Image forming apparatus and program

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus and a program that allow storage of a plurality of read images on one sheet and browsing of the plurality of read images as electronic data.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus comprises: an image storage control unit that stores, in a storage unit, at least one or more read images obtained through reading performed by an image reading unit; an image list creation unit that creates an image list of the read images; a code information generation unit that generates code information from an address for identifying the locations in the storage unit of the read images related to the image list created by the image list creation unit; an image list information storage unit that stores, in the storage unit, the image list of the read images and the code information; an image list output unit that forms, with an image forming unit, images of the image list of the read images and the code information as one image and outputs the image; and an image formation control unit that, when reading the code information formed into the image with the image reading unit, acquires the read image corresponding to the code information from the storage unit, and forms an image of the acquired read image with the image forming unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known a technique for converting an image read by a multifunction device having at least two of a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function into a code symbol, and printing code information converted into the code symbol.

[0003] Patent document 1 discloses a technology in which a scanned image is printed at the top of a sheet of printing paper that is larger than the scanned image, and code information obtained by converting the scanned image into a two-dimensional code is printed at the bottom of the printing paper. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the technology disclosed in Reference 1 has problems such as the size of the printing paper being large, the need to generate as many two-dimensional codes as there are pages rather than converting multiple pages into a single two-dimensional code, and the inability to read the data as electronic data on a mobile device such as a smartphone.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above, and aims to enable multiple scanned images to be stored on a single sheet of paper, and to enable the multiple scanned images to be viewed as electronic data. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems and achieve the object, the present invention provides an image reading unit. multiple an image storage control unit that stores the read image in a storage unit; Multiple Scanned image In addition to the plurality of read images an image list creation unit that creates an image list of the image The plurality of From an address for specifying the location of the read image in the storage unit Single A code information creating unit that creates code information; Multiple A list of scanned images and the above Single Code information and Link an image list information storage unit for storing the image list information in the storage unit; Multiple A list of scanned images and the above Single an image list output unit which forms an image including the code information as one image in an image forming unit and outputs the image; Single When the code information is read by the image reading unit, Single The code information Multiple The read image is obtained from the storage unit. Multiple The image forming apparatus further includes an image forming control unit that forms an image of the read image in the image forming unit. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to store a plurality of scanned images on paper using only one sheet of paper, and it is also possible to view the plurality of scanned images as electronic data. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of an image processing system according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the cloud storage. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the cloud storage. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the MFP. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the software configuration of the MFP. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram showing each function of the MFP. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a mobile terminal. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a processing flow in the image processing system. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of image formation. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a flow when a thumbnail is selected. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a processing flow in the image processing system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a processing flow in the image processing system according to the third embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram illustrating another example of the processing flow in the image processing system according to the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of an image forming apparatus and a program will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0010] (First embodiment) (System Configuration) Fig. 1 is a system configuration diagram of an image processing system according to a first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the image processing system according to the embodiment is an example of a so-called cloud computing system. The image processing system according to the embodiment is configured by connecting one or more MFPs (Multifunction Peripherals) 1 and one or more cloud storages 2 to each other via a predetermined network 3. The cloud storage 2 is an example of a storage unit.

[0011] The MFP 1 is an example of an image forming apparatus, and is, for example, a multifunction peripheral having at least two of a copy function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function.

[0012] As the network 3, a wide area network such as the Internet, or a private network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) can be used.

[0013] One or more mobile terminals 4 are also connected to the network 3. The mobile terminal 4 is, for example, a smartphone.

[0014] (Cloud storage hardware configuration) Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of the cloud storage 2. As shown in Fig. 2, the cloud storage 2 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 31, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 32, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 33, a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 34, and a communication unit 35.

[0015] An information processing program and the like are stored in the HDD 34. Note that the information processing program may be stored in another storage unit such as the ROM 32 or the RAM 33.

[0016] (Cloud storage functional configuration) Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the cloud storage 2. The CPU 31 of the cloud storage 2 executes an information processing program to realize the functions of a communication control unit 41 and a storage control unit 42, as shown in Fig. 3.

[0017] The communication control unit 41 communicates with each MFP 1, and transmits and receives at least one read image read by each MFP 1, and the like.

