JP4442433B2 - Image reading system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image reading system in which a plurality of scanners and an information processing apparatus are network-connected.

  As is well known, general digital multi-function peripherals having functions of scanners, printers, and copiers used in offices, etc., register the processing conditions (copy conditions, etc.) if they are registered. It is an apparatus that can execute processing under conditions by a simple operation (usually an operation of pressing about 1 to 3 buttons).

  This function (hereinafter referred to as a processing condition registration function) is convenient, but an existing digital multi-function peripheral is a device that must intentionally register a processing condition. For this reason (because it is troublesome to register processing conditions), there are also users who do not use the processing condition registration function at all.

  Also, in offices, etc., multiple digital MFPs are usually installed, but even for users who are willing to register for processing conditions, registration of processing conditions for all digital MFPs in the office Never done. And since the user does not always remember the contents of the registered processing conditions (the contents of the processing conditions that need to be set in order to obtain a desired result), use it when working in an office or the like. Since the digital multi-function machine described above has no registered processing conditions, it may be difficult to obtain a desired result.

  For example, when using a digital multifunction device as a scanner, it is convenient to register settings related to image reading or output of scanned image data in advance. It is troublesome to keep. In an environment in which a plurality of users share the usage, it is more troublesome to perform user-specific settings for all digital multifunction peripherals.

  Furthermore, if registration is performed separately for each digital multifunction peripheral, it is troublesome to update it.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to easily perform setting and updating common to each device in an environment in which devices having a plurality of scanner functions are connected to a network.

  An image reading system according to an embodiment of the present invention is an image reading system in which an information processing apparatus and a plurality of scanners having a display unit are connected via a network. The information processing apparatus includes a storage unit that stores screen information for a user interface screen displayed on the display unit. Each scanner includes an acquisition unit that acquires screen information stored in a storage unit of the information processing apparatus, and a display control unit that displays a user interface screen on the display unit based on the screen information acquired by the acquisition unit. Based on an input unit that receives an input from the user to the user interface screen displayed on the display unit, a reading unit that reads an image, an input from the user that is received by the input unit, and an image that is read by the reading unit Output means for associating and outputting image data.

  In a preferred embodiment, the screen information is file name information for designating a file name of the image data. The output means outputs a file name determined based on an input from the user accepted by the input means when the file name information is displayed on the user interface screen in association with the image data. It may be.

  In a preferred embodiment, the file name information includes a plurality of candidate character strings that can be used as file names, and the file name associated with the image data is one or more candidate characters selected by the input means. You may make it produce | generate combining a row | line | column.

  In a preferred embodiment, the screen information is output destination information for designating an output destination of the image data, and the output means is configured to display the output destination information when the output destination information is displayed on the user interface screen. The output destination selected by the input means may be output in association with the image data as the output destination of the image data.

  In a preferred embodiment, the information processing apparatus further includes a registration screen information storage unit that stores registration screen information for displaying a registration screen that accepts registration of the screen information. Then, the registration screen information may be transmitted to another information processing apparatus connected to the network to prompt registration of the screen information.

  An information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is an information processing apparatus that is connected to a plurality of scanners having a display unit via a network to constitute an image reading system, and is displayed on the display unit of the scanner. A registration screen information storage unit that stores registration screen information related to a registration screen that accepts registration of display screen information for a user interface screen, and a display screen information storage unit that stores the display screen information input to the registration screen With. When receiving the display screen information acquisition request from any of the scanners, the display screen information stored in the display screen information storage unit may be transmitted to the requesting scanner.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  First, the configuration of the information processing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing system according to the first embodiment is a system in which one or more (two in the figure) digital multifunction peripheral 10 and a management computer 50 are network-connected. The information processing system is a system connected to a network including the Internet router 200, several file servers 210, several (one in the figure) computers 220, and the like.

  The Internet router 200 on the network to which the information processing system is connected is a device for connecting each computer 220 and the like to the Internet. The file server 210 is a computer in which a shared folder is set. The computer 220 is a computer (a computer installed with a Web browser) used by an administrator or general user of the information processing system.

  A management computer 50 that is an element of the information processing system is a computer in which a management program 40 developed for the information processing system is installed. The function of the management program 40 will be described later. This management program 40 is a program that requires setting of an administrator name and password, setting of a working folder and a mail server at the time of installation (setup). Yes.

  The digital multifunction machine 10 is an apparatus having the appearance and hardware configuration shown in FIGS. That is, the digital multi-function peripheral 10 is a device that combines the control unit 11, the scanner 12, and the printer 13 so as to have the same appearance as a general digital multi-function peripheral / copier (see FIG. 2).

