U.S. patent application number 13/273326 was filed with the patent office on 2012-04-26 for image processing system and storage medium.
This patent application is currently assigned to SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA. Invention is credited to Yoshinori NAGATA.
Application Number | 20120099127 13/273326 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45972785 |
Filed Date | 2012-04-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120099127 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
NAGATA; Yoshinori |
April 26, 2012 |
IMAGE PROCESSING SYSTEM AND STORAGE MEDIUM
Abstract
In an image processing system, a multifunction printer carries
out image reading or printing in accordance with processing
execution condition information stored in a storage apparatus of a
host PC. A storage apparatus of a client PC stores processing
execution condition information. In a case where the client PC is
connected to the host PC via the network, a control apparatus
transmits the processing execution condition information stored in
the storage apparatus to the host PC. The host PC stores the
received processing execution condition information in the storage
apparatus.
Inventors: |
NAGATA; Yoshinori; (Osaka,
JP) |
Assignee: |
SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Osaka
JP
|
Family ID: |
45972785 |
Appl. No.: |
13/273326 |
Filed: |
October 14, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
358/1.13 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 1/0044 20130101;
G06F 3/1288 20130101; H04N 2201/0039 20130101; H04N 1/00204
20130101; H04N 2201/3204 20130101; H04N 1/00222 20130101; G06F
3/1258 20130101; H04N 1/00501 20130101; G06F 3/1204 20130101; G06F
3/1257 20130101; H04N 1/00795 20130101; H04N 2201/0094
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
358/1.13 |
International
Class: |
G06F 3/12 20060101
G06F003/12 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 20, 2010 |
JP |
2010-235838 |
Claims
1. An image processing system comprising: an image forming
apparatus; a client apparatus; and a host apparatus, each of said
image forming apparatus and said client apparatus being connected
with said host apparatus via a network, said image forming
apparatus including at least one of an image reading apparatus
which carries out image reading and a printing apparatus which
carries out printing, said host apparatus including a host-side
storage apparatus and a host-side control section, said at least
one of the image reading and the printing being carried out in
accordance with processing execution condition information stored
in the host-side storage apparatus, said client apparatus including
a client-side storage apparatus and a client-side control section,
the client-side storage apparatus storing the processing execution
condition information for said at least one of the image reading
and the printing, the client-side control section being configured
such that, when said client apparatus is connected with said host
apparatus via the network, the client-side control section
transmits the processing execution condition information to said
host apparatus, and the host-side control section being configured
such that, in a case where the host-side control section receives
the processing execution condition information from said client
apparatus, the host-side control section causes the host-side
storage apparatus to store the processing execution condition
information.
2. The image processing system as set forth in claim 1, wherein:
the processing execution condition information are a plurality of
pieces of processing execution condition information, and
identifiers for distinguishing the plurality of pieces of
processing execution condition information are added to the
plurality of pieces of processing execution condition information,
respectively; in a case where the host-side control section has
received a plurality of pieces of processing execution condition
information from said client apparatus, the host-side control
section checks whether or not an identifier of each of the
plurality of pieces of processing execution condition information
received from said client apparatus matches any one of identifiers
of a plurality of pieces of processing condition information
previously stored in the host-side storage apparatus; in a case
where an identifier of one of the plurality of pieces of processing
execution condition information received from said client apparatus
matches an identifier of one of the plurality of pieces of
processing condition information previously stored in the host-side
storage apparatus, the host-side control section overwrites the one
of the plurality of pieces of processing condition information
previously stored in the host-side storage apparatus with the one
of the plurality of pieces of processing execution condition
information received from said client; and in a case where the
identifier of the one of the plurality of pieces of processing
execution condition information received from said client apparatus
does not match any one of identifiers of the plurality pieces of
processing condition information previously stored in the host-side
storage apparatus, the host-side control section stores, in the
host-side storage apparatus, the one of the plurality of pieces of
processing execution condition information received from said
client, as a new piece of processing execution condition
information.
3. The image processing system as set forth in claim 1, wherein:
said image forming apparatus further includes an image forming
apparatus-side display apparatus, an image forming apparatus-side
input apparatus, and an image forming apparatus-side control
section; the image forming apparatus-side control section causes
the image forming apparatus-side display apparatus to display a
processing execution condition setting screen for use in setting a
processing execution condition indicated by processing execution
condition information; the image forming apparatus-side control
section receives a processing execution condition being set on the
processing execution condition setting screen in accordance with an
input supplied via the image forming apparatus-side input
apparatus, and transmits the processing execution condition to said
host apparatus as processing execution condition information; the
host-side control section of said host apparatus stores, in the
host-side storage apparatus, the processing execution condition
information received from said image forming apparatus, and
transmits the processing execution condition information to said
client apparatus; and the client-side control section of said
client apparatus stores, in the client-side storage apparatus, the
processing execution condition information received from said host
apparatus.
4. The image processing system as set forth in claim 1, wherein:
the processing execution condition information are a plurality of
pieces of processing execution condition information; the plurality
of pieces of processing execution condition information are
correlated with a plurality of pieces of icon information,
respectively, the plurality of pieces of icon information being
indicative of respective icons of the plurality of pieces of
processing execution condition information, the plurality of pieces
of icon information are stored in the host-side storage apparatus;
said image forming apparatus includes an image forming
apparatus-side display apparatus, an image forming apparatus-side
input apparatus, and image forming apparatus-side control section;
in accordance with an instruction inputted via the image forming
apparatus-side input apparatus, the image forming apparatus-side
control section obtains, from said host apparatus, the plurality of
pieces of processing execution condition information and the
plurality of pieces of icon information by transmitting a request
to said host apparatus, the image forming apparatus-side control
section causes the image forming apparatus-side display apparatus
to display a list of the plurality of pieces of processing
execution condition information and the icons indicated by the
plurality of pieces of icon information, so that any one of the
plurality of pieces of processing execution condition information
is selectable, the image forming apparatus-side display apparatus
displaying the list of the plurality of pieces of processing
execution condition information and the icons in such a manner that
the icons are correlated with the plurality of pieces of processing
execution condition information, and in accordance with the request
from said image forming apparatus, the host-side control section
transmits, to said image forming apparatus, the plurality of pieces
of processing execution condition information and the plurality of
pieces of icon information.
5. The image processing system as set forth in claim 1, wherein:
the processing execution condition information are a plurality of
pieces of processing execution condition information; the plurality
of pieces of processing execution condition information are
correlated with a plurality of pieces of icon information,
respectively, the plurality of pieces of icon information being
indicative of respective icons of the plurality of pieces of
processing execution condition information, the plurality of pieces
of icon information are stored in the host-side storage apparatus;
said client apparatus further includes a client-side display
apparatus and a client-side input apparatus; the client-side
storage apparatus stores a plurality of pieces of icon information
indicative of icons; in a case where the client-side control
section is instructed by an input supplied via the client-side
input apparatus to add the icons to the plurality of pieces of
processing execution condition information, the client-side control
section (i) obtains from said host apparatus, by transmitting a
request to said host apparatus, the plurality of pieces of icon
information indicative of the icons correlated with the plurality
of pieces of processing execution condition information which
plurality of pieces of icon information are stored in the host-side
storage apparatus; the client-side control section causes the
client-side display apparatus to display an icon setting screen
showing an icon or icons indicated by the icon information stored
in the client-side apparatus but being different from the plurality
of pieces of icon information obtained from said host apparatus;
and the client-side control section determines an icon selected on
the icon setting screen by an input supplied via the client-side
input apparatus, as an icon to be assigned to processing execution
condition information which needs an icon.
