Patent Abstract:
The present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus which comprises connection means for connecting to a computer network to which a plurality of computers are connected and record means for recording and outputting image data sent from the computer through the connection means, the apparatus comprises access means for accessing one of the plurality of computers, selection means for selecting a file to be recorded and output by the record means, from among the files managed by the computer accessed by the access means, and request means for requesting, to the computer accessed by the access means, a sending of the image data in the file selected by the selection means, wherein the record means records and output the image data sent from the computer in accordance with the request means, whereby the image processing apparatus can access the computer which is placed far from that apparatus and output the contents of the computer.

Full Description:
This application is a division of application Ser. No. 08/681,959, filed on Jul. 30, 1996 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,999,708. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. 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 capable of being connected to a computer. 
     2. Related Background Art 
     Conventionally, it has been known as an image processing apparatus of this type an apparatus such as a scanner, a printer or the like which is used as a peripheral apparatus of the computer by being connected to the computer. Further, it has recently been known that, by connecting a digital copy machine to the computer, the scanner and the printer of the digital copy machine are used as peripheral apparatuses of the computer. In this case, the digital copy machine can be used to copy an original image and further can act as the peripheral apparatus of the computer. 
     The peripheral apparatus functions to operate based on an instruction from the computer. That is, after placing an original on an original support plate, the scanner starts to read the original on the basis of the instruction from the computer, and then read image data is transferred to the computer. Further, when an operator selects a desired file and operates to instruct printing, the printer prints out the image data sent from the computer. 
     However, in such a system construction co-operated with the computer, the peripheral apparatus can merely act only as a slave apparatus which operates based on the instruction from the computer. Therefore, if there is no instruction from the computer, the peripheral apparatus cannot transfer the read image data to the computer or print the file stored in the computer. 
     For example, in case of utilizing the scanner, conventionally, an operator sets the original on the scanner, starts the scanner by operating the computer, and then removes the original from the scanner after reading terminates. At that time, there was a problem that, if the scanner is placed far from the computer, the operator must move many times between the scanner and the computer. 
     Further, for example, in case of utilizing the printer, conventionally, if the operator intends to print the file stored in the computer when he stands nearby the printer, he must go to the computer to operate the file selection, the print instruction or the like, and again returns to the printer to obtain an output document. That is, there was a problem that the operator cannot obtain a desired printed document although he stands nearby the printer. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus which eliminates the above conventional problems. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus which can print out image data sent from an external computer in accordance with a request from an image processing apparatus side. 
     Further another object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus which can operate in a slave mode for outputting image data in accordance with an output instruction from an external computer and in a master mode for outputting the image data sent from the external computer in accordance with a request from an image processing apparatus side. 
     The above and other objects will become apparent from the following detailed description which is based on the attached drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a copy machine which is provided in an embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a view showing an example in which the copy machine  1  in FIG. 1 is connected to other apparatus; 
     FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing a process by the copy machine  1  in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is a view showing a display image plane which is used for selecting the process; 
     FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing a print process in a master mode of the copy machine  1 ; 
     FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the print process in the master mode of the copy machine  1 ; 
     FIG. 7 is a view showing a display image plane which is used for selecting a computer; 
     FIG. 8 is a view showing a display image plane which is used for selecting a file; 
     FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing a file transfer process at a computer side; 
     FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing a scan process in the master mode of the copy machine  1 ; 
     FIG. 11 is a view showing a display image plane in case of the scan process; 
     FIG. 12 is a view showing a display image plane in case of a computer control by the copy machine  1 ; 
     FIG. 13 is a view showing a configuration of an interface program to the copy machine  1  at the computer side; 
     FIG. 14 is a flow chart showing a selection process of a host computer in the master mode of the copy machine  1 ; and 
     FIG. 15 is a view showing an outer configuration of a console unit of the copy machine  1 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be explained in detail with reference to the attached drawings. 
     FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic construction of a digital copy machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
     In FIG. 1, reference numeral  1  denotes a copy machine (main body). The copy machine  1  consists of a central processing unit (CPU)  101 , a read-only memory (ROM)  102 , a random-access memory (RAM)  103 , a PC card interface  104  for connecting a PC card, a detachable PC card  105 , a floppy disk drive interface (FDD I/F)  106 , a floppy disk drive (FDD)  107 , a liquid crystal display (LCD) controller  108 , a liquid crystal display (LCD)  109 , a key input interface  110 , a touch panel  111 , an operation key  112 , an image memory  113 , a scanner interface  114 , a scanner  115 , a printer interface  116 , a printer  117 , an external interface  118 , a floppy disk (FD)  119 , and an infrared ray sensor  120 . 
     The CPU  101  controls the apparatus as a whole in accordance with programs stored in the ROM  102 , the RAM  103 , the PC card  105  and the like. The ROM  102  constantly stores an execution program used for the control by the CPU  101  and various parameters, and consists of, e.g., a flash ROM or the like. If it is necessary to update the program or the like stored in the ROM  102 , the ROM  102  can easily be updated at any time by writing thereinto updated data obtained from the mounted PC card  105 , the floppy disk  119  or an external host computer via the external interface  118 . The RAM  103  temporarily stores the program and data necessary for executing the program. The PC card interface  104  acts as an interface to be used for accessing the detachable PC card  105  from the CPU  101 . The floppy disk drive interface  106  can read data stored in the floppy disk  119  inserted into the floppy disk drive  107  and newly write data into the floppy disk  119 , by driving the floppy disk drive  107 . The LCD controller  108  displays a character, a drawing and the like on the LCD  109 , by receiving from the CPU  101  the data to be displayed. The touch panel  111  which is a pressure-sensitive transparent switch is mounted on the LCD  109  to detect a depression operation by a user. The key input interface  110  is used to read states of the touch panel  111  and the operation key  112 . By combining the LCD  109  and the touch panel  111  with each other, an operation image plane can appropriately be changed according to various situations, whereby an operation unit or a console unit which is easy to be used by the user can be provided. The image memory  113  stores image data to be input/output by the scanner  115  and the printer  117 . The scanner  115  and the printer  117  manage a command and the image data via the scanner interface  114  and the printer interface  116 , respectively. The scanner  115  reads an original image by scanning an original placed on an original support plate. The printer  117  prints out the image data which is received via the external interface  118 . Further, the printer  117  prints out the image read by the scanner  115 , thereby copying the original. The external interface  118  is an interface to be used for communicating to one or plural computers, e.g., a personal computer, a work station and/or the like, which are placed outside the copy machine  1 . The infrared ray sensor  120  is a sensor to be used for detecting whether or not an operator stands nearby the operation unit (the LCD  109 , the touch panel  111  and the operation key  112 ) of the copy machine  1 . 
     FIG. 2 shows an example of the configuration in a case where the copy machine  1  in FIG. 1 is connected to a local area network (LAN). The copy machine  1  can act as a well-known digital copy machine such as a local copier and further send/receive the data to/from other devices in the LAN. 
     In FIG. 2, reference numeral  201  denotes a LAN  201  which forms a network to which a plurality of computers, copy machines, facsimile machines, scanners, printers and the like are connected and in which data sending and receiving are performed among these devices. 
     Reference numerals  202 ,  203  and  204  denote personal computers which are connected to the LAN  201 . However, computers which can be connected to the LAN  201  are not limited to these three computers  202 ,  203  and  204 , but various computers can also be connected to the LAN  201 . 
     A process in case of accessing the external computer from the copy machine  1  will then be explained on the basis of a flow chart shown in FIG.  3 . This flow chart is executed based on a program stored in the ROM  102 . However, this flow chart can also be executed based on a program which is read from the PC card  105  or the floppy disk  119 , or is sent via the external interface  118 . It should be noted that the copy machine  1  has a slave mode and a master mode. In the slave mode, the copy machine  1  operates based on an instruction from the external computer. In the master mode, the computer is accessed from the operation key  112  of the copy machine  1 , so that the copy machine  1  prints out a file stored in the computer by using the printer  117 , and transfers data read by the scanner  115  to the computer. 
