Image processing system, image processing method, storage medium, and image forming apparatus and external apparatus constituting image processing system

An image forming apparatus capable of being connected to an external apparatus through a network performs setting of processing to be executed in the image forming apparatus, receives from the external apparatus a web page for setting processing to be executed in the external apparatus, and displays the web page. Subsequently, the image forming apparatus transmits to the external apparatus an input value input by a user through the displayed web page, and receives an identifier associated with the input value from the external apparatus. The image forming apparatus transmits to the external apparatus the identifier and data to be executed in the processing in the external apparatus, and forms an image of data processed by the external apparatus according to the input value and processed by the image forming apparatus according to the setting.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an image processing system in which an image forming apparatus and an external apparatus are connected to each other, an image processing method executed in the image processing system, a storage medium storing a program for executing the method, and the image forming apparatus and the external apparatus constituting the image processing system.

BACKGROUND ART

Some image forming apparatus has various printing functions such as an N-in-1 printing function for collectively printing plural (N) original images on a sheet, an insertion function for inserting an insert sheet in between printing sheets, and a combining function for combining an original image with a particular image and outputting the combined image. Such image forming apparatus is singly capable of performing a printing process while combining these printing functions.

A printing system has also been proposed that realizes a printing function not provided by an image forming apparatus by using an external apparatus (see PTLs 1 and 2, described below).

With a technique described in PTL 1, when an instruction to perform 2-in-1 copy is given by a user through an operation panel of an image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus transmits a request for 2-in-1 copy and image data of an input original to an external apparatus. In response to this, the external apparatus performs 2-in-1 processing to create image data for print and transmits the created image data to the image forming apparatus. Based on the image data for print, the image forming apparatus performs a printing process.

With a technique disclosed in PTL 2, a web page provided in an external apparatus is displayed on an operation panel of an image forming apparatus, and according to operations on the displayed web page, various applications running on the external apparatus are operable in cooperation with an image forming program running on the image forming apparatus. In a case, for example, that a translation application runs on the external apparatus, required parameters are input by a user to the web page displayed on the operation panel. Subsequently, the translation application instructs the image forming apparatus to create a scan job. The image forming apparatus reads and transmits an original image to the external apparatus. The translation application on the external apparatus performs OCR processing and translation processing on the original image received from the image forming apparatus, and instructs the image forming apparatus to create a print job. The image forming apparatus prints image data received from the external apparatus.

With the technique described in PTL 1, however, a screen resource used by the operation unit for display and a program being operable in cooperation with the image processing function of the external apparatus to control the operation unit are stored in a storage unit of the image forming apparatus, posing a problem that it is necessary to upgrade versions of the program and the screen resource of the image forming apparatus each time the image processing function of the external apparatus is version-upgraded.

With the technique described in PTL 2, applications and screen resources for inputting parameters into the applications are stored in a storage unit of external apparatus, and therefore the applications and screen resources can be version-upgraded independently of upgrading of versions of programs for the image forming apparatus. However, image processing functions such as a translation function are solely realized by the external apparatus, which poses a problem that these image processing functions cannot be combined with a printing function of the image forming apparatus.

CITATION LIST

Patent Literature

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

The present invention provides an image processing system capable of independently upgrading versions of programs for an image forming apparatus and for an external apparatus and capable of performing a process in which functions of the image forming apparatus and the external apparatus are combined, and provides an image processing method executed in the image processing system, a storage medium storing a program for executing the image processing method, and an image forming apparatus and an external apparatus that constitute the image processing system.