6. The image processing system as set forth in claim 1, wherein:
the client-side storage apparatus stores user information on a
plurality of users; the user information contains identifiers of
the plurality of pieces of processing execution condition
information, the identifiers being correlated respectively with
each of the plurality of users; in a case where said client
apparatus is connected with said host apparatus via the network,
the client-side control section transmits to said host apparatus
the user information stored in the client-side storage apparatus;
said image forming apparatus includes an image forming
apparatus-side display apparatus, an image forming apparatus-side
input apparatus, and an image forming apparatus-side control
sections; in a case where the image forming apparatus-side display
apparatus is instructed by a user-specified input supplied via
image forming apparatus-side input apparatus to display a
processing execution condition information list screen for a
specific user, the image forming apparatus-side control section
obtains from said host apparatus, by transmitting a request to said
host apparatus, display data indicative of the processing execution
condition information list screen; in accordance with the obtained
display data, the image forming apparatus-side control section
causes the image forming apparatus-side display apparatus to
display the processing execution condition information content
screen; the host-side control section stores, in the host-side
storage apparatus, the user information received from said client
apparatus; and in accordance with the request from the image
forming apparatus, the host-side control section refers to the user
information so as to create display data indicative of processing
execution condition information list screen which shows a list of
pieces of processing execution condition information correlated the
specific user, and the host-side control section transmits the
display data to said image forming apparatus.
7. The image processing system as set forth in claim 1, wherein:
the processing execution condition information further contains
additional processing execution condition information indicative of
an execution condition of an additional process which is carried
out on said client apparatus or on said host apparatus; the
additional processing execution condition information indicates a
condition for processing of at least one of (i) an image read by
said image reading apparatus and (ii) printing data to be used in
printing by said printing apparatus; and at least one of the
client-side control section and the host-side control section
carries out the additional process in accordance with the
additional processing execution condition information.
8. The image processing system as set forth in claim 1, wherein:
the image forming apparatus-side control section causes image
forming apparatus-side display apparatus to display a processing
execution condition information content screen which shows content
of a selected one of the plurality of pieces of processing
execution condition information.
9. The image processing system as set forth in claim 1, wherein:
said client apparatus is a portable personal computer.
10. A computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program
for causing an image processing system to operate, the image
processing system including: an image forming apparatus; a client
apparatus; and a host apparatus, each of said image forming
apparatus and said client apparatus being connected with said host
apparatus via a network, said image forming apparatus including at
least one of an image reading apparatus which carries out image
reading and a printing apparatus which carries out printing, said
host apparatus including a host-side storage apparatus and a
host-side control section, said at least one of the image reading
and the printing being carried out in accordance with processing
execution condition information stored in the host-side storage
apparatus, said client apparatus including a client-side storage
apparatus and a client-side control section, the client-side
storage apparatus storing the processing execution condition
information for said at least one of the image reading and the
printing, the client-side control section being configured such
that, when said client apparatus is connected with said host
apparatus via the network, the client-side control section
transmits the processing execution condition information to said
host apparatus, the host-side control section being configured such
that, in a case where the host-side control section receives the
processing execution condition information from said client
apparatus, the host-side control section causes the host-side
storage apparatus to store the processing execution condition
information, and the computer-readable storage medium storing at
least one of (i) a program for causing a computer to serve as the
client-side control section of said client apparatus and (ii) a
program for causing a computer to serve as the host-side control
section of said host apparatus.
Description
[0001] This Nonprovisional application claims priority under 35
U.S.C. .sctn.119(a) on Patent Application No. 2010-235838 filed in
Japan on Oct. 20, 2010, the entire contents of which are hereby
incorporated by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to an image processing system
which carries out scanning or printing in accordance with a
predetermined scanning condition or predetermined printing
condition, and to a storage medium.
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] There has been known an image processing system having an
image forming apparatus and a host computer (hereinafter, referred
to as host PC) which are connected via a network. As an arrangement
for the image processing system, there has been such a conventional
arrangement that the host PC stores a plurality of document reading
conditions for the image forming apparatus in advance, and the
image forming apparatus carries out document reading (scanning) in
accordance with a document reading condition(s) selected by a
user.
[0004] Patent Literature 1 discloses the following arrangement.
That is, an image reading system has a scanner and a scan server
which are connected via a network. The scan server stores reading
information such as document reading conditions for the scanner. In
response to input of a user ID into the scanner, the scan server
transmits, to the scanner, reading information corresponding to the
user ID. The scanner displays, on its operation/display section,
the reading information received from the scan server. A setting(s)
indicated in reading information displayed on the operation/display
section can be changed by a user. In a case where a user changes a
setting(s) indicated by the reading information, the scanner
carries out document reading in accordance with a new setting(s).
The reading information changed by the user is stored in the scan
server.
CITATION LIST
Patent Literature 1
[0005] Japanese Patent Application Publication, Tokukai, No.
2003-87479 A (Publication Date: Mar. 20, 2003)
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Technical Problem
[0006] According to the conventional arrangement, all the document
reading conditions are stored in the host PC and the scan server. A
portable client computer (hereinafter, referred to as a client PC)
such as a notebook personal computer (hereinafter, referred to as a
note PC) or the like may be connected to the network as well.
[0007] Such a note PC, i.e., the client PC is brought out from a
system (network environment) to which the client PC is usually
connected, in order to be connected to another system (network
environment) in a destination of a user. In this case, it is
impossible to swiftly start document reading under desired document
reading conditions by using, e.g., a scanner of a multifunction
printer in the another system after connecting the client PC to a
host PC in the another system.
[0008] Further, the conventional system is specialized in document
reading by a scanner for which document reading predetermined
document reading conditions are selected. Thus, no consideration is
given to printing by a printing apparatus for which printing
predetermined printing conditions are selected
[0009] In view of this, an object of the present invention is to
provide an image processing system and a storage medium each of
which makes it possible to swiftly carry out reading by the image
reading apparatus or printing by the printing apparatus even if the
client apparatus is brought out from a first image processing
system so as to be connected with a host apparatus in a second
image processing system.
Solution to Problem
[0010] An image processing system of the present invention
includes: an image forming apparatus; a client apparatus; and a
host apparatus, each of said image forming apparatus and said
client apparatus being connected with said host apparatus via a
network, said image forming apparatus including at least one of an
image reading apparatus which carries out image reading and a
printing apparatus which carries out printing, said host apparatus
including a host-side storage apparatus and a host-side control
section, said at least one of the image reading and the printing
being carried out in accordance with processing execution condition
information stored in the host-side storage apparatus, said client
apparatus including a client-side storage apparatus and a
client-side control section, the client-side storage apparatus
storing the processing execution condition information for said at
least one of the image reading and the printing, the client-side
control section being configured such that, when said client
apparatus is connected with said host apparatus via the network,
the client-side control section transmits the processing execution
condition information to said host apparatus, and the host-side
control section being configured such that, in a case where the
host-side control section receives the processing execution
condition information from said client apparatus, the host-side
control section causes the host-side storage apparatus to store the
processing execution condition information.
[0011] According to the arrangement, the client apparatus may be
brought out from a first image processing system so as to be
connected, via a network, with a host apparatus in a second image
processing system which is different from the first image
processing system.
[0012] In this case, the client-side control section of the client
apparatus transmits, to the host apparatus, the processing
execution condition information stored in the client-side storage
apparatus, i.e., the processing execution condition information for
at least one of the image reading by the image forming apparatus
and the printing by the printing apparatus.
[0013] In a case where the host-side control section of the host
apparatus in the second image processing system receives the
processing execution condition information from the client
apparatus, the host-side control section stores the processing
execution condition information in the host-side storage apparatus.
Then, in accordance with the processing execution condition
information stored in the host-side storage apparatus of the host
apparatus, the image forming apparatus in the second image
processing system carries out at least one of the image reading by
the image reading apparatus and the printing by the printing
apparatus.
[0014] This makes it possible to use, also in the second image
processing system, the existing processing execution condition
information retained by the client apparatus in the first image
processing system even if the client apparatus is brought out from
the first image processing system so as to be connected with the
host apparatus in the second image processing system. This makes it
possible to swiftly carry out the image reading by the image
reading apparatus or the printing by the printing apparatus in the
second image processing system, in accordance with the existing
processing execution condition information retained by the client
apparatus.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0015] As described above, the arrangement of the present invention
makes it possible to use, also in the second image processing
system, the existing processing execution condition information
retained by the client apparatus in the first image processing
system even if the client apparatus is brought out from the first
image processing system so as to be connected with the host
apparatus in the second image processing system. This makes it
possible to swiftly carry out the image reading by the image
reading apparatus or the printing by the printing apparatus in the
second image processing system, in accordance with the existing
processing execution condition information retained by the client
apparatus.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an arrangement of an
image processing system of an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0017] FIG. 2 is an explanatory view illustrating an overview of a
data structure of profile information which is stored in a storage
apparatus of a host PC in FIG. 1 and in a storage apparatus of a
client PC in FIG. 1.