  The printer 13 used in the digital multifunction peripheral 10 is an expansion board (for connecting the control unit 11 and the printer 13) to configure the digital multifunction peripheral 10 to a printer that can be used as a peripheral device of a computer. It is a device equipped with. The scanner 12 is a device in which an expansion board (for connecting the control unit 11 and the scanner 12) for configuring the digital multi-function peripheral 10 is mounted on a scanner that can be used as a peripheral device of a computer.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 11 includes a CPU 21, ROM 22, RAM 23, EEPROM 24, communication control circuit 25, image processing circuit 26, LCD control circuit 27, input interface circuit (input I / F) 28, network interface. The unit includes a circuit (NW-I / F) 29, a touch screen 31, a switch unit 32, and the like.

  The touch screen 31 used in the control unit 11 is an element in which a transparent contact position sensor 36 is superimposed on a liquid crystal display (LCD) 35. The touch screen 31 is provided on the housing of the control unit 11 as shown in FIGS. The switch unit 32 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) includes various push button switches such as a job memory button 32m, a start button 32s, and a numeric keypad provided on the casing of the control unit 11, and their control circuits. Unit.

  The CPU 21 (FIG. 3) is a control circuit that integrally controls each part of the digital multifunction peripheral 10 (each part in the control unit 11, the scanner 12, and the printer 13). The ROM 22 is a read-only memory in which a program for defining the operation procedure of the CPU 21 and data used by the CPU 21 (program) are recorded. The RAM 23 is a memory from which a program recorded in the ROM 22 is read, and a memory used as a work area for the CPU 21 (program). The communication control circuit 25 is a circuit used by the CPU 21 for exchanging information (command transmission, image data reception, print data transmission) with the scanner 12 or the printer 13.

  The LCD control circuit 27 is a circuit for displaying an image (screen) having contents designated by the CPU 21 on the touch screen 31 (LCD 35). The input interface circuit 28 is a circuit that notifies the CPU 21 of the operation performed by the user (operator of the digital multifunction peripheral 10) on the numeric keypad 32 or the touch screen 31 (contact position sensor 36). The network interface circuit 29 is a circuit for connecting the control unit 11 to the network.

  The EEPROM 24 is a nonvolatile memory mounted in the control unit 11 in order to store various information (device IP address, agent IP address, etc., which will be described later) that need to be retained even when the power is turned off. This is a rewritable memory.

  Next, an operation procedure (apparent operation of the control unit 11) of the information processing system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The control unit 11 performs scan data transmission processing on a system comprising an operation mode (hereinafter referred to as copy mode) for operating the digital multifunction peripheral 10 as a copying machine, and the digital multifunction peripheral 10 and the management computer 50. It has an operation mode (hereinafter referred to as a scan mode) for operating as an executable system (information processing system that actually functions).

  Here, the scan data transmission process is a process in which one or both of the scan-to-mail process and the scan-to-file process are performed. In the scan-to-mail process, as schematically shown in FIG. 5, scan data (image data of a document generated by the scanner 12) is transmitted from the digital multi-function peripheral 10 to the management computer 50, and the scan data is converted into scan data. This is a process in which the received management computer 50 sends an e-mail attached with the scan data file to several destinations designated by the user. The scan-to-file process is a process in which scan data is transmitted from the digital multi-function peripheral 10 to the management computer 50, and the scan computer receives the scan data, and the scan data file is stored in several locations specified by the user (whichever Is stored in the shared folder in the file server 210).

In the scan data transmission process in which both the scan-to-mail process and the scan-to-file process are performed, both processes are performed based on the same scan data. The scan data transmission process is started when the start button 32s (FIG. 4) on the control unit 11 is pressed.

  When operating in the copy mode, the control unit 11 normally displays the copy basic screen 100 shown in FIG. 6 on the touch screen 31.

  When the control unit 11 is to start operation in the scan mode (when the information processing system is to execute the scan data transmission process), the user presses the mode switching button 101 on the copy basic screen 100. When this operation is performed, the control unit 11 starts the operation in the scan mode. Then, a user selection screen 105 as shown in FIG. 7 is displayed on the touch screen 31.

  The user presses a user name button 106 on which the user's name (name registered in the information processing system; “WATSON” or the like) is displayed on the user selection screen 105. If the user name button 106 relating to the user does not exist on the displayed user selection screen 105, the user presses the button 107n. When the user presses the button 107n, the user name button 106, the valid button 107b, and the invalid button (displayed in gray out and nothing is performed even when the button is pressed) related to other registered users are displayed on the touch screen 31. Since the user selection screen 105 including 107n is displayed, the user presses the user name button 106 related to the user on the user selection screen 105.

  When the user presses the user name button 106 related to himself / herself, if the user has not set a password (the pressed user name button 106 relates to the user whose password is registered (set). When there is a case; details will be described later, the scan basic screen 110 shown in FIG. 8 is displayed on the touch screen 31. on the other hand. If the user is a person who has set a password, a password entry screen is displayed on the touch screen 31, and a password (four-digit number) that matches the registered one is entered by the user. At that time, the scan basic screen 110 shown in FIG. 8 is displayed.

  The scan basic screen 110 includes default processing content definition information (a set of setting values that specify contents other than the transmission destination of scan data transmission processing) stored in a RAM (corresponding to processing condition designation information storage means); This is a screen showing the content of the condition designation information.