[0018] Furthermore, the communication control unit 41 communicates with each portable terminal 4, and transmits at least one read image read by each MFP 1, and the like.

[0019] The storage control unit 42 controls the storage and reading of scanned images and the like received from each MFP 1 in the HDD 34 .

[0020] 3 are realized by software using an information processing program for the cloud storage 2. However, all or a part of these may be realized by hardware such as an integrated circuit (IC).

[0021] The information processing program for cloud storage 2 may be provided by recording it in the form of file information in an installable or executable format on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM or a flexible disk (FD). The information processing program for cloud storage 2 may be provided by recording it in the form of file information in an installable or executable format on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-R, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), a Blu-ray (registered trademark) Disc, or a semiconductor memory. The information processing program for cloud storage 2 may be provided by installing it via a network such as the Internet. The information processing program for cloud storage 2 may be provided by being pre-installed in a ROM or the like in a device.

[0022] (MFP hardware configuration) Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the MFP 1. As shown in Fig. 4, the MFP 1 has a main body 50 capable of implementing various functions such as a copy function, a scanner function, a fax function, a printer function, etc., and an operation unit 60 that accepts input according to an operation by an operator.

[0023] The main body 50 and the operation unit 60 are connected to each other via a dedicated communication path 69. As a connection form between the main body 50 and the operation unit 60, for example, a connection form conforming to the USB standard or a connection form conforming to any other standard can be used. Furthermore, the main body 50 and the operation unit 60 may be connected by wire or wirelessly.

[0024] The CPU 51 comprehensively controls the operation of the main body 50. The CPU 51 executes programs stored in the ROM 52 or the HDD 54, etc., using the RAM 53 as a work area, thereby controlling the operation of the entire main body 10 and realizing various functions such as the copy function, scanner function, fax function, and printer function described above.

[0025] The engine unit 57 is hardware that performs general-purpose information processing and processing other than communication in order to realize functions such as a copy function, a scanner function, a fax function, and a printer function.

[0026] The operation unit 60 is configured by interconnecting a CPU 61, a ROM 62, a RAM 63, a flash memory 64, a communication I / F 65, a connection I / F 66, and an operation panel 67 via a system bus .

[0027] Operation panel 67 is a so-called touch panel in which a touch detection section formed of a transparent electrode and a liquid crystal display section are integrally formed. Operation panel 67 accepts various inputs by the operator's touch operation and displays various information (for example, information according to the accepted input, information indicating the operating status of MFP1, information indicating the setting state, etc.).

[0028] (MFP software configuration) Fig. 5 is a diagram showing the software configuration of MFP 1. As shown in Fig. 5, main body 50 has application layer 71, service layer 72, and OS (Operating System) layer 73. The substance of application layer 71, service layer 72, and OS layer 73 is various software stored in ROM 52 (or HDD 54). Various functions are provided by CPU 51 executing these software.

[0029] The operation unit 60 has an application layer 75, a service layer 76, and an OS layer 77. The application layer 75, the service layer 76, and the OS layer 77 of the operation unit 60 have the same hierarchical structure as those of the main body 50. The functions provided by the AP (application) of the application layer 75 and the types of operation requests that the service layer 76 can accept are different from those of the main body 50. The AP (application) of the application layer 75 may be software for operating the hardware resources of the operation unit 60 to provide a predetermined function. The AP (application) of the application layer 75 mainly includes software for providing a UI (user interface) function for operating and displaying the functions (copy function, scanner function, fax function, printer function) of the main body 50.

[0030] (MFP functional configuration) Fig. 6 is a functional block diagram showing the various functions realized by CPU 51 of MFP 1 executing an AP (application) for MFP stored in a storage unit such as HDD 54. As shown in Fig. 6, CPU 51 executes the AP (application) for MFP to realize an image storage control unit 81, an image list creation unit 82, a code information creation unit 83, an image list information storage unit 84, an image list output unit 85, and an image formation control unit 86.

[0031] The image storage control unit 81 stores in the cloud storage 2 at least one read image read by the engine unit 57 (image reading unit).

