U.S. patent application number 10/866110 was filed with the patent office on 2004-12-02 for image processing system having registration means.
This patent application is currently assigned to Canon Kabushiki Kaisha. Invention is credited to Kuroda, Ken.
Application Number | 20040240835 10/866110 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 15918822 |
Filed Date | 2004-12-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040240835 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kuroda, Ken |
December 2, 2004 |
Image processing system having registration means
Abstract
An image processing apparatus and method are provided which
permit cooperation of a plurality of image input/output units
having image data input and/or output functions. The apparatus is
connected to another device using a communication line, and
receives image processing conditions from the other device. The
apparatus processes image information transferred from the other
device in accordance with the image processing conditions. When
image processing is inexecutable under those conditions, the
apparatus transmits executable image processing conditions in place
of those received from the other device.
Inventors: |
Kuroda, Ken; (Yokohama-shi,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FITZPATRICK CELLA HARPER & SCINTO
30 ROCKEFELLER PLAZA
NEW YORK
NY
10112
US
|
Assignee: |
Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
15918822 |
Appl. No.: |
10/866110 |
Filed: |
June 14, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10866110 |
Jun 14, 2004 |
|
|
|
09094623 |
Jun 15, 1998 |
|
|
|
6804020 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
385/147 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 2201/0039 20130101;
H04N 2201/3216 20130101; H04N 1/00204 20130101; H04N 2201/33335
20130101; H04N 2201/0082 20130101; H04N 2201/3242 20130101; H04N
2201/33328 20130101; H04N 2201/33321 20130101; H04N 2201/0091
20130101; H04N 1/33315 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
385/147 |
International
Class: |
G02B 006/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 13, 1997 |
JP |
171197/1997 |
Claims
1-28. (Cancelled)
29. An image processing system wherein a first image processing
device transfers image information to a second image processing
device, said system comprising: said first image processing device;
and said second image processing device, connected to said first
image processing device by a communication line: and registration
means for registering said first image processing device and said
second image processing device. wherein said second image
processing device includes: receiving means for receiving image
processing conditions from said first image processing device,
processing means for processing the image information transferred
from said first image processing device in accordance with the
image processing conditions received by said receiving means, and
transmitting means for transmitting, when image processing is
inexecutable under the image processing conditions received by said
receiving means via said processing means, executable image
processing conditions in place of the received image processing
conditions.
30. An image processing system according to claim 29, wherein said
processing means prints out the image information in accordance
with the received image processing conditions.
31. An image processing system according to claim 29, wherein said
second image processing device further comprises determining means
for determining whether image processing is executable in
accordance with the image processing conditions received by said
receiving means.
32. An image processing system according to claim 31, wherein the
image processing conditions received by said receiving means
include a plurality of image processing instructions, and said
determining means determines whether image processing is executable
for each of the plurality of image processing instructions.
33. An image processing system according to claim 32, wherein said
transmitting means transmits alternative image processing
conditions for each of the plurality of image processing
instructions included in the image processing conditions.
34. An image processing system wherein a first image processing
device transfers image information to a second image processing
device, said system comprising: said first image processing device;
said second image processing device, connected to said first image
processing device by a communication line; and registration means
for registering said first image processing device and said second
image processing device wherein said second image processing device
includes; receiving means for receiving image processing conditions
from said first image processing device, said image processing
conditions including a plurality of image processing instructions,
processing means for processing the image information transferred
from said first image processing device in accordance with the
plurality of image processing instructions included in the image
processing conditions received by said receiving means, determining
means for determining whether image processing by said processing
means is possible in accordance with each of the plurality of image
processing instructions included in the image processing conditions
received by said receiving means, and transmitting means for
transmitting a response indicating an executable image processing
instruction in accordance with a result of determination by said
determining means.
35. An image processing system according to claim 34, wherein said
processing means prints out the image information in accordance
with the plurality of image processing instructions included in the
received image processing conditions.
36. An image processing system according to claim 34, wherein said
transmitting means transmits an alternative image processing
instruction, in addition to the response indicating an executable
image processing instruction.
37. An image processing system wherein a first image processing
device processes image information transferred from a second image
processing device, said system comprising: said first image
processing device; and said second image processing device,
connected to said first image processing device by a communication
line; and registration means for registering said first image
processing device and said second image processing device, wherein
said second image processing device includes; transmitting means
for transmitting image processing conditions to the first image
processing device, receiving means for receiving executable image
processing conditions in place of the transmitted image processing
conditions, when image processing by said first image processing
device is inexecutable under the image processing conditions
transmitted by said transmitting means, and displaying means for
displaying alternative image processing conditions received by said
receiving means.
38. An image processing system according to claim 37, wherein said
first image processing device prints out the image information in
accordance with the image processing conditions transmitted by said
transmitting means.
39. An image processing system according to claim 37, wherein the
image processing conditions transmitted by said transmitting means
include a plurality of image processing instructions, and said
receiving means receives alternative image processing conditions
for each of the plurality of image processing instructions.
40. An image processing system wherein a first image processing
device processes image information transferred from a second image
processing device, said system comprising: said first image
processing device; and said second image processing device,
connected to said first image processing device by a communication
line; and registration means for registering said first image
processing device and said second image processing device, wherein
said second image processing device includes; transmitting means
for transmitting image processing conditions including a plurality
of image processing instructions to said first image processing
device, receiving means for receiving a response showing whether
image processing in accordance with each of the plurality of image
processing instructions included in the image processing conditions
transmitted by said transmitting means is executable by said first
image processing device, and displaying means for displaying
whether image processing in accordance with each of the plurality
of image processing instructions is executable in compliance with
the response received by said receiving means.
