JPH1084443A - Copying machine management system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To attain an output in some kind of form, even when a copying machine of a transmission destination is not provided with a setting function by executing substitute processing in the case that a designated function is not provided but a substitute processing function is provided and giving a print command of image data stored in a memory section to a print section. SOLUTION: A control section 24 checks whether or not a processing function (designated function) written in a document header file is provided and when provided, the designated function processing as to image data stored in a memory section 25 is executed, and a print command is given to a print section 23. In the case that the processing function (designated function) written in the document header file is not provided, the control section 24 checks whether or not substitute processing of the designated function is possible, and when possible, the substitute processing of the designated function as to the image data stored in the memory section 25 is executed and issues a print command to the print section 23.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a copier management system capable of connecting a plurality of digital copiers to a communication line and mutually transmitting and receiving image information.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, facsimile apparatuses have been put into practical use as means for transmitting image information to a remote place. However, in a system such as a facsimile that directly transmits data to a transmission destination, when image information is transmitted to a large number of transmission destinations, transmission operations must be performed by the number of transmission destinations. On the other hand, digital copiers have also been developed for copiers, and transmission and reception have been facilitated by converting image information of a document into a digital signal. Copiers are larger or smaller than facsimile machines,
Since it has many functions such as double-sided copying function, if a copier management system that can connect and transmit and receive image information to and from multiple digital copiers is established, many It can be used effectively.
In view of such a fact, the present applicant has established a plurality of digital copiers connected to a communication line and one server, and a plurality of copiers connected to the communication line regularly access the server. Japanese Patent Application No. 8-197167 proposes a copier management system which takes in the received information of the user.

[0003]

Thus, in the above-described copier management system, when a function provided in a copier of a transmission destination is set, when transmission to a plurality of transmission destinations is desired, the transmission The function settings are made respectively. On the other hand, if functions can be set for a plurality of destinations at the same time, each copying machine of a plurality of transmission destinations must have exactly the same function, and it is desired to set a copying machine having the function to be set. If there is a copier that does not have the function, the functions that can be set collectively are limited.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and a first technical problem is that a copying machine capable of outputting data in any form even if the destination copying machine does not have a set function. To provide a management system.

[0005] A second technical problem of the present invention is that even when the copying machine of the transmission destination does not have the function to be set, if a similar result can be obtained by substituting another function with the function, the problem is solved. An object of the present invention is to provide a copier management system capable of expanding a range of functions that can be specified by executing functions.

[0006]

According to the present invention, in order to solve the first technical problem, a copying machine comprising a plurality of digital copying machines connected to a communication line and one server is provided. A management system, the server comprising: an image file directory having an image file for storing image data transmitted from each digital copier and a document header file for storing processing information relating to the image data; A client directory having a reception header management file created for each time and storing management data relating to image data to be received, and a function list file storing functions of the digital copying machine and alternative processing function data. The digital copier includes an image scanner unit that scans a document to be transmitted and a transmission partner. An input unit provided with a transmission destination specifying unit to execute and a processing function specifying unit to specify a processing function of a document to be transmitted, a display unit for displaying information input from the input unit, and storing image data to be received. A memory unit,
A printing unit that prints the received image data; and a control unit. The control unit communicates with the server at the time of transmission and stores the image data scanned by the image scanner unit in the image file directory of the server. And the processing function specified by the processing function specifying means is written in a document header file, and the management data relating to the image data is stored in the reception header management file of the client directory of the transmission destination specified by the transmission destination specifying means. At the time of writing and receiving, the server periodically accesses the reception header management file in its own client directory to check whether there is image data to be received, and if there is image data to be received, stores it in the image file directory. Access to the image file The corresponding image data is stored in the memory unit, and when the image data stored in the memory unit has a specified function, the specified function is executed and the specified function is provided. In the case where there is no substitute processing function, the substitute processing is executed, and in the case where the substitute processing function is not provided, the image data stored in the memory unit is instructed to print to the printing unit.
A copier management system is provided.