  The mode switching button 111 on the scan basic screen 110 is a button for the control unit 11 to start an operation in the copy mode when pressed.

  The scan destination button 116 is a button for displaying the scan destination selection screen 120 shown in FIG. 9 on the touch screen 31 when pressed.

  In the list area 121 provided in the scan destination selection screen 120, the names of the transmission destination specifying information ("FOLDER_1", "USER_1", etc .: hereinafter referred to as transmission destination specifying information names) registered in advance by the user are stored. This is the area shown. Although the method for setting the destination specification information will be described later, this information processing system uses the destination specification information for scan-to-file processing (including the folder path; hereinafter, the destination for storage) as the destination specification information. Multiple destinations for scan-to-mail processing, destination specification information including one email address (hereinafter referred to as email destination specification information), and multiple emails for scan-to-mail processing It is configured as a system capable of registering destination definition information including an address (hereinafter referred to as group destination definition information). As is clear from FIG. 9, the list area 121 provided in the scan destination selection screen 120 shows a figure 128 and its name (“FOLDER_1”) for each destination information for storage, and for each mail. Only the name (such as “USER_1”) is shown for the destination specification information, and the transmission destination specification information for each group is an area where the graphic 129 and its name (“GROUP_1” etc.) are shown. .

  This scan destination selection screen 120 is a screen on which an arbitrary number of destination specification information can be selected by the following operation.

  That is, when the user wants to select certain destination specification information, the selection frame 126 is displayed in the portion where the destination specification information name to be selected is displayed by operating the button 122u and the button 122d. Form a state. Then, the user presses the “Add to scan destination” button 123.

  When the user presses the “add to scan destination” button 123, the control unit 11 stores that the transmission destination specifying information identified by the transmission destination specifying information name surrounded by the selection frame 126 has been selected. In addition, the control unit 11 increments the numerical value in the selection number display field 124 by “1” and deletes the transmission destination defining information name surrounded by the selection frame 126 from the list area 121.

  When selecting a plurality of destination definition information, the user presses the “OK” button 125 after performing the above-described operation for each destination definition information. Note that the scan destination button 127 on the scan destination selection screen 120 is a button for displaying the scan destination confirmation / deletion screen shown in FIG. 10 on the touch screen 31 when the button is pressed. If you want to check the destination specification information that you are using, display this scan destination confirmation / deletion screen, and then click the “OK” button on the scan destination confirmation / deletion screen (or on the scan destination selection screen 120) The “OK” button 125) is pressed.

  When the user presses the “decision” button 125 (or “decision” button on the scan destination confirmation / deletion screen), information on the destination specification information selected by the user is displayed in the scan destination button 116 on the touch screen 31. The basic scan screen 110 shown in FIG.

  Returning to FIG. 8, the description of the scan basic screen 110 is continued.

  A setting value area 112 provided in the scan basic screen 110 is an area in which setting values relating to the document size, resolution, color type, and file format at the present time are indicated. The “original size” button, the “resolution” button, the “color type” button, and the “file format” button 113 are buttons for changing setting values relating to the original size, resolution, color type, and file format, respectively.

  The “original type” button 114 is a button for designating an original type (whether the original is a printed matter, a photograph, or an original mainly composed of characters). The “original type” button 114 is a button in which a set value (characters in the figure) at that time is shown. The single-side / double-side switching button 115 is a button for designating whether to read both sides of a document or one side. This single-side / double-side switching button 115 is also a button in which the set value at that time (single-sided in the figure) is shown.

  Each of these buttons is a button for displaying another screen on the touch screen 31 when pressed. For example, when the file format button 113 is pressed, a file format selection screen as shown in FIG. 11 is displayed on the touch screen 31, and the “original type” button 114 is pressed. The document type selection screen shown in FIG. 12 is displayed on the touch screen 31.

  On the other hand, the “light” button and the “light” button, which are buttons for adjusting the scan density, are buttons that do not display another screen when pressed (buttons that move the display position of the density cursor 117 when pressed). Yes.

  In short, this information processing system is a system that can start the scan data transmission process when the user presses the start button 32s after making various settings using the scan basic screen 110. .

  Also, in the case where the information processing system performs a scan data transmission process in which the scan data transmission process performed in the past and the file generation conditions (conditions other than the scan destination) are the same, the user can It is a system that does not require operations such as the “paper size” button.

  Specifically, in this case, after displaying the scan basic screen 110, the user presses the job memory button 32m (FIG. 4).

  When the user presses the job memory button 32m, a job memory selection screen 130 as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 is displayed on the touch screen 31. FIG.