[0032] The image list creation unit 82 creates an image list of the read images. Furthermore, the image list creation unit 82 can select, as the image list of the read images, either summary information that collectively displays the read images in a list, or thumbnail information that reduces the read images and displays them in a list. When summary information is selected as the image list of the read images, the image list creation unit 82 creates summary information for a desired read image selected from the read images. When thumbnail information is selected as the image list of the read images, the image list creation unit 82 creates thumbnail information for a desired read image selected from the read images.

[0033] The code information creation unit 83 creates code information by encoding an address for identifying the location in the cloud storage 2 of each scanned image in the image list created by the image list creation unit 82. In this embodiment, a QR code (registered trademark), which is one type of two-dimensional code, is adopted as the code information.

[0034] The image list information storage unit 84 stores the image list of the scanned images and the code information in the cloud storage 2.

[0035] The image list output unit 85 forms an image of the image list of the read images and the code information as one image in the engine unit 57 (image forming unit).

[0036] When the image-formed code information is read by the engine unit 57 (image reading unit), the image formation control unit 86 obtains the read images related to the image list corresponding to the code information from the cloud storage 2, and forms each of the obtained read images into an image by the engine unit 57 (image forming unit).

[0037] 6 are realized by software using an AP (application) for the MFP 1. However, all or part of these may be realized by hardware such as an IC.

[0038] The AP (application) for the MFP1 may be provided by recording it in the form of file information in an installable or executable format on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM or a flexible disk (FD). The AP (application) for the MFP1 may be provided by recording it in the form of file information in an installable or executable format on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-R, a DVD, a Blu-ray Disc, or a semiconductor memory. The AP (application) for the MFP1 may be provided by installing it via a network such as the Internet. The AP (application) for the MFP1 may be provided by being pre-installed in a ROM or the like within the device.

[0039] (Mobile device hardware configuration) FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the mobile terminal 4. As shown in FIG.

[0040] 7, the mobile terminal 4 is constructed by a computer. The mobile terminal 4 includes, for example, a CPU 401, a ROM 402, a RAM 403, an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) 404, a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) sensor 405, an image sensor I / F 406, an acceleration / direction sensor 407, a media I / F 409, and a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiving unit 411.

[0041] Of these, the CPU 401 controls the overall operation of the mobile terminal 4. The ROM 402 stores the CPU 401 and programs used to drive the CPU 401, such as an IPL. The mobile terminal 4 is equipped with a general OS for mobile terminals as a program. The mobile terminal 4 is also equipped with browser software as a program.

[0042] The RAM 403 is used as a work area for the CPU 401. The EEPROM 404 reads or writes various data under the control of the CPU 401. The CMOS sensor 405 is a type of built-in imaging means that captures an image of a subject under the control of the CPU 401 to obtain image data or video data. The imaging means may be an imaging means such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor, instead of a CMOS sensor. The imaging element I / F 406 is a circuit that controls the driving of the CMOS sensor 405. The acceleration / direction sensor 407 is a variety of sensors such as an electronic magnetic compass or gyrocompass that detects geomagnetism, and an acceleration sensor. The media I / F 409 controls the reading or writing (storage) of data from or to a recording medium 408 such as a flash memory. The GPS receiver 411 receives GPS signals from GPS satellites.

[0043] Furthermore, the mobile terminal 4 is equipped with, for example, a long-distance communication circuit 412, an antenna 412a of the long-distance communication circuit 412, a CMOS sensor 413, an image sensor I / F 414, a microphone 415, a speaker 416, an audio input / output I / F 417, a display 418, an external device connection I / F (Interface) 419, a short-distance communication circuit 420, an antenna 420a of the short-distance communication circuit 420, and a touch panel 421.

[0044] Of these, long-distance communication circuit 412 is a circuit that communicates with other devices via communication network 100. CMOS sensor 413 is provided on a surface of mobile terminal 4 different from the surface on which CMOS sensor 405 is provided. CMOS sensor 413 is a type of built-in imaging means that captures an image of a subject and obtains image data under the control of CPU 401. Image sensor I / F 414 is a circuit that controls the driving of CMOS sensor 413.

