Image processing apparatus and method

Abstract: An image processing apparatus of a facsimile or the like is constructed by an input unit such as an image reader for reading and inputting image data of originals, a memory unit for storing the image data inputted by the input unit into a memory medium such as a magnetooptical disk, and an output unit for outputting a sheet for searching the image data stored in the memory medium. The output unit outputs a sheet to which information to specify the image data stored in the memory unit and a marking area to designate a destination when the image data is transmitted are added. The memory unit stores the image data of a plurality of pages as one file into the memory unit. The output unit also outputs a sheet to which information to specify the file and a marking area to designate the telephone number of the destination are added.

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus for processing image data and, more particularly, to an image processing apparatus for enabling image data stored in a memory medium to be easily searched. Related Background Art Hitherto, in an apparatus of such a kind, for example, a digital copying apparatus, an apparatus having a function for storing read original image as a file into a memory medium is known. As mentioned above, the image stored in the memory medium is searched and read out by predetermined operations and recorded and outputted. In this case, there is a case where a search sheet such as a mark sheet or the like is used for searching the image stored in the memory medium. As disclosed in U.S. Patent Application No. 08/061,743 filed on May 17, 1993, now published as US-A-5,579,419 on November 26, 1996, a mark sheet on which an index of files stored in the memory medium has been recorded is outputted by a predetermined operation, a marking is executed to select a desired file and, after that, the mark sheet is read out by a reader. Thus, the desired file is searched from the plurality of files stored in the memory medium and can be printed out. EP-A-0 398 184 discloses an electronic filing apparatus which includes a determining device for receiving an image signal to determine whether or not an image represented by the image signal is an image of an OMR sheet with a predetermined form stored in the filing apparatus. In case of searching the image by using the mark sheet or the like and outputting as mentioned above, however, works for outputting the mark sheet to which the index has been recorded and, further, marking to select the file are necessary each time. There is also a problem such that an output format of the file cannot be designated in this instance. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the invention is to provide an image processing apparatus which can solve the above-mentioned problems. Another object of the invention is to provide an image processing apparatus which can search a desired file by a simple operation. The invention is set out in the claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a block diagram for explaining a construction of a multiplex image forming apparatus showing an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view showing a construction of a reader unit and a printer unit shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a circuit block diagram showing a signal processing construction of the reader unit 1 shown in Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a first mark sheet for search and output in the multiplex image forming apparatus according to the invention; Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of an output processing procedure of the first mark sheet for search and output in the multiplex image forming apparatus according to the invention; Figs. 6 to 8 are flowcharts each showing an example of a processing procedure for search and output of an image by reading out the first mark sheet for search and output; Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a second mark sheet for the search and output in the multiplex image forming apparatus according to the invention; and Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure for the search and output of the image by reading out the second mark sheet for search and output. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the invention will now be described hereinbelow with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a block diagram for explaining a construction of a multiplex image forming apparatus in which a plurality of functions are multiplexed and showing an embodiment of the invention. In the diagram, reference numeral 1 denotes an image input device (hereinlater, referred to as a reader unit) for reading out an original image and converting the image to image data; 2 an image output device (hereinafter, referred to as a printer unit) which has a plurality of kinds of recording paper cassettes and records and outputs the image data as a visible image onto a recording paper by a print command; and 3 a peripheral equipment control device which is electrically connected to the reader unit 1 and has various functions. The peripheral equipment control device 3 comprises: a facsimile unit 4 for performing a facsimile communication; a file unit 5 for storing the image data as a file and for searching a file stored; an external memory device 6 connected to the file unit 5; a computer interface unit 7 for connecting with an external computer; a formatter unit 8 for forming a visible image from information sent from the external computer; an image memory unit 9 for accumulating the information from the reader unit 1 and for temporarily accumulating the information sent