41. An image processing system according to claim 40, wherein said
first image processing device prints out the image information in
accordance with the plurality of image processing instructions
included in the image processing conditions transmitted by said
transmitting means.
42. An image processing system according to claim 40, wherein said
receiving means receives an alternative image processing
instruction in addition to the response showing that image
processing is executable.
43. An image processing apparatus which transfers image information
to another device connected to said apparatus through a network
which has a printer for printing an image based on the image
information on a recording sheet and executes a cooperating
operation with the other device, said apparatus comprising: an
image reader that reads an image and generates image information
based on the image; a setting unit that sets a device for the
cooperating operation; a receiver that receives an image processing
condition and a sheet processing condition from the device set by
said setting unit before said image reader reads the image; and a
transfer unit that transfers the image information generated by
said image reader with image processing instruction and sheet
processing instruction based on the image processing condition and
the sheet processing condition received by said receiver.
44. An image processing apparatus according to claim 43, wherein
said setting unit sets the device for cooperating operation based
on an IP address.
45. An image processing apparatus according to claim 43, wherein
said receiver receives information concerning image size or image
resolution as the image processing condition.
46. An image processing apparatus according to claim 43, wherein
the sheet processing condition received by said receiver is
information concerning at least one of a number sheets, two-sided
printing, sorting, and sheet size.
47. An image processing method of transferring image information
from an image processing apparatus to a device connected to the
apparatus through a network which has a printer for printing an
image based on the image information on a recording sheet and
executes a cooperating operation with the other device, said method
comprising the steps of: reading an image and generating image
information based on the image; setting a device for the
cooperating unit; receiving an image processing condition and a
sheet processing condition from the device set in the setting step,
before the image is read; and transferring the generated image
information with image processing instruction and sheet processing
instruction based on the received image processing condition and
sheet processing condition.
48. An image processing method according to claim 47, wherein the
device set for the cooperating unit is set based on an IP
address.
49. An image processing method according to claim 47, wherein the
image processing condition received in the receiving step is
information concerning image size or image resolution.
50. An image processing method according to claim 47, wherein the
sheet processing condition received in the receiving step is
information concerning at least one of a number of sheets,
two-sided printing, sorting, and sheet size.
51. A program for controlling an image processing apparatus which
transfers image information to another device connected to the
apparatus through a network which has a printer for printing an
image based on the image information on a recording sheet and
executes a cooperating operation with the other device, said
program comprising the steps of: reading an image and generating
image information based on the image; setting a device for the
cooperating unit; receiving an image processing condition and a
sheet processing condition from the device set in the setting step,
before the image is read; and transferring the generated image
information with image processing instruction and sheet processing
instruction based on the received image processing condition and
sheet processing condition.
52. A program according to claim 51, wherein the device set for the
cooperating unit is set based on an IP address.
53. A program according to claim 51, wherein the image processing
condition received in the receiving step is information concerning
image size or image resolution.
54. A program according to claim 51, wherein the sheet processing
condition received in the receiving step is information concerning
at least one of a number of sheets, two-sided printing, sorting,
and sheet size.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to an image processing
apparatus, an image processing system, and an image processing
method. More particularly, the present invention relates to an
image processing apparatus, an image processing system and an image
processing method, which permit cooperating operation (hereinafter
referred to as "cooperation") of a plurality of image input/output
units having image data input and/or output functions.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] It has conventionally been a usual practice to reduce total
processing time by causing a plurality of units to cooperate to
perform simultaneous operations in parallel, in addition to
performing a single operation by means of a single unit. In order
to perform simultaneous parallel operations of a plurality of units
as described above, it is advantageous to have a host computer
which provides each unit with an instruction. In the conventional
art, the processing work to be assigned to each unit has been
previously calculated by the host computer, and the individual
units (input/output units) perform processing only passively in
accordance with an instruction given by the host computer.
[0005] However, there are problems in the conventional art in which
a plurality of units cooperate to perform simultaneous operations
in parallel as described above, and passively carry out processing
work in accordance with an instruction provided by the host
computer.
[0006] More specifically, when a cooperating unit from among the
plurality of units does not support a given process (for example,
setting of printing on two sides or setting of image processing
parameters), processing may then be prevented. Consequently, it has
often been inevitable to cause a single unit to carry out a single
processing work. Even in such a case, it is not easy for a user
having set the processing to have accurate information about
details of the trouble. Further, in order to determine what
settings should be tried again to achieve cooperation, complicated
confirming operations are required, thus making the user operations
more complicated.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention was developed in view of the
circumstances described above, and has as an object to provide an
image processing apparatus, an image processing system and an image
processing method which permit reduction of cost and maintenance
workload by causing a plurality of devices to cooperate to perform
simultaneous parallel operations, and to reduce the total
processing time.
[0008] The invention also provides an image processing apparatus,
an image processing system and an image processing method, which
enable the user, upon causing a plurality of units to cooperate to
achieve simultaneous parallel operation, to have accurate
information about any conditions which prevent continued
cooperation.
[0009] More particularly, the invention provides an image
processing apparatus for processing image information transferred
from another device connected to a communication line, comprising:
receiving means for receiving image processing conditions from the
other device; processing means for processing image information
transferred from the other device in accordance with the image
processing conditions received by the receiving means; and
transmitting means for transmitting, when image processing is
inexecutable under the image processing conditions received by the
receiving means via the processing means, executable image
processing conditions in place of the received processing
conditions.