[0045] The microphone 415 is a built-in circuit that converts sound into an electric signal, and obtains information using the electric signal by acquiring voice or sound waves emitted from an external speaker or the like. The speaker 416 is a built-in circuit that converts an electric signal into physical vibrations to generate sound such as music or voice. The sound input / output I / F 417 is a circuit that processes input and output of sound signals between the microphone 415 and the speaker 416 under the control of the CPU 401. The display 418 is a type of display means such as a liquid crystal or organic EL (Electro Luminescence) that displays an image of a subject, various icons, etc. The external device connection I / F 419 is an interface for connecting various external devices.

[0046] The short-range communication circuit 420 is a communication circuit for short-range wireless communication such as NFC (Near Field Communication) or Bluetooth (registered trademark). The touch panel 421 is a type of input means for operating the mobile terminal 4 by the user performing operations such as pressing, clicking, or tapping on the display 418.

[0047] In addition, imaging means such as the CMOS sensor 413, short-range communication means such as the short-range communication circuit 420, audio input means such as the microphone 415, etc. are information acquisition means that acquire resource identification information, for example, by an image such as an image code, wireless communication, or sound waves.

[0048] The mobile terminal 4 also includes a bus line 410. The bus line 410 is an address bus, a data bus, or the like for electrically connecting the components such as the CPU 401 shown in FIG.

[0049] Each of the above programs may be distributed by recording it on a computer-readable recording medium as an installable or executable file. Examples of the recording medium include a CD-R (Compact Disc Recordable), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), a Blu-ray Disc, an SD card, and a USB memory. The recording medium may be provided domestically or internationally as a program product.

[0050] The above programs may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by being downloaded via the network. The above programs may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

[0051] The mobile terminal 4 may be a mobile terminal having a communication function, such as a tablet terminal, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a wearable PC (sunglasses type, wristwatch type, etc.), etc. In other words, the mobile terminal 4 is a terminal capable of operating software such as browser software.

[0052] (Processing in image processing systems) Incidentally, in conventional MFPs, a scanned image is printed at the top of a sheet of printing paper that is larger than the scanned image, and code information obtained by converting the scanned image into a two-dimensional code is printed at the bottom of the printing paper.

[0053] The MFP 1 of this embodiment is capable of converting a plurality of pages into a single two-dimensional code in the two-dimensional code conversion of an image read by the MFP 1, and of reading the code as electronic data by the mobile terminal 4. This will be described in detail below.

[0054] FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a processing flow in the image processing system.

[0055] 8, the user places a sheet of paper to be read in the MFP 1 (S1), and selects a conversion mode on the operation unit 60 of the MFP 1 (S2). The user inputs necessary information into a template related to the conversion mode displayed by the MFP 1. The conversion modes are a summary information conversion mode in which the read images are converted into summary information that is displayed as a list separately from the read images, and a thumbnail information conversion mode in which the read images are reduced and displayed as a list separately from the read images.

[0056] The image storage control unit 81 of the MFP1 determines whether the image has not been scanned by the engine unit 57 (image reading unit) or has already been scanned by the engine unit 57 (image reading unit) (S3). If the image storage control unit 81 of the MFP1 determines that the image has not been scanned (No in S3), it executes scanning by the engine unit 57 (image reading unit) and transmits the scanned image to the cloud storage 2 (S4). The cloud storage 2 accumulates the scanned image scanned by the MFP1 in the HDD 34 (S5).

[0057] If the image list creation unit 82 of the MFP1 determines that scanning has been completed by the engine unit 57 (image reading unit) (Yes in S3), or if scanning has been performed by the engine unit 57 (image reading unit) (S4), and the conversion mode is summary information conversion mode (Yes in S6), it creates summary information and displays it on the operation unit 60 (S7).

[0058] If the image list creation unit 82 of the MFP1 determines that scanning has been completed by the engine unit 57 (image reading unit) (Yes in S3), or if scanning has been performed by the engine unit 57 (image reading unit) (S4), and the conversion mode is thumbnail information conversion mode (No in S6), it creates thumbnail information and displays it on the operation unit 60 (S8).

[0059] The user checks the summary information / thumbnail information created by the MFP 1 and displayed on the operation unit 60 (S9). If the user determines that there is a problem with the content of the created summary information / thumbnail information (No in S10), the user again selects the conversion mode on the operation unit 60 of the MFP 1 (S2). On the other hand, if the user determines that there is no problem with the content of the created summary information / thumbnail information (Yes in S10), the user presses the print start button on the operation unit 60 of the MFP 1 (S11).