from the external computer; a core unit 10 for controlling functions of the above-mentioned units 1 to 9; and the like. The facsimile unit 4 comprises a CPU (not shown), an RAM (including a dual-port RAM, not shown), and the like and also comprises a communication control circuit for executing a facsimile communication process on the basis of a control instruction from the core unit 10, an NCU, a modem, and the like. The facsimile unit 4 can execute a communicating process of the G3 standard in parallel together with other function processes. As an option, a hard disk (HD) for storing received information can be connected to the facsimile unit 4. Further, the facsimile unit 4 and core unit 10 can communicate through a connector (not shown). The file unit 5 comprises a CPU (not shown), an RAM (including a dual-port RAM, not shown) and the like and also comprises an expansion circuit, a compression circuit, a variable magnification circuit, an SCSI controller, and the like for registering original image information as a file to a memory medium such as a magnetooptical disk or the like inserted to the external memory device 6 and for searching the registered original image information in accordance with a search instruction. A DMA controller controls an access to the RAM. The file unit 5 and core unit 10 can communicate through a connecter (not shown). The magnetooptical disk set in the external memory device 6 is a detachable memory medium and can store a plurality of files. Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view showing a construction of the reader unit 1 and printer unit 2 shown in Fig. 1. The construction and operation will now be described hereinbelow. Originals put on an original supporting base plate of a document feeder 101 are sequentially conveyed one by one onto an original supporting glass plate 102. When the original is conveyed, a lamp 103 of a scanner unit 104 is turned on and the original is exposed and scanned while moving the scanner unit 104. A reflection light from the original is sequentially reflected by mirrors 105, 106, and 107 and passes through a lens 108 and, after that, an image is formed on a CCD image sensor unit 109 (hereinafter, referred to as a CCD) having a color separating function. Fig. 3 is a circuit block diagram showing a signal processing construction of the reader unit 1 shown in Fig. 2. The construction and operation will be described hereinbelow. The reflection light (image information) inputted to the CCD 109 is photoelectrically converted to electric signals of red, green, and blue colors. Analog color image information from the CCD 109 is amplified by amplifiers 110R, 110G, and 110B in accordance with input signal levels of an A/D converter 111. Output signals (digital color image information) from the A/D converter 111 are supplied to a shading circuit 112, by which a light distribution variation of the lamp 103 and a sensitivity variation of the CCD are corrected. Signals from the shading circuit 112 are supplied to a Y signal generation and color detection circuit 113 and an external interface switching circuit 119. The Y signal generation and color detection circuit 113 obtains a (Y) signal (luminance signal) by calculating the signals from the shading circuit 112 on the basis of the following equation (1). Y = 0.3R + 0.6G + 0.1B Further, the apparatus has a color detection circuit for separating three colors into seven colors from the R, G, and B signals and for outputting signals corresponding to the seven colors. An output signal from the Y signal generation and color detection circuit 113 is supplied to a zoom/repeat circuit 114. A zooming (variable magnifying) process in the subscanning direction is performed by a change in scanning speed of the scanner unit 104 and the zooming process in the main scanning direction is performed by the zoom/repeat circuit 114. A plurality of same images can be outputted by the zoom/repeat circuit 114. A contour/edge emphasizing circuit 115 obtains edge emphasized and contour information by emphasizing high frequency components of a signal from the zoom/repeat circuit. A signal from the contour/edge emphasizing circuit 115 is supplied to a marker area judgment and contour generation circuit 116 and a patterning, fattening, masking, and trimming circuit 117. The marker area judgment and contour generation circuit 116 reads out portions written by a marker pen of a designated color on the original and generates contour information of the read marker. The patterning, fattening, masking, and trimming circuit 117 executes processes such as fattening, masking, and trimming to the contour information and also executes a patterning of the color image on the basis of the color detection signal from the Y signal generation and color detection circuit 113. An output signal from the patterning, fattening, masking, and trimming circuit 117 is supplied to a laser driver circuit 118 and the signal subjected to the various processes is converted to a signal for driving a laser. A signal of the laser driver circuit 118 is supplied to the printer unit 2, by which a visible image is formed. The external interface switching circuit 119 for interfacing with the peripheral equipment control device will now be described. When the image information is outputted from the reader unit 1 to the peripheral equipment control device 3, the external interface switching circuit 119 outputs the image information from the patterning, fattening, masking, and trimming circuit 117 to a connector 120. When the image information from the peripheral equipment control device 3 is inputted to the reader unit 1, the external interface switching circuit 119 supplies the