[0018] FIG. 3 is an explanatory view illustrating an overview of a
data structure of user information which is stored in a storage
apparatus of a host PC in FIG. 1 and in a storage apparatus of the
client PC in FIG. 1.
[0019] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing how the image processing
system operates after the client PC in FIG. 1 connects to the host
PC in FIG. 1. Specifically, the flowchart shows how the user
information and the profile information which are stored in the
client PC are stored in the host PC.
[0020] FIG. 5 is an explanatory view illustrating a user interface
(login screen) for logging in to the image processing system which
user interface is displayed by the display apparatus of the
multifunction printer in FIG. 1.
[0021] FIG. 6 is an explanatory view illustrating a user interface
(profile list screen) for selecting a profile which user interface
is displayed by the display apparatus of the multifunction printer
in FIG. 1.
[0022] FIG. 7 is an explanatory view illustrating a user interface
(profile content display screen) for setting scanning/printing
conditions and PC processing conditions which user interface is
displayed by the display apparatus of the multifunction printer in
FIG. 1.
[0023] FIG. 8 is an explanatory view illustrating a user interface
(profile saving option selection screen) for selecting how to save
a profile which user interface is displayed by the display
apparatus of the multifunction printer in FIG. 1.
[0024] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing how the image processing
system in FIG. 1 operates in a first part of the period from login
to the image processing system to completion of scanning.
[0025] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing how the image processing
system in FIG. 1 operates in a middle part which follows the first
part illustrated in FIG. 9.
[0026] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing how the image processing
system in FIG. 1 operates in a last part which follows the middle
part illustrated in FIG. 10.
[0027] FIG. 12 is an explanatory view illustrating a first user
interface (first screen of profile setting tool screens) for adding
and modifying a profile which user interface is displayed on the
screen of the client PC illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0028] FIG. 13 is an explanatory view illustrating a second user
interface (second screen of profile setting tool screens) for
adding and modifying a profile which user interface is displayed on
the screen of the client PC illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0029] FIG. 14 is an explanatory view illustrating a third user
interface (third screen of profile setting tool screens) for adding
and modifying a profile which user interface is displayed on the
screen of the client PC illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0030] FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing how the client PC and the
host PC 102 operate for displaying the third screen illustrated in
FIG. 14.
[0031] FIG. 16 is an explanatory view showing an overview of a data
structure of PC processing conditions contained in profile
information illustrated in FIG. 2.
[0032] FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing how the client PC carries out
the PC processes in a case where a profile which has been selected
by a user on the profile list screen of FIG. 6 contains PC
processing conditions.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0033] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an arrangement of an
image processing system of an embodiment of the present invention.
As illustrated in FIG. 1, the image processing system includes a
client PC 101, a host PC 102, and a multifunction printer (image
forming apparatus) 103 which are connected via a network 4. The
client PC 101 is, e.g., a portable personal computer.
[0034] The client PC (client apparatus) 101 includes a control
apparatus (client-side control apparatus) 111, a storage apparatus
(client-side storage apparatus) 112, a communication apparatus 113,
an input apparatus (client-side input apparatus) 114, and a display
apparatus (client-side display apparatus) 115. The communication
apparatus 113 is connected with a network 104. The control
apparatus 111 is a CPU or the like. The storage apparatus 112 is a
hard disk drive, a RAM, or the like. The communication apparatus
113 is a LAN card or the like. The input apparatus 114 is a
keyboard, a mouse, or the like. The display apparatus 115 is a
liquid crystal display apparatus or the like.
[0035] The host PC (host apparatus) 102 includes a control
apparatus (host-side control apparatus) 121, a storage apparatus
(host-side storage apparatus) 122, and a communication apparatus
123. The communication apparatus 123 is connected with the network
104. The control apparatus 121 is a CPU or the like. The storage
apparatus 122 is a hard disk drive, a RAM, or the like. The
communication apparatus 123 is a LAN card or the like.
[0036] The host PC 102 provides various user interfaces to the
display apparatuses 115 and 135 in accordance with a request from
the client PC 101 and a request from the multifunction printer 103
so that the display apparatuses 115 and 135 displays the various
user interfaces. For this purpose, the host PC 102 stores or
generates display data of the various user interfaces.
[0037] The multifunction printer 103 includes a control apparatus
(image forming apparatus-side control apparatus) 131, a storage
apparatus (image forming apparatus-side storage apparatus) 132, a
communication apparatus 133, an input apparatus (image forming
apparatus-side input apparatus) 134, a display apparatus (image
forming apparatus-side display apparatus) 135, a printing apparatus
136, and an image reading apparatus 137. The communication
apparatus 133 is connected with the network 104. The control
apparatus 131 is a CPU or the like. The storage apparatus 132 is a
hard disk drive, a RAM, or the like. The communication apparatus
133 is a LAN card or the like. The input apparatus 134 is a numeric
keypad, a touch panel, or the like. The display apparatus 135 is a
liquid crystal display apparatus or the like. The printing
apparatus 136 carries out printing on a sheet of paper. The image
reading apparatus 137 reads information printed on a sheet of paper
so as to generate image data.
[0038] FIG. 2 is an explanatory view illustrating an overview of a
data structure of profile information which is stored in the
storage apparatus 112 of the client PC 101 of FIG. 1 and in the
storage apparatus 122 of the host PC 102 of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is an
explanatory view illustrating an overview of a data structure of
user information which is stored in the storage apparatus 112 of
the client PC 101 of FIG. 1 and in the storage apparatus 122 of the
host PC 102 of FIG. 1. The profile information and the user
information are generated on the client PC 101 or on the host PC
102.
[0039] In the image processing system of the present embodiment,
the profiles are created individually for users and each of the
profiles is made up of a scanning profile that the image reading
apparatus 137 uses when carrying out scanning and a printing
profile that the printing apparatus 136 uses when carrying out
printing. The scanning profile and the printing profile are stored
in the storage apparatus 112 of the client PC 101 and in the
storage apparatus 122 of the host PC 102.
[0040] The profile information shown in FIG. 2 and the user
information shown in FIG. 3 are related with each other in such a
way that the profile information (see FIG. 2) is generated
individually for each of individual user information 1 through N in
the user information (see FIG. 3). The pieces of individual user
information are pieces of user information which are generated
individually for users. Accordingly, a profile identifier 11 in the
individual user information 1 (see FIG. 3) corresponds to a profile
identifier 1 in a individual profile information 1 (see FIG. 2), a
profile identifier 12 in the individual user information 1 (see
FIG. 3) corresponds to a profile identifier 2 in a individual
profile information 2 (see FIG. 2), . . . and a profile identifier
1M1 in the individual user information N (see FIG. 3) corresponds
to a profile identifier N in a individual profile information N
(see FIG. 2).
[0041] As shown in FIG. 2, the profile information is made up of
(i) information indicative of the number N of the profiles (the
number of pieces of the individual profile information) contained
in the profile information, and (ii) the individual profile
information 1 through N in the number of N equally to the number of
the profiles.
[0042] Each piece of the individual profile information 1 through N
contains a profile identifier, a profile name, profile basic
information, a scanning/printing flag, a scanning/printing
condition, and a PC processing condition.
[0043] The profile identifier is for identifying one individual
profile information containing the profile identifier by
distinguishing the one individual profile information from other
individual profile information. The profile basic information is
information such as profile icon information which information is
set individually for each profile (for each piece of the individual
profile information). The scanning/printing flag is a flag which is
used for determining whether a profile indicated by a individual
profile information is a scanning profile or a printing
profile.
[0044] The scanning/printing condition indicates (i) a condition
under which the image reading apparatus 137 carries out scanning
(scanning condition) or (ii) a condition under which the printing
apparatus 136 carries out printing (printing condition), in
accordance with whether a individual profile information containing
the scanning/printing condition indicates a scanning profile or a
printing profile. The PC processing conditions indicate conditions
under which the client PC 101 or the host PC 102 carries out a PC
process.
