Abstract:
An image processing apparatus that allows accumulated image data and print control data to be transferred to another image processing apparatus and that may improve user convenience. The image processing apparatus is communicatively connected to another image processing apparatus. A storage unit stores input image data in a first format. A reception unit receives from the another image processing apparatus information indicating a format of image data capable of being analyzed by the another image processing apparatus. An identification unit identifies, based on the information received by the reception unit, software for converting the image data from the first format to another format of image data capable of being analyzed by the another image processing apparatus. A transmission unit transmits the image data stored in the storage unit and the software identified at the identification unit and information indicating a location where the image data is stored in said storage unit to the another image processing apparatus.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and a method of controlling the same, and a program thereof, and more particularly, to an image processing apparatus and a method of controlling the same, and a program thereof in a print data processing system that comprises a plurality of image processing apparatuses connected to one another through a communication medium, and that provides functionality for mutually transmitting image data and control information for printing among image processing apparatuses. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     With recent digitization efforts in copying machines, complex machines with multiple functions have come into practical use. Such complex machines have multiple functions such as facsimile transmission/reception through scanner units and printer units or printout of the expanded PDL (Page Description Language) data transmitted from computer devices, etc. 
     In addition to a single function, such as a copying machine function, a facsimile function, or a PDL print function, the complex machines are configured to be operable between multiple functions including facsimile-transmission of PDL expanded images, etc. 
     Further, when the complex machines are connected to devices such as computers through LANs (Local Area Networks), they are configured to support functions available to such devices. 
     In addition, the complex machines are provided with a mass storage hard disk for accumulating image data, which allows image data, such as images read from scanners, PDL expanded images, or documents received by facsimile, to be input to the hard disk, and also allows images/documents accumulated in the hard disk to be managed as files. 
     Further, in addition to the image data, the complex machines can also accumulate and manage a print format in printing as well as print control data in post-print process in the hard disk together with the image/document files. 
     An example of the above-mentioned technology is disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication (Kokai) H10-187368. 
     Since a large capacity of image data is accumulated in the hard disk, the complex machines compress such image data in a manner that image data may be expanded at each complex machine and increased memory efficiency may be provided before saving to the hard disk, instead of accumulating the original image data such as bitmap images. 
     However, a problem arises when image/document files are saved to the hard disk with different compression schemes for complex machines: the image/document files cannot be expanded if image data is transferred to those complex machines with a different compression scheme, and thus the image data cannot be transferred to another complex machine. 
     On the other hand, another problem arises with respect to the above-mentioned print control data: print control data cannot be transferred to another complex machine because there is no guarantee that, not to mention the complex machines with a different compression scheme, even those with the same compression scheme may operate in a similar way to the complex machines with accumulated image data, depending on the implementation conditions of processing devices after printing, etc. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides an image processing apparatus and a method of controlling the same, and a program thereof that allows accumulated image data and print control data to be transferred to another image processing apparatus and that may improve user convenience. 
     In a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an image processing apparatus communicatively connected to another image processing apparatus, comprising: a storage unit adapted to store input image data in a first format; a reception unit adapted to receive from the another image processing apparatus information indicating a format of image data capable of being analyzed by the another image processing apparatus; an identification unit adapted to identify, based on the information received by the reception unit, software for converting the image data from the first format to another format of image data capable of being analyzed by the another image processing apparatus; and a transmission unit adapted to transmit the image data stored in the storage unit and the software identified at the identification unit and information indicating a location where the image data is stored in said storage unit to the another image processing apparatus. 
     In a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of controlling an image processing apparatus communicatively connected to another image processing apparatus, the method comprising the steps of: storing input image data in a first format; receiving from the another image processing apparatus information indicating a format of image data capable of being analyzed by the another image processing apparatus; identifying, based on the information received in the receiving step, software for converting the image data from the first format to another format of image data capable of being analyzed by the another image processing apparatus; and transmitting the image data stored in the storing step and the software identified in the identifying step and information indicating a location where the image data is stored in said storing step to the another image processing apparatus. 