[0060] In the following, a case where the conversion mode is the summary information conversion mode will be described.

[0061] When the print start button is pressed in S11, the code information creation unit 83 of the MFP 1 creates a QR code (S12) based on the uniform resource locator (URL) of the storage destination in cloud storage 2 of each scanned image in the image list created by the image list creation unit 82. Here, the URL is an address for identifying the location in cloud storage 2 of each scanned image in the image list.

[0062] The image list information storage unit 84 of the MFP 1 sends summary information, which is an image list of the scanned images, and the QR code to the cloud storage 2. The cloud storage 2 accumulates the summary information and the QR code sent from the MFP 1 in the HDD 34 as summary information with a QR code (S13).

[0063] Thereafter, the image list output unit 85 of the MFP 1 prints the summary information with the QR code as a single image in the engine unit 57 (image forming unit) (S14).

[0064] Here, Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of image formation. As shown in Fig. 9, the printed image includes summary information, which is a plurality of scanned images, and a QR code.

[0065] Next, the user places the paper on which the summary information with the QR code is printed in the engine unit 57 (image reading unit) of the MFP 1, and presses the conversion start button on the operation unit 60 of the MFP 1 (S15).

[0066] When the conversion start button is pressed, the image formation control unit 86 of the MFP 1 causes the engine unit 57 (image reading unit) to scan the paper on which the summary information with the QR code is printed (S16).

[0067] The cloud storage 2 acquires the scanned images stored in the HDD 34 in the image list corresponding to the code information based on the QR code on the paper scanned by the MFP 1, and transmits the images to the MFP 1 (S17).

[0068] The image formation control unit 86 of the MFP 1 causes the engine unit 57 (image forming unit) to print each of the scanned images acquired from the cloud storage 2 (S18).

[0069] In addition, the user reads the QR code on the paper on which the summary information with the QR code is printed with the mobile terminal 4 (S19). When the mobile terminal 4 reads the QR code, it starts a browser and displays the read image before conversion into the summary information in the same manner as the processing of the MFP 1 described above (S20).

[0070] As described above, according to the present embodiment, a summary information conversion mode and a thumbnail information conversion mode can be selected as the conversion mode in the MFP 1. Then, the MFP 1 stores the selected summary information with a QR code added thereto and the original scanned image in the cloud storage 2. The MFP 1 prints the summary information with the QR code stored in this manner in the engine unit 57 (image forming unit). Then, by scanning the QR code on the paper on which the summary information with the QR code is printed with the MFP 1 / portable terminal 4, the original scanned image can be printed / viewed.

[0071] In other words, according to this embodiment, multiple scanned images are stored in association with a QR code, so that only one sheet of paper is required to store the multiple scanned images, and the multiple scanned images can be viewed as electronic data.

[0072] Regarding the thumbnail conversion information, a method of having the user select which page (scanned image) to create a thumbnail of may be considered. Here, Fig. 10 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow when a thumbnail is selected.

[0073] As shown in FIG. 10, when the MFP 1 selects the thumbnail information conversion mode as the conversion mode in S2, and when it determines that scanning has been completed by the engine unit 57 (image reading unit) (Yes in S3), or when it executes scanning by the engine unit 57 (image reading unit) (S4), it obtains the scanned image from the cloud storage 2 and displays the scanned information (scanned image) on the operation unit 60 as feedback (S21).

[0074] The user checks the information (scanned image) displayed on the operation unit 60, and selects, via the operation unit 60, the page (scanned image) for which a thumbnail is to be created (S22).

[0075] The MFP 1 creates thumbnail information of the page (scanned image) selected via the operation unit 60, and displays it on the operation unit 60 (S23).

[0076] The user checks the thumbnail information created by the MFP 1 and displayed on the operation unit 60 (S24). If the user determines that there is a problem with the content of the created thumbnail information (No in S10), the user selects the conversion mode again on the operation unit 60 of the MFP 1 (S2) or selects which page to create a thumbnail for (S22). On the other hand, if the user determines that there is no problem with the content of the created thumbnail information (Yes in S10), the user presses the print start button on the operation unit 60 of the MFP 1 (S11).