[0045] As shown in FIG. 3, the user information is made up of (i)
information indicative of the number N of users (the number of
individual user information) contained in the user information, and
(ii) the individual user information 1 through N in the number of N
equally to the number of the users. Each of the individual user
information contains a user identifier, a user name, user basic
information, the number M1 through MN of profiles contained in the
individual user information (the number of profiles that a user
indicated by the user identifier has), and a profile
identifier.
[0046] The user identifier is for identifying individual user
information containing the user identifier by distinguishing the
individual user information from other individual user information.
The user basic information is information such as user icon
information which information is set individually for users (for
each of the individual user information). Each of the individual
user information contains profile identifiers which are equal in
number to the number M1 through MN of profiles contained in the
individual user information.
[0047] The following describes how the image processing system of
the present embodiment operates. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing how
the image processing system operates after the client PC 101 is
connected to the host PC 102. Specifically, the flowchart shows how
the user information and the profile information which are stored
in the client PC 101 are stored in the host PC 102.
[0048] According to FIG. 4, in a case where the client PC 101 is
connected to the host PC 102 via the network 104, the control
apparatus 111 of the client PC 101 transmits the user information
and the profile information stored in the storage apparatus 112 to
the host PC 102 via the communication apparatus 113 and the network
104 (S11).
[0049] The control apparatus 121 of the host PC 102 receives, via
the network 104 and the communication apparatus 123, the user
information and the profile information transmitted from the client
PC 101 (S12).
[0050] The control apparatus 121 of the host PC 102 causes the
storage apparatus 122 to store the user information thus received
(S13). In this case, the control apparatus 121 determines whether
or not a user identifier of each of the individual user information
contained in the user information thus received matches any one of
user identifiers of individual user information which have been
previously stored in the storage apparatus 122. In a case where the
control apparatus 121 determines that a user identifier of a
individual user information transmitted from the client PC 101
matches a user identifier of one of individual user information
which is stored in the storage apparatus 122, the one of the
individual user information stored in the storage apparatus 122 is
overwritten with the individual user information transmitted from
the client PC 101. In contrast, in a case where the control
apparatus 121 determines that a user identifier of a individual
user information transmitted from the client PC 101 does not match
any one of user identifiers of the individual user information
stored in the storage apparatus 122, the individual user
information transmitted from the client PC 101 is newly stored in
the storage apparatus 122. Thus, the number of users in the user
information is increased by the number of individual user
information thus newly stored in the storage apparatus 122.
[0051] Then, the control apparatus 121 of the host PC 102 causes
the storage apparatus 122 to store the profile information received
from the client PC 101 (S14). In this case, the control apparatus
121 determines whether or not a profile identifier of each of the
individual profile information contained in the profile information
thus received matches any one of profile identifiers of individual
profile information which is stored in the storage apparatus 122.
In a case where the control apparatus 121 determines that a profile
identifier of a individual profile information transmitted from the
client PC 101 matches a profile identifier of one of individual
profile information which have been previously stored in the
storage apparatus 122, the one of the individual profile
information stored in the storage apparatus 122 is overwritten with
the individual profile information transmitted from the client PC
101. In contrast, in a case where the control apparatus 121
determines that a profile identifier of a individual profile
information transmitted from the client PC 101 does not match any
one of profile identifiers of the individual profile information
stored in the storage apparatus 122, the individual profile
information transmitted from the client PC 101 is newly stored in
the storage apparatus 122. Thus, the number of profiles in the
profile information is increased by the number of individual
profile information thus newly stored in the storage apparatus
122.
[0052] Then, the control apparatus 121 of the host PC 102
transmits, to the client PC 101 via the communication apparatus 123
and the network 104, a notification that the storing of the user
information and the profile information in the storage apparatus
122 is completed (S15).
[0053] The control apparatus 111 of client PC 101 receives the
notification from the host PC 102 via the network 104 and the
communication apparatus 113 (S16). Then, the control apparatus 111
causes the display apparatus 115 of the client PC 101 to display to
inform that the user information and the profile information have
been notified to the host PC 102 (S12).
[0054] FIGS. 5 through 8 are explanatory views illustrating user
interfaces which are displayed on the display apparatus 135 of the
multifunction printer 103. Specifically, FIG. 5 is an explanatory
view illustrating a user interface for logging in to the image
processing system (login screen for image processing system). FIG.
6 is an explanatory view illustrating a user interface for
selecting a profile (profile list screen, processing execution
condition information list screen). FIG. 7 is an explanatory view
illustrating a user interface for setting scanning/printing
conditions and PC processing conditions (profile content display
screen). FIG. 8 is an explanatory view illustrating a user
interface for selecting how to save a profile (profile saving
option selection screen).
[0055] The display apparatus 135 of the multifunction printer 103
displays an initial screen after power of the multifunction printer
103 is turned on. Then, in a case where a predetermined button for
logging in to the image processing system is pushed, the display
apparatus 135 displays the login screen illustrated in FIG. 5. The
predetermined button is a button which has been assigned to the
image processing system by, e.g., pre-registration with the button.
The login screen shows (i) user names 201 of users registered with
the host PC 102 and (ii) user icons 202 indicative of the users. In
a case where there are undisplayed user names 201 and corresponding
user icons 202 within the login screen, pushing of an UpArrow
scroll button 204 or a DownArrow scroll button 204 makes it
possible to display the undisplayed user names 201 and the
corresponding user icons 202.
[0056] In a case where a user of the multifunction printer 103
correctly enters his user name and password on the login screen and
then pushes a login button 203, a profile list screen corresponding
to the user name is displayed as illustrated in FIG. 6. On the
profile list screen illustrated in FIG. 6, a scanning selection
button 207 is highlighted because the scanning selection button 207
has been pushed. In other words, scanning profiles each of which
indicates scanning conditions for the image reading apparatus 137
of the multifunction printer 103 are selected on the profile list
screen illustrated in FIG. 6.
[0057] In the present embodiment, a user of the multifunction
printer 103 is basically a user of the client PC 101. A user of the
multifunction printer 103 can be identified as a user of the client
PC 101 by successfully logging in the image processing system on
the login screen of FIG. 5.
[0058] The profile list screen illustrated in FIG. 6 shows (i)
profile names 205 of profiles correlated with the user name
specified on the login screen illustrated in FIG. 5, and (ii)
profile icons 206 indicative of the profiles. In addition, the
profile list screen shows the scanning selection button 207 for
selecting scanning and a printing selection button 208 for
selecting printing. That is, on the profile list screen, a user can
choose whether to perform profile selection for a scanning profile
or a printing profile, and then perform the profile selection to
choose any of a plurality of pre-registered profiles (e.g.,
profiles 1 through 8) for the scanning profile or the printing
profile thus selected.
[0059] When a profile to use is selected on the profile list screen
by the user, a profile content display screen (processing execution
condition information content screen) for the profile is displayed.
FIG. 7 illustrates such a profile content display screen. The
profile content display screen shows (i) scanning/printing
conditions of a profile specified on the profile list screen and
(ii) PC processing conditions (additional processing execution
condition information) of the profile. FIG. 7 illustrates an
example of the profile content display screen which is displayed in
a case where, on the profile list screen illustrated in FIG. 6, it
has been chosen to perform the profile section for a scanning
profile and, e.g., any one of the profiles 1 through 8 has been
chosen. A user of the multifunction printer 103 can carry out
operations on the profile content display screen so as to view
and/or change the scanning/printing conditions for the
multifunction printer 103 and the PC processing conditions (e.g.,
processing conditions for the client PC 101).
[0060] In a case where the user does not change any of the
scanning/printing conditions nor any of the PC processing
conditions on the profile content display screen, scanning or
printing is carried out in response to user's pushing an execution
button 209 on the profile content display screen. In a case where
any of the scanning/printing conditions and the PC processing
conditions has been changed on the profile content display screen,
the profile saving option selection screen illustrated in FIG. 8 is
displayed.