     Further, in the slave mode, the printer  117  is operated in response to a print order from the external computer to print out image data sent from the external computer, and the scanner  115  is operated in response to a scan start order for reading operation sent from the computer to read an image of an original and then to transfer the read image data to the computer. On the other hand, in the master mode, the copy machine  1  specifies or accesses the computer by depressing a remote key of the operation key  112  and then starts a process. This process will be explained in detail, hereinafter. 
     In FIG. 3, when the remote key is depressed in a step S 301 , it is judged in a step S 302  whether or not another process is being performed. If the another process is being performed, the flow advances to a step S 303 . In the step S 303 , the LCD  109  displays that the another process is being performed, to notify the operator that, in such a state, a different process in the master mode cannot start. Then, in a step S 304 , it is displayed to inquire the operator whether or not the remote key depression should be cancelled. If a cancel is selected by the touch panel  111 , the display state of the LCD  109  returns to an initial state. If the cancel is not selected, in a step S 305 , a stand-by state starts and is maintained until the another process presently performed terminates. When it is judged that the presently-performed another process terminates (in this case an alarm sound is generated), or if it is judged in the step S 302  that the another process is not being performed, the displaying of the LCD  109  that the another process is being performed or the displaying of the LCD  109  indicating the initial state is switched to the displaying shown in FIG. 4, in order to set the master mode in a step S 306 . 
     In FIG. 4, a print button  401  is used for performing a print process in the master mode, a scan button  402  is used for performing a scan process in the master mode, a control button  403  is used for performing a remote control process of the computer, and a cancel button  404  is used for cancelling the process in the master mode. By depressing respective positions at which the buttons are displayed on the LCD  109 , coordinates of pixels on the touch panel  111  are detected, and then it is judged by the CPU  101  via the key interface  110  which position of the button is depressed. 
     If it is judged in a step S 307  that the print button is depressed, the flow advances to a step S 308  to perform the print process in the master mode. If it is judged in a step S 309  that the scan button  402  is depressed, the flow advances to a step S 310  to perform the scan process in the master mode. If it is judged in a step S 311  that the control button  403  is depressed, the flow advances to a step S 312  to perform the remote control process of the computer. If it is judged in a step S 313  that the cancel button  404  is depressed, the master mode is cancelled and the displaying of the LCD  109  returns-to the initial state. 
     Then, the process in a case where the print button  401  is depressed in the step S 307  of FIG. 3 will be explained hereinafter on the basis of the flow charts shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. 
     When the print button  401  is depressed in the step S 307  of FIG. 3, the displaying of the LCD  109  is changed to that shown in FIG.  7 . 
     In FIG. 7, a list  701  shows a list of the computers connected to the LAN  201 , a connection button  702  is used to start an access to the computer, a cancel button  703  is used to cancel the print process, a password display column  704  shows an input password, a character palette  705  is used to input a character and the like, a tab  706  is used to display all of the accessible computers, a tab  707  is used to display the computer which has most-recently been accessed, a tab  708  is used to display the computers which had previously been accessed, in the order of name (i.e., in the order of smaller code number), and a tab  709  is used to display the computers which are frequently or often accessed. 
     When the print button  401  is depressed in the step S 307  of FIG. 3, the CPU  101  forms the list of registered names of the computers accessible by inquiring a predetermined computer (e.g., a server or the like) connected to the LAN  201  via the external interface  118 , and then displays as the list  701  of FIG. 7 in a step S 501 . This displaying corresponds to a state where the tab  707  for displaying all of accessible host computers is being selected. Then, in a step S 502 , the position at which the desired computer is displayed in the list  701  is depressed to select the desired computer. In this case, a name of the selected computer (“ABC” in FIG. 7) is inverse displayed. Then, in a step S 503 , a password corresponding to the computer selected in the step S 502  is input by means of a character list of the character palette  705 . The input password is displayed on the password display column  704  in a form of invisible character (or turned letter), so that an input operation can be confirmed. If an erroneous character is input when inputting the password, the input erroneous character can be deleted in unit of character by depressing a deletion key included in the character palette  705 . In the above operation, the order of computer selection and password input may arbitrarily set. 