Solution to Problem

Accordingly, a first aspect of this invention provides an image forming apparatus configured to be capable of being connected with an external apparatus through a network, which comprises a setting unit configured to perform setting of processing to be executed in the image forming apparatus, a reception unit configured to receive from the external apparatus a web page for setting processing to be executed in the external apparatus, a display unit configured to display the web page received by the reception unit, a first transmission unit configured to transmit to the external apparatus an input value input by a user through the web page displayed by the display unit, an identifier reception unit configured to receive from the external apparatus an identifier associated with the input value, a second transmission unit configured to transmit, to the external apparatus, data to be executed in the processing in the external apparatus and the identifier received by the identifier reception unit, and an image forming unit configured to form an image of the data processed by the external apparatus according to the input value and processed by the image forming apparatus according to the setting performed by the setting unit.

Accordingly, a second aspect of this invention provides an external apparatus configured to be capable of being connected with an image forming apparatus through a network, which comprises a request reception unit configured to receive a web page request from the image forming apparatus, a web page transmission unit configured, in a case where the request reception unit receives the web page request, to transmit to the image forming apparatus a web page for performing setting of processing to be executed by the external apparatus, a storage unit configured, when an input value input by a user to the image forming apparatus through the web page is received from the image forming apparatus, to store the input value in association with a predetermined identifier, an identifier transmission unit configured to transmit the identifier to the image forming apparatus, a data reception unit configured to receive from the image forming apparatus the identifier and data to be executed in the processing in the external apparatus, a processing unit configured to process the data received by the data reception unit based on the input value associated with the identifier, and a data transmission unit configured to transmit the data processed by the processing unit to the image forming apparatus.

Accordingly, a third aspect of this invention provides an image processing system comprising the image forming apparatus described in the first aspect and the external apparatus described in the second aspect.

Accordingly, a fourth aspect of this invention provides an image processing method performed by the image processing apparatus described in the first aspect.

Accordingly, a fifth aspect of this invention provides an image processing method performed by the external apparatus described in the second aspect.

Accordingly, a sixth aspect of this invention provides an image processing method performed by the image processing system described in the third aspect.

Accordingly, a seventh aspect of this invention provides a storage medium storing a program for executing the image processing method described in the fifth aspect.

Accordingly, an eighth aspect of this invention provides a storage medium storing a program for executing the image processing method described in the sixth aspect.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to the present invention, it is possible to independently upgrade versions of programs for the image forming apparatus and the external apparatus and to perform a printing process while combining printing functions of the image forming apparatus and the external apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

In the following, one embodiment of this invention will be described in detail with reference to the appended drawings.

FIG. 1shows in block diagram the entire construction of an image processing system according to an embodiment of this invention. The image processing system of this embodiment includes an external apparatus110and an image forming apparatus120, which are connected for communication with each other via a network105. The network105can be implemented by wired LAN, wireless LAN, Internet, or the like.

The external apparatus110is typically implemented by a desktop personal computer (PC) or a notebook PC, and includes a network communication unit111, storage unit112, and control unit113. The external apparatus110includes, as hardware, a CPU, ROM, RAN, HDD, network interface, input devices (such as a keyboard and mouse), and display device (such as a liquid crystal display), none of which are illustrated.

The network communication unit111transmits and receives image data, web pages, etc. to and from the image forming apparatus120via the network interface. The storage unit112is implemented by a ROM, RAM, HDD, etc., and stores various programs for use by the external apparatus110to execute various functions of the apparatus110and various information such as web page contents, image data, and job set values. The control unit113performs overall control of operations of the external apparatus110by executing control programs read from the storage unit112.

The following processing, for example, is performed between the control unit113of the external apparatus110and the image forming apparatus120. When receiving a request for transmission of a web page from the image forming apparatus120, the control unit113receives from the image forming apparatus120image data and job set values input into a web page displayed on an operation unit126of the image forming apparatus120(hereinafter, referred to as the second job set values), and stores them into the storage unit112. Then, the control unit113performs image processing on the received image data according to the second job set values to thereby create image data, and transmits the created image data to the image forming apparatus120via the network communication unit111. The details of these processing will be described later.

For the communication between the external apparatus110and the image forming apparatus120, communication methods can be used such as an HTTP communication method suited to transmission and reception of web page request and web page and a SOAP communication method suited to transmission and reception of control instructions.

