Image processing apparatus and method

Abstract

The present invention is related to an image processing apparatus and method for efficiently managing a document. First data created by predetermined application software and second data converted into image data of a predetermined format (ex. PDF format) based on the first data are received. The first and second data are registered in a database in correspondence with a specific index. Then, either the first data or the second data is selected based on an output method designation and received information representing the index, and the selected data in accordance with the output method is output.

1 - 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . An image processing apparatus comprising:
 a storage unit configured to store both application data and image data in association with each other as a common document, the application data being created by predetermined application software and being converted into the image data;   an accepting unit configured to accept a designation of an output method of the document from a user; and   an output unit configured to selectively perform an output of the application data or the image data in accordance with the accepted output method.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein the accepting unit accepts a designation of printing or transmitting of the document as the output method of the document, and wherein the output unit performs the output of the image data upon accepting the designation of the printing of the document as the output method, and performs the output of the application data upon accepting the designation of the transmitting of the document as the output method. 
     
     
         14 . An image processing method of an image processing apparatus, the method comprising the steps of:
 storing both application data and image data in association with each other as a common document, the application data being created by predetermined application software and being converted into the image data;   accepting a designation of an output method of the document from a user; and   selectively performing an output of the application data or the image data in accordance with the accepted output method.   
     
     
         15 . A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing a program that, when executed by a computer, performs an image processing method of an image processing apparatus, the method comprising the steps of:
 storing both application data and image data in association with each other as a common document, the application data being created by predetermined application software and being converted into the image data;   accepting a designation of an output method of the document from a user; and   selectively performing an output of the application data or the image data in accordance with the accepted output method.