     When both the computer selection and the password input terminate, in a step S 504 , the CPU  101  communicates with the selected computer on the basis of a network address in the LAN  201  by depressing the connection button  702 , to confirm the password. Then, it is judged in a step S 505  whether or not the input password coincides with a registered password, i.e., whether or not the input password is correct or not. If it is judged in the step S 505  that the input password is correct, the selected computer can be accessed and the connection is established. Thereafter, the flow advances to a step S 507 . On the other hand, if the input password does not coincide with the registered password whereby it is judged that the input password is not correct, an error display is performed in a step S 506 , and the flow returns to the step S 501 . If the connection is established, information relating to the computer to which the connection is established is stored in a certain area, in the step S 507 . That is, the information relating to a name of the connected computer, a time when the access is performed, the number of previously-accessed times and the like is stored. Preferably, a storage media to which the information is stored is the RAM  103 . However, a partial area of the RM  102 , the PC card  105  or the floppy disk  119  can also be used as the storage media. 
     As mentioned above, it has been explained the case where a destination to which the connection is performed is selected from among all of the connectable computers. However, it will be explained hereinafter a case where the destination to be connected is selected from among the computers to which the connection had previously been performed. 
     In the present embodiment, a display mode of the computer is changed by selecting the tabs  706 ,  707 ,  708  and  709  in accordance with a flow shown in FIG.  14 . That is, if the tab  706  showing all of the accessible computers is being selected in a step S 1401 , the computers connected via the external interface  118  are searched in a step S 1402 , and then the list of the accessible computers is formed and displayed in a step S 1408 . If the tab  707  showing the most recently-accessed computer is being selected in a step S 1403 , the information relating to the previously-accessed computers is searched so that the computers are sequentially listed in the most recently-accessed order in a step S 1404 . Then, the formed list is displayed in the step S 1408 . If the tab  708  showing the previously-accessed computers (or showing the computers which have previously-accessed experience) in the order of name is being selected in a step S 1405 , it is formed in a step S 1406  the list in which names of the previously-accessed computers are arranged in the order of name (i.e., the order of code), and then the formed list is displayed in the step S 1408 . If the tab  709  showing the frequently-accessed or often-accessed computers is being selected, it is formed in a step S 1407  the list in which the previously-accessed computers are listed in the order of higher frequency, and then the formed list is displayed in the step S 1408 . According to the above operation, from among all of the accessible computers or the previously-accessed computers, the computer lists can be shown under a desired condition on the basis of a user&#39;s instruction and then the user can select the desired computer. 
     When the selected computer is accessed according to the above procedure to establish the connection, the displaying of the LCD  109  is changed to that shown in FIG.  8 . 
     In FIG. 8, a list  801  shows files which are managed by the selected computer, a preview button  802  is used to display an image of the selected file, a print button  803  is used to print out the image of the selected file, and a cancel button  804  is used to return a present image plane to the image plane used for computer selection shown in FIG.  7 . 
     In a step S 508  of FIG. 5, the file list is displayed as shown in the list  801  of FIG.  8 . If the list does not exist in a directory including an objective file, the directory can be shifted by selecting a sub-directory (marked as “. . .” in FIG. 8) or an upper directory (marked as “↑” in FIG.  8 ). 
     When a position of the desired file in the file list is depressed in a step S 509 , a name of the depressed file is reverse displayed and the file is selected. When the file is selected, it is judged in a step S 510  whether or not the preview button  802  is depressed. When depressed, in a step S 511 , the accessed computer is instructed to discriminate an application software which is used to form that file, on the basis of the selected file name. Further, in a step S 512 , the discriminated application software starts, and the data in the selected file is read out as bit map data. Then, in a step S 513 , the image data in the bit-mapped desired file is transferred, and the transferred image data is displayed on the LCD  109  in a step S 514 . In this case, an upper portion of first page is initially displayed, then a following portions are sequentially displayed in response to operations of a scroll key, a next page key, an entire display key (i.e., used for displaying a compressed one page) and the like (not shown). When the displaying terminates in a step S 515 , the flow waits for a next key input. When a cancel key (not shown) is depressed in a step S 516 , the flow returns to the step S 508  to display the file list. If the cancel key is not depressed, the flow again waits for the depression of any one of the preview button  802 , the print button  803  and the cancel button  804 . Then, if it is judged in a step S 601  that the print button is depressed, high-resolution image data for printing the selected file is transferred in steps S 603  to S 605  according to the same procedure as that shown in the steps S 511  to S 513 . The transferred image data is printed out by the printer  117  in a step S 606 . It should be noted that the image data transferred in the step S 513  or S 605  is resolution converted if necessary. 
