Data processing system, data processing apparatus, and data processing program product suited for transmitting and receiving data among a plurality of image processing apparatuses

• US 8,045,197 B2
• Filed: 10/21/2005
• Issued: 10/25/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies Incorporated (Konica Minolta Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies Incorporated (Konica Minolta Inc.)
• Inventors: Fukui, Kazuyuki, Ozawa, Hiroyuki, Masui, Mikio, Kaneko, Shuichiro, Ikenoue, Yoshikazu, Takayama, Norihisa
• Primary Examiner(s): Haskins; Twyler
• Assistant Examiner(s): PACHOL, NICHOLAS C
• Application Number:
  US11/254,871
• Publication Number:
  US 20070011198A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,195 Days
• Field of Search: 707/10, 715/234, 358/1.15, 358/448, 358/1.16, 711/154, 455/445, 455/456.6
• US Class Current: 358/1.15
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/608 Secure printing

Abstract

The data processing system includes a storage portion to store user data that at least includes user identification information for identifying a user, a destination designation portion to display a user identified by the user identification information stored in the storage portion so as to allow designation of the user as a destination and a data designation portion to designate data to be delivered to the destination designated by the destination designation portion, a processing method designation portion to designate a processing method for processing the data, a user identification information input portion to accept an input of user identification information, a data extracting portion to extract data whose destination is the user specified by the user identification information inputted, and a data processing portion to process the extracted data by a processing method designated by the processing method designation portion.

Claims

1. An image data processing system, comprising a plurality of image processing apparatuses each connected to a network wherein said plurality of image processing apparatuses each includes a user data storage portion to store user data including user identification information for identifying each user;

an input apparatus among said plurality of image processing apparatuses, wherein a job is inputted, includes

a destination designation portion to display a user identified by the user identification information stored in the user data storage portion so as to designate the user as a destination,

a data designation portion to designate image data for the destination designated in the destination designation portion,

a relation data generating portion to generate relation data associating location information of said designated data in said network with the user identification information of said designated user as the destination,

a storing portion to store said relation data, and

a controlling portion to cause another image processing apparatus, which is identified as a home terminal of the user designated as the destination, among said plurality of image processing apparatuses to store said relation data if the input apparatus is not identified as a home terminal of the user designated as the destination, and cause said storing portion to store said relation data if the input apparatus is the home terminal of the user designated as the destination; and

an output apparatus among said plurality of image processing apparatuses, to output the job, includes

a data processing method designation portion to designate a data processing method for the image data, wherein the data processing method is designated by the user designated as the destination,

a user identification information input portion to accept an input of user identification information,

a determination portion to determine whether or not the output apparatus is identified as a home terminal of the user corresponding to the accepted user identification information,

an acquiring portion to acquire said relation data from a terminal identified as a home terminal of the user corresponding to the accepted user identification information when said determination portion determines that the output apparatus is not the home terminal of the user corresponding to the accepted user identification information,

a data extracting portion to extract image data based on said relation data acquired from said home terminal of the user corresponding to the accepted user identification information, and

a data processing portion to process the image data extracted by the data extracting portion based on the data processing method designated in the data processing method designation portion.

2. The image data processing system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a data transmission portion to transmit the image data designated in the data designation portion to the destination designated in the destination designation portion.

3. The image data processing system according to claim 1, wherein the destination designation portion displays a user identified by the user identification information stored in another image processing apparatus so as to designate the user as a destination.

4. The image data processing system according to claim 3, said input apparatus is a computer.

5. The image data processing system according to claim 1, wherein said destination designation portion includes a recommended processing method designation portion to designate a recommended data processing method for the image data, wherein

said relation data generating portion generates relation data further associating with said recommended data processing method, and

said data processing method designation portion allows to designate the recommended data processing method associated with said data.

6. The image data processing system according to claim 1, wherein

said data processing portion, in a case where data specified by said acquired relation data is stored in its apparatus, processes said extracted data by a processing method designated by said data processing method designation portion;

and

said data processing portion, in a case where data specified by said acquired relation data is not stored in its apparatus,

transmits the data processing method for the image data designated in the data processing method designation portion.

7. The image data processing system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a data obtaining portion to obtain the image data designated in the data designation portion.