[0061] In a case where the user pushes a No button 210 on the
profile saving option selection screen, scanning or printing is
carried out. In a case where the user pushes an Overwrite Save
button 211, a change(s) to a scanning/printing condition(s) and/or
a PC processing condition(s) is saved in a corresponding profile
stored in each of the storage apparatus 112 of the client PC 101
and the storage apparatus 122 of the host PC 102. In a case where
the user pushes a Save As New Profile button 212, the change(s) is
saved in each of the storage apparatuses 112 and 122 as a new
profile.
[0062] With reference to FIGS. 9 through 11, the following
describes how the image processing system operates during a period
from the login to the image processing system to completion of
scanning. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing how the image processing
system of the present embodiment operates in a first part of the
period from the login to the image processing system to the
completion of scanning. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing how the
image processing system operates in a middle part which follows the
first part. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing how the image processing
system operates in a last part which follows the middle part.
[0063] In a case where a user pushes the predetermined button for
logging in to the image processing system while the initial screen
is displayed on the display apparatus 135, the multifunction
printer 103 causes the display apparatus 135 to display the login
screen illustrated in FIG. 5.
[0064] In this case, pushing of the predetermined button causes the
control apparatus 131 of the multifunction printer 103 to transmit,
to the host PC 102 via the communication apparatus 133 and the
network 104, a request that the host PC 102 transmits display data
indicative of the login screen to the control apparatus 131
(S21).
[0065] The control apparatus 121 of the host PC 102 receives the
request via the network 104 and the communication apparatus 123 and
transmits the display data to the multifunction printer 103 via the
communication apparatus 123 and the network 104 in response to the
request (S22).
[0066] The control apparatus 131 of the multifunction printer 103
receives the display data from the host PC 102 via the network 104
and the communication apparatus 133 so as to display the login
screen illustrated in FIG. 5 (S23).
[0067] Then, a user operates the input apparatus 134 so as to
specify the user and enter password and then push the login button
203 on the login screen displayed on the display apparatus 135
(S24). Accordingly, the control apparatus 131 of the multifunction
printer 103 transmits, to the host PC 102 via the communication
apparatus 133 and the network 104, a request that the host PC 102
transmits display data indicative of the profile list screen to the
control apparatus 131 (S25).
[0068] The control apparatus 121 of the host PC 102 receives the
request via the network 104 and the communication apparatus 123 and
transmits, to the multifunction printer 103 via the communication
apparatus 123 and the network 104 in response to the request, the
display data indicative of the profile list screen containing a
list of profiles corresponding to a user identifier of the user
name entered on the login screen (S26).
[0069] The control apparatus 131 of the multifunction printer 103
receives the display data via the network 104 and the communication
apparatus 133 so as to display, on the display apparatus 135, the
profile list screen illustrated in FIG. 6 (S27).
[0070] Then, a user operates the input apparatus 134 so as to
select any one of the profiles on the profile list screen displayed
on the display apparatus 135 (S28). Accordingly, the control
apparatus 131 of the multifunction printer 103 transmits, to the
host PC 102 via the communication apparatus 133 and the network
104, a request that the host PC 102 transmits display data
indicative of the profile content display screen to the control
apparatus 131 (S29).
[0071] The control apparatus 121 of the host PC 102 receives the
request via the network 104 and the communication apparatus 123 and
transmits, to the multifunction printer 103 via the communication
apparatus 123 and the network 104 in response to the request, the
display data indicative of the profile content display screen
containing profile information corresponding to a profile
identifier of the profile selected by the user (S30).
[0072] The control apparatus 131 of the multifunction printer 103
has received the display data via the network 104 and the
communication apparatus 133, then causes the display apparatus 135
to display the profile content display screen illustrated in FIG. 7
(S31).
[0073] Then, according to need, the user operates the input
apparatus 134 so as to change a scanning condition(s) or a printing
condition(s), and push the execution button 209 on the profile
content display screen displayed on the display apparatus 135 (S41
in FIG. 10). FIG. 7 illustrates an example of the profile content
display screen which shows scanning conditions.
[0074] Then, the control apparatus 131 determines whether or not
any of the scanning conditions or any one of the printing
conditions has been changed (S42). If No in S42, the process goes
to S66 (see FIG. 11). If Yes in S42, the process goes to S43.
[0075] If Yes in S42, the control apparatus 131 of the
multifunction printer 103 causes the display apparatus 135 to
display the profile saving option selection screen illustrated in
FIG. 8 (S43).
[0076] Then, in a case where the user pushes the No button 210, the
Overwrite Save button 211, or the Save As New Profile button 212,
the control apparatus 131 determines which button has been pushed
(S44). In a case where the control apparatus 131 determines that
the No button 210 has been pushed, the process goes to S66 (see
FIG. 11). In a case where the control apparatus 131 determines that
the Overwrite Save button 211 is pushed, the process goes to S46.
In a case where the control apparatus 131 determines that the Save
As New Profile button 212 is pushed, the process goes to S45.
[0077] In a case where the control apparatus 131 of the
multifunction printer 103 determines, in S44, that the Save As New
Profile button 212 has been pushed, the control apparatus 131
causes the display apparatus 135 to display a screen for prompting
a user to enter a name of a new profile. In a case where the user
enters the name of the new profile by using the input apparatus
134, the control apparatus 131 correlates the name of the new
profile with the profile thus changed (S45).
[0078] Then, the control apparatus 131 of the multifunction printer
103 transmits information indicative of the profile thus changed to
the host PC 102 via the communication apparatus 133 and the network
104.
[0079] In a case where the control apparatus 121 of the host PC 102
has received the information of the profile via the network 104 and
the communication apparatus 123 (S47), the control apparatus 121
stores the information in the storage apparatus 122 (S48). Further,
the control apparatus 121 transmits the information of the profile
thus changed to the client PC 101 via the communication apparatus
123 and the network 104 (S49).
[0080] In a case where the control apparatus 111 of client PC 101
has received the information via the network 104 and the
communication apparatus 113 (S50), the control apparatus 111 stores
the information in the storage apparatus 112 (S61 in FIG. 11).
[0081] Then, the control apparatus 111 transmits, to the host PC
102 via the communication apparatus 113 and the network 104, a
notification that the information of the profile has been stored in
the storage apparatus 112.
[0082] In a case where the control apparatus 121 of the host PC 102
has received the notification via the network 104 and the
communication apparatus 123 (S63), the control apparatus 121
further transmits the notification to the multifunction printer 103
via the communication apparatus 123 and the network 104 (S64).
[0083] As a result of the operation thus performed in S64, the
control apparatus 131 of the multifunction printer 103 receives the
notification from the host PC 102 via the network 104 and the
communication apparatus 133 (S65).
[0084] Then, the control apparatus 131 of the multifunction printer
103 causes the image reading apparatus 37 to carry out scanning
under conditions specified by the profile set in S41 (see FIG. 10)
(S66). Further, the control apparatus 131 transmits an image
obtained by scanning, i.e., a scanned image to the host PC 102 via
the communication apparatus 133 and the network 104 (S67).
[0085] In a case where the control apparatus 121 of the host PC 102
has received the scanned image from the multifunction printer 103
via the network 104 and the communication apparatus 123 (S68), the
control apparatus 121 further transmits the scanned image to the
client PC 101 via the communication apparatus 123 and the network
104 (S69).
[0086] In a case where the control apparatus 111 of client PC 101
has received the scanned image from the host PC 102 via the network
104 and communication apparatus 113, the control apparatus 111
carries out a process (PC process) under the conditions specified
by the profile set in S41 (see FIG. 10) (S70), and then stores, in
the storage apparatus 112, the scanned image thus processed
(S71).
[0087] As described above, the image processing system of the
present embodiment is arranged such that the multifunction printer
103 creates, edits, and deletes a scanning profile and a printing
profile in accordance with input operation of a user. A scanning
profile and a printing profile which have been created or edited on
the multifunction printer 103 are transmitted from the
multifunction printer 103 to the host PC 102, and further
transmitted to the client PC 101 so as to be stored in the host PC
102 and the client PC 101.
[0088] Profile information (see FIG. 2) and user information (see
FIG. 3) are created on the client PC 101 or the host PC 102 by use
of the scanning profile and the printing profile which have been
received from the multifunction printer 103, and then stored in the
client PC 101 and the host PC 102.