[0077] (Second embodiment) Next, a second embodiment will be described.

[0078] The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that it uses cache storage to speed up printing. In the following explanation of the second embodiment, the explanation of the same parts as in the first embodiment will be omitted, and only the parts that differ from the first embodiment will be explained.

[0079] The functional configuration of the MFP 1 in the second embodiment differs from that in the first embodiment in the following points.

[0080] The image storage control unit 81 stores at least one read image and image ID read by the engine unit 57 (image reading unit) in the HDD 54, which functions as an auxiliary storage unit. The auxiliary storage unit is not limited to the HDD 54, and a buffer memory may be provided. The image storage control unit 81 deletes the read image and image ID stored in the HDD 54 a predetermined time after they are stored. The image storage control unit 81 can arbitrarily change the predetermined time until the read image and image ID stored in the HDD 54 are deleted.

[0081] When the image-formed code information is read by the engine unit 57 (image reading unit), the image forming control unit 86 obtains a read image corresponding to the code information from the HDD 54, and forms an image of the obtained read image by the engine unit 57 (image forming unit).

[0082] When the scanned image corresponding to the code information is not stored in the HDD 54, the image formation control unit 86 acquires the scanned image corresponding to the code information from the cloud storage 2 and forms an image of the acquired scanned image in the engine unit 57 (image forming unit). In this case, the image storage control unit 81 stores the scanned image and image ID acquired from the cloud storage 2 in the HDD 54.

[0083] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a processing flow in the image processing system according to the second embodiment.

[0084] As shown in FIG. 11, when the image storage control unit 81 of the MFP1 determines that the image has not been scanned (No in S3), it performs scanning using the engine unit 57 (image reading unit) and transmits the scanned image to the cloud storage 2 (S4), and also stores the scanned image and image ID as a cache in the HDD 54 (S31).

[0085] The stored cache data (scanned image and image ID) may be deleted a predetermined time (e.g., 5 hours) after the cache saving (storage). This can reduce memory consumption. The predetermined time before the cache data (scanned image and image ID) is deleted can be changed as desired. This allows the user to freely change whether to prioritize reducing the time until printing begins or reducing memory consumption.

[0086] Thereafter, when the print start button is pressed in S11, the code information creation unit 83 of the MFP1 creates a QR code based on the URL of the image storage destination in cloud storage 2 and the image ID of each scanned image in the image list created by the image list creation unit 82 (S32).

[0087] The image list information storage unit 84 of the MFP 1 sends summary information, which is an image list of the scanned images, and the QR code to the cloud storage 2. The cloud storage 2 accumulates the summary information and the QR code sent from the MFP 1 in the HDD 34 (cache) as summary information with the QR code (S13).

[0088] Then, when the conversion start button is pressed, the image formation control unit 86 of the MFP 1 causes the engine unit 57 (image reading unit) to scan the paper on which the summary information with the QR code is printed (S16).

[0089] The image forming control unit 86 of the MFP1 acquires the URL of the storage destination and the image ID based on the QR code of the scanned paper. If there is a scanned image with a matching image ID in the HDD 34 (cache), the image forming control unit 86 of the MFP1 acquires the scanned image from the HDD 34 (cache) (S33).

[0090] If there is no scanned image with a matching image ID in the HDD 34 (cache) when printing starts, the scanned image is obtained from the cloud storage 2. This allows image printing to be performed even if the scanned image with the matching image ID has been deleted from the HDD 34 (cache).

[0091] Furthermore, the image formation control unit 86 of the MFP 1 may store the scanned image acquired from the cloud storage 2 in the HDD 34 (cache) when the scanned image with the matching image ID has been deleted from the HDD 34 (cache). This can shorten the time until printing starts.

[0092] This allows the scanned image to be acquired in a shorter time than if the scanned image were acquired from cloud storage 2 based on the storage destination URL, thereby shortening the time until printing can begin. If there is no matching image ID in HDD 34 (cache), the image is acquired from cloud storage 2 based on the storage destination URL.

[0093] As described above, according to this embodiment, by storing the image read by the MFP 1 in the HDD 34 (cache), it is possible to reduce the time from reading the QR code to starting printing.

[0094] (Third embodiment) Next, a third embodiment will be described.