  On the job memory selection screens 130 shown in these figures, each button 131 having a date and time therein is information indicating the contents of scan data transmission processing that the user has executed in the information processing system in the past ( A button (hereinafter referred to as history button 131) associated with a set of information that can be set by pressing each button other than the scan destination button 116 on the scan basic screen 110; Notation). In addition, each button 131 on the job memory selection screen 130 in which “Memory 1” or the like is shown is a button associated with the processing content definition information set by the administrator (hereinafter, the setting memory button 131). It is also expressed).

  Then, when a certain button 131 (history button 131 or setting memory button 131) on the job memory selection screen 130 is pressed, the information processing system stores the processing content definition information associated with the button 131. The scan basic screen 110 reflecting the content is a system that is displayed on the touch screen 31.

  Based on the above, the operation of the information processing system will be described more specifically below.

  In this information processing system, the above-described processing content definition information and destination specification information are stored in the HDD (corresponding to the information storage means) of the management computer 50 in the form schematically shown in FIGS. System.

  That is, in the information processing system, MFP management information, or MFP management information and some processing content definition information are stored in the HDD of the management computer 50 for each digital MFP 10, and for each user, The system operates in a state where user management information, transmission destination definition information, and processing content definition information are stored.

  The MFP management information stored in the management computer 50 for each digital MFP 10 (in the figure, MFPs A and B) is based on the IP address, MAC address, management name, etc. of the corresponding digital MFP 10. Information. The registration of the MFP management information to the management computer 50 is automatically performed when the initial setting for the digital MFP 10 is performed.

  Specifically, the control unit 11 assigns an IP address (hereinafter referred to as a device IP address) at the time of installation (when incorporated in the network), and an IP address assigned to the agent computer 50. (Hereinafter, referred to as an agent IP address) is a unit that must perform the work of storing. The control unit 11 stores the device IP address and the agent IP address set by these operations on the EEPROM 24 so that these operations can be performed by operating the numeric keys and the touch screen 31 on the control unit 11. The unit is configured to be stored.

  The control unit 11 stores the data in the EEPROM 24 when the power is turned on while the device IP address and the agent IP address are stored in the EEPROM 24 and when the device IP address or the agent IP address is changed. The device IP address, the MAC address of the own unit (network interface circuit 29), the model name of the own unit, and the model name of the scanner 12 for the device specified by the agent IP address (ie, agent computer 50) In addition, an IP address registration / confirmation request including information indicating the mounting status of the optional device (ADF) of the scanner 12 is transmitted.

  On the other hand, the management program 40 is a program that causes the management computer 50 that has received this IP address registration / confirmation request to execute the IP address registration / confirmation process of the procedure shown in FIG.

  In other words, the management computer 50 that has received the IP address registration / confirmation request stores the MFP management information corresponding to the IP address registration / confirmation request in its own computer (in a predetermined folder in the HDD of the own computer). It is determined whether or not it is performed (step S101). The MFP management information corresponding to the received IP address registration / confirmation request is MFP management information including the same MAC address as the MAC address included in the received IP address registration / confirmation request.

  If the MFP management information corresponding to the received IP address registration / confirmation request is not stored in the own computer (step S101; NO), the management computer 50 requests the IP address registration / confirmation request. A management name is generated by combining the model name of the control unit 11 included in the ID and a part of the MAC address (step S102). Next, the management computer 50 generates MFP management information including the generated management name and each information included in the received IP address registration / confirmation request, and stores it in the own computer (step S103). ). In addition, the process actually performed in step S102 is a process which produces | generates the character string which continued the last 4 characters of the MAC address for the model name of the control unit 11 as a management name. The processing actually performed in step S103 is to create a folder having the same folder name as the MAC address under a predetermined folder created on the HDD, and create a multifunction device management information file in the created folder. It is processing to do.

  After completing the generation and storage of the MFP management information (step S103), the management computer 50 transmits information indicating that the IP address registration / confirmation request has been processed normally to the transmission source device (digital) of the IP address registration / confirmation request. It is returned to the multifunction machine 10 / control unit 11) (step S106). Then, the management computer 50 ends this IP address registration / confirmation process.

  On the other hand, when the MFP management information corresponding to the received IP address registration / confirmation request is stored in the own computer (step S101; YES), the management computer 50 is included in the MFP management information. It is determined whether or not the device IP address matches the device IP address included in the received IP address registration / confirmation request (step S104). Then, when the two IP addresses match (step S104; YES), the management computer 50 executes the processing after step S106. If the IP addresses do not match (step S104; NO), the management computer 50 matches the received IP address registration / confirmation request with the MAC address but matches the device IP address. The device IP address in the MFP management information that has not been changed is changed to the device IP address included in the IP address registration / confirmation request (step S105), and then the processing after step S106 is executed.

  Returning to FIGS. 15 and 16, the description of the information stored in the management computer 50 will be continued.

  User management information stored for each user in the management computer 50 includes information (user name, email address, and password) provided by the management computer 50 and set using the scan user setting page 65 shown in FIG. Information). The scan user setting page 65 is a Web page that can be displayed after logging in using the administrator name and password. That is, the user management information is information set by the administrator.

