Image input and output system, method and recording medium

• US 20080316519A1
• Filed: 06/23/2008
• Published: 12/25/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Fuji Xerox Company Limited (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Fuji Xerox Company Limited (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Machida, Masahiro, Suzuki, Takanobu, Ohara, Hiromi, Ishino, Shigeki, Yoshimura, Toshihide, Itaki, Kanji
• Application Number:
  US12/213,641
• Publication Number:
  US 20080316519A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 358/1.13
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00204 with a digital computer or a digital computer system, e.g. an internet server programmed control between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device H04N1/32561
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00278 with a printing apparatus, e.g. a laser beam printer
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00411 the display also being used for user input, e.g. touch screen
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00424 using a list of graphical elements, e.g. icons or icon bar
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00432 using tabs
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00474 outputting a plurality of functional options, e.g. scan, copy or print
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00482 outputting a plurality of job set-up options, e.g. number of copies, paper size or resolution
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32502 in systems having a plurality of input or output devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32512 of different type, e.g. internal and external devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32529 of different type, e.g. internal and external devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0027 Adapting to communicate with plural different types of apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0039 Connection via a network
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0081 Image reader H04N2201/0091 - H04N2201/0094 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0082 Image hardcopy reproducer H04N2201/0091 - H04N2201/0094 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0086 Image transceiver H04N2201/0093 and H04N2201/0094 take precedence

Abstract

An image input and output system is provided in which a common operation screen for a plurality of image output devices having different attributes is displayed. Based on attribute information of each of printers, the server generates a signal for generating an operation screen, and transmits the signal to the scanner. At the scanner, image data is inputted, and a common operation screen, which is generated based on the signal for generating the operation screen, is displayed on a display panel. When information designating the printer and information relating to an output format of an image is inputted from the display panel, the inputted information and the image data are transmitted to the server. The server transmits, to a designated printer, the image data and the information relating to the output format of the image, which are transmitted from the scanner, and images are outputted.

Claims

1. A display control device comprising:

a storing section for storing first operation screen information which is for generating a portion of an operation screen;

a receiving section, connected to a network, for receiving, via the network, second operation screen information which is for generating a remaining portion of the operation screen; and

a generating section for generating the operation screen by combining the first operation screen information which is stored in the storing section and the second operation screen information which is received by the receiving section.

2. An operation screen display controlling method comprising the steps of:

storing first operation screen information which is for generating a portion of an operation screen;

receiving, via a network, second operation screen information which is for generating a remaining portion of the operation screen; and

generating and displaying the operation screen by combining the first operation screen information which is stored and the second operation screen information which is received.

3. An image input device used in an image output system formed by a plurality of image output devices being connected to a network, said image input device comprising:

an image data input section for input of image data;

a display-and-input section at which an operation screen is displayed, and which is for input, from the operation screen which is displayed, of information which designates image output devices which are to output images, and information which relates to output formats of the images;

a transmitting and receiving section which is connected to the network, and which transmits information inputted from the display-and-input section and image data inputted from the image data input section, and which receives a signal for generating the operation screen;

an icon information storing section for storing icon information which forms the operation screen; and

a display control section for generating the operation screen by combining the icon information, which is stored in the icon information storing section, and the signal for generating the operation screen, which signal is received by the transmitting and receiving section, and for displaying the operation screen on the display-and-input section.

4. An image output system comprising:

a plurality of image output devices which are respectively connected to a network, and which output images on the basis of image data and output formats of images, which image data and output formats are transmitted via the network;

an image input device including;

an image data input section for input of image data;

display-and-input section at which an operation screen is displayed, and which is for input, from the operation screen which is displayed, of information which designates image output devices which are to output images, and information which relates to output formats of the images to be outputted from the image output devices which are designated;

transmitting and receiving section which is connected to the network, and which transmits, via the network, image data inputted from the image data input section and information inputted from the display-and-input section, and which receives, via the network, a signal for generating the operation screen;

icon information storing section for storing icon information which forms the operation screen; and

display control section for generating the operation screen by combining the icon information, which is stored in the icon information storing section, and the signal for generating the operation screen, which signal is received by the transmitting and receiving section, and for displaying the operation screen at the display-and-input section; and

an image output management device which is connected to the network, and which stores attribute information of each of the plurality of image output devices, and which, on the basis of the attribute information, generates and transmits, to the transmitting and receiving section, the signal for generating the operation screen, and which transmits, to the image output devices which are designated, the image data transmitted from the transmitting and receiving section and the information relating to the output formats of the images.