     In a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a program that causes a computer to implement a method of controlling an image processing apparatus communicatively connected to another image processing apparatus, the method of controlling comprising the steps of: storing input image data in a first format; receiving from the another image processing apparatus information indicating a format of image data capable of being analyzed by the another image processing apparatus; identifying, based on the information received in the receiving step, software for converting the image data from the first format to another format of image data capable of being analyzed by the another image processing apparatus; and transmitting the image data stored in the step of storing and the software identified in the step of identifying and information indicating a location where the image data is stored in said step of storing to the another image processing apparatus. 
     According to the invention, the accumulated image data and the print control data may be transferred to another image processing apparatus and improved user convenience may be provided. 
     The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a view schematically showing an arrangement of a printing apparatus that constitutes an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a conceptual view of a print data processing system including the printing apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the printing apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a view showing an exemplary configuration of stored data in a data storage unit of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  is a flowchart showing a procedure of requesting data transfer by a printing apparatus (complex machine) at the receiving end in the print data processing system of  FIG. 2  to another printing apparatus (complex machine) at the transmitting end. 
         FIG. 6  is a flowchart showing a procedure of creating transfer data by the printing apparatus (complex machine) at the transmitting end in the print data processing system of  FIG. 2  to the printing apparatus (complex machine) at the receiving end. 
         FIG. 7  is a view showing transfer concepts in an image data and print control data region in the data storage unit of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 8  is a view showing expansion concepts of the printing apparatus at the receiving end to the data storage unit of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 9  is a conceptual view illustrating operations, starting at expansion of original data to storage thereof, when the original data is stored in a temporary folder in the data storage unit of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 10  is a conceptual view showing operations, starting at expansion of original data to storage thereof, when the original data is stored in a temporary folder in the data storage unit of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 11  is a view showing an exemplary group of analysis software stored in the data storage unit of  FIG. 4 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings showing preferred embodiments thereof. 
       FIG. 1  is a view schematically showing an arrangement of a printing apparatus that constitutes an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     While, by way of example, embodiments of the present invention will be described with the image processing apparatus as a printing apparatus, the image processing apparatus may be a complex machine, a copying machine, a scanner, a facsimile, or the like. Of course, the printing apparatus is not limited to a laser beam or ink-jet printer but may be a printing apparatus with other print schemes. 
     In  FIG. 1 , the printing apparatus comprises a scanner unit  101 , a laser exposure unit  102 , an imaging unit  103  including a photosensitive drum  110  and a transfer drum  111 , a fixing unit  104 , a sheet feed/conveyance unit  105 , and a printer control unit (not illustrated) controlling each of these units. 
     The scanner unit  101  illuminates an original placed on a platen with light to optically read an image of the original and converts the image to electrical signals to create image data. 
     The laser exposure unit  102  produces a beam such as a laser beam modulated depending on the image data that is incident on a rotating polygon mirror rotating at constant angular velocity and irradiated on the photosensitive drum  110  as a reflective scanning light. 
     The imaging unit  103  rotationally drives the photosensitive drum  110 , electrifies it with an electrostatic charger, develops by toners a latent image that is formed on the photosensitive drum  110  by the laser exposure unit  102 , and transfers the toner image to a sheet. Then, a series of electrophotographic processes are implemented before creating an image, including collecting residual minute toners on the photosensitive drum  110  that are not transferred during the transfer period. 
     At this moment, development units (development stations) with toners of magenta (M), cyan (C), yellow (Y), black (K), respectively, alternately and repeatedly implement development processes while the sheet is wound around a predetermined position in the transfer drum  111  and rotated four times thereon. After the four times of rotation, the sheet on which a full-color (four-color) toner image is transferred is separated from the transfer drum  111  and conveyed to the fixing unit  104 . 
     The fixing unit  104 , which includes a combination of a roller and a belt and provided with a heat source such as a halogen heater therein, dissolves and fixes the toners with heat and pressure on the sheet to which the toner image is transferred by the imaging unit  103 . 
     In response to an instruction from the printer control unit, the sheet feed/conveyance unit  105 , which has one or more sheet repositories represented by sheet cassettes and sheet decks, separates one sheet from those stored in the one or more sheet repositories, which is in turn conveyed to the imaging unit  103  and the fixing unit  104 . In addition, when an image is created on both surfaces of the sheet, the sheet passing through the fixing unit  104  is controlled to follow a conveyance path where the fixing unit  104  is conveyed to the imaging unit  103  again. 