  The processing content definition information stored for each digital multifunction peripheral 10 in the management computer 50 is information set by the management computer 50 using the job memory setting page 70 shown in FIG. The job memory setting page 70 is also a Web page that can be displayed after logging in using the administrator name and password.

  The destination specification information stored for each user in the management computer 50 is the folder setting page 75 shown in FIGS. 20 to 22 by the user for whom user management information is set (user registration is completed), This is information set using the destination setting page 80 and the destination group setting page 85. These setting pages are Web pages that can be displayed after logging in using a user name and password (or user name), and the information entered for each setting page logs in This information is stored in the HDD of the management computer 50 as user information (save / mail / group destination specification information).

  The processing content definition information stored for each user in the management computer 50 is information used for displaying the job memory selection screen 130 (FIGS. 13 and 14) already performed.

  In the information processing system, when an operation for starting a scan data transmission process is performed on a certain digital multi-function peripheral 10 (control unit 11), various types of information stored in the management computer 50 are The system is used as follows.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 23, when the mode switching button 101 (FIG. 6) is pressed, the control unit 11 sends a user name list request to the management computer 50 (an apparatus having the agent IP address stored in the EEPROM 24). (S101). The information processing system is a system in which communication between the control unit 11 and the agent computer 50 is performed by HTTP (HTTP request body and response body, and various types of information are transmitted and received between the control unit 11 and the agent computer 50. System).

  The management computer 50 that has received this user name list request creates a user name list from the user management information group stored in its own computer and returns it to the digital multifunction peripheral 10 (S301). Here, the user name list is information including, for each user, a user name of the user and information indicating whether or not the user has set a password.

  Upon receiving this user name list, the control unit 11 displays on the touch screen 31 a user name selection screen 105 (FIG. 7) having a user name button 106 indicating each user name included in the user name list. It is displayed (S202).

  Then, when a certain user name button 106 on the user name selection screen 105 is pressed, the control unit 11 sends a login request including a user name corresponding to the pressed user name button 106 to the management computer 50. (S203). If the pressed user name button 106 relates to a user who has set a password, the control unit 11 displays a password input screen on the touch screen 31 to allow the user to input the password. . Then, the control unit 11 transmits a login request including the password and the user name input by the user to the management computer 50.

  The management computer 50 that has received the login request transmits the login request after confirming that there is user management information including the same information (user name or user name and password) included in the login request. A process (session management in the figure) is started in which the request from the control unit 11 is treated as a request from a user identified by the user name included in the login request (hereinafter referred to as the current user) (S302). . In addition, the management computer 50 returns information (OK in the figure) indicating that the login request has been accepted to the digital multifunction peripheral 10.

  Receiving this information, the control unit 11 displays the scan basic screen 110 (FIG. 8) on the touch screen 31 (S204). When the scan destination button 116 on the scan basic screen 110 is pressed, the control unit 11 transmits a scan destination list request to the management computer 50 (S205).

  The agent computer 50 that has received this scan destination list request, for each destination definition information stored in its own computer in a form associated with the current user, its name (destination definition information name) and its transmission A scan destination list including information indicating whether the destination prescription information is storage destination prescription information, mail destination prescription information, or group destination prescription information is created and returned to the control unit 11 (S303). ).

  Upon receiving this scan destination list, the control unit 11 displays a scan destination selection screen 120 (FIG. 9) on which the transmission destination specifying information name and the like in the scan destination list are displayed on the touch screen 31 (S206). When the operation for selecting (destination) is completed (for example, when the “OK” button 125 is pressed), the scan basic screen 110 is displayed on the touch screen 31 (S207).

  Then, when the start button 32s is pressed in a state where the scan destination is set, the control unit 11 displays the processing content definition information (on the scan basic screen 110 on the scan basic screen 110) as shown in FIG. A processing start request including the processing content defining information whose contents are displayed is transmitted to the management computer 50 (S211).

  The management computer 50 that has received this processing start request stores (adds) the processing content definition information included in the HDD as processing content specification information having a name generated from the current date and time relating to the current user (S311). At this time, the management computer 50 determines that the current processing content information related to the current user is the same as the current processing content information (only the name is different). The processing content information is stored instead of the processing content defining information (the name of the existing processing content designation information is changed). Also, the existing processing content definition information regarding the current user is not the same as the current processing content information (only the name is different), and the number of existing processing content specification information regarding the current user is predetermined. If it is a number, the oldest processing content definition information (the processing content specification information whose date and time represented by the name is the oldest) is deleted, and the current processing content information is stored.

  Thereafter, the management computer 50 creates scanner control information based on the received processing content definition information and returns it to the control unit 11 (step S312). Here, the scanner control information is information obtained by converting each information in the processing content defining information into information (command) for controlling the scanner 12.

  The control unit 11 that has received the scanner control information performs control processing of the content specified by the scanner control information on the scanner 12 (S212). In short, the control unit 11 starts the operation of the scanner 12.

