JPH11252326A - Image reader and image forming device using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image reader for reading an image and outputting read image by which the output condition such as image output order can easily be set and to provide an image forming device using the reader. SOLUTION: An image forming system is constituted of a copying machine and an information processor. The copying machine reads an original image (S52), generates a thumbnail image from the read image (S53), and transmits the thumbnail image to the information processor (S56). In the information processor, a user designates the output order of the image based on the thumbnail image. The copying machine receives information (S57) and prints the image which has been read according to an output order which was designated based on information on a printer part 40 (S59).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a copying system capable of changing the order of read images and outputting the changed images.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a copying machine is provided with an ADF (automatic document feeder). After a user sets a document on the ADF, a copy operation is performed by pressing a start button on an operation panel. Is started. When a plurality of originals are set on the ADF, the copier continuously reads images in the order in which the originals are set, and prints out the images in the order of reading.

[0003]

By the way, the user is required to
In some cases, it may not be desirable to copy all of a set of originals or to copy in the order in which the originals are set. In such a case, it is necessary for the user to extract a part of the original to be copied or to rearrange the originals, and then set the original on the ADF.
Such work by the user becomes more complicated as the number of documents increases or as the user's request for rearrangement becomes more complicated. Further, it is necessary to return the original to the original state after the copy is completed, and this operation becomes complicated together with the above operation. Therefore, there is a demand for a copying machine capable of easily changing output conditions in response to a user's request in copy output.

[0004] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to read an image,
It is an object of the present invention to provide an image reading apparatus that outputs a read image and that can easily set output conditions such as an image output order, and an image forming apparatus using the same.

[0005]

A first image reading apparatus according to the present invention comprises: reading means for scanning and reading a document image; order input means for inputting an output order of images; Storage means for storing the output order and the image information of the image read by the reading means; reading the output order of the images from the storage means; and the image information of the image stored in the storage means in accordance with the read output order And control means for outputting to the external device.

A second image reading apparatus according to the present invention comprises:
Reading means for scanning and reading a document image, order specifying means for specifying an output order of the images, and storage means for storing image information of the image read by the reading means and the output order specified by the order specifying means And control means for reading the output order of the images from the storage means and outputting the image information of the images stored in the storage means to an external device in accordance with the read output order.

[0007] A third image reading apparatus according to the present invention comprises:
An image reading device connected to an order designating device for designating an image output order, a reading device for scanning a document image to read image information, a thumbnail device for reducing the read image to create a thumbnail image, Thumbnail output means for outputting thumbnail images to the order specifying device, order input means for inputting the output order specified on the order specifying device from the order specifying device, and output order specified on the order specifying device And control means for outputting an image read by the reading means to an external device.

[0008] A fourth image reading apparatus according to the present invention comprises:
Reading means for scanning and reading an original image; thumbnail means for reducing the read image to create a thumbnail image; display means for displaying the thumbnail image; and arrangement of the thumbnail images displayed on the display means. Accordingly, there are provided order designation means for designating the output order of the read images corresponding to the thumbnail images, and control means for outputting the images read by the reading means in accordance with the output order designated by the order designation means.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a first image forming apparatus, comprising: reading means for scanning and reading a document image; order designating means for designating an output order of images; image information of the image read by the reading means; Storage means for storing the output order specified by the order specifying means; image forming means for forming an output image based on the input image information; reading the output order of the images from the storage means; Control means for outputting the image information of the image stored in the storage means to the image forming means according to the above.

[0010] A second image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a reading unit for scanning a document image to read image information, a thumbnail unit for reducing the read image to create a thumbnail image, and displaying the thumbnail image. Display means for performing the processing, an order specifying means for specifying the output order of the original images corresponding to the thumbnail images using the thumbnail images displayed on the display means, and an operation for forming the output image based on the input image information. An image unit; and a control unit that outputs image information of the image read by the reading unit to the image forming unit in accordance with the output order specified by the order specifying unit.

[0011] A third image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes an image creating means for creating an image, a thumbnail means for reducing an image created by the image creating means to create a thumbnail image, and displaying the thumbnail image. A display unit, an order specifying unit that specifies an output order of an original image corresponding to the thumbnail image by using the thumbnail image displayed on the display unit, and an output image is formed based on image information of the input image. An image forming unit; and a control unit configured to output image information of the image created by the image creating unit to the image creating unit in accordance with an output order of the images received by the order designating unit.