According to the present invention, in order to solve the second technical problem, the control unit stores the function list file in the client directory of each digital copying machine designated by the transmission destination designation unit. A processing function selecting means for selecting a function which can be processed or replaced by each digital copying machine designated by the transmission destination designating means based on the stored function and the substitution processing function data, When the transmission partner finger is designated by the designation means, the server accesses the server and fetches the function and the substitute processing function data of each digital copier from the function list file of the designated client directory, and executes the processing function. Function that the selection means can be processed or replaced by each digital copier The selected function is displayed on the display unit, and if a processing function is designated from among the displayed functions by the processing function designating unit, the image data scanned by the image scanner unit is displayed on the display unit. The server writes the image file in the image file directory of the server, writes the processing function specified by the processing function specifying means to the document header file, and manages the reception header of the client directory of the transmission destination specified by the transmission destination specifying means. The management data relating to the image data is written to a file, and upon reception, the server periodically checks whether there is image data to be received by accessing the reception header management file in the client directory of the server itself. If so, access the image file directory. Then, the corresponding image data stored in the image file is stored in the memory unit, and when the image data stored in the memory unit has a function specified, the specified function processing is executed. If the printer does not have the specified function, a copier management system is provided which instructs the printing unit to perform printing after executing the substitute processing.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of a copier management system constructed according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the illustrated embodiment, each part in an organization such as a company or government office is
A copier management system in which a plurality of copiers are connected by a so-called LAN (local area network) connecting sections via a communication line will be described as an example.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a copier management system configured according to the present invention. The copier management system includes a plurality of digital copiers (DPPCs) 2 arranged in respective sections and sections connected to a LAN as a communication line.
.. And one server 4.

The server 4 is constituted by a personal computer, for example, and is installed in a predetermined department of the organization. The server 4 has a management directory as described below. The management directory is, as shown in FIG. 2, a client list file storing the registered departments of the copying machines 2,..., And a client created for each registered department of the copying machines 2,. , And an image file directory for storing image data transmitted from each of the copying machines 2,....

The client directory is provided for each copying machine, that is, for each department in which each copying machine is installed, and has a transmission header management file, a reception header management file, and a function list file. The transmission header management file stores transmission information from the corresponding copying machine, such as the total number of transmission header files, the document header file name, the transmission date, the transmission time, and the transmission destination bit. The document header file name is automatically given a number obtained from a serial number file described later. The received header management file includes the total number of received documents (image information) to be received transmitted from another copying machine, a document header file name,
Stores reception management information such as the number of copies, the number of output pages, and the output progress of a received document. The function list file contains the functions of the corresponding copying machine, that is, the maximum copyable size, resolution, image data compression method, minimum zoom value,
Although the functions of the corresponding copying machine such as the maximum zoom value, the original mode, the duplex mode, the sorter, the composition mode, the movement, the binding margin, the date and time insertion, the character insertion, the numbering, and the above functions are not provided, A function capable of alternative processing (alternate processing function) is stored. This alternative processing function is, for example, a function that does not have a duplex mode function but outputs two originals on one side of one transfer sheet.

The image file directory has a plurality of document header files, a plurality of image files, and a serial number file. The document header file is created each time one transmission is performed, and the management information and the processing information of the image file for each document transmitted from each copying machine, that is, the total number of distributions of the document transmitted from each copying machine (specified Number of destinations) and total number of pages, number of pages to be written, designated magnification, binding position, binding width, original mode, date insertion, finisher, duplex copy, image file name (1 to 1)
n) are stored. The image file name is automatically given a number obtained from a serial number file described later. The image file stores full-size actual data of the transmission information. It should be noted that the image files are created in page units. Therefore, when there are a plurality of originals in one transmission, the number of image files corresponding to the number of originals is created. Then, a number obtained from a serial number file described later is automatically added to the image file as an image file name. The serial number file manages a serial number used as the next document header file name and image file name.

Next, each of the copying machines 2 will be described with reference to FIG. The copying machine 2 is composed of a digital copying machine, and has an image scanner unit 21 for reading a document.
, An image processor unit (IPU) 22, and a printing unit 2
3, a control unit 24, a memory unit 25, a network unit 26, an operation unit 27, and a display unit 28.