[0010] Further, the invention provides an image processing
apparatus for processing image information transferred from another
device connected to a communication line, comprising: receiving
means for receiving image processing conditions from the other
device, including a plurality of image processing instructions;
processing means for processing the image information transferred
from the other device in accordance with the plurality of image
processing instructions included in the image processing conditions
received by the receiving means; determining means for determining
whether or not image processing by the processing means is possible
in accordance with each of the plurality of image processing
instructions included in the image processing conditions received
by the receiving means; and transmitting means for transmitting a
response indicating an executable image processing instruction in
accordance with the result of determination of the determining
means.
[0011] In addition, the invention provides an image processing
apparatus which transfers image information to another device
connected to a communication line, and processes the same by means
of the other device, where the apparatus comprises: transmitting
means for transmitting image processing conditions to the other
device; receiving means for receiving, when image processing is
inexecutable under the image processing conditions transmitted by
the transmitting means by the other device, executable image
processing conditions in place of the transmitted image processing
conditions; and a displaying means for displaying alternative image
processing conditions received by the receiving means.
[0012] The invention also provides an image processing apparatus
which transfers image information to another device connected to a
communication line, and processes the same by means of the other
device, where the apparatus comprises: transmitting means for
transmitting image processing conditions including a plurality of
image processing instructions to the other device; receiving means
for receiving a response showing whether or not image processing in
accordance with each of the plurality of image processing
instructions included in the image processing conditions
transmitted by the transmitting means is executable by the other
device; and displaying means for displaying whether or not image
processing in accordance with each of the plurality of image
processing instructions is executable in compliance with the
response received by the receiving means.
[0013] The objects and effects of the invention as described above
and other objects and effects of the invention will be more
apparent from the following description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a
portion common to the individual units of an image processing
system in the first and second embodiments of the present
invention;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a descriptive view illustrating the overall
configuration of the image processing system in the first and
second embodiments of the invention;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a front view illustrating a configuration of a
user interface section of a copy machine of the image processing
system of the first and second embodiments of the invention;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a descriptive view illustrating the configuration
of the user interface section of the copy machine of the image
processing system of the first and second embodiments of the
invention;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a descriptive view illustrating parameters to be
set for the use for the cooperating operations in the image
processing system of the first and second embodiments of the
invention;
[0019] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing by a device
instructed to perform cooperation in the image processing system of
the first embodiment of the invention;
[0020] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating processing by the device
instructed to perform cooperation in the image processing system of
the first embodiment of the invention;
[0021] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating processing by the device
instructed to perform cooperation in the image processing system of
the first embodiment of the invention;
[0022] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating processing by an external
cooperating device in the image processing system in the first
embodiment of the invention;
[0023] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating processing by an
external cooperating device in the image processing system in the
first embodiment of the invention;
[0024] FIG. 11 is a descriptive view illustrating a communication
sequence between the main apparatus and the external cooperating
device instructed to execute cooperation in the image processing
system in the first embodiment of the invention;
[0025] FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating processing by the device
instructed to execute cooperation in the image processing system in
the second embodiment of the invention;
[0026] FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating processing by the device
instructed to execute cooperation in the image processing system in
the second embodiment of the invention;
[0027] FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating processing by the device
instructed to execute cooperation in the image processing system in
the second embodiment of the invention;
[0028] FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating processing by the
external cooperating device in the image processing system in the
second embodiment of the invention;
[0029] FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating processing by the
external cooperating device in the image processing system in the
second embodiment of the invention;
[0030] FIGS. 17 and 18 illustrate a communication sequence between
the main apparatus and the external cooperating device in the
second embodiment of the invention; and
[0031] FIG. 19 is a descriptive view illustrating an example of a
display notifying a user of causes of trouble during cooperation in
the image processing system in the second embodiment of the
invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0032] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below
with reference to the drawings.
[0033] [1] First Embodiment
[0034] First, the overall configuration of an image processing
system in a first embodiment will be described with reference to
FIG. 2. The image processing system is a system in which a host
computer (PC), copy machines and printer units are connected on a
single network. More specifically, a PC 101, a copy machine 107,
another copy machine 108, a printer unit 109 and another printer
unit 110 are connected on a network (hereinafter referred to as
"LAN") 112. The image processing system configuration is not
limited to the one shown in FIG. 2, but may as required include a
scanner unit or a facsimile machine connected on the LAN 112, in
addition to the devices enumerated above.
[0035] The PC 101 is a computer usually controlled by the user, and
prepares documents and exchanges electronic mail with other
computers connected to the LAN 112. The copy machine 107 is an
image forming apparatus which has, for example, a large-sized
liquid crystal touch panel and is simultaneously provided with a
scanner function and a printer function. Further, the copy machine
107 has a printer function for a computer or the like, receiving a
document prepared by the PC 101 via the LAN 112, exploding image
forming command data into bit map image data for printing, and
receiving image data read out by the scanner function section of
the copy machine 108 via the LAN 112. Similar functions are
performed by the copy machine 108.
[0036] The printer unit 109 receives, like the copy machines 107
and 108, a document or the like prepared by the PC 101 via the LAN
112, exploding image forming command data into bit map image data
for printing, and receiving image data read out by the scanner
function section of the copy machine 107 or 108 via the LAN 112.
This is also the case with the printer unit 110.
[0037] The configuration of the common portions of the individual
image forming apparatuses in the image forming system of the first
embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to
FIG. 1. It is needless to mention that components necessary for
functions of the individual image forming apparatuses are selected.