[0089] In a case where the client PC 101 is connected to the host
PC 102, the profile information and the user information which are
stored in the client PC 101 are transmitted to the host PC 102 so
as to be stored in the host PC 102, as illustrated in FIG. 4.
Accordingly, in a case where the client PC 101 is brought out from
a first image processing system, and is connected to a second image
processing system, the profile information and the user information
which are stored in the client PC 101 are stored in the host PC 102
in the second image processing system.
[0090] This configuration brings about such an effect that, even in
a case where the client PC 101 is brought out from the first image
processing system and connected to the host PC 102 in the second
image processing system, an existing scanning profile and an
existing printing profile stored in the first image processing
system can be used also in the second image processing system. This
makes it possible to swiftly carry out scanning and printing in the
second image processing system by using an existing scanning
profile whose scanning conditions have been set, and an existing
printing profile whose printing conditions have been set.
[0091] The client PC 101 in the image processing system of the
present embodiment can have at least any one of (i) a function of
creating and adding a scanning profile or a printing profile and
(ii) a function of editing (modifying) and deleting a scanning
profile or a printing profile which are stored in the storage
apparatus 112 of the client PC 101. In this case, the client PC 101
can assign, respectively to an added profile and a modified
profile, profile icons which are not assigned to any profile stored
in the storage apparatus 122 of the host PC 102. The following
describes how the image processing system operates for this.
[0092] FIG. 12 is an explanatory view illustrating a first user
interface for adding and modifying a profile (first screen of
profile setting tool screens, icon setting screen). FIG. 13 is an
explanatory view illustrating a second user interface for adding
and modifying a profile (second screen of profile setting tool
screens, icon setting screen). FIG. 14 is an explanatory view
illustrating a third user interface for adding and modifying a
profile (third screen of profile setting tool screens, icon setting
screen). These profile setting tool screens are switched in an
order of the first screen, the second screen, and the third
screen.
[0093] The client PC 101 allows input operation of a user on the
profile setting tool screens so that the user can add or edit
(modify) a scanning profile or a printing profile. For this
operation, the control apparatus 111 of the client PC 101 requests,
e.g., the host PC 102 to transmit display data indicative of the
profile setting tool screens to the control apparatus 111 so as to
obtain the display data.
[0094] Then, the control apparatus 111 causes the display apparatus
115 to display the first screen (as illustrated in FIG. 12) of the
profile setting tool screens. The first screen shows a plurality of
profiles stored in the storage apparatus 112 of the client PC 101,
together with corresponding profile icons.
[0095] On the first screen, a user pushes an Add button 301 or
pushes, after selecting a profile to be modified, an Edit button
302. Alternatively, a user pushes a Delete button 303 after
selecting a profile to be deleted.
[0096] In a case where, e.g., a user has pushed the Edit button 302
after selecting a profile to be modified, the control apparatus 111
of client PC 101 causes the display apparatus 115 to display the
second screen (as illustrated in FIG. 13) of the profile setting
tool screens. The second screen allows the user to set basic
information on the profile, scanning conditions, and PC processing
conditions. In a case where a Save button 304 has been pushed,
settings are saved. In a case where a Cancel button 305 has been
pushed, the settings are discarded.
[0097] In a case where a Change Icon button 306 has been pushed,
the control apparatus 111 of client PC 101 causes the display
apparatus 115 to display the third screen (as illustrated in FIG.
14) of the profile setting tool screens. The third screen shows
profile icons 206 which are not assigned to any profile stored in
the storage apparatus 122 of the host PC 102. The profile icons 206
which are displayed on the third screen are ones which are stored
in the client PC 101 or ones that the client PC 101 has obtained
from the host PC 102 by request.
[0098] The third screen allows the user to select, as a profile
icon 206 for a profile 1 (see FIG. 13), any one of the plurality of
profile icons 206 thus displayed. In a case where the user has
selected any one of the plurality of profile icons 206 and then
pushed an OK button 307, the control apparatus 111 of client PC 101
temporarily sets a profile icon 206 thus selected, as the profile
icon for the profile 1.
[0099] Then, the control apparatus 111 switches the third screen
(see FIG. 14) to the second screen (see FIG. 13). In this case, the
profile icon 206 displayed on the second screen is one which has
been selected by the user on the third screen (see FIG. 14). In a
case where the Save button 304 has been then pushed on the second
screen (see FIG. 13), the control apparatus 111 stores the profile
icon 206 thus changed, in the storage apparatus 112 as the profile
icon 206 for the profile 1.
[0100] The information that is indicative of the profile icon 206
thus changed and is thus stored in the storage apparatus 112 is
transmitted from the client PC 101 to the host PC 102 so as to be
also stored in the storage apparatus 122 of the host PC 102.
[0101] The following describes how the client PC 101 and the host
PC 102 operate for displaying the third screen (see FIG. 14). FIG.
15 is a flowchart showing how the client PC 101 and the host PC 102
operate for displaying the third screen illustrated in FIG. 14.
[0102] In a case where the Change Icon button 306 has been pushed
on the second screen (see FIG. 13), the control apparatus 111 of
client PC 101 transmits, to the host PC 102 via the communication
apparatus 113 and the network 104, a request that the host PC 102
transmits profile icon information to the control apparatus 111, as
illustrated in FIG. 15 (S81). The profile icon information is
information indicative of a list of profile icons (profile icons
206 in FIG. 6) corresponding to profiles stored in the storage
apparatus 122 of the host PC 102.
[0103] In a case where the control apparatus 121 of the host PC 102
has received the request from the client PC 101 via the network 104
and the communication apparatus 123, the control apparatus 121
transmits the profile icon information to the client PC 101 via the
communication apparatus 123 and the network 104. Accordingly, the
control apparatus 111 of client PC 101 receives the profile icon
information from the host PC 102 via the communication apparatus
113 and the network 104 (S83).
[0104] Then, the control apparatus 111 of client PC 101 causes the
display apparatus 115 to display, as selectable profile icons, all
profile icons stored in the storage apparatus 112 except those
contained in the profile icon information received from the host PC
102 (S84). This corresponds to the third screen illustrated in FIG.
14.
[0105] Thus, the image processing system of the present embodiment
is arranged such that profile icons which have not been assigned to
any profile stored in the storage apparatus 122 of the host PC 102
are assigned to a profile which has been newly created on the
client PC 101 (i.e., added profile) and to a modified profile on
the client PC 101, respectively. This makes it possible to assign
different profile icons to all the profiles which are displayed on
the display apparatus 135 of the multifunction printer 103,
respectively, even for a profile which has been newly created on
the client PC 101 or a profile which has been edited on the client
PC 101. This makes it possible to prevent a user from wrongly
selecting one of different profiles to which identical profile
icons have been assigned.
[0106] Further, in the image processing system of the present
embodiment, a scanning profile can contain a PC processing
condition in addition to the scanning conditions, the PC processing
condition regarding processing to which a scanned image obtained by
the image reading apparatus 137 of the multifunction printer 103 is
to be subjected. Similarly, in addition to printing conditions, a
printing profile can contain a PC processing condition regarding
processing to which printing data which is transmitted from the
client PC 101 or the host PC 102 to the multifunction printer 103
is to be subjected.
[0107] In this case, the client PC 101 or the host PC 102 carries
out the process to the scanned image in accordance with the PC
processing condition. Similarly, the client PC 101 or the host PC
102 carries out the process to the printing data in accordance with
the PC processing condition. Accordingly, at least one of the
client PC 101 and the host PC 102 has a function of carrying out to
the scanned image the process of specified by the PC processing
condition. Similarly, at least one of the client PC 101 and the
host PC 102 has a function of carrying out to the printing data the
process specified by the PC processing condition. FIG. 11 shows an
example of how the client PC 101 carries out the processing of a
scanned image in accordance with a PC processing condition.
[0108] FIG. 16 is an explanatory view showing an overview of a data
structure of PC processing conditions contained in profile
information. As shown in FIG. 16, the PC processing conditions
indicates, regarding each of the following PC processes, whether or
not the process is to be carried out: image skew correction,
character recognition (OCR), high image compression (process of
reducing a size of an image file), a launch of an external
application program, etc. Further, the PC processing condition
indicates input parameters for the PC process to be carried out.
