and the program code may be supplied via the communication network. The communication network is not particularly limited. For example, the Internet, intranet, extranet, LAN, ISDN, VAN, CATV communication network, virtual private network, telephone line network, mobile communication network, satellite communication. A net or the like is available. Also, the transmission medium constituting the communication network is not particularly limited. For example, even in the case of wired such as IEEE 1394, USB, power line carrier, cable TV line, telephone line, ADSL line, etc., infrared rays such as IrDA and remote control, Bluetooth ( (Registered trademark), 802.11 wireless, HDR, mobile phone network, satellite line, terrestrial digital network, and the like can also be used. The present invention can also be realized in the form of a computer data signal embedded in a carrier wave in which the program code is embodied by electronic transmission.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope shown in the claims, and embodiments obtained by appropriately combining technical means disclosed in different embodiments. Is also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention, and is an explanatory diagram schematically illustrating an example of a configuration of a stored image confirmation system stored in an HDD or the like of an image forming apparatus with a document filing function according to the present embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the principal part structure of the said image forming apparatus. 4 is a flowchart of document reading processing in the image forming apparatus. 5 is a flowchart of new document registration processing in the image forming apparatus. 6 is a flowchart of registered document update processing in the image forming apparatus. 6 is a flowchart of an update document printing process in the image forming apparatus. 6 is a flowchart of update information confirmation processing by QR code reading in the image forming apparatus. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a display screen of an operation panel in an update document printing process in the image forming apparatus. FIG. 9A is an explanatory diagram illustrating the management content of the update information storage unit in the image forming apparatus, and FIG. 9B is an explanatory diagram illustrating the content of an example URL. FIG. 10A shows a newly registered first registration image of the file name “○ △ Contact” managed in the update information storage unit shown in FIG. 9A. ) Is an explanatory diagram showing the latest updated image (updated 4 times). 10 (a) and 10 (b) are explanatory diagrams showing update areas in respective update times from the first registered image to four times after the update. 6 is a diagram illustrating a method in which an image comparison unit in the image forming apparatus identifies an update area. It is explanatory drawing which shows the content displayed on the display screen of the mobile telephone in the confirmation system of FIG. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a print result obtained by performing print processing only on an update area, which is performed in an updated document printing process in the image forming apparatus. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a print result obtained by performing print processing only on an update area, which is performed in an updated document printing process in the image forming apparatus, and illustrating a print result when a sheet head is blank.

Explanation of symbols

101 Mobile phone base station apparatus 102 Communication line 103 Operation panel unit 104 MFP (image forming apparatus)
105 QR code 106 Web server 107 Camera 108 Web browser 109 Mobile phone (external device)
201 Image Reading Unit 202 Image Forming Unit 203 Update Management Unit 204 Image Editing Unit (Display Image Data Generation Unit)
205 Image comparison unit (update determination unit)
206 QR code generator (update information generator, code information converter)
207 Operation panel unit 208 Time management unit 209 Storage unit (recording medium)
210 Image storage unit 211 Registered image storage unit 212 Display image storage unit 213 Print image storage unit 214 Update information storage unit 222 Dedicated bus 223 Storage control unit (image data storage control unit)

Claims (10)

In an image forming apparatus having a document filing function that reads an image of a document as image data and stores it in a recording medium.
An image data storage unit for storing the read image data in the recording medium;
An update determination unit that determines whether the read image data is an updated image data stored in the recording medium;
An update management unit that manages the read image data in association with the image data before the update when the update determination unit determines that the stored image data is an updated one;
A display data generation unit that generates display data for the updated image data and stores the display data in the recording medium for each update of the image data;
An update information generation unit that generates update information including information indicating a storage location of display data generated by the display data generation unit for each update of image data;
A code information conversion unit that converts the update information generated by the update information generation unit into code information readable by an external device connected via a communication network;
A display control unit for displaying on the display screen an update date list in which the code information converted by the code information conversion unit is associated with the update date;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a transmission / reception unit that receives a request from the external device and transmits display data stored in the recording medium to the external device according to the request. The update determination unit is further adapted to specify an update location of the read image data,
The display data generation unit generates display data with a mark at the update location specified by the update determination unit as display data of the read image data. The image forming apparatus described.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the number of updates in the update date / time list can be arbitrarily set.   The update information includes update date information and updater information in addition to information indicating a storage location of the display image of the updated image data. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an update location printing mode for printing out only the update location specified by the update determination unit.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the external device is a mobile phone.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the code information is a QR code. A system for confirming a stored image stored using a document filing function that reads an image of a document as image data and stores the image on a recording medium included in the image forming apparatus,
The image forming apparatus includes an image data storage unit that stores the read image data in the recording medium;
An update determination unit that determines whether the read image data is an updated image data stored in the recording medium;
An update management unit that manages the read image data in association with the image data before the update when the update determination unit determines that the stored image data is an updated one;
A display data generation unit that generates display data for the updated image data and stores the display data in the recording medium for each update of the image data;
An update information generation unit that generates update information including information indicating a storage location of display data generated by the display data generation unit for each update of image data;
A code information conversion unit that converts the update information generated by the update information generation unit into code information readable by an external device connected via a communication network;
A display control unit for displaying the code information converted by the code information conversion unit on the display screen together with the update date and time in association with the update date and time;
A transmission / reception unit that receives a request from the external device and, according to the request, transmits predetermined display data stored in the recording medium to the external device;
The external device includes a code information reading unit that reads code information;
A code analysis unit for analyzing the code information read by the code information reading unit;
A display data acquisition unit for accessing the storage location of the display data included in the update information and acquiring the display data;
A saved image confirmation system, comprising: a display unit that displays update information returned by the code analysis unit and display data acquired by the display data acquisition unit.   A program for operating the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the program causes a computer to function as each unit described above.   A computer-readable recording medium on which a program for operating the image forming apparatus according to claim 9 is recorded.

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