A fourth image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes an image input unit for inputting an image, a thumbnail unit for reducing an image input by the image input unit to create a thumbnail image, and displaying the thumbnail image. A display unit, an order specifying unit that specifies an output order of an original image corresponding to the thumbnail image by using the thumbnail image displayed on the display unit, and an output image is formed based on image information of the input image. An image forming unit; and a control unit that outputs image information of the image input by the image input unit to the image forming unit in accordance with an output order of the images received by the order specifying unit.

In the above-described image reading apparatus or image forming apparatus, the order specifying means or the order input means specifies a combination of images to be output, and the control means outputs the read image in accordance with the specified combination. Is also good.

A recording medium according to the present invention is a recording medium on which a computer readable program is recorded, wherein a display step of displaying thumbnail images and a method of arranging the thumbnail images after the displayed thumbnail images are rearranged. Recording a program having an order determining step of determining the order of displaying the thumbnail images, and a transmitting step of outputting information of the determined order of displaying the thumbnail images.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of an image forming system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The image forming system according to the present embodiment is capable of reading a document image and outputting the read image in an order and combination arbitrarily designated by a user.

<First Embodiment> FIG. 1 shows an image forming system according to a first embodiment. The image forming system is a copier 1
And an information processing device 2 connected thereto.

<Structure of Copying Machine> The copying machine 1 has a scanner unit 10 for reading an image of a document and a printer unit 40 for printing out the read image. The scanner unit 10 includes a CPU 11 that controls the scanner unit 10 and the printer unit 40 by executing a predetermined program, an operation panel 13 on which a user checks settings and status, and the like.
A reading unit 17 that scans and reads an image of a document sent from a DF (automatic document feeder) 15, an image processing unit 19 that performs predetermined image processing based on the read image, and a RAM 21 that stores data or a program. , CPU
ROM 23 for storing instructions and programs to be executed at 11
And a serial interface 25 that is an interface for connecting to an external device, and a video interface 27 that exchanges data with the printer unit 40. The printer unit 40 includes a print unit 41 that performs printing,
It has a video interface 43 for exchanging data with the scanner unit 10. The scanner unit 10 and the printer unit 40 are connected via video interfaces 27 and 43 of each other. The copier 1 (scanner unit 10) is connected to the information processing device 2 via a serial interface 25, and exchanges image data, commands, and the like via this.

FIG. 2 shows an operation panel 13 of the copying machine 1.
The operation panel 13 includes a display unit 51 for displaying a status and set values, a start button 53 for starting a copy operation, a normal copy button 57 for switching the operation mode of the copier 1 to a normal copy mode, and an operation mode of the copier 1 Has various setting buttons including an order designation copy button 59 for switching to the order designation copy mode.

In the copying machine 1 configured as described above, in a normal copying operation, an image of an original is read by the scanner unit 10 for the original set on the ADF 15 by the user, and the read image is printed by the printer unit 40. To print out on paper. Further, the copying machine 1 has various functions, and also has a Nin1 function for laying out an N-page document on one page.

<Structure of Information Processing Apparatus> Returning to FIG. 1, the structure of the information processing apparatus 2 will be described. The information processing device 2 includes a ROM 71 for storing instructions, programs, and the like, a RAM 73 for storing data, programs, and the like, a display unit 75 for displaying an operation screen, and the like, and an input device including a keyboard, a mouse, and the like for a user to operate 77, a hard disk device 79 as an information storage medium, a floppy disk 80a and a CD
An external storage medium reading unit 80 that reads information from an information storage medium such as a ROM 80b, and a ROM 71 or a RAM
A CPU 81 that controls the operation of the information processing apparatus by executing instructions and programs stored in 73 and a serial interface 83 for connecting to an external device are provided.

The hard disk device 79 of the information processing device 2
Various programs are stored in the upper part, and these are loaded into the RAM 73 as necessary and executed by the CPU 81. FIG. 3 shows an example of a group of programs stored in the hard disk device 79 of the information processing device 2. On the hard disk device 79 of the information processing device 2, an operating system 101, protocol control software 103 for controlling a communication protocol, a spooler 105 for controlling an output queue for a connected printing device, and printing in response to a print request Printer driver 107 for controlling the device
And an order specification application 111 for inputting order specification information, and an order specification application 111
A wake-up application 112 for launching
Other applications 113 including general software such as a word processor and spreadsheet software are stored. These programs are provided on an information recording medium such as a floppy disk or a CD-ROM.
Operations of the order specification application 111 and the wake-up application 112 will be described later.