The image scanner unit 21 includes an automatic document feeder for feeding a document to be copied or transmitted by the copying machine 2, an image pickup unit including a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) line image sensor, and an image processing unit. Is scanned relative to the original, the original image is read line by line in the original transport direction (the original line direction), and the read data is subjected to predetermined image processing as a digital signal. (IPU)
Output to 22

The image processor unit (IPU) 22 includes:
The image data input from the image scanner unit 21 is subjected to gradation processing, and is output to the printing unit 23 when copying is performed as it is. The image processor unit (IPU) 22
When transmitting image data input from the image scanner unit 21 to another copying machine, the image data subjected to gradation processing is output to the control unit 24.

In the illustrated embodiment, the printing section 23 converts the modulated signal generated based on the image information read by the image scanner section 21 or the constituent data of the image information transmitted from another copying machine. A laser optical unit that converts the laser light into an output, a developing unit that visualizes a latent image of the print image formed by the laser light emitted from the laser optical unit, and the visualized print image on a recording sheet. The laser printer includes a transfer unit for transferring and forming an image and a fixing unit for fixing a print image transferred and formed on recording paper.

The control unit 24 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 241 for performing arithmetic processing according to a predetermined processing program, a ROM (Read Only) storing processing programs for executing a copying function and a transmitting / receiving function, and various processing data. M
emory) 242, a RAM (Random Access Memory) for temporarily storing processing results and the like calculated according to the above processing program
ory) 243 is built in. The control unit 24 temporarily stores the image data input from the image processor unit (IPU) 22 in the memory unit 25, and then executes the functional processing shared on the transmission side, and executes the network unit 26
Output to After temporarily storing the image data received via the network unit 26 in the memory unit 25,
The specified function processing is performed and output to the printing unit 23.

The memory 25 temporarily stores image data, and has a built-in RAM (Random Acce
ss Memory) 243 may be used.

The network unit 26 includes a control unit 24
Is transmitted to the server 4 via the LAN. The image data received from the server 4 via the LAN is sent to the control unit 24.

The operation unit 27 includes various input keys such as a transmission partner setting key as a transmission partner setting unit, a processing function setting key as a processing function setting unit, a transmission start key, and a numeric keypad. Input copy conditions such as
Instructions for starting / stopping copying and starting / stopping transmission are set and input to the control unit 24.

The display unit 28 includes an LCD, an LED, and the like.
Displays the copy conditions and the operation of the current operation.
In addition, the display unit 28 displays the contents of the function list of the other copying machines.

Each of the copying machines 2 and the server 4 constituting the copying machine management system in the illustrated embodiment are configured as described above. The transmission and reception operations of each copying machine are shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. This will be described with reference to a flowchart.

First, the control unit 24 in the copying machine on the transmitting side
Will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. When transmitting the image information, a transmission operation is performed by the operator (step S0). That is, when the operator sets a document to be transmitted to the automatic document feeder of the image scanner unit 21, starts communication with the server 4, and inputs a transmission partner (reception side) from the transmission partner designation unit of the operation unit 27, The control unit 24 searches for a function list file in the client directory corresponding to the transmission partner (reception side) of the server 4, and temporarily stores the corresponding function data in the RAM 243 (step S1). Next, the control unit 24 displays the function of the copying machine on the receiving side and the presence or absence of the substitution process based on the function data as shown in FIG. 6, for example (step S2). In addition,
In FIG. 6, a mark “○” has a corresponding function.
The mark has an alternative processing function of the corresponding function, and ×
The mark indicates that the corresponding function is not provided with a substitute processing function. Therefore, the transmission partner (reception side) having the function that the operator wants to specify and the transmission partner (reception side) having the substitution processing function and the transmission partner (reception side) not having the substitution processing function ) Can be confirmed. Then, the control unit 24 confirms that the function to be processed is specified by the processing function specifying unit of the operation unit 27 by the operator (step S3) and that the transmission start key is pressed (ON) (step S4). ), Proceeding to step S5, the image scanner unit 21
To start reading the original. The image scanner unit 2 is controlled based on a document reading start command from the control unit 24.
Reference numeral 1 designates an image processor (IPU) 22 which starts reading a document, performs predetermined image processing for each read page of read data, and converts the read data into a digital signal.
Output to The image processor unit (IPU) 22
When used as a copier, the image data input from the image scanner unit 21 is output to the printing unit 23 as it is. When editing is required, the image processor unit (IPU) 22 performs a predetermined editing process on the image data and outputs the image data to the printing unit 23. Then, when transmitting to another copier, the image processor unit (IPU) 22
Outputs image data input from the image scanner unit 21 to the control unit 24.