The image forming apparatus120includes a network communication unit121, storage unit122, image input unit124, image forming unit125, and operation unit126, and includes a control unit123for controlling these units. The image forming apparatus120includes, as information processing hardware, a CPU, ROM, RAM, HDD, network interface, operation keys, touch panel, etc., none of which are shown.

The network communication unit121transmits and receives image data, web pages, etc. to and from the external apparatus110via the network interface. The storage unit122includes a ROM, RAM, and HDD, an stores image data, screen resources, job set values, etc.

The image input unit124includes a scanner for reading an image of an original using a photoelectric converter element such as a CCD. Data of the read image is temporarily stored into the storage unit122. Based on the image data, the image forming unit125forms (e.g., photoelectrically) an image on a recording medium such as a recording sheet. The operation unit126includes a display device having a touch panel function, and includes input keys such as ten-key buttons. The display device is able to not only display a web page received from the external apparatus110, but also display, e.g., a job setting screen for the image forming apparatus120. According to operations on the job setting screen, settings of operations of the image forming apparatus120can be performed and a job execution instruction can be given.

The control unit123performs overall control of operations of the image forming apparatus120by executing a control program read from the storage unit122. For example, the control unit123causes the operation unit126to display a job setting screen different from a web page display screen, and stores into the storage unit122job set values entered through the job setting screen (hereinafter, referred to as the first job set values).

The following processing is performed between the control unit123and the external apparatus110. When receiving a web page from the external apparatus110via the network communication unit121, the control unit123causes the operation unit126to display the web page. When a second job set value is input to the displayed web page, the control unit123transmits the second job set value to the external apparatus110via the network communication unit121. When receiving a print start instruction from the operation unit126, the control unit123stores image data read by the image input unit124into the storage unit122, and transmits the image data to the external apparatus110via the network communication unit121. When receiving image data from the external apparatus110via the network communication unit121, the control unit123stores the received image data into the storage unit122.

In a case that a first job set value relating to image data read by the image input unit124is input to the job setting screen displayed on the operation unit126, the control unit123performs image processing on the image data according to the first job set value, and transmits the processed image data to the external apparatus110via the network communication unit121. On the other hand, in a case that image data is read by the image input unit124, is transmitted to the external apparatus110, and is image-processed by the external apparatus110according to second job set values, the control unit123is able to receive the image data from the external apparatus110via the network communication unit121and perform image processing on the received image data according to first set values.

FIG. 2shows an example of the job setting screen displayed on the operation unit126of the image forming apparatus120. InFIG. 2, reference numeral300denotes a base screen displayed on the operation unit126under the control of the control unit123before execution of printing. In a “sheet size/number of copies” display field301of the base screen300, the sheet size and the number of copies of print are displayed, which are respectively set by a user on a sheet selection screen (not shown) using ten-key buttons (not shown). In the illustrated example, A4 sheet size and ten copies of print are specified in the display field301. Reference numeral302denotes a post-processing button for setting post-processing such as sorting and stapling. When the post-processing button302is pressed, a post-processing setting screen (not shown) is displayed on which the details of contents of post-processing can be set. Reference numeral303denotes an application button303for displaying an application mode screen310, which is a first job set value setting screen, and304denotes a start button for starting a print job. When the start button309is pressed, the control unit123starts a print job.

Reference numeral310denotes the application mode screen displayed on the operation unit126by the control unit123by reading a screen resource from the storage unit122. On the application mode screen310, a job setting for image data input from the image input unit124can be performed.

Reference numerals311,312, and313respectively denote a cover sheet/sheet insertion button, image movement button, and OHP button, which are used to make job settings to set first job set values. When detecting that any of these buttons is pressed, the control unit123reads a screen resource corresponding to the pressed button from the storage unit122and causes a corresponding screen to be displayed on the display unit126.