<Overall Operation of Image Forming System> The image forming system including the copying machine 1 and the information processing apparatus 2 configured as described above generally operates as follows. (Operation 1) The copying machine 1 reads a document set on the ADF 15, creates a thumbnail image by thinning out the read image and reducing the size, and transmits information of the thumbnail image to the information processing device 2. (Operation 2) In the information processing apparatus 2, the order designation application 111 has been activated in advance, whereby a predetermined order designation screen is displayed, and the thumbnail image sent from the copying machine 1 is displayed as an icon on this screen. Is displayed.
The user can copy this thumbnail image (icon)
7, the output order and the combination of output images are designated by rearranging and selecting. The information processing apparatus 2 (the order specification application 111) transmits to the copier 1 output conditions such as an output order and a combination of output images specified by the user. (Operation 3) When receiving the output conditions from the information processing device 2, the copying machine 1 prints out the read images in the order and combination based on the output conditions.

That is, in the image forming system according to the present embodiment, when the copying machine 1 reads a plurality of originals,
The read image is temporarily stored in the RAM 21, and thereafter, the output order and the combination instruction from the user are waited, and the output order and the combination of the read image are changed and output according to the user's instruction. At this time, the user's instruction is performed on the order specification application 111 started on the information processing apparatus 2 connected to the copying machine 1.

<Operation of Order Indication> Here, a method of instructing the printing order by the user in (operation 2) will be specifically described. The instruction of the printing order is performed on the order instruction screen displayed on the display unit 75 of the information processing device 2. FIG. 4 shows an order instruction screen 91. Hereinafter, it is assumed that the operation on the order instruction screen 91 is performed by a mouse. On the order instruction screen 91, thumbnail images (here, “A”, “B”... “F”) transmitted from the copying machine 1 are displayed. The user sets the output order of the original images corresponding to the thumbnail images by dragging and dropping the thumbnail images into the output order designation area 92 on the lower side of the screen and rearranging the thumbnail images with the mouse. 4 shows an example in which thumbnail images for six pages and an output order designation area 92 are displayed for convenience of explanation, for example, by using a scroll key (not shown) or the like. By switching the display, the subsequent pages can be displayed. At this time, in the output order designation area 92, by dragging and dropping not all of the displayed thumbnail images but only some of them, a combination of images to be output can be selected from the read images. it can. After the rearrangement of the thumbnail images, the order is determined by clicking the order determination button 95, and the printing is started in the rearranged order by clicking the copy button 97.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for specifically explaining the order instruction operation by the user on the order instruction screen 91. In this figure, thumbnail images arranged in the order of “A”, “B”, “C”... “F” are “C”, “E”, “A”, “B”,
They are rearranged in the order of "D". The rearranged order information is sent to the copier 1, and the copier 1 outputs the original images corresponding to the thumbnail images in the rearranged order. Note that, on the order instruction screen 91, the thumbnail images for which the order rearrangement has been instructed may be switched to gray-out display so that the order rearrangement instruction may be easily recognized. A plurality of order rearrangement instructions may be given to one thumbnail image.

On the order instruction screen 91, rearrangement in the case of Nin1 setting is also possible. In this case, while clicking the Nin1 setting button 93 on the order instruction screen 91,
By inputting the number of N of Nin1 in response to a subsequent inquiry, Nin1 is an order designation screen for setting Nin1.
The screen switches to one instruction screen. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an order instructing operation by a user on a Nin1 instruction screen 91b, which is an Nin1 setting order specifying screen when N = 2 is input. Here, a state is shown in which the output order is specified in the 2in1 setting for laying out a two-page document on one page. That is, FIG. 6 shows a layout of images corresponding to thumbnail images “C” and “E” on the first page, and thumbnail images “A” and “B” on the second page.
3 shows an operation for outputting a layout of an image corresponding to.

As described above, the user can arbitrarily set the output order and combination of the images using the thumbnail images of the read images.

<Various Tables Used in Image Forming System> Here, a reading order table, a print order instruction table, and a print order table referred to in the image forming system of the present embodiment will be described. These tables are stored in the copying machine 1 or the information processing device 2
Are stored in an information storage medium such as the RAM 21 or 73 or the hard disk 79.