The portion common to all the image forming apparatuses comprises a
CPU 201, an HDD (hard disk) 202, a memory 203, a high-speed CPU bus
204, an RIP (Raster Image Processor) 205, an image processor 206, a
compressing/expanding section 207, a bus bridge 208, a low-speed
CPU bus 209, a modem 210, a LAN 212, a manager interface 214, a
panel interface 215, a high-speed image bus 216, a scanner
interface 217, a scanner unit 218, a printer interface 219, a
printer unit 220, and an operating section 221.
[0038] Details of the functions of the components described above
are as follows. The CPU 201 is a microprocessor controlling the
entire image forming apparatus, and operates in conformity with a
real-time OS (operating system for real-time processing). The HDD
202 is a large-capacity hard disk for storing a plurality of
applications for ensuring operations of the CPU 201, under control
of the CPU 201. Programs corresponding to the flowcharts, shown in
FIGS. 6 to 10 and 12 to 16 described later, to be executed by the
CPU 201 are stored in the HDD 202. The memory 203 is a work memory
for enabling the CPU 201 to operate, and permits high-speed access
from the CPU 201.
[0039] The high-speed bus 204 is a bus for connecting the aforesaid
CPU 201, HDD 202, memory 203 and the individual functional units
described later, for transferring data processed by the CPU 201 to
the individual functional units, and for transferring at a high
speed (Direct Memory Access: DMA transfer) data between the
individual functional units. Generally applicable buses include a
VL bus (VESA Local Bus; data transfer rate: 32 MHz) and a PCI bus
(Peripheral Component Interconnect: bus specifications proposed by
Intel Company, United States; capable of transferring up to 133
Mbytes per second).
[0040] The RIP 205 is a functional unit which receives an image
forming command entered from an external interface connected to a
computer (described later), and applies a conversion to a bit map
image in response to the contents of the received command. The
image forming command is entered from the high-speed CPU bus 204,
and provides an output of an image to a high-speed image bus 216
(also described later). Applicable RIPs include Post Script (a page
describing language developed by Adbec Company, United States), PCL
(a page describing language), LIPS (LBP Image Processing System: a
page describing language developed by Canon Inc.), and CaPSL (a
page describing language).
[0041] The image processing section 206 is a functional unit
performing filtering operations of an image, such as smoothing and
edging, in accordance with a processing command issued by the CPU
201 for an image entered from the high-speed image bus 216. Other
functions of the image processing section 206 include character
recognition (OCR: Optical Character Reader) of an image entered
from the high-speed image bus 216, and an image separating function
of separating a character portion from an image portion.
[0042] The compressing/expanding section 207 compresses the image
entered from the high-speed image bus 216 by any of several image
compressing methods, such as MH (Modified Huffman: a data
compressing/expanding method), MR (Modified READ: a facsimile
coding method), MMR (Modified Modified READ: a data
compressing/expanding method), JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts
Group: a compressing method of a color still image based on the
same structure) and the like. This section 207 has functions of
sending the thus compressed data to the high-speed CPU bus 204 or
to the high-speed image bus 216 again, or expanding, on the
contrary, the compressed data entered from these two buses in
accordance with the method used for compression and transmitting
the thus expanded data to the high-speed image bus 216.
[0043] The bus bridge 208 is a bus bridge controller for connecting
the high-speed CPU bus 204 and the low-speed CPU bus 209 (described
later), and absorbs the difference in processing speed between the
buses. Accordingly, it is possible for the CPU 201 operating at a
high speed to access the functional units operating at a low speed,
connected to the low-speed CPU bus 209. The low-speed CPU bus 209
has a bus configuration with a transfer rate lower than that of the
high-speed CPU bus 204, and to which functional units having a
relatively low rate of processing are to be connected. In general,
an ISA bus is used as the low-speed bus (Industry Standard
Architecture: a standard bus for an IBM BC AT-compatible personal
computer).
[0044] The modem 210 is a functional unit located between a public
line 211 and the low-speed CPU bus 209, and has functions of
modulating digital data received from the low-speed CPU bus 209 so
as to permit sending to the public line 211, and converting the
modulated data received from the public line 211 into digital data
capable of being processed in the image forming apparatus. The LAN
212 is a functional unit for connecting the image forming apparatus
to the local network, and performs data transmission and receiving
with the local network. The Ethernet (a LAN with a bus structure
jointly developed by US Xerox, DEC and Intel) is applicable to
perform these functions. In FIG. 1, 213 is a LAN connected to the
LAN 212.
[0045] The manager interface 214 is a functional unit for
connecting the image forming apparatus and a managing unit 222. It
is used for sending a control command from the image forming
apparatus to the managing unit 222, or for returning an enable
signal from the managing unit 222 to the image forming apparatus.
The panel interface 215 provides a site where various control
signals are exchanged with the operating section 221 in the image
forming apparatus. This operating section communicates a signal of
an input switch such as a key (described later) arranged in the
operating section 221 to the CPU 201, and conducts resolution
conversion for displaying image data prepared by the RIP 205, the
image processing section 206 and the compressing/expanding section
207 to a liquid crystal display (described later) arranged in the
operating section 221.
[0046] The high-speed image bus 216 connects image input/output
buses in various image forming units (RIP 205, the image processor
206 and compressing/expanding section 207) to the scanner interface
217 and the printer interface 219 (described later). The high-speed
image bus 216 is not controlled by the CPU 201, but by the bus
controller for data transfer. The scanner unit 218 is a visual
image reader provided with an automatic original feeder, and has an
RGB 3-line CCD color sensor or a single-line CCD color sensor. The
scanner interface 217 transfers image data read out by scanner unit
218 to the high-speed image bus 216.