     On the other hand, if it is judged in the step S 602  that the cancel button  804  is depressed, the flow returns to the step S 501  to display the computer list. 
     FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing an execution sequence at a computer side on the LAN  201 . This execution sequence relates to the file transferring based on the instructions from the copy machine  1  in the steps S 501  to S 513  and the steps S 603  to S 605 . If there are the instructions as in the steps S 511  and S 603 , it is checked in a step S 901  which application software is used to form the designated file, by referring the file held at the computer side and a data base corresponding to the application software used for forming the held file. Then, in a step S 902 , if the application software does not yet start the application software starts to read the designated file. Thereafter, in a step S 903 , the displayed image plane, e.g., window contents of a word processor, is obtained to generate data for the printing, and the generated data is transferred to the copy machine  1 . 
     According to the above operation, a copy machine  1  side can obtain data of the image plane relating to the file contents displayed on the computer. Thus, even if the computer side has the file of any form, the copy machine  1  side receives the bit-mapped data, whereby the displaying and the printing of the received data can be performed at the copy machine  1  side. 
     It will be explained hereinafter a case where the user explicitly releases the accessing. 
     As explained above, since the operation can be returned to the one-previous operation by depressing the cancel button in each operation image plane, it is possible as one method to release the accessing by repeating the same operation. On the other hand, in the present invention, there is provided as the other (more easy) method a key for releasing the accessing. 
     FIG. 15 is a view showing an outer configuration of a console unit (including the LCD  109 , the touch panel  111  and the operation key  112 ) of the copy machine  1  of the present invention. In FIG. 15, reference numeral  1501  denotes a display unit consisting of the LCD  109  and the touch panel  111 , reference numeral  1502  denotes a reset key, reference numeral  1503  denotes a remote key (previously explained), reference numeral  1504  denotes a preheat key, reference numeral  1505  denotes a start key, reference numeral  1506  denotes a ten key and reference numeral  1507  denotes a stop key. It should be noted that these keys are hard keys which together construct the operation key  112 . Each of the remote key  1503  and the preheat key  1504  has, at its upper portion, an LED display unit to show a presently-set operation mode. 
     The display unit  1501  displays an operation panel for the user in accordance with the above-mentioned various cases, to accept the user&#39;s key input. The reset key  1502  is a key which is used to return all of the presently-set various setting states to the initial setting state. 
     In the state where the computer is being accessed via the external interface  118  by depressing the remote key  1503 , the CPU  101  turns on an LED of the remote key  1503 . Therefore, the user can easily recognize that a computer access mode is being set. In the computer access mode, if the user wishes to release the accessing, he can obtain the same effect by using several keys in addition to the sequential depressing of the cancel key. That is, when the reset key  1502  is depressed, it is meant by this depressing that the user indicates to return the setting mode to the initial state. Therefore, the CPU  101  terminates the communication with the computer and returns the display unit  1501  to the initial image plane. When the preheat key  1504  is depressed, the copy machine  1  turns off a main power source to come to be in a preheat mode. In the preheat mode, to hold the computer accessing is meaningless, so that the accessing is similarly released and then the copy machine  1  comes to be in the preheat mode. When the remote key  1503  is again depressed in a state where the LED of the remote key  1503  is being turned on, it is meant by this depressing that the user indicates to access an other new computer. Therefore, the CPU  101  releases the accessing for the computer presently accessed. 