image information from the connector 120 to the Y signal generation and color detection circuit 113. Each of the above image information is processed by an instruction of a CPU circuit unit (CPU) 122. An area generation circuit 121 generates various timing signals necessary for the above image processes from values set by the CPU circuit unit 122. A communication with the peripheral equipment control device 3 is executed by using a communicating function provided in the CPU circuit unit 122. A sub-CPU 123 controls a console unit 124 and communicates with the peripheral equipment control device 3 by using a communicating function provided in the sub-CPU 123. A construction and the operation of the printer unit 2 will be described hereinbelow with reference to Fig. 2. An image signal supplied to the printer unit 2 is inputted to an exposure control unit 201 and is converted to a photosignal. A photosensitive material 202 is irradiated in accordance with the image signal. A latent image formed on the photosensitive material 202 by the irradiation light is developed by a developing unit 203. A transfer paper is conveyed from a transfer paper mounting unit 204 or 205 at a timing matched with a timing of the formation of the latent image and the developed image is transferred by a transfer unit 206. The transferred image is fixed onto the transfer paper by a fixing unit 207. After that, the paper is ejected to the outside of the apparatus by a paper ejecting unit 208. When a sorting function is selected, the transfer paper ejected from the paper ejecting unit 208 is sorted to each bin by a sorter 220. When the sorting function is not selected, the transfer paper is ejected to the top bin of the sorter. A method of outputting images which were sequentially read onto double sides of one sheet of output paper will now be described. The output paper on which the image was fixed by the fixing unit 207 is once conveyed to the paper ejecting unit 208. After that, a roller is reversely rotated, the conveying direction of the paper is reverted, thereby conveying the paper to a re-feed transfer paper stacking unit 210 through a conveying direction switching member 209. When the next original is prepared, although the original image is read out in a manner similar to the above processes, since the transfer paper is fed from the re-feed transfer paper stacking unit 210, the original images of total two sheets can be consequently formed on the front and back surfaces of the same sheet. A construction and the operation of a system of the peripheral equipment control device 3 shown in Fig. 1 will be described hereinbelow. The peripheral equipment control device 3 is connected to the reader unit 1 by a cable. The core unit 10 in the peripheral equipment control device 3 controls signals and functions. The peripheral equipment control device 3 have therein: the facsimile unit 4 for executing facsimile transmission/reception; file unit 5 for converting various original image information into electric signals and storing into a memory medium such as a magnetooptical disk or the like; formatter unit 8 for developing code information from the computer to image information; computer interface unit 7 for interfacing with the computer; image memory unit 9 for accumulating information from the reader unit 1 and for temporarily accumulating information from the computer; and core unit 10 for controlling the above-mentioned functions. [First process] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a first mark sheet for search and output in the multiplex image forming apparatus according to the invention. In Fig. 4, reference character E1 denotes a code portion to which code information for image search is added. In the code portion E1, information for identifying the type of the mark sheet, information showing date when the disk in which the image has been stored is formed (formatted), and information for specifying the image stored in the disk are encoded and patterns like bar codes or the like such that the code can be judged by reading out the code information are added. Combinations of the above code information are controlled so that a plurality of same codes don't exist. That is, all of files of the image data stored in the disk of the same date are set to different document numbers. Reference character E2 denotes a portion to which a reduction image of one page of the image stored in the disk is added. Reference character E3 indicates a portion in which when the user stores the image in the disk, information received from the console unit 124 is recorded as character information. 'Disk name' is a name of the disk named when the disk is created. 'document name' (index 1), 'document: number' (index 2), 'index 3', and 'index 4' are inputted as indices which are used when the user searches by an operation from the console unit 124. When the user does nothing at the time of storing the image, the above items are blank. (In the example of Fig. 4, since nothing is inputted to the indices 3 and 4, they are blank.) Since the document number here and the number of the information for specifying the image included in the code portion E1 are different, even if the user doesn't set the document number, the image can be specified by the information added to the code portion. Reference character E4 denotes a portion to which the information set by the file unit 5 is recorded as character information. 'Making date' is year/month/day when the image has been stored as a file into the disk. 'Renewal date' is year/month/day when the contents of the file are changed (including deletion and addition). 