5. An image output management device used in an image output system which includes:

a plurality of image output devices which are respectively connected to a network, and which output images on the basis of image data and output formats of images, which image data and output formats are transmitted via the network; and

an image input device including image data input section which is connected to the network and which is for input of image data, and a display-and-input section at which an operation screen is displayed, and which is for input, from the operation screen which is displayed, of information which designates image output devices which are to output images, and information which relates to output formats of images to be outputted from the image output devices which are designated, the image input device generating and displaying, at the display-and-input section, the operation screen by combining a signal for generating the operation screen which signal is received via the network and icon information which is stored in advance, and the image input device transmitting, via the network, the image data inputted from the image data input section. and the information inputted from the display-and-input section,

wherein the image output management device is connected to the network, and stores attribute information of each of the plurality of image output devices, and, on the basis of the attribute information, generates and transmits, to the transmitting and receiving section, the signal for generating the operation screen, and transmits,. to the image output devices which are designated, the image data transmitted from the transmitting and receiving section and the information relating to the output formats of the images.

6. An image input device used in an image output system including:

a plurality of image output devices which are respectively connected to a network, and which output images on the basis of image data and output formats of images, which image data and output formats are transmitted via the network; and

an image output management device which is connected to the network, and which stores attribute information of each of the plurality of image output devices, and which, on the basis of attribute information, generates and transmits, via the network, a signal for generating an operation screen, and which transmits, to image output devices which are designated, the image data and information relating to the output formats of the images, which image data and information are transmitted via the network,

said image input device comprising;

an image data input section for input of image data;

a display-and-input section at which the operation screen is displayed, and which is for input, from the operation screen which is displayed, of information which designates image output devices which are to output images, and information which relates to output formats of the images;

a transmitting and receiving section which is connected to the network, and which transmits, to the image output management device, information which is inputted from the display-and-input section and image data which is inputted from the image data input section, and which receives the signal for generating the operation screen from the image output management device;

an icon information storing section for storing icon information which forms the operation screen; and

a display control section for generating the operation screen by combining the icon information stored in the icon information storing section and the signal for generating the operation screen, which signal is received from the transmitting and receiving section, and for displaying the operation screen at the display-and-input section.

7. An image input device according to claim 6, further comprising an image information storing section for storing at least one of information of a screen relating to only the image input device, and information of a screen which gives notice that the image output management device cannot communicate,

wherein, at least one of a time of operation of only the image input device and a time of failure of receipt of a signal from the image output management device, the display control section displays, at the display-and-input section, a screen which is based on the information stored in the screen information storing section.

8. An operation screen display controlling method in an image output system which is formed by

a plurality of image output devices which output images based on image data and output formats of images;

an image output management device which transmits, to image output devices which are designated, the image data and information relating to output formats of images; and

an image input device including an image data input section for input of image data, and a display-and-input section at which an operation screen is displayed and which is for input, from the operation screen which is displayed, of information which relates to output formats of images and information which designates image output devices which are to output images, the image input device transmitting, to the image output management device, image data inputted from the image data input section and information inputted from the display-and-input section,

being connected to a network, said operation screen display controlling method comprising the steps of

storing, in the image output management device, attribute information of each of the plurality of image output devices;

storing icon information in the image input device; and

at the time of displaying the operation screen at the display-and-input section,

transmitting, from the image output management device to the image input device, a signal for generating the operation screen which is generated. on the basis of the attribute information, and

at the image input device, generating the operation screen by combining the icon information and the received signal for generating the operation screen, and displaying the operation screen at the display-and-input section.

9. An image input device comprising:

an input section for input of image data;

a designating section for designating an output file format of inputted image data; and

a converting section for converting the inputted image data into image data of an output file format designated by the designating section.

10. An image input device used in an image output system including:

an image output device which is connected to a network, and which outputs an image on the basis of image data transmitted via the network; and

a management device which is connected to the network, and which transmits, to the image output device, image data transmitted from the network,

wherein said image input device comprises;

an input section for input of image data;

a designating section for designating an output file format of inputted image data;

a converting section for converting the inputted image data into image data of an output file format designated by the designating section; and

a transmitting section, connected to the network, for transmitting, to the management device and via the network, image data of an output file format, converted by the converting section.

11. An image input device used in an image output system including:

an image output device which is connected to a network, and which outputs an image on the basis of image data transmitted via the network; and

a management device which is connected to the network, and which includes a converting section for converting image data transmitted from the network into image data of a transmitted output file format, and which transmits, to the image output device, image data of an output file format, converted at the converting section,

wherein said image input device comprises;

an input section for input of image data;

a designating section for designating an output file format of inputted image data; and

a transmitting section, connected to the network, for transmitting, to the management device, the image data and the output file format designated by the designating section.

12. An image input device used in an image output system including:

an image output device which is connected to a network, and which includes a converting section for converting image data transmitted via the network into image data of a transmitted output file format, and which outputs an image on the basis of image data of an output file format, converted at the converting section; and

a management device which is connected to the network, and which transmits, to the image output device, the image data transmitted via the network and the transmitted output file format,

wherein said image input device comprises;

an input section for input of image data;

a designating section for designating an output file format of inputted image data; and

a transmitting section, connected to the network, for transmitting, to the management device, the image data and the output file format which is designated by the designating section.