As described above, the control unit 24 having received the copy conditions and the image data creates an image file in page units based on the image data input from the image processor unit (IPU) 22, and stores this in the memory unit. 25 (step S6). Next, the control unit 24 proceeds to step S7, and copies the image data from the network unit 26 to the image file in the image file directory of the server 4 via the LAN. After copying the image file to the image file directory of the server 4, the control unit 24 deletes the image data temporarily stored in the memory unit 25. Then, in step S8, the control unit 24 creates a document header file based on the management information input from the operation unit 27, the processing function, and the data read by the image scanner unit 21, and creates an image file directory of the server 4. Write to the document header file. Next, the control unit 24 proceeds to step S9 to write the transmission information in the transmission header management file of the client directory on the transmission side, and further proceeds to step S10 to store the reception management information in the reception header management file of the client directory on the reception side. Write. Thus, the transmission operation of the transmission-side copying machine ends.

Next, the receiving operation in the copying machine on the receiving side will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
Each copier periodically communicates with the server 4 to check its own client directory. The control unit 24 of each copying machine accesses its own client directory of the server 4 and checks the total number of received documents in the received header management file to confirm whether or not there is received data (step P1). Step P if no data
The process proceeds to step 2, and after a predetermined time elapses, the presence or absence of received data is checked again. If there is received data in step P1, the control section 24 proceeds to step P3 to obtain a document header file name from its own received header management file. When the document header file name to be received is obtained in this way, the control unit 24 proceeds to step P4, accesses the image file directory, and obtains the corresponding image file from the document header file name. The image file in the image file directory is one file for each page. Then, the control unit 24 determines in step P
In step 5, the image data of the corresponding image file name is fetched and temporarily stored in the memory unit 25. Next, the control unit 24 proceeds to step P6 to check whether or not the processing function (specified function) written in the document header file is provided, and if the specified function is provided. In step P7, the designated function process is executed for the image data stored in the memory unit 25, and the process proceeds to step P8 to instruct the printing unit 23 to print. If the processing function (specified function) written in the document header file is not provided in step P6, the control unit 24 proceeds to step P9, and determines whether a substitute process for the specified function is possible. The process proceeds to step P10 to execute the process of substituting the designated function for the image data stored in the memory unit 25, and then proceeds to step P8 to instruct the printing unit 23 to print. I do. As an alternative process, for example, when a double-sided copy mode for A4 transfer paper is designated, the front and back of A4 are output on one side of A3 transfer paper. If the process of substituting the designated function cannot be performed in step P9, the control unit 24 does not execute the process corresponding to the designated function for the image data stored in the memory unit 25 (step P11), and proceeds to step P8. Proceed to printing section 23
Command to print. When the printing unit 23 prints out the corresponding image data, the control unit 24 subtracts “1” from the total number of received documents in the reception header management file, deletes the corresponding management information, and deletes the total number of distributions of the document header file. Is subtracted by "1", and if the total number of distributions becomes zero (0) (in the case of the last recipient at the designated transmission destination), the corresponding image file is deleted. Thus, the receiving operation of the receiving copying machine ends.

Next, another embodiment of a copier management system constructed according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the control unit 24 provided in the copying machine 2 stores the function list file in the client directory of each transmission partner (digital copying machine) designated by the transmission partner designating means. A processing function selection unit 244 for selecting a function that can be processed or replaced by each digital copying machine designated by the transmission destination designation unit based on the set function and the substitute processing function data is built in. Hereinafter, transmission and reception operations of each copying machine 2 constituting the copying machine management system according to this embodiment will be described with reference to flowcharts shown in FIGS.