'Pages' denotes the number of pages of the image in the file. Reference character E5 denotes a marking area for instructing printing conditions when the image is printed by the printer unit 2. A plurality of number of image files are printed onto the transfer papers, the transfer papers are sorted by the sorter, the ejected transfer papers are stapled, or the images are printed onto double sides of the transfer paper and the printed double-side transfer paper is ejected out. A process of (n-inch-line) such that images of (n) pages are reduced and transferred and copied onto one transfer paper is also executed. When nothing is marked in E5, the image is transferred and copied onto one side of one transfer paper per image of one page and the transfer paper is ejected out. Reference character E6 indicates a marking area for designating the number of image files to be outputted. When nothing is marked in E6, the number of output files is set to one. Reference character E7 denotes a marking area which is marked when the images are facsimile transmitted. A resolution (normal: 200 x 100 dpi, fine: 200 x 200 dpi, super fine: 200 x 400 dpi, ultra fine: 400 x 400 dpi) at the time of the transmission can be designated. When the resolution is not designated in E7, the image is transmitted at the normal resolution. Reference character E8 denotes a marking area for instructing a partner telephone number in case of the facsimile transmission. Reference character E9 denotes a marking area for designating a file processing mode for storing the image into the disk. 'Additional recording' is an area which is marked when an image is additionally stored into the same file as that of the relevant image. 'Copy' is an area which is marked when the file of the image is read out from the disk and is stored into another disk. The functions can be executed by marking the marking areas of E5 to E9 by a pencil or the like. The output mode is determined from the contents of E5 to E9. Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure for outputting the first mark sheet for search and output in the multiplex image forming apparatus according to the invention. Reference numerals (1) to (11) show processing steps. The sheet type of the mark sheet which is outputted here is preliminarily selected by the console unit 124. First, when originals are put on the document feeder 101 and a start button is depressed, the originals are read out one by one by the reader unit 1 (step 1), image data is sent to the core unit 10 shown in Fig. 1 and is binarized and sent to the file unit 5. In this instance, search conditions such as document name, document number, and the like can be set from the console unit 124 before depressing the start button. The file unit 5 stores the read image data as a file into the magnetooptical disk set in the external memory device 6. The file unit 5 also stores the items such as document number, document name, and the like which are unique to every document set by the user and the items such as making date and the like set by the file unit 5 in correspondence to the images, respectively (step 2). A check is made to see whether all of the originals put on the document feeder 101 have been read out or not (step 3). Steps (1) to (3) are repeated until no original remains on the document feeder 101. In this case, the originals put on the document feeder 101 are stored as one file. After reading out all of the originals, the core unit 10 encodes the information indicative of the sheet type (step 4) and edits the information into the code portion E1 shown in Fig. 4 on the image memory unit 9. The core unit 10 also encodes the date when the disk is made (formatted) (step 5) and edits into the code portion E1 in Fig. 4 on the image memory unit 9. In the embodiment, the information indicative of the sheet type is used for identifying the kind of the mark sheet read out from a plurality of kinds of mark sheets at the time of the searching process. The unique document number added to the stored document file is encoded (step 6) and is edited into the code portion E1 in Fig. 4 on the image memory unit 9. The image obtained by reducing the image of the first page of the stored document file is formed (step 7) and is edited into the code portion E2 of the reduction image of one page in Fig. 4 on the image memory unit 9. The items such as document name and the like set by the user by the console unit 124 are edited as character information into the portion E3 of the document name and the like in Fig. 4 on the image memory unit 9 (step 8). The items such as making date of the disk and the like set by the file unit 5 are edited as character information into the portion E4 of the making date and the like in Fig. 4 on the image memory unit 9 (step 9). The mark portion E5 for instructing the operations such as double sides, sorting, and the like; a portion E6 of a number of files designation; a portion E7 of a facsimile mode designation; a portion E8 of a telephone number designation; and a portion E9 of a file process designation are edited as blank marking areas on the image memory unit 9 (step 10). The sheet of Fig. 4 _ edited on the image memory unit 9 is printed out (step 11). The recording process is finished in this manner. With reference to a flowchart shown in Fig. 6, processing operations for image search and output based on the first mark sheet for search and output generated from the printer unit 2 shown in Fig. 1 will now be described. Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the first processing procedure for image search and output by reading out the first mark sheet for search and output in the multiplex image forming apparatus according to the invention. Reference numerals (1) to (13) denote processing steps. When the file mode is selected from the console unit 124 and the mark sheet is put on the document feeder 101 and the start button is depressed, the mark sheet is read out by the reader unit 1 (step 1). The read image data is sent to the core unit 10 and binarized and sent to the file unit 5. The core unit 10 analyzes the code of the sheet type of the code portion E1 and discriminates the sheet type of the read mark sheet (step 2). The core unit 10 also analyzes the code of the disk format date of the code portion E1 and discriminates the disk format date (step 3). The core unit 10 compares the discriminated disk format date with the disk format date of the disk set in the external memory device 6, thereby judging whether the disk is OK (disk format dates coincide) or not (step 4). If the disk format dates differ, an error message is displayed in step (13) and the processing routine is finished. On the other hand, if YES in step (4), the core unit 10 further analyzes the code of the document number of the code portion E1, discriminates the document number (step 5), and sends a control instruction to search the relevant document to the file unit 5. The file unit 5 searches the document having the discriminated document number (step 6). Subsequently, the mark portions E5 to E9 are analyzed and the operation instructions marked are discriminated (step 7). A check is made to see if the instructed operations relate to the printing conditions such as double sides, sorting, and the like in E5 (step 8). If YES, the relevant printing processes are executed (step 9) and the processing routine is finished. On the other hand, if NO in step (8), a check is made to see if they are operation instructions regarding the facsimile transmission of E7 and E8 (step 10). If YES, the facsimile transmitting process is executed (step 11) and the processing routine is finished. On the other hand, when NO in step (10), the filing process by the instruction of E9 is performed (step 12) and the processing routine is finished. [Second process] Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a second processing procedure for image search and output by reading out the first mark sheet for search and output in the multiplex image forming apparatus according to the invention. Reference numerals (1) to (16) show processing steps. Since steps (1) to (7) correspond to similar steps (1) to (7) in Fig. 6, steps (8) to (16) will be described hereinbelow. After finishing step (7) shown in Fig. 6, the contents of the discriminated operations are displayed on a display provided for the console unit 124 (step 8). The apparatus waits for a depression of the key of the console unit 124 (step 9). When the key is depressed, a check is made to see if the depressed key is the start key (step 10). If NO, a changing process corresponding to the depressed key is executed (step 11). The operation instructed by the sheet shown in Fig. 4 is changed and the processing routine is returned to step (9). On the other hand, if the start key is judged in step (10), a check is made to see if the operation instructed by the mark sheet relates to the printing conditions such as double sides, sorting, and the like of E5 (step 12). If YES, the relevant printing process is executed (step 13) and the processing routine is finished. On the other hand, when NO in step (12), a check is made to see if the operation instruction relates to the facsimile transmission of E7 and E8 (step 14). If YES, the facsimile transmitting process is executed (step 15) and the processing routine is finished. On the other hand, when NO in step (14), the filing process by the instruction of E9 is executed (step 16) and the processing routine is finished. [Third process] Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a third processing procedure for image search and output by reading out the first mark sheet for search and output in the multiplex image forming apparatus according to the invention. Reference numerals (1) to (16) show processing steps. Since steps (1) to (7) correspond to similar steps (1) to (7) in Fig. 6, steps (8) to (16) will be described hereinbelow. After finishing step (7) shown in Fig. 6, a check is made to see whether the number of marks in the marking areas of the read mark sheet is equal to '0' or not from the discrimination result (step 8). When it is equal to '0', one document file specified by the code of the code portion E1 is printed on one side of each sheet (step 9) and the processing routine is finished. On the other hand, if NO in step (8), a check is made to see if the instructed operation relates to the printing conditions such as double sides, sorting, and the like of E5 (step 10). If YES, the printing process is executed (step 11). A check is made to see whether an automatic output of the mark sheet has been set by the console unit 124 or not (step 12). If NO, the processing routine is finished as it is. If YES, processes for printing the mark sheet shown in Fig. 4 are executed in a manner similar to steps (4) to (11) in Fig. 5 (step 13) and the processing routine is finished. On the other hand, if NO in step (10), a check is made to see if the operation instruction relates to the facsimile transmission (step 14). If YES, the facsimile transmitting process is executed (step 15) and the processing routine is finished. When NO in step (14), the filing process is executed and the processing routine advances to step (12). [Fourth process] Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a second mark sheet for search and output in the multiplex image forming apparatus according to the invention and portions similar to those in Fig. 4 are designated by the same reference numerals. Fig. 9 particularly corresponds to a mark sheet for instructing the facsimile transmission. In the diagram, reference character E10 denotes a portion for designating a destination for the facsimile transmission. Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a fourth processing procedure for image search and output by reading out the second mark sheet for search and output in the multiplex image forming apparatus according to the invention. Reference numerals (1) to (10) show processing steps. When the mark sheet is outputted, the entry portion E10 for the destination is edited in addition to the edition of the mark portions and the like. Operations when the document file is outputted are executed as follows. When the file mode is selected by the console unit 124 and the mark sheet is put on the document feeder 101 and the start button is depressed, the mark sheet shown in Fig. 9 is read out (step 1). The image data is sent to the core unit 10 and is binarized and sent to the file unit 5. The core unit 10 analyzes the code of the sheet type of the code portion E1 of the read mark sheet and discriminates the sheet type (step 2). The code of the disk format date of the code portion E1 is analyzed. The disk format date on the sheet, namely, the disk format date of the disk in which the document files have been stored is discriminated (step 3) and is compared with the disk format date of the disk set in the external memory device 6. Whether those disk format dates coincide (disk OK) or not is judged (step 4). When it is judged that the disk format dates are different, an error message is displayed (step 10) and the processing routine is finished. On the other hand, if YES in step (4), the core unit 10 analyzes the code of the document number of the code portion E1 shown in Fig. 9, discriminates the document number (step 5), and sends a search control instruction to the file unit 5. The file unit 5 searches the document file having the discriminated document number from the disk set in the external memory device 6 (step 6) and finds out the document having-the discriminated document number. The mark portions of E7 and E8 shown in Fig. 9 are analyzed and the operation instruction marked is discriminated (step 7). The entry portion E10 for the destination is taken out and synthesized and edited with a stencil paper of the invoice recorded in the disk (step 8), thereby forming the invoice. The formed invoice and the document searched in step (6) are facsimile transmitted (step 9) and the processing routine is finished. In the case where the apparatus has an OCR function, it is also possible to recognize the destination by characters and to convert it to a code based on the shift JIS code or the like and to form the invoice by a font designated by the user. It is also possible to recognize the facsimile number by characters and to dial it. As mentioned above, when the image data is stored into the disk, the mark sheet for searching the image is outputted, thereby enabling the stored image data to be easily read out later by using the mark sheet. Since the marking areas for designating the output modes (sorting, staple, double sides, 4-inch-line, 9-inch-line, 16-inch-line, facsimile) are provided for the mark sheet, the image data can be outputted in the mode marked in the marking areas. The actual search and output can be executed by a simple operation such that the mark sheet is read out by the reader, or the like. Since the code information (E1) for specifying the image data, the character information (E3, E4) regarding the image data, and the reduction image (E2) of the first page of the image data are displayed on the mark sheet, the contents of the file can be easily judged. By constructing the apparatus in a manner such that the operation contents by the contents marked in E5 to E8 in the mark sheet are discriminated and the discriminated contents are displayed on the display unit provided for the console unit 124 and can be changed by a manual operation by the operator, even when there is an erroneous marking or an erroneous reading of the mark, it can be corrected. When there is no mark in the marking areas, by outputting the image data in a default mode, the image data of a desired file can be obtained without marking. After the search and output by the mark sheet were finished, by again outputting the mark sheet, a new mark sheet can be obtained after the mark sheet was used. In case of facsimile transmitting the image data stored, the destination (E10) written in the mark sheet is taken out and can be transmitted as an invoice. Although the invention has been described on the basis of the preferred embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the foregoing embodiments but many modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the appended claims of the invention. An image processing apparatus of a facsimile or the like is constructed by an input unit such as an image reader for reading and inputting image data of originals, a memory unit for storing the image data inputted by the input unit into a memory medium such as a magnetooptical disk, and an output unit for outputting a sheet for searching the image data stored in the memory medium. The output unit outputs a sheet to which information to specify the image data stored in the memory unit and a marking area to designate a destination when the image data is transmitted are added. The memory unit stores the image data of a plurality of pages as one file into the memory unit. The output unit also outputs a sheet to which information to specify the file and a marking area to designate the telephone number of the destination are added.