13. An image output system comprising:

an image input device including;

an input section for input of image data;

designating section for designating an output file format of inputted image data;

a converting section for converting the inputted image data into image data of an output file format designated by the designating section; and

a transmitting section, connected to a network, for transmitting, to the network, image data of an output file format, converted by the converting section;

a management device which is connected to the network, and which transmits, to an image output device, image data of an output file format transmitted via the network; and

an image output device which is connected to the network, and which outputs an image on the basis of the image data of the output file format, transmitted via the network.

14. An image output system comprising:

an image input device including;

an input section for input of image data;

a designating section for designating an output file format of inputted image data; and

a transmitting section, connected to the network, for transmitting, to the network, the image data and the output file format designated by the designating section;

a converting section, connected to the network, for converting image data transmitted via the network into image data of a transmitted output file format;

a management device which transmits, to an image output device, image data of an output file format converted at the converting section; and

an image output device which is connected to the network, and which outputs an image on the basis of image data of an output file format, transmitted via the network.

15. An image output system comprising:

an image input device including;

an input section for input of image data;

designating section for designating an output file format of inputted image data; and

a transmitting section, connected to the network, for transmitting, to a management device, the image data and the output file format designated by the designating section;

the management device which is connected to the network, and which transmits, to an image output device, image data and an output file format, which image data and output file format are transmitted from the network; and

an image output device which is connected to the network, and which includes a converting section for converting image data transmitted via the network into image data of a transmitted output file, and which outputs an image on the basis of image data of an output file format, converted at the converting section.

16. An image management device applied to an image output system which stores image data inputted from an image input device and which can, via a network, make an image output device output an image, said image management device comprising:

a storing section for storing image data inputted from the image input device and information relating to an output format of an image; and

a control section for receiving image data to be outputted and a designation of information relating to an output format of an image, and on the basis of the information relating to the output format of the image which information is stored in the storing section, the control section effects control to limit designation of information relating to an output format of an image to be outputted.

17. An image management device used in an image output system including:

a plurality of image output devices which are respectively connected to a network, and which output images on the basis of image data and information relating to output formats of the images, which image data and information are transmitted via the network;

a storing section, connected to the network, for storing image data inputted from an image data input device connected to the network, and information relating to output formats of images;

a display-and-input device at which is displayed an operation screen which is generated on the basis of a signal generating the operation screen, and which is for input, from the operation screen which is displayed, of information which designates image output devices which are to output images, information which relates to output formats of the images, and image data which is to be re-outputted and information relating to the output formats of the images from among the image data and the information relating to the output formats of the images stored in the storing section; and

a transmitting device which is connected to the network, and which transmits, via the network, information inputted from the display-and-input device, and which receives, via the network, the signal for generating the operation screen,

wherein said image management device is connected to the network, and on the basis of attribute information of each of the plurality of image output and information relating to output formats of images to be re-outputted which information is stored in the storing section, said image management device generates and transmits, to the transmitting device, a signal for generating an operation screen relating to operation of re-outputting, and transmits, to image output devices which are designated, image data for which re-outputting is designated and the information relating to the output formats of the images which information is transmitted from the transmitting device.

18. An image management device according to claim 17, wherein at an operation screen, which is generated by the signal for generating an operation screen relating to operation of re-outputting, for specific attribute information, the information relating to the output format of the image cannot be changed.

19. An image output system comprising:

a plurality of image output. devices which are respectively connected to a network, and which output images on the basis of image data and information relating to output formats of the images, which image data and information are transmitted via the network;

a storing section, connected to the network, for storing image data inputted from an image data input device connected to the network, and information relating to output formats of images;

a display-and-input device at which is displayed an operation screen which is generated on the basis of a signal for generating the operation screen, and which is for input, from the operation screen which is displayed, of information which designates image output devices which are to output images, information which relates to output formats of the images, and image data which is to be re-outputted and information relating to the output formats of the images from among the image data and the information relating to the output formats of the images stored in the storing section;

a transmitting device which is connected to the network, and which transmits, via the network, information inputted from the display-and-input device, and which receives, via the network, the signal for generating the operation screen; and

an image management device which is connected to the network, and which, on the basis of attribute information of each of the plurality of image output devices and information relating to output formats of images to be re-outputted which information is stored in the storing section, generates and transmits, to the transmitting device, a signal for generating an operation screen relating to operation of re-outputting, and which transmits, to image output devices which are designated, image data for which re-outputting is designated and the information relating to the output formats of the images which information is transmitted from the transmitting device.

20. A storage medium on which is stored an image management program of an image output system which stores image data inputted from an image input device and which can, via a network, make an image output device output an image,

wherein the image management program makes the image data inputted from the image input device and information relating to an output format of an image, be stored;

and

the image management program makes image data to be outputted and a designation of information relating to an output format of an image be received, and on the basis of stored information relating to the output format of the image, makes control be effected to limit designation of information relating to an output format of an image to be outputted.