[0095] The third embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the information to be acquired when a QR code is read can be selected to be a summary or the entire document. In the following explanation of the third embodiment, the explanation of the same parts as in the first embodiment will be omitted, and only the parts that differ from the first embodiment will be explained.

[0096] The functional configuration of the MFP 1 in the third embodiment differs from that in the first embodiment in the following points.

[0097] When the image formation control unit 86 obtains the scanned images related to the image list corresponding to the read code information from the cloud storage 2, it allows the user to select either summary information that displays the scanned images in a list or overall information that displays the entire scanned image as the display mode. The image formation control unit 86 forms the scanned images related to the image list corresponding to the code information in the engine unit 57 (image forming unit) according to the selected display mode.

[0098] The code information generating unit 83 prepares two patterns of code information: summary information and overall information.

[0099] The image list information storage unit 84 stores in the cloud storage 2 an image list of the scanned images and two patterns of code information.

[0100] The image list output unit 85 forms an image of the image list of the read images and the two patterns of code information into one image by the engine unit 57 (image forming unit).

[0101] FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a processing flow in the image processing system according to the third embodiment.

[0102] As shown in FIG. 12, the user places the paper on which the summary information with the QR code is printed in the engine unit 57 (image reading unit) of the MFP 1, and presses the conversion start button on the operation unit 60 of the MFP 1 (S15).

[0103] When the conversion start button is pressed, the image formation control unit 86 of the MFP 1 causes the engine unit 57 (image reading unit) to scan the paper on which the summary information with the QR code is printed (S16).

[0104] The cloud storage 2 acquires the scanned images stored in the HDD 34 in the image list corresponding to the code information based on the QR code on the paper scanned by the MFP 1, and transmits the images to the MFP 1 (S17).

[0105] The image formation control unit 86 of the MFP 1 displays on the operation unit 60 a screen for selecting whether to display a summary or the entire document for each scanned image to be viewed that has been obtained from the cloud storage 2 (S41). The user selects the viewing target (summary / entire document) (S42).

[0106] The image formation control unit 86 of the MFP 1 acquires the viewing subject (summary / whole) selected by the user (S43).

[0107] The cloud storage 2 acquires the scanned images stored in the HDD 34 according to the viewing target (summary / whole) selected by the user, and transmits them to the MFP 1 (S44).

[0108] The image formation control unit 86 of the MFP 1 causes the engine unit 57 (image forming unit) to print each of the scanned images acquired from the cloud storage 2 (S18).

[0109] In this way, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to select either a summary or the entire document for each scanned image to be viewed when the QR code is read. This allows only one sheet of paper to be used to store multiple scanned images, and when printing, it is possible to select either the entire image or the summary.

[0110] In this embodiment, the information acquired when the QR code is read can be selected from the summary and the entire document, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when saving the read document, two patterns of QR codes, one for the summary and one for the entire file, may be prepared. Specifically, the image list information storage unit 84 of the MFP1 stores the image list of the read images and the two patterns of code information in the cloud storage 2. Then, the image list output unit 85 forms an image of the image list of the read images and the two patterns of code information as one image in the engine unit 57 (image forming unit).

[0111] In this case, since the user has already selected the required file at the time of reading the QR code, there is no need for the user to make a selection after reading the QR code.

[0112] The above-mentioned method of allowing the user to select whether the summary or the entire document is to be acquired when the QR code is read can also be implemented when browsing from the mobile terminal 4.

[0113] FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram showing another example of the processing flow in the image processing system according to the third embodiment.

[0114] As shown in FIG. 13, the user reads the QR code on the paper on which summary information with a QR code is printed with the mobile terminal 4 (S50).

[0115] When the mobile terminal 4 reads the QR code, it launches a browser (S51).

[0116] The cloud storage 2 acquires the image based on the QR code read by the mobile terminal 4 (S52).

[0117] The mobile terminal 4 displays a screen on the browser that prompts the user to select whether to view the summary or the entire document, which is the information acquired when the QR code is read (S53). The user selects the viewing target (summary / entire document) (S54).

[0118] The mobile terminal 4 acquires the viewing subject (summary / whole) selected by the user (S55).