     The printer control unit communicates with a printing apparatus control unit (not shown) that controls the printing apparatus to implement control in response to an instruction provided therefrom. In addition, the printer control unit provides instructions so that the operation of entire system can be facilitated in a coordinated manner, while managing the states of the scanner unit  101 , the laser exposure unit  102 , the imaging unit  103 , the fixing unit  104 , and the sheet feed/conveyance unit  105 . 
       FIG. 2  is a conceptual view of a print data processing system including the printing apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
     In  FIG. 2 , the print data processing system comprises a client host  202  and printing apparatuses (complex machines)  203 - 205 , each connected via a respective network interface to a network  201 . 
     The network  201  uses one of known technologies for connecting appliances, and this embodiment assumes the Ethernet (registered trademark) using the TCP/IP protocol. However, the network  201  is not limited to a wired network but may be a wireless network. 
     The client host  202  used by a user performs, for example, document preparation. Further, the client host  202  obtains information for, and controls, printing apparatuses  203 - 205  through the network  201 . 
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the printing apparatuses  203 - 205  of  FIG. 2 . 
     In  FIG. 3 , all these printing apparatuses  203  to  205  of  FIG. 2  are collectively referred to as a printing apparatus  300 . The printing apparatus  300  comprises a formatter control unit  310 , a panel input/output control unit  320 , a data storage unit  330 , an input control unit  340 , and a scanner unit  350  (the scanner unit  101  of  FIG. 1 ). The printing apparatus  300  further comprises a print output control unit  360  and a print engine unit  370 . 
     The formatter control unit  310  includes a printer interface (I/F) unit  301 , a protocol control unit  302 , a received data analysis unit  303 , a command generation unit  304 , a data rendering unit  305 , and a page memory  306 . 
     The printer interface (I/F) unit  301  is connected to the network  201 . The protocol control unit  302  communicates with the outside by analyzing/transmitting network protocols. 
     The received data analysis unit  303  recognizes operations through analysis of received data. The command generation unit  304  generates operational commands in response to requests from the outside. The data rendering unit  305  generates bitmap data according to instructions of the commands. The page memory  306  accumulates bitmap data generated at the data rendering unit  305 . 
     Besides, in general, the formatter control unit  310  is configured by a computer system using a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc. 
     The panel input/output control unit  320  controls inputs/outputs from an operation panel (not illustrated). The data storage unit  330 , which stores received data and command data as shown in  FIG. 4 , is achieved by a secondary storage device such as a hard disk. 
     The input control unit  340  receives data input from the scanner unit  350 . The scanner unit  350  reads the original. The output control unit  360  converts content of the page memory  306  to a video signal and transfers images to the print engine unit  370 . The print engine unit  370  is a print mechanism for forming the received video signal on the sheet as a permanently visible image. 
       FIG. 4  is a view showing an exemplary configuration of stored data in a data storage unit  330  of  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 4 , the data storage unit  330  has a system management data region  401  and an image data and print control data region  402 . 
     Stored in the system management data region  401  is such data as user information or security information and system management data used in the printing apparatus  300 . 
     Stored in the image data and print control data region  402  is such data as image data read by the scanner unit  350 , PDL expanded images, or compressed image data of the document received by facsimile, as well as print control data set to output image data. 
     In addition, by way of example, the image data and print control data region  402  is illustrated to provide a folder structure for saving each data. In this case, the folder structure is created on the basis of such information as user information or security information in the system management data region  401 . 
       FIG. 5  is a flowchart showing a procedure of requesting data transfer by a printing apparatus (complex machine) at the receiving end in the print data processing system of  FIG. 2  to another printing apparatus (complex machine) at the transmitting end. 
     Firstly, in step S 501 , the source appliance (the printing apparatus at the receiving end) accesses the storage location (the printing apparatus at the transmitting end), in which data is stored in response to an instruction from the user, and refers to the stored data therein. As a result, a list of stored data in the data storage unit  330  of the printing apparatus at the transmitting end is displayed on a display of the source appliance, from which a user may specify the stored data to be transferred. 