First, the control unit 24 in the copying machine on the transmission side
Will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. When transmitting the image information, a transmission operation is performed by the operator (step S00). At this time, when the transmission partner (reception side) is input from the transmission partner designation means of the operation unit 27, the control unit 24 searches a function list file in the client directory corresponding to the transmission partner (reception side) of the server 4 and finds the corresponding file. RAM for function data
243 (step S01). Next, the control unit 24 displays a function that can be processed by the receiving side specified based on the function data and a substitute processing function, for example, as shown in FIG. 10 (step S02). At this time, if even one of the transmission partners (reception side) does not have the substitute processing function, the function is not displayed. In FIG. 10, a mark “対 応” has a corresponding function, and a mark “こ と” has a function of replacing the corresponding function. The zoom value indicates a reduction / enlargement range, and when a value exceeding this range is designated, the minimum value or the maximum value is set as the substitute processing value.
Therefore, if the displayed function is set, the specified transmission partner (reception side) can always execute the specified function or the substitute process. Then, the control unit 24 confirms that the function to be processed is specified by the processing function specifying unit of the operation unit 27 by the operator (step S03) and that the transmission start key is pressed (ON) (step S04). ), The process proceeds to step S05 to instruct the image scanner unit 21 to start reading a document. And
The control unit 24 thereafter executes steps S06 to S010.
Execute each step. Steps S06 to S010 correspond to step S6 in the above embodiment.
Since the operation is the same as that of step S10, the description is omitted.

Next, the receiving operation in the copying machine on the receiving side will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
Note that steps P01 to P05 in this embodiment are the same operations as steps P1 to P5 in the above embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted. By executing the above-described steps P01 to P05, the image data of the corresponding image file name is fetched and temporarily stored in the memory unit 25.
Proceeds to step P06, checks whether the processing function (specified function) written in the document header file is provided or not, and proceeds to step P07 if the specified function is provided. Executes the designated function processing on the image data stored in the memory unit 25,
Proceeding to step P08, a print command is issued to the printing unit 23. If the processing function (specified function) written in the document header file is not provided in step P06, the control unit 24 proceeds to step P09 and specifies the image data stored in the memory unit 25. Then, the process proceeds to step P8 to instruct the printing unit 23 to print. Thus, the receiving operation of the receiving copying machine ends.

[0029]

Since the copier management system according to the present invention is configured as described above, it has the following operational effects.

That is, according to the present invention, the control unit provided in each copying machine connected to the communication line periodically accesses and receives the reception header management file in its own client directory of the server at the time of reception. Check whether there is image data, and if there is image data to be received, access the image file directory and store the corresponding image data stored in the image file in the memory unit, and If the stored image data has the specified function, the specified function is executed.If the specified image function does not have the specified function and the alternative processing function is provided, the alternative processing is performed. Run,
When the substitute processing function is not provided, the image data stored in the memory unit is instructed to be printed to the printing unit. Therefore, even when the designated function is not provided, the substitute processing function is provided. If there is, the output can be performed without performing the processing. Therefore, even if the copying machine of the transmission destination does not have the function set, it can be output in some form. Also, according to the present invention, the control unit displays the function stored in the function list file of the client directory and the substitute processing function specified by the transmission destination specifying unit at the time of transmission on the display unit. The operator confirms the transmission partner (reception side) having the function to be designated, the transmission partner (reception side) having the substitute processing function, and the transmission partner (reception side) not having the substitution processing function. can do.

According to the present invention, the control unit provided in each copying machine connected to the communication line is stored in the function list file of the client directory of the digital copying machine designated by the transmission destination designation means. Processing function selecting means for selecting a function which can be processed or replaced by each digital copying machine designated by the transmission partner designating means based on the function and the substitute processing function data, When the transmission partner finger is specified, the server accesses the server and fetches the function and the substitute processing function data of each digital copying machine from the function list file in the specified client directory. Select a function that can be processed or replaced by each digital copier, and select Having been a function to display on the display unit, transmission destination (recipient) that has been designated by setting the displayed functions can perform the specified functions or substituting process always.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a copier management system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a management directory provided in a server constituting the copier management system according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram showing an embodiment of a copying machine constituting the copying machine management system according to the present invention;

4 is a flowchart showing a transmission operation of a control unit of the copying machine shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a receiving operation of a control unit of the copying machine shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a view showing an example of a function processable range displayed on a display unit of the copying machine shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram showing another embodiment of the copying machine constituting the copying machine management system according to the present invention.