  Then, the control unit 11 enters a state in which the scan data transmitted from the scanner 12 is transferred to the management computer 50.

  On the other hand, the management computer 50 that has returned the scanner control information to the control unit 11 has started the process of receiving the scan data transmitted from the control unit 11 and storing it in the HDD (S313). When the information indicating that the transmission of all the scan data is completed (scan end in the figure) is transmitted from the control unit 11, the management computer 50 uses the scan data that has been received, The content defined by the current process content definition information (the process content definition information included in the process start request) is processed (S314). In other words, the management computer 50 creates a file of a designated file format from the scan data, and performs a process of sending the created file to the designated transmission destination (shared folder, mailbox of the file server 210). .

  In the process of S314, when the designated file format and color type are “TIFF” and “monochrome”, respectively, an MMR (G4) compressed TIFF file is created and the designated file is used. If the format and color type are "TIFF", "Color", or "Grayscale", respectively, and the scan destination (file storage location) is a shared folder, an uncompressed TIFF file is created, If the specified file format and color type are "TIFF", "Color", or "Grayscale", respectively, and the scan destination (file storage location) is a mailbox, JPEG compressed TIFF The file is created.

  When the job memory button 32m is pressed while the scan basic screen 110 is displayed, the control unit 11 operates as shown in FIG.

  That is, the control unit 11 transmits a processing content definition information list request to the management computer 50 (S251).

  The management computer 50 that has received this processing content definition information list request creates a processing content specification information list for the current user and returns it to the control unit 11 (S351). Here, the processing content definition information list relating to the current user is each processing content specification information (administrator) stored in its own computer in a form associated with the digital multifunction peripheral 10 that has transmitted the processing content specification information list request. Is registered) and the name of each processing content definition information stored in the computer in a form associated with the current user.

  The control unit 11 that has received this processing content definition information list displays the job memory selection screen 130 (FIGS. 13 and 14) showing the processing content specification information name in the received processing content specification information list on the touch screen 31. It is displayed (S252). Note that the processing content definition information list transmitted by the management computer 50 is stored in the local computer in a form associated with the current user behind the processing content definition information name group (arranged in name order) registered by the administrator. Are stored in order from the latest date and time indicated by the name. Then, the processing executed by the control unit 11 in S252 displays the job memory selection screen 130 using the processing content definition information names obtained from the management computer 50 in the order in the processing content definition information list. It is processing. That is, when the processing content definition information is not registered by the administrator (see FIG. 15), the job memory selection screen 130 as shown in FIG. 13 is displayed by the processing of S252. If the processing content definition information is registered by the administrator (see FIG. 16), the job memory selection screen 130 as shown in FIG. 14 is displayed by the processing of S252.

  When any one of the setting memory buttons 131 / history buttons 131 on the job memory selection screen 130 is pressed, the control unit 11 performs processing content definition information including the selected processing content definition information name (pressed button name). The request is transmitted to the management computer 50 (S253).

  The management computer 50 that has received this request for processing content definition information receives the processing content specification information specified by the processing content specification information name included therein (processing content specification information set by the administrator / the current user scan data transmission processing) Is read from the HDD as a result of performing the above-described processing and is returned to the control unit 11 (S352).

  Then, the control unit 11 that has received the processing content definition information displays the scan basic screen 110 having the content corresponding to the received processing content specification information on the touch screen 31 (S254).

  As described above, in the information processing system according to the present embodiment, the processing content defining information indicating the processing conditions of the scan data transmission processing executed by the information processing system by each user is automatically stored in the management computer 50. The processing content defining information stored in the management computer 50 is stored in the management computer 50 from each digital multi-function peripheral 10 constituting the system with a simple operation (the button 131 after the job memory button 32c is pressed). This is a system that can be used in the operation of pressing. Therefore, this information processing system does not perform the work of registering the processing content definition information at all in the conventional digital multifunction peripheral in a work environment that cannot be realized unless the same processing conditions are registered for each digital multifunction peripheral. It can be said that the system can be realized.

  <Deformation>

  The information processing system according to the embodiment can perform various modifications. For example, the information processing system described above is a system for performing scan data transmission processing. However, each digital multi-function peripheral 10 is a simple copier, and the management computer 50 is used to copy the executed copy from each copier. In addition to being a device that acquires copy condition information indicating the contents, it may be a device that provides stored copy condition information to a copier that has transmitted a predetermined request.

  Further, the information processing system may be modified so that the processing content condition information is not stored for each user. Furthermore, the information processing system may be modified so that the administrator can register processing content defining information that can be commonly used in each digital multi-function peripheral 10.

  Next, another embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the user can specify the file name of image data obtained by scanning an image. Hereinafter, although this embodiment is described, the same code | symbol may be attached | subjected to what is common in the function thru | or structure demonstrated in embodiment mentioned above, and description may be abbreviate | omitted.