8. The image data processing system according to claim 1, wherein the data processing method for the image data designated in the data processing method designation portion is stored in association with the user identification information corresponding to the user.

9. The image data processing system according to claim 8, wherein the data processing portion automatically processes the image data based on the data processing method, stored in association with the user identification information, in response to designation of the image data.

10. The image data processing system according to claim 1, wherein the data processing method designation portion designates a protocol of a data transmission for the image data.

11. The image data processing system according to claim 1, wherein the data processing method designation portion designates an image processing for the image data and/or a post-processing for an image forming process.

12. An image data processing system comprising a plurality of image processing apparatuses connected to a network, and a computer connected to the network, wherein:

said computer includes a user data storage portion to store user data associating user identification information for identifying each user with apparatus identification information for identifying each apparatus;

an input apparatus among said plurality of image processing apparatuses, wherein a job is inputted, includes

a destination designation portion to display a user identified by the user identification information stored in the user data storage portion of said computer so as to designate the user as a destination,

a data designation portion to designate image data for the destination designated in the destination designation portion,

a relation data generating portion to generate relation data associating location information of said designated data in said network with the user identification information of said designated user as the destination,

a storing portion to store said relation data, and

a controlling portion to cause another image processing apparatus among said plurality of image processing apparatuses, which is identified as a home terminal of the user designated as the destination, to store said relation data if the input apparatus is not identified as a home terminal of the user designated as the destination, and cause said storing portion to store said relation data if the input apparatus is the home terminal of the user designated as the destination; and

an output apparatus among said plurality of image processing apparatuses, to output the job, includes,

a data processing method designation portion to designate a data processing method for the image data, wherein the data processing method is designated by the user designated as the destination;

a user identification information input portion to accept an input of user identification information,

a determination portion to determine whether or not the output apparatus is identified as a home terminal of the user corresponding to the accepted user identification information,

an acquiring portion to acquire said relation data from a terminal identified as a home terminal of the user corresponding to the accepted user identification information when said determination portion determines that the output apparatus is not the home terminal of the user corresponding to the accepted user identification information,

a data extracting portion to extract image data based on said relation data acquired from said home terminal of the user corresponding to the accepted user identification information, and

a data processing portion to process the image data extracted by the data extracting portion based on the data processing method designated in the data processing method designation portion.

13. An image data processing system including a plurality of image processing apparatuses each connected to a network, wherein:

said plurality of image processing apparatuses each includes a user data storage portion to store user data including user identification information for identifying each user;

an input apparatus among said plurality of image processing apparatuses, wherein a job is inputted, includes

a data input portion into which image data is inputted,

a relation portion to associate the image data with the user identification information stored in the user data storage portion,

a destination designation portion to designate a user identified by the user identification information associated by said relation portion as a destination,

a relation data generating portion to generate relation data associating location information of said inputted data in said network with the user identification information of said designated user as the destination,

a storing portion to store said relation data, and

a controlling portion to cause another image processing apparatus, which is identified as a home terminal of the user designated as the destination, among said plurality of image processing apparatuses to store said relation data if the input apparatus is not identified as a home terminal of the user designated as the destination, and cause said storing portion to store said relation data if the input apparatus is the home terminal of the user designated as the destination; and

an output apparatus among said plurality of image processing apparatuses, to output the job, includes,

a data processing method designation portion to designate a data processing method for the image data, wherein the data processing method is designated by the user designated as the destination,

a user identification information input portion to accept an input of user identification information,

a determination portion to determine whether or not the output apparatus is identified as a home terminal of the user corresponding to the accepted user identification information,

an acquiring portion to acquire said relation data from a terminal identified as a home terminal of the user corresponding to the accepted user identification information when said determination portion determines that the output apparatus is not the home terminal of the user corresponding to the accepted user identification information,

a data extracting portion to extract image data based on said relation data acquired from said home terminal of the user corresponding to the accepted user identification information, and

a data processing portion to process the image data extracted by the data extracting portion based on the data processing method designated in the data processing method designation portion.

14. The image data processing system according to claim 13, further comprising:

a data transmission portion to transmit the image data inputted in the data input portion to the destination designated in the destination designation portion.