FIG. 7 shows an example of the reading order table.
The reading order table is a table that associates a reading order of a document read by the copying machine 1 (the scanner unit 10), a read image, and a thumbnail image of the read image. In FIG. 7, the image data "A",
"I", "U" ... "K" are read in this order, and the corresponding thumbnail images are "A", "B", "C" ...
Indicates "F".

FIG. 8 shows an example of the print instruction order table. The print instruction order table is a table that associates the order of the thumbnail images rearranged by the user on the information processing device 2 with the thumbnail images. FIG. 8A shows a print instruction order table used in the normal copy mode. FIG. 8A shows an image corresponding to the thumbnail image “C” on the first page, an image corresponding to the thumbnail image “D” on the second page, and a thumbnail image “A” on the third page. 2 shows a state in which an image corresponding to is set to be output. FIG. 8B shows a print instruction order table used when setting 2in1. In FIG. 8B, images corresponding to the thumbnail images “C” and “E” are output on the first page, and images corresponding to the thumbnail images “A” and “B” are output on the second page. Is set.

FIG. 9 shows an example of the print order table. The print order table is a table that associates the final image output order with the read image. The print order table is created based on the reading order table and the print instruction order table. FIG. 9A shows a print order table used in the normal copy mode. 9A is set so that the read image “C” is output on the first page, the read image “D” is output on the second page, and the read image “A” is output on the third page. It shows the situation. FIG. 9B shows a print order table used when 2 in 1 is set. FIG. 9B illustrates a state in which the read images “U” and “O” are set to be output on the first page, and the read images “A” and “B” are output on the second page. I have.

The operation of the copier 1 and the information processing apparatus 2 will be described in detail below, particularly when the output order is specified.

<Copier Main Flow> FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a main routine of a program executed by the CPU 11 in the copier 1. This program is started when the power of the copying machine 1 is turned on.

As shown in FIG. 10, first, the original is AD
It is determined whether or not it is set to F15 (S1).
If the original is not set, the process returns to step S1,
Wait for the original to be set. If a document is set, it is determined whether or not the user has pressed the start button 53 on the operation panel 13 (S2). If the start button 53 has not been pressed, the process returns to step S2, and waits until the start button 53 is pressed. When the start button 53 is pressed, it is determined whether the operation mode is the "normal copy mode" or the "order designation copy mode" (S
3). The operation mode is set by a normal copy button 57 and an order designation copy button 59 on the operation panel 13. That is, after the document is set on the ADF 15 by the user and before the start button 53 is pressed,
Normal copy button 57 or order designation copy button 59
The operation mode is set by. When the operation mode is the normal copy mode, the normal copy process is performed (S
4). This process is a normal copy process in which the original set on the ADF 15 is read and output in the order of reading, and thus detailed description is omitted here. When the operation mode is the order designation copy mode, the order designation copy process is performed (S5). Details of this processing will be described later. Normal copy processing (S4) and order specification copy processing (S4)
When 5) is completed, the process returns to step S1, and waits for the next document to be set on the ADF 15.

<Order Designated Copy Process> The order designated copy process (step S5) will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Here, the image is read, and thereafter, the output order of the images is designated by the user, and processing for outputting the images in the designated order is performed.

In this process, first, an internal timer (not shown) is set (S51). After that, ADF15
Read the original set on top, and place the read image on R
An image reading process to be stored in the AM 21 is performed (S5).
2). Details of the image reading process will be described later. Next, compression / thumbnail processing for creating a thumbnail image based on the image read in step S52 is performed (S52).
53). Details of the compression / thumbnail processing will be described later. Thereafter, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed (timed out) by the internal timer set in step S51 (S5).
4). If the predetermined time has not elapsed, it is determined whether a thumbnail request signal has been received from the information processing device 2 (S55). The thumbnail request signal is a signal for the information processing device 2 to request the scanner unit 10 to transmit a thumbnail image. If the thumbnail request signal has not been received, the process returns to step S54, and waits for transmission of the thumbnail request signal from the information processing device 2 for a predetermined time. If the thumbnail request signal has not been received after the elapse of the certain time (YES in step S54), the process proceeds to step S59. When the thumbnail request signal is received during the predetermined time (YES in step S55), the scanner unit 10 transmits the thumbnail image to the information processing device 2 via the serial interface 25 (S56).