     As explained above, since the accessing can directly be released based on the instruction from the operation key  112 , the user can immediately release the accessing if necessary. 
     Then, in a case where a standby state of the copy machine  1  continues for a predetermined period of time because the user does not operate the copy machine  1  for a long period of time, i.e., in a case where a setting mode reset timer or a preheat timer operates, if it is maintained the state that the computer is being accessed, the CPU  101  releases the accessing without any instruction by the user and operates to come to be in a mode reset state or in the preheat mode. 
     Further, when the infrared ray sensor  120  detects that the user does not stand nearby the copy machine  1  and the copy machine  1  is in the standby state for the predetermined period of time after terminating the designated operation, the present accessing is released and the copy machine  1  comes to be in the standby state in order to prevent a situation that a next user directly accesses the computer. 
     The above-explained various methods for releasing the accessing are also effective in a case where an operation explained below is being performed. 
     It will be explained hereinafter a flow of processing in case of depressing the scan button  402  in the step S 309  of FIG. 3, on the basis of the flow chart shown in FIG.  10 . 
     When the scan button  402  is depressed in the step S 309  of FIG. 3, the displaying of the LCD  109  is changed or switched to that shown in FIG.  7 . 
     In the processing, a procedure for accessing the computer shown in steps S 1001  to S 1005  is the same as that shown in the previously-explained steps S 501  to S 505 , so that the detailed explanation thereof is omitted. 
     When the connection with the computer is established by selecting and accessing the computer, same as in the step S 507 , information concerning the computer to which the connection is established is stored in a step S 1007 . Then, the flow advances to a step S 1008  to switch the displaying of the LCD  109  to that shown in FIG.  11 . 
     In FIG. 11, reference numeral  1101  denotes a preview frame for displaying an image of a read original, reference numeral  1102  denotes a list of directories managed by the accessed computer, reference numeral  1103  denotes a scan button which is used for transferring read image data to the accessed computer, reference numeral  1104  denotes a preview button which is used for displaying the read image in the preview frame, reference numeral  1105  denotes a cancel button which is used for returning the image plane to that shown in FIG. 7 which is used to select the computer, reference numeral  1106  denotes a file name display frame for displaying an input file name, and reference numeral  1107  denotes a character palette which is used for inputting a character and the like. 
     When the original is placed on the original support plate and the preview button  1104  is depressed in the step S 1008 , the original placed on the original support plate is read by the scanner  115  in a step S 1009 . Then, read image data is stored in the image memory  113  in a step S 1010  and is displayed on the preview frame  1101  in a step S 1011 . In a step S 1012 , if necessary, two points on the preview frame  1101  are designated for trimming a rectangular area of which diagonal line is defined by the designated two points. In this case, address information of the designated or selected area is stored in the RAM  103 . In a step S 1013 , the directory in which the read image data is to be stored is selected by depressing its position in the directory list  1102 . Subsequently, the file name used for storing the read image data into the computer is selected from the character palette  1107 . The file name input from the character palette  1107  is displayed on the file name display frame  1106  to be able to be confirmed by the user. After these designations and selections terminate, when the scan button  1103  is depressed in a step S 1014 , the area of the read image data selected in the step S 1012  is read from the image memory  113  on the basis of the stored address information, and the read area as well as the input file name is transferred to the accessed computer and stored in the selected directory within a memory of the computer in steps S 1015  and S 1016 . 
     It will be explained hereinafter a case where the control button  403  is depressed in the step S 311  of FIG.  3 . 
     When the control button  403  is depressed in the step S 311  of FIG. 3, the operation image plane of the LCD  109  is changed or switched to the image plane which is used for selecting the computer shown in FIG.  7 . The method for selecting the computer is the same as that in the selection operation already explained in the steps S 501  to S 505  and the steps S 1001  to S 1005 , whereby the detailed explanation thereof is omitted. After the connection is established with the computer by the above method, the LCD  109  switches its displayed image plane to that shown in FIG.  12 . In FIG. 12, reference numeral  1201  denotes a computer image plane display frame, reference numeral  1202  denotes an image on the computer, reference numeral  1203  denotes an enlargement icon, reference numeral  1204  denotes a reduction icon, reference numeral  1205  denotes a mouse crick icon, reference numeral  1206  denotes an image plane scroll cursor icon, reference numeral  1207  denotes a character palette used for inputting a character, and reference numeral  1208  denotes a cancel button used for returning the image plane to that shown in FIG.  7 . 