[0047] The scanner interface 217 has functions of applying an
appropriate binarization to the image data read out by the scanner
unit 218 depending upon contents of processing in the subsequent
process, performing a serial-parallel conversion in accordance with
the data width of the high-speed image bus 216, and converting
read-in RGB color data into CMYBk data. The printer unit 220 prints
out the image data received from the printer interface 219 in the
form of visual image data on recording paper. Printers applicable
as the printer unit 220 include a bubble-jet printer which prints
out data on the recording paper using the bubble jet method, and a
laser beam printer based on electrophotography which forms an image
on a photosensitive drum by using a laser beam and then forms the
image on the recording paper. The laser beam printer may be a
monochromatic laser beam printer or a color laser beam printer
based on CMYBk.
[0048] The printer interface 219 transfers image data received from
the high-speed image bus 216 to the printer unit 220, and has a bus
width converting function of converting the bus width of the
high-speed image bus 216 to a bus width in accordance with the
gradation of the printer, and a function of absorbing a difference
between the printing rate of the printer and the transfer rate of
image data of the high-speed image bus 216. The operating section
221 has, for example, a liquid crystal display section, a touch
panel input unit provided on the liquid crystal display section,
and a plurality of hard keys. A signal entered via the touch panel
or the hard keys is communicated via the above-described panel
interface 215 to the CPU 201. The liquid crystal display section
displays the image data received from the panel interface 215. The
functions available in the operation of the image forming apparatus
and image data are displayed on the liquid crystal display.
[0049] Cooperating copying operations of the copy machines 107 and
108 in the image processing system of the first embodiment will now
be described. FIG. 3 illustrates the configuration of the user
interface section of the copy machines 107 and 108. Various modes
necessary for copying are set through key operation. To cause
cooperating operation with other devices connected to the LAN 212,
the operator presses a cooperating device setting key 301. When the
cooperating device setting key 301 is pressed, the display is
switched over to a user interface screen as shown in FIG. 4.
Setting of various other modes is the same as that in a case not
involving cooperation.
[0050] A cooperating device (hereinafter referred to as an external
cooperating device) is selected through specification of an IP
(Internet Protocol) address used for network protocol/management.
An IP address has always a one-to-one corresponding relationship on
a network, so that specification of an IP address means
specification of a device. An IP address may be specified either by
the user pressing keys on the keypad shown in FIG. 4, or from a
previously registered list 407. For each pressing of any of the ten
keys 401, a numeral is displayed on the display unit 408 to permit
configuration of input thereof. When selecting from the list 407,
the cursor 406 is brought to the target IP address. The cursor 406
is moved by pressing an up-key 404 or a down-key 405.
[0051] In the case of the ten keys 401 as well as in the case of
the list 407, it is possible to cancel the current input, or
specify the IP address by pressing the clear key 402. Specification
of an IP address is established by pressing the set key 403. When
once storing all the image in the HDD 202 or the memory 203 by
scanning all the originals, and then providing an output thereof,
specification is given by pressing an "all store" key 409. When
conducting an output operation for every scanning of an original,
on the other hand, the IP address should be specified by pressing
the sheet-to-sheet key 410. When it is intended to use the original
shortly after storing in some other operation, the all-store
operation would be specified because of a more rapid read-in of the
original. When the user desires a wide range of selection in
modifying the process specification (which would be advantageous
if, for example, difficulty in processing were expected), the
sheet-by-sheet specification permitting monitoring of the progress
of processing would be conducted.
[0052] Adjustment of ability and setting of operations should be
made between the devices to ensure cooperation. Examples of these
parameters to be set are shown in FIG. 5. The device instructed to
perform cooperation communicates with an external cooperating
device corresponding to the IP address specified in FIG. 4, and
requests the external cooperating device for processing in
compliance with the information shown in FIG. 5. In FIG. 5, 501 is
a number of output sheets to be provided by the external
cooperating device; 502 is a size of an output image; 503 is the
resolution of an image; 504 is an instruction as to whether or not
two-side printing is to be done; 505 is an instruction as to
whether or not sorting is to be carried out; 506 is an instruction
as to which paper form is to be used; and 507 is a magnification
setting for enlargement or size reduction.
[0053] The information about these parameters is to be passed to
the external cooperating device, in accordance with the information
provided by the user, by the apparatus instructed to carry out a
cooperating operation.
[0054] Processing by the device instructed by the user to conduct
cooperation of the image processing system in the first embodiment
of the invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to
8. First, the user sets the original in the scanner unit 218 (step
S601). Then, various parameters shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 set by the
user are received (step S602). Along with this, all of the original
(set in the aforesaid step S601) is read in. It is then determined
whether output is performed after once storing all image data in
the HDD 202 or the memory 203, or output is carried out every
read-in of the original, according to user's specification shown in
FIG. 4 (step S603).
[0055] When "all-store" is instructed, a sheet of the original is
scanned for read-in (step S604), and stored in the HDD 202 or the
memory 203. It is then determined if there is a further original to
be read in or not (step S605). If there is, the process returns to
the aforesaid step S604 and the cycle of steps is repeated. If not,
or when the sheet-by-sheet mode is specified in step S603,
connection is made with the external cooperating device specified
in FIG. 4 prior to reading-in of the original (step S606). After
connection, negotiations are performed to determine whether or not
cooperation is permitted, on the basis of the various pieces of
information illustrated in FIG. 5 (step S607).