When the cover sheet/sheet insertion button311is pressed, a cover sheet/sheet insertion setting screen (not shown) is displayed on which, e.g., whether or not a cover sheet should be added can be set and page numbers between which an insert sheet should be inserted can be set. When the image movement button312is pressed, there is displayed an image movement setting screen (not shown) on which it is possible to set, e.g., at which of the center, upper right, upper left, lower right, and lower left of the sheet the image data should be positioned for print. When the OHP button313is displayed, there is displayed an OHP setting screen (not shown) on which it is possible to set, e.g., whether or not insert sheets should be output in blank and whether or not image data which are the same as those printed on OHP sheets should be printed on insert sheets when OHP sheets are printed. These first job set values are stored into the storage unit122by the control unit123.

If an expand button314is pressed in a state where the application mode screen310is displayed, the application mode screen310is changed over to an expansion mode screen320. When a return button315is pressed, the base screen300is displayed again.

The expansion mode screen320has a browser screen321, which is a second job set value setting screen. On the browser screen321, there is displayed a web page received by the control unit123from the external apparatus110. On the browser screen321, it is possible to set an image processing job to be performed by the control unit113of the external apparatus110on image data transmitted from the image forming apparatus120to the external apparatus110.

A web page is displayed on the browser screen321(web page screen) as follows. When detecting that the expand button314is pressed, the control unit123of the image forming apparatus120reads and executes a web browser stored in the storage unit122, and requests the external apparatus110to transmit a web page to be displayed on the browser screen321. The control unit113of the external apparatus110reads the specified web page from the storage unit112and transmits it to the image forming apparatus120. The control unit123of the image forming apparatus120causes the received web page to be displayed on the browser screen321.

When detecting a user's input into the browser screen321(web page screen), the control unit123of the image forming apparatus120transmits input information to the control unit113of the external apparatus110by using HTTP. The control unit113of the external apparatus110transmits a web page corresponding to the received input information to the image forming apparatus120, and stores the input information into the storage unit112. The control unit123of the image forming apparatus120causes the operation unit126to display the browser screen321that includes buttons for setting second job set values, such as a page print/image combine button322and a form combine button323.

When the page print/image combine button322is pressed, there is displayed a web page (not shown) which is a page print/image combine setting screen on which it is possible to set, e.g., whether or not page numbers should be combined with image data and what font size and what color should be used for the page numbers if combined with the image data. When the form combine button323is pressed, there is displayed a web page (not shown) for a form combine setting screen on which it is possible to set a form image which should be combined with image data to be transmitted from the image forming apparatus120to the external apparatus110. These second job set values are stored into the storage unit112of the external apparatus110. When a confirm button324is pressed, the second job set values are fixedly determined in the external apparatus110. When a return button325is pressed, the control unit123of the image forming apparatus120closes the browser screen321and displays the application mode screen310.

As described above, in the image processing system of this embodiment, the job setting to the external apparatus110is made by inputting second job set values into the setting screen, which is displayed on the operation unit126of the image forming apparatus120by using a screen resource in the external apparatus110. The second job set values are stored into the storage unit112of the external apparatus110.

The above-described construction is advantageous in that functions provided by the external apparatus110on the second job set value setting screen can be expanded independently of programs running on the image forming apparatus120. As an example of expansion of the functions, there can be mentioned upgrading of the version of a control program or a web page for the image processing function. Since a shift is made from the first job set value setting screen (application mode screen310) to the second job set value setting screen (browser screen321), it becomes easy for the user to understand that job settings on these setting screens are performed for one print job.

In the following, specific examples of job settings (image processing) will be described. First, a description will be given of image processing performed in a case where the image movement button312on the application mode screen310is pressed.

FIGS. 3A to 3Fschematically show image processing for image movement. InFIG. 3A, reference numeral200denotes image data, and210denotes a sheet on which the image data200is printed. When the image movement button312is pressed, there is displayed an image movement setting screen (not shown) on which it is possible to set at which of the upper left, upper right, lower left, lower right, and center of the sheet210the image data200should be positioned.