     Then, in step S 502 , the source appliance information is obtained, and the destination appliance information is created. An example of the destination appliance information is labeled “ 1101 ” in  FIG. 11 . The destination appliance information includes the following information for the printing apparatus at the receiving end: the type of OS, the type of format of job-analyzable image data, the type of readable image data, etc. Then, in step S 503 , the destination appliance information created in step S 502  is transmitted to the printing apparatus at the transmitting end. At step S 504 , a data transfer request to transfer the stored data in the data storage unit  330  of the printing apparatus at the transmitting end to the printing apparatus at the receiving end is transmitted to the printing apparatus at the transmitting end, followed by terminating the process. 
       FIG. 6  is a flowchart showing a procedure of creating transfer data by the printing apparatus (complex machine) at the transmitting end in the print data processing system of  FIG. 2  to the printing apparatus (complex machine) at the receiving end. 
     In  FIG. 6 , upon receipt of the data transfer request transmitted by the printing apparatus at the receiving end, in step S 601 , the printing apparatus at the transmitting end analyzes the received destination appliance information, and, in step S 602 , analyzes the stored data in the data storage unit  330 . By analyzing the stored data, the stored data requested by the printing apparatus at the receiving end is identified from multiple pieces of stored data in the data storage unit  330  of the printing apparatus at the transmitting end. 
     Then, in step S 603 , based on the analysis results in step S 602 , data classification information is created in the image data and print control data region  402 . The data classification information means such information that indicates in which folder each stored data in the data storage unit  330  is stored. 
     In step S 604 , based on the data classification information created in step S 603  and the destination appliance information analyzed in step S 601  ( FIG. 11 ), a determination is made as to whether any analysis software is required for image data and print control data. The analysis software is stored in the data storage unit  330  of the printing apparatus at the receiving end, which is labeled “ 1102 ” in  FIG. 11 . A group of analysis software involves converting a format that may be stored in a storage unit  339  of the printing apparatus at the transmitting end to a general format. The group of analysis software is prepared for each OS. 
     If it is determined in step S 604  that any analysis software is required, then, in step S 605 , analysis software is created. Specifically, the printing apparatus at the transmitting end extracts necessary analysis software from the group of analysis software  1102  in  FIG. 11 . Software  1103  and  1104  of  FIG. 11  illustrate examples of the analysis software created in step  3605 . Control data analysis software  1103  is extracted from those pieces of analysis software for print control of the group of analysis software  1102  based on the content of the job-analysis scheme in destination appliance information  1101 . In addition, image expansion software  1104  is extracted from those pieces of analysis software for image expansion of the group of analysis software  1102  based on the content of readable data in the destination appliance information  1101 . Upon completion of creating analysis software for all data in the image data and print control data region  402  (YES to the step S 606 ) ( FIG. 10 ), in step S 607 , an archive is created for one of those pieces of stored data in the image data and print control data region  402  that is specified by the printing apparatus at the receiving end. In the subsequent step S 608 , the printing apparatus at the transmitting end creates transfer data  701  including all data created in steps S 603 , S 605  and S 607 , which is in turn transferred to the printing apparatus at the receiving end ( FIG. 7 ), followed by terminating the process. 
     In addition, if it is determined in step S 604  that no analysis software is required, then in step S 607 , skipping steps S 605  and S 606 , the printing apparatus at the receiving end creates an archive for data in the image data and print control data region  402 . Then, in step S 608 , the printing apparatus at the transmitting end transfers the transfer data  701  to the printing apparatus at the receiving end and the process terminates. 
       FIG. 7  is a view showing transfer concepts in the image data and print control data region  402  in the data storage unit  330  of  FIG. 4 . 
     In the printing apparatus at the transmitting end, after the transfer data  701  is created based on the operations of  FIG. 6 , the stored data in the data storage unit  330  is transferred through the network  201  using a known technology to the printing apparatus at the receiving end. 
     The printing apparatus at the receiving end stores the received transfer data  701  in the data storage unit  330 . In the case of  FIG. 7 , image data, print control data, and data classification information are stored in the image data and print control data region  402 , while print control data analysis software and image expansion software are stored in the system management data region  401 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , when transfer data is stored in the printing apparatus at the receiving end, it may be stored separately in the system management data region  401  and the image data and print control data region  402 , or may be stored in either the system management data region  401  or the image data and print control data region  402 . 