[0056] This is followed by a determination as to whether or not
cooperation is possible (step S608). When cooperation is not
possible, the external device is disconnected (step S616) to
discontinue processing. When cooperation is possible, a
determination is again made as to all-store or sheet-by-sheet (step
S609). When sheet-by-sheet is instructed, an original is scanned
(step S610). When an original has been scanned, or when all-store
is instructed in the foregoing step S609, image data are
transmitted to the external cooperating device (step S611). Then,
proper receipt of the image data by the external cooperating device
is confirmed (step S612).
[0057] When the external cooperating device fails to receive the
image data, the process is returned back to step S611 to try again
to transmit the image data. When the external cooperating device
has properly received the image data, the received image data are
subjected to printing on a printer of the external cooperating
device (step S613). Then, it is determined whether or not printing
has been properly completed (step S614). When the printer has
failed to complete proper printing, another attempt is made to
perform printing. When printing has properly been conducted, it is
determined whether or not all printing operations have been
completed (step S615). When there remain originals or image data
still to be processed, the process returns to the aforesaid step
S608 to repeat the cycle of steps as described above. When it is
determined that all the steps have been completed, the external
cooperating device is disconnected (step S616) to complete the
process.
[0058] Processing by the external cooperating device for the image
processing system of the first embodiment of the invention will now
be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. First, it is
determined whether or not there is a connection request from
outside (step S701). When there is a connection request,
negotiations are made to determine whether or not cooperation is
possible (step S702). At this point, various pieces of information,
described above in the discussion of FIG. 5, are received via the
LAN 212. As a result, it is determined whether or not cooperation
in conformity with the foregoing various pieces of information is
possible (step S703). When cooperation is impossible, a notice to
that effect is given, and waiting for disconnection (step S704),
processing comes to an end. When cooperation is possible, it is
determined whether or not disconnection has occurred (step
S705).
[0059] When connection is broken, the processing is completed. When
the connection is not broken, the image data are received (step
S706), and it is determined whether or not the image data was
normally received (step S707). When the image data was not normally
received, a notice to that effect is given to the counter-part
device (step S710), and the steps beginning with step S705 are
followed again. When the image data have been properly received,
the received image data are subjected to printing (step S708). It
is then determined whether or not printing has been properly
conducted (step S709). If the printer has failed to perform
printing, printing in step S708 is executed again. When printing
has properly been performed, it is determined whether or not there
is disconnection at step S705., and the following steps are
repeated.
[0060] Now, in the processing described with reference to FIGS. 6
to 10, the communication sequence between the main apparatus and
the external cooperating device, instructed to carry out
cooperation, will be described with reference to FIG. 11. In step
S801, connection is made from the apparatus side to the external
cooperating device side. Then, negotiations are made in step S802,
and various pieces of information for cooperation are exchanged to
determine whether or not cooperation is possible. In step S803,
image data are transmitted from the main apparatus to the external
cooperating device. Transmission of the image data is repeated a
number of times equal to the number of necessary images. In step
S804, disconnection is signaled from the apparatus to the external
cooperating device, thus completing communication therebetween.
[0061] According to the first embodiment of the invention, as
described above, the copy machines 107 and 108 and the printers 109
and 110 composing the image processing system comprise an RIP 205
conducting image processing on the basis of the image information;
an image processing section 206; a compressing/expanding section
207; a LAN 212 performing communication with the external device;
an operating section 221, on which keys for entering an instruction
to conduct cooperation with the external device and a display unit
for display various data are arranged; and a CPU 201 for
controlling the apparatus for cooperation with other device on the
basis of an instruction entered from the operating section 221. As
a result, it is possible to reduce the cost or maintenance workload
and to reduce the total processing time by causing a plurality of
devices to execute processing in parallel without providing a host
computer for cooperation of a plurality of devices as in the
conventional art.
[0062] [2] Second embodiment
[0063] As in the above-described first embodiment of the invention,
an image processing system of a second embodiment has a
configuration in which a PC 101, a copy machine 107, another copy
machine 108, a printer unit 109 and another printer unit 110 are
connected onto the network (LAN) 112 (see FIG. 2). These components
have been described in the above discussion of the first
embodiment; description thereof is omitted here. The configuration
of the image processing system is not limited to that shown; for
example, a scanner or a facsimile unit may as required be connected
in addition to those enumerated above.
[0064] Each of the portions common to all the image forming
apparatuses in the image processing system of the second embodiment
comprises, as in the foregoing first embodiment, a CPU 201; an HDD
(hard disk) 202; a memory 203; a high speed CPU bus 204; an RIP
205; an image processing section 206; compressing/expanding section
207; a bus bridge 208; a low-speed CPU bus 209; a modem 210; a LAN
212; a manager interface 214; a panel interface 215; a high-speed
image bus 216; a scanner interface 217; a scanner unit 218; a
printer interface 219; a printer unit 220; and an operating section
221 (see FIG. 1). Descriptions of the configuration of these
components, already made in the discussion of the first embodiment,
are omitted here.
[0065] The configuration of the user interface of the copy machines
107 and 108 of the image processing system (see FIG. 3), the
configuration of the user interfaces of the copy machines 107 and
108 (see FIG. 4), the detailed parameters set for cooperation in
the image processing system (see FIG. 5), and processing when
carrying out cooperation for copying in the image processing
system, of the second embodiment have also been described in detail
as to the first embodiment. Description thereof in detail is
therefore omitted.
[0066] Processing by the apparatus instructed by the user to
conduct cooperation of the image processing system in the second
embodiment will now be described with reference to FIGS. 12 to 14.