If the setting is to position the image200at the upper left on the sheet210, the control unit123of the image forming apparatus120controls printing such that an upper left corner coordinate of the image data200is aligned with that of the sheet210as shown by a print result220inFIG. 3B. If the setting is to position the image200at the upper right on the sheet210, the control unit123controls printing such that an upper right corner coordinate of the image data200is aligned with that of sheet210as shown by a print result230inFIG. 3C. If the setting is to position the image200at the lower left on the sheet210, the control unit123controls printing such that a lower left corner coordinate of the image data200is aligned with that of the sheet210as shown by a print result240inFIG. 3D. If the setting is to position the image20C at the lower right on the sheet210, the control unit123controls printing such that a lower right corner coordinate of the image data200is aligned with that of the sheet210as shown by a print result240inFIG. 3E. If the setting is to position the image200at the center on the sheet210, the control unit123controls printing such that a center coordinate of the image data200is aligned with that of the sheet210as shown by a print result250inFIG. 3F.

The print settings shown inFIGS. 3B to 3Fcan each be established by the control unit123by calculating coordinates based on the image size of the image data200and the sheet size of the sheet210and by transferring to the image forming unit125pieces of information (obtained by the coordinate calculation) about print positions in the main scanning direction and sub-scanning direction, but this is not limitative. For example, the control unit123is able to overwrite the image data200on an image memory having an image size corresponding to the size of the sheet210and transfer the overwritten image data to the image forming unit125.

Next, a description will be given of image processing performed in a case where the page print/image combine button322on the browser screen321of the expansion mode screen320is pressed.

FIGS. 4A to 4Cschematically show image processing for page print/image combining. InFIG. 4A, reference numerals201,202respectively denote image data for images “A” and “B.” The image data201,202respectively correspond to image data of first and second sheets read by the image input unit124. Reference numerals203,204respectively denote page number images that represent page numbers “1” and “2” used for page print/image combining. The page numbers “1” and “2” represent first and second pages, respectively.

When the page print/image combine button322is pressed, there is displayed a page print/image combine setting screen (not shown) on which it is possible to set, e.g., a position where each page number image is combined with the corresponding image data and the size of page number images. In this example, the page number image203is combined with the image data201, and the page number image204is combined with the image data202.

FIG. 4Bshows combined results205,206obtained when the page number image is combined at a lower right position and large in size.FIG. 4Cshows combined results207,208when the page number image is combined at a lower center position and small in size. As shown inFIGS. 4B and 4C, the control unit113performs page print/image combining, while enlarging or reducing the page number image in size and changing the position where each page number image is combined with image data according to the page print/image combine setting. Items of the page print/image combining can include the color and form of page number images other than the size and combined position thereof.

FIG. 5shows in flowchart procedures of a job setting process performed by the image forming apparatus120. First, the control unit123displays the base screen300(step S1001), and then determines whether the application button303is pressed (step S1002). If the application button303is pressed (i.e., if YES to S1002), the process proceeds to step S1003. If the button303is not pressed (i.e., if NO to S1002), the process proceeds to step S1009.

In step S1003, the control unit123reads the application mode screen310from the storage unit122and causes the operation unit126to display the screen310. Then, the control unit123determines whether the expand button314is pressed (step S1004). If the expand button314is pressed (i.e., if YES to S1004), the process proceeds to step S1005. If the button314is not pressed (i.e., if NO to S1004), the process proceeds to step S1006.

In step S1005, the control unit123sets second job set values (i.e., performs an expansion setting), and proceeds to step S1006. The details of the expansion setting performed in step S1005will be described later with reference toFIG. 6. In step S1006, the control unit123determines whether any of buttons associated with first job set values, other than the expand button314, is pressed. If any of the buttons other than the expand button314is pressed (i.e., if YES to S1006), the process proceeds to step S1007. If such a button is not pressed (i.e., if NO to S1006), the process proceeds to step S1008.