At this time, in the information processing apparatus 2, when the thumbnail image is received, the order designation screen 111 is displayed on the display unit 75 by the order designation application 111. When the output order is specified by the user on the order instruction screen 91 based on the thumbnail images, the order specification application 111 determines the output order of the thumbnail images and the images corresponding to the thumbnail images based on the specified information. To create a print instruction order table in which the print instruction order table is associated. Thereafter, when the user presses a copy start button 97 for starting copying on the order instruction screen 91, a print instruction order table and a print start command are transmitted to the copier 1 (scanner unit 10).

After transmitting the thumbnail image to the information processing apparatus 2 in step S56, the scanner unit 10 waits for reception of the print instruction order table from the information processing apparatus 2 (S5).
7). When the print instruction order table is received from the information processing device 2, it waits for a print start command from the information processing device 2 (S58). When a print start command is received, a print process in step S59 is performed.

In the print processing in step S59, the output order of the images is set based on the print instruction order table, and the image is printed out based on the output order. At this time, if a timeout occurs in step S54, all original images are output in the output order at the time of reading.

As described above, in the copying machine 1, a thumbnail image is created from the read image and transmitted to the information processing device 2. On the information processing apparatus 2 side, the order specification application 111 receives this thumbnail image, creates a print instruction order table based on the output order and output image selection information according to the user's instruction, and transmits the table to the copying machine 1. . The copying machine 1 selects an output image from the read images based on the print instruction order table,
Output in the specified output order.

The image reading process (step S52) will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
In this processing, an image is read, and the read image is stored in the RAM 2
1 is performed. First, the reading section 17 of the scanner section 10 reads an image of a document set on the ADF 15 (S521). The read images are stored in the RAM 21 together with the reading order (S522). Thereafter, it is determined whether or not reading of all originals has been completed (S523). If reading of all documents has not been completed, the process returns to step S521, and the above process is repeated until reading of all documents and storage in the RAM 21 are performed. When the reading of all the originals is completed, the information processing apparatus 2 is notified of the end of the original reading (S52).
4).

The above-described compression / thumbnail processing (step S53) will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In this process, a thumbnail image is created from the read image, and a reading order table that associates the read image with the thumbnail image is created. Specifically, the image processing unit 19 compresses the data of the image stored in the RAM 21 after the reading (S53).
1) Save the compressed data in the RAM 21 (S5)
32). Thereafter, the image processing unit 19 performs a thumbnail creation process for creating a thumbnail image for the compressed data stored in the RAM 21 (S
533). The created thumbnail image is stored in the RAM 21 (S534). Next, a reading order table, which is a table that associates the reading order of the image data, the compressed image data, and the thumbnail images, is created (S535). Thereafter, the image data and the reading order table are stored in the RAM 21 (S536), and the process ends.

The thumbnail creation processing (step S533) will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Here, a thumbnail is created from the read image. That is, compressed image data is read from the RAM 21 (S5331), decompression processing is performed (S5332), and thinning processing is performed on the data to create a thumbnail image (S5333).

The print processing (step S59) will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. here,
A process for outputting an image to the printer unit 40 is performed based on the instruction order in the print instruction order table. First, the print order table is referred to (S591), and a print order table in which the image data and its print order are associated is created (S592). Based on the order set in the print order table, image data is read from the RAM 21 (S593), and the read image data is transferred to the printer unit 40 (S594). Printer section 4
The image data transferred to 0 is printed out in the transfer order.
Thereafter, it is determined whether or not all the images specified by the user have been transferred (S595). Until all the specified images have been transferred, the image reading and printing processes are performed based on the print order table. Repeat (S593-S5
95).

<Operation of Information Processing Apparatus (Application for Specifying Order)> The operation of the information processing apparatus 2 related to the operation of the copying machine 1 will be described below. The operation of the information processing device 2 at this time is actually realized by the wake-up application 112 and the order specification application 111. First, the wake-up application 112
Will be described.

The wake-up application 112 is a program for activating the order specification application 111. Wake-up application 11
Reference numeral 2 denotes an information processing apparatus 2 which is started up when power is turned on, always operates in the background, and monitors reception of a start request command of the order specification application 111 from the scanner unit 10. Wake-up application 1
Reference numeral 12 denotes an order specification application when a start request command of the order specification application 111 transmitted from the scanner unit 10 when the order specification copy button 59 on the operation panel 13 of the scanner unit 10 is pressed is received. Activate 111. After activating the order specification application 111, the wake-up application 112 monitors whether or not the order specification application 111 is operating.
When the process is completed, the reception of the start request command is monitored.