The second embodiment of the invention is characterized in that
processing of step S617 is added. First, the user sets originals in
the scanner unit 218 (step S601). Then, various set parameters
shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 are received from the user (step S602).
Along with this, all the originals set in step S601 are read in,
and after once storing all image data in the HDD 202 or the memory
203, output processing is performed, or else an output is provided
for every original read. The user's specification of this choice in
FIG. 4 is determined (step S603).
[0067] When the all-store mode is specified, an original is read in
by scanning (step S604) and stored in the HDD 202 or the memory
203. Further, it is determined whether or not there is an original
to be read in (step S605). When there is an original to be read in,
the process returns to step S604, and the same steps are repeated.
When there is no original to be read in, or when sheet-by-sheet is
specified in step S603, connection is made with the external
cooperating device specified in FIG. 4 prior to read-in (step
S606). After connection, negotiations are made for determining
whether or not cooperation is possible on the basis of the various
pieces of information described in FIG. 5 (step S607).
[0068] As a result, it is determined whether or not cooperation is
possible (step S608). When cooperation is not possible, a notice to
that effect is given to the user on the basis of a notice from the
external cooperating device (step S617). Set values with which
cooperation becomes impossible and set values acceptable for
cooperation are displayed. (Details will be described later with
reference to FIG. 17.) Then, the process returns to step S602, and
various values set by the user are received. When cooperation is
possible, it is determined again whether all-store or sheet-by
sheet processing is to be executed (step S609). When sheet-by-sheet
processing is specified, an original is scanned (step S610). When
an original has been scanned and all-store processing is specified
in step S609, the image data are transmitted to the external
cooperating device (step S611). Then, proper receipt of the
transmitted image data by the external cooperating device is
confirmed (step S612).
[0069] When the external cooperating device has failed to receive
the transmitted image data, the process returns to step S611;
another attempt is made to transmit the image data. When the
external cooperating device can properly receive the image data,
printing is performed on the printer of the external cooperating
device (step S613). Then, it is determined whether or not printing
has properly been accomplished (step S614). If printing has failed,
printing is performed again in step S613. When printing has been
properly accomplished, it is determined whether or not all
processing steps have been completed (step S615). If there still
remain originals or image data to be processed, the process returns
to step S608 to repeat processing. When all the processing steps
have been completed, the external cooperating device is
disconnected (step S616) to end the processing.
[0070] Processing by the external cooperating device of the image
processing system in the second embodiment will now be described
with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16. The second embodiment is
characterized in that the process of step S711 is added. First, it
is determined whether or not there is a connection request from
outside (step S701). When there is a connection request,
negotiations are entered into to determine whether cooperation is
possible or not (step S702). At this point, the various pieces of
information described above with reference to FIG. 5 are received.
As a result, it is determined whether or not cooperation based on
these pieces of information is possible (step S703). When
cooperation is not possible, the apparatus instructed to conduct
cooperation is given a notice to that effect, together with set
values leading to impossibility of cooperation and values
acceptable for setting for cooperation (step S711), and the
processing comes to an end after disconnection (step S704).
[0071] On the basis of the result reported in step S711, the
apparatus notifies the user of the cause of trouble in the case of
impossibility to conduct cooperation, as shown in FIG. 17 described
later. When cooperation is possible in step S703, it is determined
whether or not the external device is disconnected (step S705).
Upon disconnection, the processing comes to an end. When the
external device is not disconnected, the image data are received
(step S706), and it is determined whether or not the image data was
normally received (step S707).
[0072] When the image data was not normally received, a notice to
that effect is given to the counterpart (step S710), and the
processing steps beginning with step S705 are repeated. When the
image data are normally received, the received image data are
subjected to printing (step S708). Further, it is determined
whether or not printing has properly been accomplished (step S709).
In the case of failure of printing, printing in step S708 is
repeated. When printing has properly been done, the process returns
back to step S705 to determine whether or not there is
disconnection, and the subsequent steps are repeated.
[0073] The communication sequences between the apparatus instructed
to perform cooperation and the external cooperating device,
relative to the processing described above with reference to FIGS.
12 to 16, will now be described with reference to FIGS. 17 and 18.
As shown in FIG. 17, connection is made from the main apparatus to
the external cooperating device in step S1701. Then, in step S1702,
negotiations are made to exchange various pieces of information for
cooperation, and it is determined whether or not cooperation is
possible. When cooperation is possible, image data are transmitted
from the apparatus to the external cooperating device in step
S1703. Transmission of the image data is repeated a number of times
equal to the number of images necessary to be transmitted. In step
S1704, a notice of disconnection is given from the apparatus to the
external cooperating device. Communication between the apparatus
and the device has thus been completed. When cooperation is not
possible, the impossibility of cooperation, the cause of the
trouble, and values acceptable for setting for cooperation are
reported to the external cooperating device in step S1705.
[0074] Details of the notice of the cause of trouble to the user in
the case of impossibility of cooperation, described above with
reference to FIG. 13, will now be described with reference to FIG.
19. As described above with reference to step S602 (FIG. 12), the
user performs setting of various parameters as shown in FIG. 5. The
notice of the cause of trouble is therefore expressed in a form
corresponding to FIG. 5. In FIG. 19, 901 shows various parameters
set in FIG. 5, and 902 displays whether the set values are normally
acceptable or form a cause of trouble with "OK" and "NG".
Parameters which may lead to trouble (that is, failure of
cooperation) are displayed with bold-faced characters to facilitate
discrimination by the user. Also in FIG. 19, 903 represents a
display of a set value as specified by the user; and 904 is a set
value acceptable by the external cooperating device, as notified
through negotiations as described above. The user would therefore
correct various set values in step S602 shown in FIG. 12 after
confirming values forming a cause of trouble and values acceptable
for setting.