15. The image data processing system according to claim 13, wherein said input apparatus is a computer.

16. The image data processing system according to claim 13, wherein said destination designation portion includes a recommended processing method designation portion to designate a recommended data processing method for the image data, wherein

said relation data generating portion generates relation data further associating with said recommended data processing method, and

said data processing method designation portion allows to designate the recommended data processing method.

17. The image data processing system according to claim 13, wherein the data processing method for the image data designated in the data processing method designation portion is stored in association with the user identification information corresponding to the user.

18. The image data processing system according to claim 17, wherein the data processing portion automatically processes the image data based on the data processing method, stored in association with the user identification information, in response to an input of the image data.

19. The image data processing system according to claim 13, wherein the data processing method designation portion designates a protocol of a data transmission for the image data.

20. The image data processing system according to claim 13, wherein the data processing method designation portion designates an image processing for the image data and/or a post-processing for an image forming process.

21. An image data processing system comprising a plurality of image processing apparatuses connected to a network, and a computer connected to the network, wherein:

said computer includes a user data storage portion to store user data associating user identification information for identifying each user with apparatus identification information for identifying a home terminal of the user;

an input apparatus among said plurality of image processing apparatuses, wherein a job is inputted, includes

a data input portion into which image data is inputted,

a relation portion to associate said inputted data with the user identification information stored in the user data storage portion,

a destination designation portion to designate a user identified by the user identification information associated by said relation portion as a destination,

a relation data generating portion to generate relation data associating location information of said inputted data in said network with the user identification information of said designated user as the destination,

a storing portion to store said relation data, and

a controlling portion to cause another image processing apparatus, which is identified as a home terminal of the user designated as the destination, among said plurality of image processing apparatuses to store said relation data if the input apparatus is not identified as a home terminal of the user designated as the destination, and cause said storing portion to store said relation data if the input apparatus is the home terminal of the user designated as the destination; and

an output apparatus among said plurality of image processing apparatuses, to output the job, includes,

a data processing method designation portion to designate a data processing method for the image data, wherein the data processing method is designated by the user designated as the destination,

a user identification information input portion to accept an input of user identification information,

a determination portion to determine whether or not the output apparatus is identified as a home terminal of the user corresponding to the accepted user identification information,

an acquiring portion to acquire said relation data from a terminal identified as a home terminal of the user corresponding to the accepted user identification information when said determination portion determines that the output apparatus is not the home terminal of the user corresponding to the accepted user identification information,

a data extracting portion to extract image data based on said relation data acquired from said home terminal of the user corresponding to the accepted user identification information, and

a data processing portion to process the image data extracted by the data extracting portion based on the data processing method designated in the data processing method designation portion.

22. An image data processing apparatus connected to a network, comprising:

a user data storage portion to store user data including user identification information for identifying each user;

in a case of functioning as an input apparatus wherein a job is inputted,

a destination designation portion to display a user identified by the user identification information stored in the user data storage portion so as to designate the user as a destination;

a data designation portion to designate image data for the destination designated in the destination designation portion;

a relation data generating portion to generate relation data associating location information of said designated data in said network with the user identification information of said designated user as the destination;

a storing portion to store said relation data;

a controlling portion to cause another image processing apparatus, which is identified as a home terminal of the user designated as the destination, connected to said network to store said relation data if the input apparatus is not identified as a home terminal of the user designated as the destination, and cause said storing portion to store said relation data if the input apparatus is the home terminal of the user designated as the destination;

in a case of functioning as an output apparatus to output a job,

a data processing method designation portion to designate a data processing method for the image data, wherein the data processing method is designated by the user designated as the destination;

a user identification information input portion to accept an input of user identification information,

a determination portion to determine whether or not the output apparatus is identified as a home terminal of the user corresponding to the accepted user identification information,

an acquiring portion to acquire said relation data from a terminal identified as a home terminal of the user corresponding to the accepted user identification information when said determination portion determines that the output apparatus is not the home terminal of the user corresponding to the accepted user identification information,

a data extracting portion to extract image data based on said relation data acquired from said home terminal of the user; and

a data processing portion to process the image data extracted by the data extracting portion based on the data processing method designated in the data processing method designation portion.