8 is a flowchart showing a transmission operation of a control unit of the copying machine shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a receiving operation of the control unit of the copying machine shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a view showing an example of a function processable range displayed on a display unit of the copying machine shown in FIG. 7;

[Explanation of symbols]

 2: Digital copier 4: Server 21: Image scanner unit 22: Image processor unit (IPU) 23: Printing unit 24: Control unit 25: Memory unit 26: Network unit 27: Operation unit 28: Display unit

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A copier management system comprising a plurality of digital copiers connected to a communication line and one server, wherein the server stores image data transmitted from each digital copier. An image file directory having an image file and a document header file for storing processing information relating to the image data; a reception header management file which is created for each digital copying machine and stores management data relating to image data to be received; A client directory having a function list file storing functions provided by the copying machine and alternative processing function data, wherein the digital copying machine scans a document to be transmitted; Transmission destination specification means for specifying the destination and a processor for specifying the processing function of the original to be transmitted And with a specified unit input unit, a display unit for displaying information or the like inputted from the input unit, a memory unit for storing the image data received, a printing unit for printing image data received,
A control unit, which communicates with the server at the time of transmission, writes image data scanned by the image scanner unit into an image file in the image file directory of the server, and is designated by the processing function designating unit. The processing function is written in the document header file, and management data relating to the image data is written in the reception header management file in the client directory of the transmission destination specified by the transmission destination specifying means. It checks whether there is image data to be received by accessing the reception header management file in the client directory of the client directory. If there is image data to be received, the image file directory is accessed to find the corresponding image data stored in the image file. Image data to be stored in the memory unit In addition, when the image data stored in the memory unit has the specified function, the specified function is executed, and when the image data stored in the memory unit does not have the specified function, an alternative processing function is provided. If so, execute the substitute processing,
A copier management system for instructing the printing unit to print the image data stored in the memory unit when the replacement processing function is not provided. 2. The display unit according to claim 1, wherein the control unit displays, on the display unit, a function stored in the function list file of the client directory specified by the transmission destination specifying unit at the time of transmission. Copier management system. 3. A copier management system comprising a plurality of digital copiers connected to a communication line and one server, wherein the server stores image data transmitted from each digital copier. An image file directory having an image file and a document header file for storing processing information relating to the image data; a reception header management file which is created for each digital copying machine and stores management data relating to image data to be received; A client directory having a function list file storing functions provided by the copying machine and alternative processing function data, wherein the digital copying machine scans a document to be transmitted; Transmission destination specification means for specifying the destination and a processor for specifying the processing function of the original to be transmitted And with a specified unit input unit, a display unit for displaying information or the like inputted from the input unit, a memory unit for storing the image data received, a printing unit for printing image data received,
A control unit, wherein the control unit, based on the function stored in the function list file of the client directory of the digital copying machine designated by the transmission destination designation unit and the substitute processing function data, A processing function selecting means for selecting a function which can be processed or replaced by each digital copying machine designated by the digital copying machine. If a transmission partner finger is designated by the transmission partner designation means at the time of transmission, the server To retrieve the function of each digital copying machine and the substitute processing function data from the function list file in the designated client directory, and the processing function selecting means processes or substitutes the data by the digital copying machine. Select a function that can be processed, display the selected function on the display unit, When a processing function is designated from the displayed functions by the function designating means, the image data scanned by the image scanner unit is written into an image file in the image file directory of the server, and the processing function designating means is designated. In addition to writing the processing function specified in the document header file, the management data relating to the image data is written in the reception header management file in the client directory of the transmission destination specified by the transmission destination specifying means, and the reception data is periodically written during reception. Check whether there is image data to be received by accessing the received header management file in the server's own client directory,
If there is image data to be received, the image file directory is accessed to store the corresponding image data stored in the image file in the memory unit, and the image data specified in the image data stored in the memory unit is specified. If the function is provided, the specified function is executed, and if the function is not provided, the printing unit is instructed to perform printing after performing the substitute processing. Copier management system.