Accordingly, at least one of the control apparatus 111 of the
client PC 101 and the control apparatus 121 of the host PC 102 has
a function of a processing section which carries out the PC process
indicated by the PC processing conditions.
[0109] FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing how the client PC 101 carries
out the PC processes in a case where a profile which has been
selected by a user on the profile list screen of FIG. 6 contains PC
processing conditions. The PC processes are automatically carried
out in the image processing system after operations from login to
completion of scanning which operations are shown in FIGS. 9
through 11 are carried out.
[0110] As shown in FIG. 17, the control apparatus 111 of the client
PC 101 reads out a scanned image to be processed from the storage
apparatus 122 in a case where the control apparatus 111 carries out
the PC processes in accordance with PC processing conditions
contained in a selected profile (S101).
[0111] In a case where the setting for the skew correction in the
PC processing conditions is "ON" (S102), the control apparatus 111
carries out the skew correction in accordance with a skew
correction parameter indicated by the PC processing conditions
(S103).
[0112] In a case where the setting for the character recognition in
the PC processing conditions is "ON" (S104), the control apparatus
111 then carries out the character recognition in accordance with a
character recognition parameter indicated by the PC processing
condition (S105).
[0113] In a case where the setting for the high image compression
in the PC processing condition is "ON" (S106), the control
apparatus 111 then carries out the high image compression in
accordance with a high image compression parameter indicated by the
PC processing condition (S107).
[0114] Then, the control apparatus 111 stores, in the storage
apparatus 112, a file (scanned image data) which has been generated
by being subjected to the PC processes (S108).
[0115] Then, in a case where the setting for a launch of an
external application program is "ON" (S109), the control apparatus
111 launches the external application program in accordance with an
application launch parameter (S110).
[0116] Thus, a profile in the image processing system of the
present embodiment also contains PC processing conditions for the
PC processes to be carried out on, e.g., the client PC 101. This
allows the image processing system to carry out advanced processing
as a whole.
[0117] The present embodiment has described an arrangement in which
one client PC 101, one host PC 102, and one multifunction printer
103 are connected with each other via the network 104 in the image
processing system. However, an arrangement of the image processing
system is not limited to this but can be such that a plurality of
client PCs 101, a plurality of host PCs 102, and a plurality of
multifunction printers 103 are provided. For example, the image
processing system may be arranged such that a plurality of client
PC 101, one host PC 102, and a plurality of multifunction printers
103 are connected with each other via the network 104. In this
case, the operations illustrated in FIGS. 9 through 11 are carried
out parallel by each combination of a client PC 101 and a
multifunction printer 103.
[0118] Further, the image processing system of the present
embodiment is arranged such that the client PC 101, the host PC
102, and the multifunction printer 103 are separate apparatuses.
However, the image processing system may be arranged such that the
client PC 101 and the multifunction printer 103 are provided, and,
for example, the multifunction printer 103 also has the function of
the host PC 102.
[0119] Finally, blocks of each of the client PC 101, the host PC
102, and the multifunction printer 103 in the image processing
system can be realized by way of hardware or software as executed
by a CPU as below.
[0120] That is, each of the client PC 101, the host PC 102, and the
multifunction printer 103 includes a CPU (central processing unit)
and memory devices (memory media). The CPU (central processing
unit) executes instructions in control programs realizing the
functions. The memory devices include a ROM (read only memory)
which contains programs, a RAM (random access memory) to which the
programs are loaded, and a memory containing the programs and
various data. The objective of the present invention can also be
achieved by mounting, to each of the client PC 101, the host PC
102, and the multifunction printer 103, a computer-readable storage
medium containing control program code (executable program,
intermediate code program, or source program) for each of the
client PC 101, the host PC 102, and the multifunction printer 103,
which is software realizing the aforementioned functions, in order
for the computer (or CPU, MPU) to retrieve and execute the program
code contained in the storage medium.
[0121] The storage medium may be, for example, a tape, such as a
magnetic tape or a cassette tape; a magnetic disk, such as a floppy
(Registered Trademark) disk or a hard disk, or an optical disk,
such as CD-ROM/MO/MD/DVD/CD-R; a card, such as an IC card (memory
card) or an optical card; or a semiconductor memory, such as a mask
ROM/EPROM/EEPROM/flash ROM.
[0122] Each of the client PC 101, the host PC 102, and the
multifunction printer 103 may be arranged to be connectable to a
communications network so that the program code may be delivered
over the communications network. The communications network is not
limited in any particular manner, and may be, for example, the
Internet, an intranet, extranet, LAN, ISDN, VAN, CATV
communications network, virtual dedicated network (virtual private
network), telephone line network, mobile communications network, or
satellite communications network. The transfer medium which makes
up the communications network is not limited in any particular
manner, and may be, for example, wired line, such as IEEE 1394,
USB, electric power line, cable TV line, telephone line, or ADSL
line; or wireless, such as infrared radiation (IrDA, remote
control), Bluetooth (Registered Trademark), 802.11 wireless, HDR,
mobile telephone network, satellite line, or terrestrial digital
network. The present invention can also be realized by the program
code in the form of a computer data signal embedded in a carrier
wave which is embodied by electronic transmission.
[0123] As described above, the image processing system may be
arranged such that: the processing execution condition information
are a plurality of pieces of processing execution condition
information, and identifiers for distinguishing the plurality of
pieces of processing execution condition information are added to
the plurality of pieces of processing execution condition
information, respectively; in a case where the host-side control
section has received a plurality of pieces of processing execution
condition information from said client apparatus, the host-side
control section checks whether or not an identifier of each of the
plurality of pieces of processing execution condition information
received from said client apparatus matches any one of identifiers
of a plurality of pieces of processing condition information
previously stored in the host-side storage apparatus; in a case
where an identifier of one of the plurality of pieces of processing
execution condition information received from said client apparatus
matches an identifier of one of the plurality of pieces of
processing condition information previously stored in the host-side
storage apparatus, the host-side control section overwrites the one
of the plurality of pieces of processing condition information
previously stored in the host-side storage apparatus with the one
of the plurality of pieces of processing execution condition
information received from said client; and in a case where the
identifier of the one of the plurality of pieces of processing
execution condition information received from said client apparatus
does not match any one of identifiers of the plurality pieces of
processing condition information previously stored in the host-side
storage apparatus, the host-side control section stores, in the
host-side storage apparatus, the one of the plurality of pieces of
processing execution condition information received from said
client, as a new piece of processing execution condition
information.
[0124] According to the arrangement, it is possible to
appropriately store, in the host-side storage apparatus, the
processing execution condition information received from the client
apparatus even if the host-side storage apparatus of the host
apparatus retains existing processing execution condition
information.
[0125] The image processing system may be arranged such that: said
image forming apparatus further includes an image forming
apparatus-side display apparatus, an image forming apparatus-side
input apparatus, and an image forming apparatus-side control
section; the image forming apparatus-side control section causes
the image forming apparatus-side display apparatus to display a
processing execution condition setting screen for use in setting a
processing execution condition indicated by processing execution
condition information; the image forming apparatus-side control
section receives a processing execution condition being set on the
processing execution condition setting screen in accordance with an
input supplied via the image forming apparatus-side input
apparatus, and transmits the processing execution condition to said
host apparatus as processing execution condition information; the
host-side control section of said host apparatus stores, in the
host-side storage apparatus, the processing execution condition
information received from said image forming apparatus, and
transmits the processing execution condition information to said
client apparatus; and the client-side control section of said
client apparatus stores, in the client-side storage apparatus, the
processing execution condition information received from said host
apparatus.
[0126] According to the arrangement, the processing execution
condition information is created by the image forming apparatus,
and stored in the host-side storage apparatus of the host apparatus
and in the client-side storage apparatus of the client
apparatus.
[0127] This allows the host apparatus and the client apparatus to
commonly retain the processing execution condition information
created by the image forming apparatus. This makes it possible to
prevent the client apparatus brought out from the first image
processing system from not having the processing execution
condition information used in the first image processing system.