In a case, for example, that it is determined in S1006that the image movement button312is pressed, the setting for image movement is performed as previously described with reference toFIG. 3, and the control unit123stores the image movement setting into the storage unit122(step S1007), whereupon the process returns to step S1006. In step S1008, the control unit123determines whether the return button315is pressed. If the button315is pressed (i.e., if YES to S1008), the process returns to step S1001. If the button315is not pressed (i.e., if NO to S1008), the process returns to step S1006. Thus, the job setting relating to the first job set values and the job setting relating to the second job set values are performed.

In step S1009, the control unit123determines whether a copy start button (not shown) on the operation unit126is pressed. If the copy start button is pressed (i.e., if YES to S1009), the process proceeds to step S1010. If the copy start button is not pressed (i.e., if NO to S1009), the process returns to step S1001. In step S1010, the control unit123performs processing (image reading task) to cause the image input unit124to read an original and store read image data into the storage unit122. Next, the control unit123performs processing (output task) to read the image data from the storage unit122and cause the image forming unit125to perform printing (step S1011), whereupon the present process is completed.

FIG. 6shows in flowchart the procedures of the expansion setting (i.e., the second job set values setting in the image forming apparatus120) performed in step S1005of the job setting process shown inFIG. 5. When the expand button314is pressed, the control unit123reads and executes a web browser stored in the storage unit122, thereby causing the operation unit126to display the expansion mode screen320(step S1101). Then, the control unit123requests the control unit113of the external apparatus110to transmit a web page for a top screen used for the expansion setting, and causes the acquired web page to be displayed as the browser screen321shown inFIG. 2(step S1102).

Next, the control unit123determines whether an expansion mode setting is input to the browser screen321(step S1103). The input of expansion mode setting refers to, e.g., the page print/image combine button322or the form combine button323being pressed on the browser screen321.

If the expansion mode setting is input (i.e., if YES to S1103), a web page that corresponds to a button pressed in order to input the expansion mode setting (e.g., a page print setting screen or an image form combine setting screen) is acquired from the external apparatus110(step S1104). When second job set values are input to the setting screen, the process returns to step S1103. If it is determined in step S1103that e.g., the page print/image combine button322is pressed, the control unit123requests the external apparatus110to transmit a web page for page print/image combine screen (not shown), and causes the web page acquired from the external apparatus110to be displayed on the browser screen321. When set values for page print/image combining previously described with reference toFIGS. 4A to 4Care input to the page print/image combine screen, the set values are transmitted to the external apparatus110(step S1104).

If the expansion mode setting is not input to the browser screen321(i.e., if NO to S1103), the control unit123determines whether it receives identifiers of the expansion mode setting (step S1105). The identifiers are for associating second job set values stored into the storage unit112by the control unit113of the external apparatus110with an image processing request from the image forming apparatus120to the external apparatus110. The details of identifiers will be described later. The control unit123cooperates with the network communication unit121to serve as an identifier reception unit that receives identifiers of the expansion mode setting from the external apparatus110. When identifiers of the expansion mode setting are received (YES to S1105), the process proceeds to step S1106. When identifiers are not received (NO to S1105), the process proceeds to step S1107.

In step S1106, the control unit123stores the received identifiers of expansion mode setting into the storage unit122, whereupon the process proceeds to step S1107. In step S1107, the control unit123determines whether the return button325is pressed. If the button325is pressed (i.e., if YES to S1107), the process proceeds to step S1108. If the button325is not pressed (i.e., if NO to S1107), the process returns to step S1103. In step S1108, the control unit123completes the web browser and makes a changeover from the expansion mode screen320to the application mode screen310, whereupon the present process is completed.