     In FIG. 12, the contents same as those of the image displayed on the image plane of the connected computer are displayed on the computer image plane display frame  1202 . However, since a size of the display device of the computer is generally larger than a size of the display device of the copy machine  1 , the image to be displayed on the computer image plane display frame  1201  is limited to a part of the image originally displayed by the computer. In order to display other parts which are not essentially displayed on the computer image plane display frame  1201 , the user may shift such the not-displayed parts to be within the frame with scrolling the image by the depressing of the image scroll icon  1206 . If the user wishes to see the entire image, he may depress the reduction icon  1204  to perform the reduced displaying of the image. Further, if the user wishes to see the detailed portion of the image, he may depress the enlargement icon  1203  to perform the enlarged displaying of the image. In order to use from the copy machine  1  side a pointing device such as a mouse or the like at the computer side, a mouse cursor position can be indicated from the image input device by depressing the inside portion of the computer image plane display frame  1201 , and also a mouse crick can be input by using the mouse crick icon  1205 . If it is necessary to input the character on the computer, such the character can be input from the character palette  1207 . All of these operations which are to change the displaying of the images and perform the character inputs are performed by the CPU  108 . That is, the CPU  108  detects the user&#39;s operations for the touch panel  111  on the LCD  109  and judges the use&#39;s objective operation on the basis of the coordinate values on the touch panel  111 . 
     In a software construction at the computer side, as shown in FIG. 13, there is an interface program for the copy machine  1  between an operating system (OS) and an application program. In a case where the application program transfers the image data to be drawn on the image plane to the OS, the interface program has a function to transfer the same image data to the copy machine  1 , and also has a function to input the input operations such as the mouse input and the key input to the application program as well as an event input from the OS. 
     When the copy machine  1  side receives the image displayed on the computer, the copy machine  1  zooms the received image at a predetermined magnification such that the image can be displayed at a size suitable for the computer image plane display frame  1201 . When the enlargement process, the reduction process or the scroll process is instructed by the user, the copy machine  1  converts a base displaying form into a new displaying form and then performs the displaying on the image plane display frame  1201 . When the position within the computer image plane display frame  1201  is depressed by the user, the copy machine  1  calculates a relative position with respect to the image presently displayed on the computer and notifies the calculated position to the computer side. At the computer side, the interface program inputs the shift event of mouse cursor to the application program on the basis of the notified coordinate position, to inform the user&#39;s operation sent from the copy machine  1 . This operation is the same as that with respect to a mouse crick. 
     It will be explained hereinafter a case where the operation is controlled by using a detachable storage medium such as a PC card, a floppy disk or the like. 
     In this case, when the connection is to be established with the computer, the PC card or the floppy disk of which contents have previously been set is used. When the remote key is depressed from the operation key  112  in a state where the PC card or the floppy disk is not inserted, it is displayed on the LCD  109  a message for urging the user to insert the PC card or the floppy disk which acts as a key. Then, when the user inserts the PC card or the floppy disk, the CPU  101  confirms the insertion of the storage medium and then accesses the inserted medium to fetch the computer information to be accesses. The computer information includes an address of the computer, as well as an identification code, a password or the like of the user who owns the PC card or the floppy disk. The copy machine  1  comes to be able to establish the connection with the computer by using such the information. The information concerning the plurality of connection destinations can be stored in the same medium as the computer information. When the CPU  101  confirms the storing of the plurality of connection destination information, the CPU  101  provides to the user the list of the connectable computers and requests the user to select the connection destination from among the computers in the list. 