  FIG. 26 shows the overall configuration of the image reading system according to this embodiment. That is, in this system, a plurality of digital multifunction peripherals 10, a management computer 51, a file server 210, a computer 220, and an Internet router 200 are connected via a network. The management computer 51 is equipped with a management program 52, which is executed. The management computer 51 also includes a storage unit 53 for storing a selected character string, which will be described later, and a storage unit 54 for registration screen information related to a registration screen that accepts registration of the selected character string.

  Here, a case where processing unique to this embodiment is applied to a scan-to-file will be described, but it is also possible to apply it to the scan-to-mail described in the first embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, in addition to automatically setting the file name of image data generated by the digital multi-function peripheral 10 scanning an image (automatic setting mode), the user can set the file name. In the file name setting method by the user, a free setting mode in which the user freely inputs a character string and designates the file name, and a character string to be used as the file name are registered in advance, and the registered character string There is a selection setting mode in which the file name is determined by the character string selected from the above. The user can select which mode to use.

  Here, in the case of the selection setting mode, the character string to be selected is registered in the management computer 51 in advance, the user interface screen is displayed based on the registered character string, and the user is allowed to select the character string so that the file is selected. Specify a name. Accordingly, since it is necessary to register the selected character string in advance, the registration of the selected character string will be described first.

  Registration of the selected character string may be performed by the management program 51 transmitting registration screen information stored in the registration screen information storage unit 54 to the computer 220, where the administrator and each user use a Web browser. it can. The administrator and the user register the selected character string from the respective registration screens while logged in to the management computer 51 from the computer 220. For example, FIG. 27 shows an example of an administrator screen for the administrator to perform registration or the like.

  The administrator can make various settings on the administrator screen 1000 shown in FIG. When registering the selected character string, “edit” 1002 of “file name setting” 1001 is selected. When “edit” 1002 is selected here, the screen shifts to a setting screen 1100 for a selected character string shown in FIG. An administrator inputs and registers a character string in the input area 1101 of the screen 1100. Here, characters and the number of characters that can be used as the selected character string may be determined in advance. When the OK button 1102 is pressed after inputting the character string, it is registered in the selected character string storage unit 53 of the management computer 51 as a selected character string that can be used by all users.

  In addition, when “edit” 1004 of “scan parameter initial setting” 1003 is selected on the administrator screen 1000 shown in FIG. 27, a transition is made to the scan parameter initial setting screen 1200 shown in FIG. On this screen 1200, initial values of parameters when the digital multi-function peripheral 10 operates in the scan mode can be set. In the input area 1202 of “file name generation” 1201 on this screen 1200, it is possible to specify whether the file name generation is “automatic”, “item selection”, or “free”. Note that the job memory can be initialized in the same manner as the scan parameter initialization.

  Next, the user registration screen 1300 shown in FIG. 30 will be described. The user registration screen 1300 is a screen for registering a selected character string used by each user. On the user registration screen 1300, when the “basic setting” tag 1301 is selected, the user inputs a character string in the input area 1302 for “selected character string”. When a registration button 1303 is pressed after inputting a character string, the selected character string is registered in the selected character string storage unit 53 of the management computer 51 as a selected character string usable by the user.

  When the selected character string is registered in the management computer 51 as described above, the management program 52 sends the selected character string registered in each digital multi-function peripheral 10, and each digital multi-function peripheral 10 stores these selected character strings. The file name can be specified by using it. Hereinafter, a procedure for each digital multi-function peripheral 10 to acquire a selected character string from the management computer 51 will be described with reference to FIG. The management program 52 has the function of the management program 40 in the embodiment already described, and further has the functions described below.

  First, when the digital multi-function peripheral 10 is in the scan mode, a scan basic screen 1400 as shown in FIG. 32 is displayed on the touch screen 31 which is a display unit of the digital multi-function peripheral 10 (S501). For example, the digital multifunction peripheral 10 requests the selected character string list from the management computer 51 at a predetermined timing described later.

  In the management computer 51, when the management program 52 receives this selected character string list request, it returns a list of selected character strings registered in the selected character string storage unit 53 to the requesting digital multifunction peripheral 10 (S502). . At this time, a character string registered as common to all users and a character string registered as a character string unique to the logged-in current user are returned together.

  The digital multi-function peripheral 10 receives the list of selected character strings, and holds the received list of selected character strings in the RAM 23 or the like. Then, it is displayed on the selected character string display unit 1602 as a selection candidate character string on the item character string selection screen 1600 shown in FIG. 34 described later (S503). The user can select one or more character strings on this screen 1600 and define a file name. When the determination button 1603 is pressed after selecting the character string, the screen returns to the scan basic screen 1400 after setting the file name shown in FIG. 37 (S504).

  Note that the processing of steps S501 to S504 may be performed after the processing of the sequence diagram of FIG. 23 and before the processing of the sequence diagram of FIG. In this case, instead of returning the information indicating that the login request has been accepted in step S302 to the digital multifunction peripheral 10, setting information for each user regarding the current user may be transmitted. The user-specific setting information may include the selected character string list that can be used by the current user.