[0075] According to the second embodiment, as described above, the
copy machines 107 and 108 and the printer units 109 and 110 forming
the image processing system comprise an RIP 205 conducting image
processing on the basis of image processing, an image processing
section 206, a compressing/expanding section 207, LAN 212
performing communication with the external device, and keys for
entering instructions for operations in cooperation with the
external device. There are further provided an operating section
221 having a display section which displays a cause of trouble when
it is impossible to accomplish cooperation; and a CPU 201 which
effects control so as to ensure cooperation with the other devices
in compliance with an instruction entered from the operating
section 221, and, upon occurrence of trouble, conducts control so
as to achieve cooperation again. Therefore, when conducting
processing through cooperation of a plurality of devices in
parallel, it is possible for the user to easily learn the cause of
the impossibility of cooperation, even when circumstances making it
impossible to continue processing are caused by differences in
supported functions between cooperating devices. It is thus
possible to avoid the read for the user to perform complicated
confirming operations for setting values again to ensure
cooperation.
[0076] The present invention may be applied to a system comprising
a plurality of devices, or to an apparatus comprising a single
device. It is needless to mention that the objects of the invention
can be achieved also by providing a system or an apparatus with a
memory medium storing program codes of software for implementing
the functions of the embodiments mentioned above and reading out
and executing the program codes stored in the memory medium by
means of a computer (or CPU or MPU) of that system or
apparatus.
[0077] In this case, the program codes themselves read out from the
memory medium serve to achieve the functions of the above
embodiments, and the memory medium storing the program codes thus
embodies the present invention.
[0078] Applicable memory media for supplying the program codes
include, for example, a floppy disk, a hard disk, an optical disk,
a photomagnetic disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a
non-volatile memory card and a ROM.
[0079] The functions of the foregoing embodiments are achieved by
executing the program codes read out by the computer. In
particular, the functions of the foregoing embodiments may be
achieved through partial or total actual processing executed by an
OS operating on the computer in accordance with an instruction of
the program codes.
[0080] Furthermore, the program codes read out from the memory
medium may be written in a function expanding board inserted into
the computer or a memory provided in a function expanding unit
connected to the computer, with a CPU or the like provided in that
function expanding board or that function expanding unit conducting
all or part of the actual processing; such processing serves to
achieve the functions of the foregoing embodiments.
[0081] As described above, the present invention provides an image
processing system to which a plurality of devices are connected via
communication lines, which comprises image forming means for
forming an image on the basis of image information, communication
means for conducting communication with other devices via
communication lines, and cooperating means for performing
cooperation with other devices in compliance with an entered
instruction. It is therefore possible to reduce the cost and
maintenance workload and to further reduce the total processing
time by causing simultaneous and parallel processing through
cooperation of the plurality of devices, without providing a host
computer for cooperation of the plurality of devices as in the
conventional art. The user can select and instruct the other device
which achieves the cooperation described above, thus providing the
function of enabling the user to instruct cooperation or
non-cooperation as before.
[0082] The invention also provides an image processing system to
which a plurality of devices are connected via communication lines,
which comprises image forming means for forming an image on the
basis of image information, communication means for conducting
communication with other devices via communication lines,
cooperating means for performing cooperation with other devices in
compliance with an entered instruction, a notifying means for
giving a notice of the cause of a trouble when the trouble makes it
impossible to conduct cooperation, and trouble avoiding means for
making it possible to resume cooperation when such a trouble
occurs. The user can therefore easily learn the cause of the
impossibility of cooperation, when conducting simultaneous and
parallel processing through cooperation of the plurality of
devices, even when the impossibility of processing is caused by a
difference in supported functions between the cooperating devices,
thus making it unnecessary for the user to conduct complicated
confirming operations to obtain cooperation between devices.
[0083] The invention also provides a method of controlling
cooperation of an image processing system to which a plurality of
devices are connected via communication lines. This method
comprises the steps of forming an image on the basis of image
information, communicating with other devices via communication
lines, and conducting cooperation with the other devices in
compliance with an entered instruction. It is therefore possible to
reduce the cost and maintenance workload and to further reduce the
total processing time by causing simultaneous and parallel
processing through cooperation of the plurality of devices, without
providing a host computer for cooperation of the plurality of
devices as in the conventional art. The user can select and
instruct the other device which achieves the cooperation described
above, thus providing the function of enabling the user to instruct
cooperation or non-cooperation as before.
[0084] The invention also provides a method of controlling
cooperation of an image processing system to which a plurality of
devices are connected via communication lines. This method
comprises the steps of forming an image on the basis of image
information, communicating with other devices via communication
lines, conducting cooperation with the other devices in compliance
with an entered instruction, signaling the cause of a trouble when
the trouble makes it impossible to conduct cooperation and avoiding
such trouble by making it possible to conduct cooperation again
upon occurrence of the trouble. The user can therefore easily learn
the cause of impossibility of cooperation, when conducting
simultaneous and parallel processing through cooperation of the
plurality of devices, even when the impossibility of processing is
caused by a difference in supported functions between the
cooperating devices, thus making it unnecessary for the user to
conduct complicated confirming operations to obtain cooperation
between devices.
[0085] The present invention has been described above with
reference to the preferred embodiments. The invention is not
however limited to these embodiments. It will be appreciated that
various modifications and variations of the invention are possible
within the range of the claims.
* * * * *