       FIG. 8  is a view showing data expansion concepts of the printing apparatus at the receiving end to the data storage unit of  FIG. 4 . 
     In  FIG. 8 , the image data and the print control data illustrated in  FIG. 7  are temporarily stored in a temporary folder. The user instructs an expansion operation to expand data in the temporary folder based on the data classification information, in the same hierarchical arrangement as stored in the data storage unit  330  of the printing apparatus at the transmitting end, using the analysis software stored in the system management data region  401 . That is, the stored data in a folder with a predetermined number in the printing apparatus at the transmitting end, is stored in another folder with the same number in the printing apparatus at the receiving end ( FIG. 10 ). 
       FIG. 9  is a conceptual view illustrating storage operations for storing original data in the temporary folder in the data storage unit  330  of  FIG. 4 . 
     The print control data uses setting analysis software to expand the original data into such information as a corresponding output device, sheet size, layout, staples, or number of copies. In main-body stored software, the information is stored in a predetermined folder in the image data and print control data region  402  based on the analyzed information according to the format of the printing apparatus at the receiving end. 
     In the case of  FIG. 9 , since the printing apparatus at the receiving end has no stapling function, the main-body stored software deletes any operation of stapling function and stores data in the predetermined folder. 
     In addition, any image data that cannot be processed by the printing apparatus at the receiving end with the image expansion software is converted to a general format. Then, that image data is converted to a compressed form that can be processed by the main-body stored software. After that, the image data is stored in the predetermined folder of the image data and print control data region. 
     These operations may be performed at a time by an administrator at the receiving end when data is transferred, or the expansion operation may be performed in such a way that each folder is expanded sequentially when being accessed. 
       FIG. 10  is a view showing a state where all data to be transferred to the printing apparatus at the receiving end has been expanded in the data storage unit  330  of  FIG. 4 . 
     When all transfer data is expanded, the stored data in the temporary folder and the analysis software are erased. While all transfer data is erased in this embodiment, it may be accumulated without change. Further, for the stored data in the temporary folder, it may be erased sequentially after expanded to a predetermined folder. 
       FIG. 11  is a view showing a group of analysis software stored in the data storage unit  330  of  FIG. 4 . 
     In the case of  FIG. 11 , the group of analysis software  1102  is prepared for each OS and such software is stored therein that converts a format that can be stored in the data storage unit  330  of the printing apparatus at the transmitting end to a general format. For creation of the software, appropriate software is selected based on the destination appliance information received from the printing apparatus at the receiving end and created as analysis software  1103  and  1104 . 
     As can be seen from the above, according to the print data processing system of  FIG. 2r  image data and print control data stored in one printing apparatus may be transferred to another printing apparatus in the print data processing system, which may provide improved user convenience. 
     It is to be understood that the present invention may also be accomplished by supplying a system or an apparatus with a storage medium in which a program code of software which realizes the functions of the above described embodiment is stored, and causing a computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus to read out and execute the program code stored in the storage medium. 
     In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of any of the embodiments described above, and hence the program code and the storage medium in which the program code is stored constitute the present invention. 
     Examples of the storage medium for supplying the program code include a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a hard disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a CD-RW, a DVD-ROM, a DVD-RAM, a DVD-RW, a DVD+RW, a magnetic tape, a non-volatile memory card, and a ROM. Alternatively, the program code may be downloaded via a network. 
     Further, it is to be understood that the functions of the above described embodiment may be accomplished not only by executing a program code read out by a computer, but also causing an OS (operating system) or the like which operates on the computer to perform a part or all of the actual operations based on instructions of the program code. 
     Further, it is to be understood that the functions of the above described embodiment may be accomplished by writing a program code read out from the storage medium into a memory provided on an expansion board inserted into a computer or in an expansion unit connected to the computer and then causing a CPU or the like provided in the expansion board or the expansion unit to perform a part or all of the actual operations based on instructions of the program code. 
     While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all modifications, equivalent structures and functions. 
     This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2007-105032 filed Apr. 12, 2007, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.