FIG. 7shows in flowchart a process for setting second job set values, which is performed by the external apparatus110. The control unit113of the external apparatus110cooperates with the network communication unit111to function as a request reception unit that receives a web page request (see, S1102inFIG. 6) from the image forming apparatus120. The control unit113determines whether it receives a web page request from the image forming apparatus120(step S2001).

When not receiving a web page request (i.e., if NO to S2001), the control unit113waits for reception thereof. When receiving a web page request (i.e., if YES to S2001), the process proceeds to step S2002. In step S2002, the control unit113functioning as a web page transmission unit reads from the storage unit112a web page for a top screen used for the expansion setting. Then, the control unit113transmits the web page to the image forming apparatus120(step S2003).

Next, the control unit113determines whether it receives an event for the web page from the image forming apparatus120(step S2004). For example, in the example shown inFIG. 2, the event for the web page refers to the page print/image combine button322or the form combine button323being pressed.

When receiving an event (i.e., if YES to S2004), the control unit113transmits to the image forming apparatus120a web page corresponding to a pressed button. Next, job set values are input to a web page for page print/form combine setting screen displayed on the display unit126of the image forming apparatus120, and are transmitted from the image forming apparatus120. When receiving the job set values, the control unit113functioning as a job set value storage unit stores the received job set values into the storage unit112(step S2005), whereupon the process returns to step S2004. In a case, for example, that the page print/image combine button322is pressed on the web page for top screen, the control unit113transmits a web page for page print/image combine screen (not shown) to the image forming apparatus120, and then receives from the image forming apparatus120a setting of page print/image combining previously described with reference toFIG. 4, and stores the setting into the storage unit112.

When not receiving an event (NO to S2004), the control unit113determines whether it receives from the image forming apparatus120an event indicating the confirm button324of the image forming apparatus120being pressed (step S2006). If the control unit113receives an event indicating the confirm button324being pressed (i.e., if YES to S2006), the process proceeds to step S2007. If the control unit113does not receive the event (i.e., if NO to S2006), the process to step S2008.

In step S2007, the control unit113assigns identifiers for identifying second job set values stored into the storage unit112in step S2005to respective ones of second job set values, and stores the identifiers into the storage unit112. The control unit113functioning as an identifier transmission unit transmits the identifiers to the image forming apparatus120, and proceeds the process to step S2008. In step S2008, the control unit113determines whether connection with the image forming apparatus120is disconnected. If the connection is disconnected (i.e., if YES to S2008), the present process is completed. If the connection is not disconnected (i.e., if NO to S2008), the process returns to step S2004.

FIG. 8shows in flowchart the procedures of the image reading task performed by the image forming apparatus120in step S1010of the job setting process (seeFIG. 5). The control unit123of the image forming apparatus120controls the image input unit124to start reading an original document and stores read image data into the storage unit122(step S1201). Then, the control unit123determines whether the last original has been read (step S1202). If image data of the last original has not been read (i.e., if NO to S1202), the process returns to S1201. If the original reading is completed (i.e., if YES to S1202), the control unit123completes the present process.

FIG. 9shows in flowchart the procedures of the output task performed by the image forming apparatus120in step S1011of the job setting process (seeFIG. 5). First, the control unit123reads image data of one page from the storage unit122(step S1301).

Next, the control unit123determines whether identifiers have been stored into the storage unit122in step S1106(seeFIG. 6) of the job setting process to thereby determine whether the expansion setting has been made (step S1302). If the expansion setting has been made (i.e., if YES to S1302), the process proceeds to step S1303. If the expansion setting has not been made (i.e., if NO to S1302), the process proceeds to step S1307.

In step S1303, the control unit123determines whether an image processing request has been issued to the external apparatus110. If an image processing request has not been issued (i.e., if NO to S1303), the process proceeds to step S1304. If an image processing request has been issued (i.e., if YES to S1303), the process proceeds to step S1305. After the image data of the first page is read in step S1301, the answer to step S1303becomes NO. For image data of the second page and subsequent pages, the answer to step S1303becomes YES and step S1304is skipped.

