Abstract: Stored digital data is searched for on the basis of an input image, difference information is extracted by comparing the retrieved digital data and the input image, and the difference information is composited to the digital data. Digital data generated by composition is stored. When no digital data is retrieved, the input image is converted into vector data, and the image that has been converted into the vector data is stored as digital data. Obtained region segmentation information and an input image are composited, the composite image is displayed on an operation screen of an MFP, and a rectangular block to be vectorized is designated as a specific region from the displayed region segmentation information. A user designates the specific region by designating rectangular blocks in an image using a pointing device.

Abstract: A network apparatus and a method for controlling the apparatus where the apparatus is connected to a communication network and is capable of switching between a first operation mode and a second operation mode for receiving data from the communication network. The network apparatus includes a data processing device operating in the first operation mode and data input processing device operating in the first and second operation mode. The data processing device includes a first storage unit for storing data and first controlling unit for controlling the data processing device and converting the data.

Abstract: This invention provides an image processing method which allows easy re-use of image information that is stored to minimize deterioration of image quality and the storage capacity. Storage means is searched for original digital data corresponding to each input image. If no original digital data is found, the input image is converted into vector data, and is stored as digital data in the storage means. A sheet including at least one of information associated with the found original digital data when the original digital data is found in the search step and information associated with digital data which is obtained by converting the image into the vector data in the vectorization step and is stored in the storage step when no original digital data is found in the search step is generated, thus providing a sheet that allows easy re-use.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus which is connected to a network (30), and forms an image on the basis of data acquired from the network, upon receiving a URL that designates image data to be acquired from a console, the URL is interpreted, and a data request is submitted to a server via the network on the basis of the interpretation result. Image data sent from the server in response to that data request is stored. If the image data is a JPEG image, an image process that warrants excellent tone reproduction is made; if the image data is a GIF image, an image process that warrants high resolution is made, and the processed image data is output to a printer to print it out.

Abstract: This invention provides the following environment. That is, an original document file corresponding to a document to be copied is specified from image data of that document to be copied, and a print process is made based on the specified file so as to prevent deterioration of image quality. Also, when a document to be copied is not registered, a registration process is executed to suppress deterioration of image quality in an early stage. Furthermore, since the document is converted into vector data, re-use of such document is facilitated, and deterioration of image quality can be suppressed even when an image process such as enlargement or the like is made. To this end, when an original digital file cannot be specified, an apparatus of this embodiment executes a vectorization process (S54), converts the obtained vector data into a data format that can be re-used by an application (S55), and registers the converted file in a file server (S56).

Abstract: A print job often includes secret information, and information may suffer sniffing from devices that execute distributed processing of jobs, or on the network. Therefore, executing the distributed processing of a print job including secret information reduces the robustness in terms of security protection. Hence, upon reception of a job, a task manager (TM) issues, to a dynamic job scheduler (DJS), a request of target devices of distributed processing according to a security level indicating the importance level of data included in that job. The DJS notifies the TM of the target devices, and the TM transmits divided jobs to the target devices.

Abstract: When data of a print job are stored on another device or a file server, data transfer is required to obtain image data, and the start of a print process and a preview process take time compared to a print job whose data is stored in a local storage device. Hence, a print job is started, and it is checked if data for all pages of the print job are locally held. If data for all pages of the print job are locally held, a print process is continued; otherwise, data for remaining pages are obtained and undergo the print process parallel to the print process for a first part.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus which is connected to a network (30), and forms an image on the basis of data acquired from the network, upon receiving a URL that designates image data to be acquired from a console, the URL is interpreted, and a data request is submitted to a server via the network on the basis of the interpretation result. Image data sent from the server in response to that data request is stored. If the image data is a JPEG image, an image process that warrants excellent tone reproduction is made; if the image data is a GIF image, an image process that warrants high resolution is made, and the processed image data is output to a printer to print it out.

Abstract: A network apparatus and a method for controlling the apparatus where the apparatus is connected to a communication network and is capable of switching between a first operation mode and a second operation mode for receiving data from the communication network. The network apparatus includes a data processing device operating in the first operation mode and data input processing device operating in the first and second operation mode. The data processing device includes a first storage unit for storing data and first controlling unit for controlling the data processing device and converting the data.

Abstract: To achieve the above objects, a communication apparatus for forming and outputting image data on the basis of data received via a network analyzes the contents of received electronic mail and extracts binary data encoded using character codes. The communication apparatus converts the extracted binary data into image data and outputs the data. The communication apparatus requests, where necessary, a server apparatus on the network to convert the binary data into the image data. If the conversion from the binary data into the image data is impossible, the communication apparatus reports this information to the source of the electronic mail in the same session as the electronic mail. The communication apparatus also generates a message from the reported information and transmits the message as electronic mail in a session other than the electronic mail.

Abstract: This invention provides an image processing method which allows easy re-use of image information that is stored to minimize deterioration of image quality and the storage capacity. Storage means is searched for original digital data corresponding to each input image. If no original digital data is found, the input image is converted into vector data, and is stored as digital data in the storage means. A sheet including at least one of information associated with the found original digital data when the original digital data is found in the search step and information associated with digital data which is obtained by converting the image into the vector data in the vectorization step and is stored in the storage step when no original digital data is found in the search step is generated, thus providing a sheet that allows easy re-use.

Abstract: Original digital data stored in a memory is searched for on the basis of an input image, difference information is extracted by comprising the retrieved original digital data and the input image, and the difference information is composited to the original digital data. Furthermore, digital data generated by composition is stored in the memory. Also, original digital data stored in a memory is searched for on the basis of an input image, and when no original digital data is retrieved, the input image is converted into vector data, and the image that has been converted into the vector data is stored as digital data in the memory. Moreover, region segmentation information obtained in a block selection step and an input image are composited, the composite image is displayed on an operation screen of an MFP, and a rectangular block to be vectorized is designated as a specific region from the displayed region segmentation information.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus allows a user to obtain only data on a desirable WWW (World Wide Web) server and print the obtained data. The image processing apparatus, which accesses HTML (HyperText Markup Language) data on a WWW server in accordance with designated address information and which prints the HTML data, allows for requesting of a source that specifies the address information an acceptance for the accessing or printing of data other than those data that correspond to the designated address information and that are linked with the pertinent data, and when the acceptance requested cannot be obtained from the source that specifies the address information, halts access or printing of the data other than data that correspond to the designated address information and that are linked with the pertinent data.