[0119] The cloud storage 2 acquires images according to the viewing subject (summary / whole) selected by the user (S56).

[0120] The mobile terminal 4 displays the image acquired by the cloud storage 2 (S57).

[0121] In each of the above embodiments, the image forming apparatus of the present invention is described as being applied to a multifunction device having at least two of the functions of a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function. However, the image forming apparatus can be applied to any image forming apparatus, such as a copier, printer, scanner device, or facsimile device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0122] 1. Image forming device 2 Storage section 57 Image reading unit, image forming unit 81 Image storage control unit 82 Image List Creation Department 83 Code Information Creation Department 84 Image list information storage unit 85 Image list output section 86 Image formation control section [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0123] [Patent Document 1] JP 2008-083270 A

Claims

1. an image storage control unit that stores a plurality of read images read by the image reading unit in a storage unit; an image list creating unit that creates an image list of the plurality of read images separately from the plurality of read images; a code information creating unit that creates a single code information from addresses for identifying locations in the storage unit of the plurality of scanned images included in the image list created by the image list creating unit; an image list information storage unit that associates an image list of the plurality of scanned images with the single code information and stores the image list in the storage unit; an image list output unit that forms an image of the image list of the plurality of read images and the single code information as one image in an image forming unit and outputs the image; an image forming control unit that, when the single code information formed as an image is read by the image reading unit, acquires the plurality of read images corresponding to the single code information from the storage unit, and forms images of the acquired plurality of read images by the image forming unit; An image forming apparatus comprising:

2. the image list creation unit is capable of selecting, as the image list, either summary information that collectively displays a list of the plurality of read images separately from the plurality of read images, or thumbnail information that displays a list of thumbnails obtained by reducing the plurality of read images separately from the plurality of read images.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,

3. the image list creation unit creates the thumbnail information for desired read images selected from the plurality of read images when the thumbnail information is selected as an image list of the plurality of read images; 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2,

4. The image storage control unit stores a plurality of read images read by the image reading unit in an auxiliary storage unit, When the image forming control unit reads the single code information formed as an image by the image reading unit, the image forming control unit obtains the plurality of read images corresponding to the single code information from the auxiliary storage unit, and forms images of the obtained plurality of read images by the image forming unit.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a multi-function device.

5. the image storage control unit deletes the plurality of scanned images stored in the auxiliary storage unit a predetermined time after the images are stored.

5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4.

6. the image storage control unit is capable of changing a predetermined time period until the plurality of scanned images stored in the auxiliary storage unit are deleted.

6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5,

7. When the plurality of read images corresponding to the single code information are not stored in the auxiliary storage unit, the image forming control unit acquires the plurality of read images corresponding to the single code information from the storage unit, and causes the image forming unit to form images of the acquired plurality of read images.

5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4.

8. The image storage control unit stores the plurality of scanned images acquired from the storage unit in the auxiliary storage unit.

8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7,

9. The image forming control unit When the plurality of read images corresponding to the single code information that has been read are obtained from the storage unit, either summary information that collectively displays the plurality of read images or overall information that displays the plurality of read images as a whole can be selected as a display mode; forming the plurality of read images corresponding to the single code information into images in the image forming unit according to a selected display mode; 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a multi-function device.

10. the code information creation unit prepares two patterns of the summary information and the overall information as the single code information; the image list information storage unit stores an image list of the plurality of read images and the two patterns of the single code information in the storage unit; the image list output unit forms an image of the image list of the plurality of read images and the single code information of the two patterns as one image in an image forming unit; 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9,

11. A computer that controls an image forming apparatus, an image storage control means for storing a plurality of read images read by the image reading section in a storage section; an image list creating means for creating an image list of the plurality of read images separately from the plurality of read images; a code information creating means for creating a single code information from addresses for identifying locations in the storage unit of the plurality of scanned images included in the image list created by the image list creating means; an image list information storage means for storing an image list of the plurality of scanned images in the storage unit in association with the single code information; an image list output unit that forms an image of the image list of the plurality of read images and the single code information into a single image and outputs the image; an image forming control unit that, when the single code information formed as an image is read by the image reading unit, acquires the plurality of read images corresponding to the single code information from the storage unit, and forms images of the acquired plurality of read images by the image forming unit; A program to function as a

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