In step S1304, the control unit123reads identifiers from the storage unit122and transmits the identifiers to the external apparatus110, thereby making an image processing request, whereupon the process proceeds to step S1305.

In step S1305, the control unit123reads from the storage unit122image data stored into the storage unit122in S1201(seeFIG. 8)) of the job setting process, and transmits the image data to the external apparatus110. Then, the control unit123, which cooperates with the network communication unit121to function as an image data reception unit, receives from the external apparatus110image data processed by the external apparatus110(step S1306), whereupon the process proceeds to step S1307. In the image processing by the external apparatus110, the control unit113of the external apparatus110creates image data based on the page print/image combine setting received from the image forming apparatus120, as previously described with reference toFIG. 7. The details of the image processing will be described later with reference toFIG. 10.

In step S1307, the control unit123performs image processing on the image data received from the external apparatus110based on first job set values stored in step S1007(seeFIG. 5). In a case, for example, that the setting for image movement has been made, image processing for image movement is performed as described with reference toFIGS. 3 and 5.

Next, the control unit123controls the image forming unit125to print image data on a sheet (step S1308), and determines whether printing for all the pages is completed (step S1309). It printing for all the pages is not completed (i.e., if NO to S1309), the process return to step S1301. If printing for all the pages is completed (i.e., if YES to S1309), the process proceeds to step S1310.

In step S1310, the control unit123determines whether identifiers have been stored into the storage unit122in step S1106(seeFIG. 6) of expansion setting in the job setting process to thereby determine whether the expansion setting has been made. If the expansion setting has been made (i.e., if YES to S1310), the process proceeds to step S1311. If the expansion setting has not been made (i.e., if NO to S1310), the process is completed. In step S1311, the control unit123notifies the external apparatus110of completion of the image processing request, and completes the present process.

FIG. 10shows in flowchart image processing performed by the external apparatus110based on second job set values. First, the control unit113of the external apparatus110determines whether it receives an image processing request transmitted from the control unit123of the image forming apparatus120in step S1304(seeFIG. 9) of the output task in the job setting process (step S2101). If the control unit113receives an image processing request (i.e., if YES to S2101), the process proceeds to step S2102. If the control unit113does not receive an image processing request (i.e., if NO to S2101), it waits for reception thereof. In step S2102, the control unit113reads from the storage unit112second job set values (page print/image combine setting values in this example) corresponding to received identifiers.

Next, the control unit113receives image data from the image forming apparatus120(step S2103), and performs image processing on the image data based on second job set values (step S2104). After completion of the image processing, the control unit113functioning as an image data transmission unit transmits the processed image data to the image forming apparatus120(step S2105).

After a printing process in the image forming apparatus120is subsequently completed, the control unit123of the image forming apparatus120notifies completion of the image processing request to the external apparatus110(seeFIG. 9). The control unit113of the external apparatus110determines whether it receives a notification of completion of the image processing request from the image forming apparatus120(step S2106). When the control unit113receives the completion notification (i.e., if YES to S2106), the present process is completed. When the control unit113does not receive the completion notification (i.e., if NO to S2106), the process returns to step S2103.

Aspects of the present invention can also be realized by a computer of a system or apparatus (or devices such as a CPU or MPU) that reads out and executes a program recorded on a memory device to perform the functions of the above-described embodiment, and by a method, the steps of which are performed by a computer of a system or apparatus by, for example, reading out and executing a program recorded on a memory device to perform the functions of the above-described embodiment. For this purpose, the program is provided to the computer for example via a network or from a recording medium of various types serving as the memory device (e.g., computer-readable medium).

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

110External apparatus113Control unit of external apparatus120Image forming apparatus123Control unit of image forming apparatus126Operation unit310Application mode screen320Expansion mode screen