Claims: An image processing apparatus comprising: input means (1) for inputting image data; memory means (5, 6) for storing the input image data and for storing information (E1-E4) for specifying the image data to a detachable memory medium which can be replaced; searching means (5) for searching the image data stored in the detachable memory medium based on a search sheet; and output means (2) for outputting an image, characterized in that said output means outputs a search sheet image to which the information (E1-E4) for specifying the image data and marking areas ((E5-E9) to be marked by a user are added, for searching the image data in the detachable memory medium by said searching means in a case where the image data is stored in the detachable memory medium by said storing means, the information (E1-E4) for specifying the image data stored in the detachable memory medium comprising a reduction image (E2) of the image data and information (E1, E3) for specifying the detachable memory medium which stores the image data to be searched by said searching means. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said memory means stores image data of a plurality of pages as one file into said detachable memory medium, and said output means outputs the search sheet image to which the information for specifying said file are added. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising reading means (1) for reading out the search sheet image output by said output means, wherein said searching means searches the image data stored in said detachable memory medium by reading out said information added to the search sheet image by said reading means. An apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising transmitting means (4) for transmitting the image data searched by said searching means, and wherein by reading out a mark for designating a destination, which is written in said marking areas, by said reading means, said transmitting means transmits the image data to the discriminated destination. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said output means outputs the search sheet image in accordance with the completion of the storage of the image data input by said input means into the detachable memory medium. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said output means outputs one sheet for searching the file constructed by said image data of said plurality of pages. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the marking areas comprise an area for designating an output mode in case of outputting the image data specified by said information added, and said output means outputs the image data in an output mode discriminated by reading out the mark written in said area by said reading means. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said output mode is a mode for printing the image data searched by said searching means onto double sides of a recording paper. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said output mode is a mode for stapling and outputting recording papers on which the image data searched by said searching means is printed. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein, when there is no mark in the marking area for designating said output mode, said output means outputs the image data searched by said searching means in a predetermined output mode. A method of forming a sheet image, for searching image data stored in a detachable memory medium, comprising the steps of: storing input image data in the detachable memory medium; generating information (E1-E4) for specifying the input image data stored in said storing step; and searching the image data stored in said storing step based on a search sheet, characterized by the steps of: generating information (E1, E3) for specifying the detachable memory medium which stores the image data to be searched in said searching step; generating a reduction image (E2) of the image data; and outputting a search sheet image to which the generated information, the reduction image and marking areas (E5-E9) to be marked by a user are added, for searching the image data in the detachable memory medium in said searching step in a case where the image data is stored in the detachable memory medium in said storing step. A method according to claim 11, wherein image data of a plurality of pages are stored as one file into said detachable memory medium, and the search sheet image is output to which the information for specifying said file are added. A method according to claim 11, further comprising the step of: reading out the search sheet image output in said outputting step, wherein the image data stored in said detachable memory medium are searched by reading out said information added to the search sheet image in said reading step. A method according to claim 13, further comprising the step of : transmitting the image data searched in said searching step, and wherein by reading out a mark for designating a destination, which is written in said marking areas, in said reading step, the image data are transmitted to the discriminated destination. A method according to claim 11, wherein the search sheet image is output in accordance with the completion of the storage of the image data into the detachable memory medium. A method according to claim 12, wherein one sheet for searching the file constructed by said image data of said plurality of pages is output. A method according to claim 13, wherein the marking areas comprise an area for designating an output mode in case of outputting the image data specified by said information added, and the image data are output in an output mode discriminated by reading out the mark written in said area in said reading step. A method according to claim 17, wherein said output mode is a mode for printing the image data searched in said searching step onto double sides of a recording paper. A method according to claim 17, wherein said output mode is a mode for stapling and outputting recording papers on which the image data searched in said searching step is printed. An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein, when there is no mark in the marking area for designating said output mode, the image data searched by said searching means are output in a predetermined output mode.

Inventors: SHIGERU JINNAI, SHIGERU, JINNAI
Applicants: CANON KK, CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Application year: 1995
Main classification: H04N1
IPC codes: H04N1, B41J29