23. An image data processing apparatus connected to a network, comprising:

a user data storage portion to store user data including user identification information for identifying each user;

in a case of functioning as an input apparatus wherein a job is inputted,

a data input portion into which image data is inputted;

a relation portion to associate the image data with the user identification information stored in the user data storage portion;

a destination designation portion to designate a user identified by the user identification information as a destination;

a relation data generating portion to generate relation data

associating location information of said inputted data in said network with the

user identification information of said designated user as the destination;

a storing portion to store said relation data;

a controlling portion to cause another image processing apparatus, which is identified as a home terminal of the user designated as the destination, connected to said network to store said relation data if the input apparatus is not identified as a home terminal of the user designated as the destination, and cause said storing portion to store said relation data if the input apparatus is the home terminal of the user designated as the destination;

in a case of functioning as an output apparatus to output a job,

a data processing method designation portion to designate a data processing method for the image data, wherein the data processing method is designated by the user designated as the destination;

a user identification information input portion to accept an input of user identification information,

a determination portion to determine whether or not the output apparatus is identified as a home terminal of the user corresponding to the accepted user identification information,

an acquiring portion to acquire said relation data from a terminal identified as a home terminal of the user corresponding to the accepted user identification information when said determination portion determines that the output apparatus is not the home terminal of the user corresponding to the accepted user identification information,

a data extracting portion to extract image data based on said relation data acquired from said home terminal of the user corresponding to the accepted user identification information; and

a data processing portion to process the image data extracted by the data extracting portion based on the data processing method designated in the data processing method designation portion.

24. A nontransitory computer readable medium encoded with an image data processing program for an image data processing apparatus, the program comprising the steps of:

storing user data including user identification information for identifying each user;

in setting for image data output, displaying a user identified by the user identification information stored in the storing step and allowing to designate the user as a destination;

designating image data for the designated destination;

generating relation data associating location information of said designated data in said network with the user identification information of said designated user as the destination;

storing said relation data in the image data processing apparatus;

causing another image data processing apparatus, which is identified as a home terminal of the user designated as the destination, connected to said network to store said relation data if the image data processing apparatus is not identified as a home terminal of the user designated as the destination, and to store said relation data in the image data processing apparatus if the image data processing apparatus is the home terminal of the user designated as the destination;

in outputting image data, designating a data processing method for the image data, wherein the data processing method is designated by the user designated as the destination;

accepting an input of user identification information;

determining whether or not the image data processing apparatus is identified as a home terminal of the user corresponding to the accepted user identification information,

acquiring said relation data from a terminal identified as a home terminal of the user corresponding to the accepted user identification information when said determination portion determines that the image data processing apparatus is not the home terminal of the user corresponding to the accepted user identification information,

extracting image data based on said relation data acquired from said home terminal of the user corresponding to the accepted user identification information; and

processing the image data extracted in the extracting step based on the data processing method designated in the step of designating the data processing method.

25. A nontransitory computer readable medium encoded with an image data processing program for an image data processing apparatus, the program comprising the steps of:

storing user data including user identification information for identifying each user;

in inputting image data, accepting an input of image data;

associating the image data with the user identification information stored in the storing step;

designating a user identified by the user identification information as a destination;

generating relation data associating location information of said inputted data in said network with the user identification information of said designated user as the destination;

storing said relation data in the image data processing apparatus;

causing another image data processing apparatus, which is identified as a home terminal of the user designated as the destination, connected to said network to store said relation data if the image data processing apparatus is not identified as a home terminal of the user designated as the destination, and to store said relation data in the image data processing apparatus if the image data processing apparatus is the home terminal of the user designated as the destination;

in outputting image data, designating a data processing method for the image data, wherein the data processing method is designated by the user designated as the destination;

accepting an input of user identification information;

determining whether or not the image data processing apparatus is identified as a home terminal of the user corresponding to the accepted user identification information,

acquiring said relation data from a terminal identified as a home terminal of the user corresponding to the accepted user identification information when said determination portion determines that the image data processing apparatus is not the home terminal of the user corresponding to the accepted user identification information,

extracting image data based on said relation data acquired from said home terminal of the user corresponding to the accepted user identification information; and

processing the image data extracted in the extracting step based on the data processing method designated in the step of designating the data processing method.