This makes it possible to effectively utilize the existing
processing execution condition information used in the first image
processing system, also in the second image processing system in
which the client apparatus is brought.
[0128] The image processing system may be arranged such that: the
processing execution condition information are a plurality of
pieces of processing execution condition information; the plurality
of pieces of processing execution condition information are
correlated with a plurality of pieces of icon information,
respectively, the plurality of pieces of icon information being
indicative of respective icons of the plurality of pieces of
processing execution condition information, the plurality of pieces
of icon information are stored in the host-side storage apparatus;
said image forming apparatus includes an image forming
apparatus-side display apparatus, an image forming apparatus-side
input apparatus, and image forming apparatus-side control section;
in accordance with an instruction inputted via the image forming
apparatus-side input apparatus, the image forming apparatus-side
control section obtains, from said host apparatus, the plurality of
pieces of processing execution condition information and the
plurality of pieces of icon information by transmitting a request
to said host apparatus, the image forming apparatus-side control
section causes the image forming apparatus-side display apparatus
to display a list of the plurality of pieces of processing
execution condition information and the icons indicated by the
plurality of pieces of icon information, so that any one of the
plurality of pieces of processing execution condition information
is selectable, the image forming apparatus-side display apparatus
displaying the list of the plurality of pieces of processing
execution condition information and the icons in such a manner that
the icons are correlated with the plurality of pieces of processing
execution condition information, and in accordance with the request
from said image forming apparatus, the host-side control section
transmits, to said image forming apparatus, the plurality of pieces
of processing execution condition information and the plurality of
pieces of icon information.
[0129] According to the arrangement, the image forming
apparatus-side display apparatus displays the list of the plurality
of pieces of processing execution condition information and the
icons indicated by the plurality of pieces of icon information so
that the icons are correlated with the plurality of pieces of
processing execution condition information in order that any one
thereof is selected. This allows a user to intuitively determine,
by referring to the icons, a desired one of the plurality of pieces
of processing execution condition information in a case where the
user selects any one of the plurality of pieces of processing
execution condition information on the image forming apparatus-side
section. This makes it possible to easily select a desired one of
the plurality of pieces of processing execution condition
information.
[0130] The image processing system may be arranged such that: the
processing execution condition information are a plurality of
pieces of processing execution condition information; the plurality
of pieces of processing execution condition information are
correlated with a plurality of pieces of icon information,
respectively, the plurality of pieces of icon information being
indicative of respective icons of the plurality of pieces of
processing execution condition information, the plurality of pieces
of icon information are stored in the host-side storage apparatus;
said client apparatus further includes a client-side display
apparatus and a client-side input apparatus; the client-side
storage apparatus stores a plurality of pieces of icon information
indicative of icons; in a case where the client-side control
section is instructed by an input supplied via the client-side
input apparatus to add the icons to the plurality of pieces of
processing execution condition information, the client-side control
section (i) obtains from said host apparatus, by transmitting a
request to said host apparatus, the plurality of pieces of icon
information indicative of the icons correlated with the plurality
of pieces of processing execution condition information which
plurality of pieces of icon information are stored in the host-side
storage apparatus; the client-side control section causes the
client-side display apparatus to display an icon setting screen
showing an icon or icons indicated by the icon information stored
in the client-side apparatus but being different from the plurality
of pieces of icon information obtained from said host apparatus;
and the client-side control section determines an icon selected on
the icon setting screen by an input supplied via the client-side
input apparatus, as an icon to be assigned to processing execution
condition information which needs an icon.
[0131] According to the arrangement, assigned to processing
execution condition information which needs an icon is a piece of
icon information which is not assigned to any one of the plurality
of pieces of processing execution condition information stored in
the host-side storage apparatus of the host apparatus. This makes
it possible to assign different pieces of icon information to,
e.g., all the plurality of pieces of processing execution condition
information displayed on the image forming apparatus-side display
apparatus even if the plurality of pieces of processing execution
condition information are, e.g., those newly created on the client
apparatus. This makes it possible to prevent a user from wrongly
selecting one processing execution condition information different
from desired processing execution condition information because an
identical icon is assigned to both the one processing execution
condition information and the desired processing execution
condition information.
[0132] The image processing system may be arranged such that: the
client-side storage apparatus stores user information on a
plurality of users; the user information contains identifiers of
the plurality of pieces of processing execution condition
information, the identifiers being correlated respectively with
each of the plurality of users; in a case where said client
apparatus is connected with said host apparatus via the network,
the client-side control section transmits to said host apparatus
the user information stored in the client-side storage apparatus;
said image forming apparatus includes an image forming
apparatus-side display apparatus, an image forming apparatus-side
input apparatus, and an image forming apparatus-side control
sections; in a case where the image forming apparatus-side display
apparatus is instructed by a user-specified input supplied via
image forming apparatus-side input apparatus to display a
processing execution condition information list screen for a
specific user, the image forming apparatus-side control section
obtains from said host apparatus, by transmitting a request to said
host apparatus, display data indicative of the processing execution
condition information list screen; in accordance with the obtained
display data, the image forming apparatus-side control section
causes the image forming apparatus-side display apparatus to
display the processing execution condition information list screen;
the host-side control section stores, in the host-side storage
apparatus, the user information received from said client
apparatus; and in accordance with the request from the image
forming apparatus, the host-side control section refers to the user
information so as to create display data indicative of the
processing execution condition information list screen which shows
a list of pieces of processing execution condition information
correlated the specific user, and the host-side control section
transmits the display data to said image forming apparatus.
[0133] According to the arrangement, the image forming
apparatus-side display apparatus is instructed by the
user-specified input to display the processing execution condition
information list screen, the image forming apparatus-side display
apparatus displays the processing execution condition information
list screen which shows a list of a plurality of pieces of
processing execution condition information correlated with the
specific user. This makes it possible to prevent a user from
wrongly selecting one of the plurality of pieces of processing
execution condition information when selecting one of the plurality
of pieces of processing execution condition information for the
image reading or printing.
[0134] The image processing system may be arranged such that: the
processing execution condition information further contains
additional processing execution condition information indicative of
an execution condition of an additional process which is carried
out on said client apparatus or on said host apparatus; the
additional processing execution condition information indicates a
condition for processing of at least one of (i) an image read by
said image reading apparatus and (ii) printing data to be used in
printing by said printing apparatus; and at least one of the
client-side control section and the host-side control section
carries out the additional process in accordance with the
additional processing execution condition information.
[0135] According to the arrangement, the processing execution
condition information contains additional processing execution
condition information indicative of an execution condition of an
additional process which is carried out on the client apparatus or
on the host apparatus with respect to at least one of a read image
and printing data. This allows the image processing system to carry
out advanced processing as a whole by using the processing
execution condition information.
[0136] The image processing system may be arranged such that: the
image forming apparatus-side control section causes image forming
apparatus-side display apparatus to display a processing execution
condition information content screen which shows content of a
selected one of the plurality of pieces of processing execution
condition information.
[0137] According to the arrangement, the processing execution
condition information content screen allows a user to easily check
the content of a selected one of the plurality of pieces of
processing execution condition information, which is used in the
image reading by the image reading apparatus or the printing by the
printing apparatus.
[0138] The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that
the same way may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to
be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the
invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one
skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of
the following claims.
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST
[0139] 101 Client PC (client apparatus) [0140] 102 Host PC (host
apparatus) [0141] 103 Multifunction printer (image forming
apparatus) [0142] 104 Network [0143] 111 Control apparatus
(client-side control apparatus) [0144] 112 Storage apparatus
(client-side storage apparatus) [0145] 114 Input apparatus
(client-side input apparatus) [0146] 115 Display apparatus
(client-side display apparatus) [0147] 121 Control apparatus
(host-side control apparatus) [0148] 122 Storage apparatus
(host-side storage apparatus) [0149] 131 Control apparatus (image
forming apparatus-side control apparatus) [0150] 132 Storage
apparatus (image forming apparatus-side storage apparatus) [0151]
134 Input apparatus (image forming apparatus-side input apparatus)
[0152] 135 Display apparatus (image forming apparatus-side display
apparatus) [0153] 136 Printing apparatus
* * * * *