When started, the application 111 for order specification displays an order instruction screen 91. Scanner unit 10
When reading of the document set on the ADF 15 is completed, a document reading completion notification is transmitted to the information processing apparatus 2 (step S524 in FIG. 12). Upon receiving the document reading end notification, the order specification application 111 starts the thumbnail display processing shown in the flowchart of FIG.

In the thumbnail display processing, a thumbnail image is requested from the scanner unit 10 and the thumbnail image is displayed on the display unit 75 for order designation. That is, upon receiving the document reading end notification from the scanner unit 10, the order specification application 111 transmits a thumbnail image request to the scanner unit 10 (S61). Upon receiving this request, the scanner unit 10 transmits a thumbnail image to the information processing apparatus 2 (Step S in FIG. 11).
55, S56). Upon receiving the thumbnail image from the scanner unit 10, the order specification application 111 (S6).
2) The order instruction screen 91 displaying the thumbnail images is displayed on the display unit 75 (S63).

After that, the order specification application 11
1 waits for an operation for the combination of the output order and the output image by the user on the order instruction screen 91, and when there is an operation by the user, starts the print order instruction processing shown in the flowchart of FIG.

In the print order instructing process, an order instructing screen 91 for the user to designate an order is displayed, a print instruction order table is created from the thumbnail images rearranged by the user, and this print instruction order table is sent to the scanner unit 10. Send. That is, the order instruction screen 91
It is determined whether or not the Nin1 designation button 93 has been clicked on (S71). If not, the order instruction screen 91 is displayed as it is (S72). When clicked, a Nin1 instruction screen 91b, which is a screen for setting Nin1, is displayed (S78). Each screen 91, 9
On 1b, a thumbnail image is displayed, and the printing order is specified by dragging and dropping the thumbnail image by the user.

The user clicks the order determination button 95 to fix the designation of the printing order. Therefore, the order specification application 111 waits until the order determination button 95 is clicked (S7).
3). When the order determination button 95 is clicked, a print instruction order table is created based on the thumbnail images rearranged on the order instruction screen 91 by the user (S7).
4). Thereafter, the process waits until the copy start button 97 is clicked (S75). When the copy start button 97 is clicked, the print instruction order table is transferred to the scanner unit 10 (S76), and then the print start command is transmitted to the scanner unit. 10 (S77).

Thereafter, the scanner unit 10 is connected to the information processing device 2
Receiving the print instruction sequence table and the print start command from the printer, as shown in FIG.
The images are output in the specified order by performing the processing of 7 to S59.

The copier 1 has a copy function of printing out an image of a document read by the scanner unit 10 by the printer unit 40 and an image transmitted from the information processing apparatus 2 via the serial interface 25. The printer unit 40 also has a printer function of printing out data in the printer unit 40. Therefore, image data created by various applications installed in the information processing device 2,
From an external information device such as a digital camera to an information processing device 2
When the copier 1 prints out the image data input to the information processing apparatus 2, it is conceivable that the output order of the image data is specified on the information processing apparatus 2 using the thumbnail images. In this case, the order specification application 111
Performs the processing shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 18 and 19, respectively, instead of the flowcharts of FIGS. 16 and 17.

Specifically, in the image data selection process of FIG. 18, the order specification application 111 is used to specify image data to be printed from images created by an arbitrary application or images input from a digital camera or the like. Is displayed (S101). The user selects a desired image on this selection screen. Next, the image data selected by the user on the selection screen is read (S102), a thumbnail image of the read image data is created (S103), and a reading order table for associating the read image data with the thumbnail image is created. It is created (S104), and the thumbnail images are displayed on the order instruction screen 91 (S105).