     On the other hand, the information concerning the computer may not previously be stored in the PC card or the floppy disk, but only the user&#39;s information such as the user&#39;s identification code, the password and the like may previously be stored in the PC card or the floppy disk. In this case, the PC card or the floppy disk is inserted into the copy machine  1 , and then the copy machine  1  specifies the user on the basis of the user&#39;s information. Thereafter, when the connection with the computer can be established in the step S 505  of FIG.  5  and the step S 1005  of FIG. 10, the computer information may be stored in the PC card or the floppy disk in correspondence with the user&#39;s information. Further, by referring the past access information of the user in the computer selecting procedure shown in FIG. 14, the list of the computers from among the computers to which the user had accessed can be formed in a designated form, to be presented. 
     When, the connection destination is designated by the user or there is essentially one connection destination, the CPU  101  intends to connect with the computer via the external interface  118 . When the connection is established, the following procedure is the same as that explained above, so that the detailed explanation thereof is omitted. After the connection with the computer is established in the above manner, as explained above, the file in the computer is printed or the computer is operated by the copy machine  1 . 
     Personal information of the computer and the user can be written into the PC card or the floppy disk used in the embodiment, in a manner explained as follows. That is, the user inserts the PC card or the floppy disk into the computer which is ordinarily used by him, and writes his own network connection password into the PC card or the floppy disk by using a data writing program, so that the PC card or the floppy disk to be used as the key in the copy machine  1  can be formed. 
     As the PC card or the floppy disk used in the embodiment, it can be utilized any medium which can store the computer connection information and is portable by the user. For example, a magnetic card, an IC card, an optical card can be utilized as the storage medium. Further, even a portable terminal can be utilized if an interface specifically used for the portable terminal is provided in the copy machine  1 . 
     In a case where the computer is being accessed in the above manner, in addition to the previously-explained access releasing method, if the PC card  105  or the floppy disk  119  is released from the copy machine  1 , the CPU  101  detects it and operates to release the access to the computer. 
     According to the above-mentioned copy machine  1 , the desired computer can be accessed from the copy machine  1  side, and the image data of the file managed by the accessed computer can be fetched to be printed out. Further, since the printing can be performed after the preview operation, it can effectively be prevented that erroneous image data is printed out. Furthermore, since the accessing to the computer is allowed by inputting the password or inserting the storage medium including the password, a user&#39;s secret can effectively be protected. Furthermore, the accessing to the computer can immediately be released by the user&#39;s instruction. 
     Further, even if the user forgets to instruct the releasing of the accessing, the accessing can automatically be released by means of a predetermined timer. Therefore, since it can effectively be prevented that the computer accessing state is undesirably maintained due to the user&#39;s error, the user&#39;s secret can effectively be protected. 
     Furthermore, since the infrared ray sensor detects that there is no user nearby the copy machine, the accessing can automatically be released. 
     Furthermore, in the case where the accessing to the computer is performed by using the storage medium which stores the connection information, since the storage medium can be considered as the key, the accessing can be released by removing the storage medium (i.e., the key), so that the user&#39;s secret can effectively be protected. 
     Furthermore, the operation can be performed by selecting either one of the slave mode and the master mode, if necessary. 
     Furthermore, since the original can be read in response to the instruction from the copy machine  1  and then transferred, the read image data can effectively be stored in the desired computer. In this case, the file name can be input in the desired computer in response to the instruction from the copy machine  1 . 
     Furthermore, the desired computer operation can be performed from the copy machine  1 . 
     Furthermore, in the case where the desired computer is accessed from the copy machine  1  side, the user can easily select the computer which is often utilized by him, by providing to the user the list of the limited computers which has been past accessed by the user. 
     Furthermore, in the case where the computer is accessed by using the storage medium which stores the user&#39;s information, the user can easily select the computer by providing based on the user&#39;s information in the storage medium to the user the list of the computers which are to be exclusively accessed by such the user. 
     Furthermore, the data representing the program for controlling the above-mentioned operations can be stored in the detachable storage medium such as a magneto-optical disk or the like, and then the stored data can be read to be applied to other controllable devices. 
     As explained above, according to the present invention, the digital copy machine can effectively be utilized by connecting it to the network such as the LAN. 
     It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment as set forth above and may be variously changed and modified within the scope of the invention defined in the attached claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 6