The user specifies the output order of the image data by rearranging the thumbnail images on the order instruction screen 91. At this time, a print request process shown in FIG. 19 is performed based on a user operation. In print request processing,
It is determined whether or not the Nin1 designation button 93 has been clicked (S111). If it has not been clicked, the normal order instruction screen 91 is displayed (S112). If it has been clicked, the Nin1 instruction screen 91b is displayed (S117). . Then, it waits for the click of the order determination button 95 (S11).
3). When the order determination button 95 is clicked, a print order table is created with reference to the arrangement order of the thumbnail images and the reading order table (S114). Next, it waits for the click of the copy start button 97 (S1).
15) When the copy start button 97 is clicked, the selected image data is sequentially output to the copying machine 1 according to the specified output order with reference to the print order table (S116). At this time, the copier 1 performs a printer operation, and the printer unit 40 sequentially prints out data transmitted from the information processing device 2. As described above, according to the present image forming apparatus, not only the image data read by the scanner unit 10 but also the image data created by the information processing apparatus 2 and the image data input from a digital camera or the like can be converted into a thumbnail image at the time of printing. The order used can be specified.

<Second Embodiment> FIG. 20 shows a configuration diagram of an image forming system according to a second embodiment. In the image forming system shown in FIG. 20, the scanner unit 10 and the printer unit 40 of the copying machine 1 described in the first embodiment are separately provided, and are configured as a scanner device 10b and a printer device 40b, respectively. The scanner device 10b transmits a serial image to the printer device 40b via the video interface 27.
The image read by the scanner device 10b is connected to the information processing device 2 via the interface 25, and the printer device 4
0b, output to the information processing device 2.

The configuration of the scanner device 10b is the same as that of the first embodiment.
Is basically the same as the configuration of the scanner unit 10 shown in FIG.
The scanner device 10b further includes a display unit 75b for displaying an order designation screen, and an instruction device 77b such as a mouse for performing an order designation operation. 10 to 1 are stored in the ROM 23 of the scanner device 10b.
In addition to the program for performing the control shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5, a program for an order specification application for performing the control shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 16 and 17 is also stored.

Therefore, the order designation operation performed on the information processing device 2 in the first embodiment can be executed on the scanner device 10b. In this case, the scanner device 1
CPU 11b executes the application for order designation and displays the thumbnail image of the read image on the display unit 75b. The user selects the output order and the output image by rearranging the thumbnail images using the instruction device 77b. The CPU 11 sequentially transmits images to the printer device 40b based on these pieces of information specified by the user. Since the operation at this time is the same as that of the first embodiment, the description is omitted here. In the present embodiment, the order is specified on the display unit 75b.
The operation panel 13 is composed of a touch panel, and the operation panel 1
3 may be performed. In this case, the order specification application 111 is started when the press of the order specification copy button on the operation panel 13 is detected.

As described above, the scanner device 1 of the present embodiment
0b can output the read image information in a combination of the output order of the read images and the output image arbitrarily set by the user.

In the above description of the first and second embodiments, the program such as the application 111 for specifying the order includes a semiconductor device such as a ROM, a magnetic information recording medium such as a floppy disk, and the like. C
It may be provided by an optical information recording medium such as a D-ROM or a DVD, or another information recording medium.

The final output destination of the read image is the printer unit or the printer device. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, another information device or a memory or a CD-ROM may be used.
The information may be output to an information recording medium such as a ROM.

[0062]

According to the image reading apparatus of the present invention, the user can easily change the output order and set the combination of images to be output regardless of the image reading order, and the burden on the user is increased. Can be reduced.

According to the first and second image forming apparatuses of the present invention, the user can easily change the printing order and set the combination of images to be printed out regardless of the reading order of the images. It is possible to reduce the burden on the user.

According to the third and fourth image forming apparatuses of the present invention, the user can easily set the printing order of the image created in the image forming apparatus or the image input from the external device. It is possible to reduce the burden on the user when setting the image output.

According to the recording medium of the present invention, it is possible to realize a function of setting the output order of images and the like by a program recorded on the recording medium.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an image forming system according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an operation panel of the copying machine.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary view showing a group of programs stored in a hard disk of the information processing apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an initial state of an order instruction screen.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary view for explaining an order instruction operation by a user on an order instruction screen.

FIG. 6 is an exemplary view for explaining a sequence instruction operation by a user on a sequence instruction screen when setting 2in1.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a reading order table.

FIG. 8 is a view showing a print instruction order table.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a print order table.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a main routine of the copying machine.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of an order specification copy process of the copying machine.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of an image reading process of the copying machine.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a compression / thumbnail process of the copying machine.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of a thumbnail creation process of the copying machine.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of a printing process of the copying machine.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of a thumbnail display process of an application for designating an order.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart of a print order instruction process of an order designation application.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart of an image data selection process of the order specification application.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart of a print request process of an order designation application.

FIG. 20 is a schematic block diagram of an image forming system according to the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Copier 2 Information processing apparatus 10 Scanner part 10b Scanner apparatus 11, 81 CPU 13 Operation panel 15 ADF (automatic document feeder) 17 Reading part 21, 73 RAM 25 Serial interface 40 Printer part 75, 75b Display part 77 Input device 77b Pointing device 79 Hard disk 80a Floppy disk 80b CD-ROM 111 Order specification application 112 Wake-up application.

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code FI G06F 15/64 450E

Claims (12)

[Claims] A reading means for scanning and reading a document image; an order input means for inputting an output order of the images; and an output order of the input images and image information of the images read by the reading means. Storage means for reading the image output order from the storage means, and control means for outputting the image information of the image stored in the storage means to an external device in accordance with the read output order. Image reading device. 2. A reading means for scanning and reading a document image, an order designating means for designating an output order of images, image information of an image read by the reading means, and an output order designated by the order designating means. Storage means for storing the image output order from the storage means, and control means for outputting the image information of the image stored in the storage means to an external device in accordance with the read output order. Image reading device. Reading means for scanning and reading a document image; order designating means for designating an output order of the images; image information of the image read by the reading means and an output order designated by the order designating means; And an image forming unit that forms an output image based on the input image information.Reading out the output order of the images from the storage unit, and reading the image stored in the storage unit according to the read out order. An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that outputs image information to the image forming unit. 4. An image reading device connected to a predetermined device for designating an output order of images, a reading means for scanning a document image to read image information, and reducing the read image to create a thumbnail image. Thumbnail means, thumbnail output means for outputting the thumbnail image to the predetermined device, sequence input means for inputting an output order specified on the predetermined device from the predetermined device, Control means for outputting an image read by the reading means to an external device in accordance with a specified output order. 5. A reading means for scanning and reading an original image, a thumbnail means for reducing the read image to create a thumbnail image, a display means for displaying the thumbnail image, and a display means for displaying the thumbnail image. An order designating unit that designates an output order of read images corresponding to the thumbnail images in accordance with the arrangement of the thumbnail images; and an image read by the reading unit according to the output order designated by the order designating unit to an external device. An image reading device comprising: a control unit that outputs the image. 6. A reading means for scanning a document image to read image information; a thumbnail means for reducing the read image to create a thumbnail image; a display means for displaying the thumbnail image; Using the displayed thumbnail image, an order specifying means for specifying an output order of the original image corresponding to the thumbnail image; an image forming means for forming an output image based on the input image information; Image information of the image,
Control means for outputting to the image forming means in accordance with the output order specified by the order specifying means. 7. An image creating means for creating an image, thumbnail means for reducing an image created by the image creating means to create a thumbnail image, display means for displaying the thumbnail image, and display on the display means Order designating means for designating the output order of the original image corresponding to the thumbnail image by using the generated thumbnail image; image creating means for forming an output image based on the image information of the created image; An image forming apparatus that outputs image information of the image created by the image creating unit to the image creating unit in accordance with the output order of the images received by the image forming unit. 8. An image input unit for inputting an image from an external device, a thumbnail unit for reducing an image input by the image input unit to create a thumbnail image, a display unit for displaying the thumbnail image, and the display unit An order designating unit for designating an output order of an original image corresponding to the thumbnail image by using the thumbnail image displayed above; an image forming unit for forming an output image based on image information of the input image; An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that outputs image information of an image input by the image input unit to the image forming unit in accordance with an output order of the images received by the specifying unit. 9. The image reading device according to claim 1, wherein the sequence input unit inputs a combination of images to be output, and the control unit inputs the read image in accordance with the input combination. An image reading device, which outputs the image data. 10. The image reading apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said order designation means designates information on a combination of images to be output, and said control means designates said information in accordance with the designated combination information. An image reading device for outputting a read image. 11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the order designating unit designates a combination of images to be output, and the control unit designates the designated combination. An image forming apparatus that outputs the read image according to the combination. 12. A recording medium storing a computer-readable program, comprising: a display step of displaying thumbnail images; and displaying the thumbnail images in accordance with the arrangement of the thumbnail images after the displayed thumbnail images are rearranged. And a transmitting step of outputting information of the determined display order of the thumbnail images.