  Next, based on the screen transition displayed on the touch screen 31 of the digital multi-function peripheral 10, an operation procedure in the case of a scan to file in the present embodiment will be described.

  First, when the digital multi-function peripheral 10 is in the scan mode, a scan basic screen 1400 as shown in FIG. 32 is displayed on the touch screen 31 as a display unit. The selection character string list from the management computer 51 may be acquired, for example, at a timing when the screen 1400 is displayed or at a timing when an item character string selection screen 1600 described later is displayed.

  The scan basic screen 1400 displays a menu for accepting input of various parameters that can be specified by the user when scanning an image. When the user selects “file name” 1401, a file name input area 1420 is displayed on the scan basic screen 1400 as shown in FIG.

  The file name input area 1420 includes a file name display area 1421 and buttons 1422-1424 for selecting each setting mode of automatic setting, item selection setting, and free setting. The file name is displayed in the file name display area 1421. When one of the setting mode selection buttons 1422-1424 is selected, each file name setting mode is set. In the automatic setting mode, the file name is automatically determined according to a predetermined rule. A case where the item selection button 1423 and the free setting button 1424 are selected will be described below.

  First, when the item selection button 1423 is selected, the screen displayed on the touch screen 31 is changed to the item character string selection screen 1600 shown in FIG. The item character string selection screen 1600 includes a file name display unit 1601 and a selected character string display unit 1602. The selected character string display unit 1602 displays a list of selected supplementary character strings acquired by the user from the management computer 51. When the user selects a desired character string from among the candidate character strings displayed on the selected character string display unit 1602, the selected character string is displayed on the file name display unit 1601. The user can also select a plurality of character strings. When a plurality of character strings are selected, the selected character strings are concatenated in the selected order and displayed on the file name display unit 1601. When the selection of the character string is completed and the determination button 1603 is pressed, the scan screen 31 returns to the scan basic screen 1400 as shown in FIG. At this time, the character string selected in the above process is displayed in the file name display area 1421.

  When the free setting button 1424 is selected in FIG. 33, the screen displayed on the touch screen 31 is changed to a keyboard screen 1700 shown in FIG. The user can freely input a file name on the keyboard screen 1700. When the enter button 1701 is pressed after the file name has been input, the touch screen 31 returns to the scan basic screen 1400 as shown in FIG. 35, as in the case of item selection.

  When the close button 1425 is pressed on the scan basic screen 1400 as shown in FIG. 35, the screen changes to the scan basic screen 1400 in the form shown in FIG. That is, the “file name” area 1401 has a display mode indicating that the file name has been set. In other words, the file name setting by the user is completed by the above processing, and the digital multi-function peripheral 10 is ready for scanning.

  In the second embodiment, the digital multifunction peripheral 10 acquires the character string list for setting the file name from the management computer 51. However, other information that can be commonly used by each digital multifunction peripheral 10 is also available. (Common information) may be held in the management computer 51 and may be acquired by each digital multi-function peripheral 10 as necessary. The common information may be, for example, a scan-to-file list of file servers (and their folders) that store image data, or a scan-to-mail list of destination email addresses. Also in this case, common information such as a file server or a list of e-mail addresses transmitted to the digital multifunction peripheral 10 may be displayed on the user interface screen on the touch screen 31 and selectable by the user.

  According to each of the above-described embodiments, the common information held by the management computer 50 or the management computer 51 can be commonly used by all the digital multifunction peripherals 10, but the management computer 50 or the management computer 50 is managed. Centrally managed by the computer 51.

  On the other hand, when such common information is individually set in each digital multifunction peripheral 10, it is often stored in firmware. In this case, if this common information needs to be upgraded, the firmware must be upgraded, which is very troublesome. On the other hand, if the management computer 50 or the management computer 51 holds the common information as in the present embodiment, only the common information stored in the management computer 50 or the management computer 51 needs to be upgraded. Work is also easy.

  In the case of a scan-to-file, in any of the embodiments described above, the management computer 50 or the management computer 51 once acquires the image data file, and then transfers the file to the file server 210. Therefore, different protocols can be used between the digital multifunction peripheral 10 and the management computer 50 or the management computer 51 and the protocol between the management computer 50 or the management computer 51 and the file server. Therefore, for example, the former protocol can be a dedicated protocol, and the latter protocol can be a general-purpose protocol (for example, TCP / IP) compatible with an open system. In this way, the digital multi-function peripheral 10 does not need to support a general-purpose protocol, so that development costs can be reduced. Furthermore, when transferring image data from the digital multi-function peripheral 10 to the management computer 50 or 51, an optimal transfer method can be employed.

Explanatory drawing of a structure and usage pattern of the information processing system which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. 1 is an external view of a digital multifunction peripheral included in an information processing system according to an embodiment. 1 is a configuration diagram of a digital multi-function peripheral. 1 is an external view of a control unit included in a digital multi-function peripheral. Explanatory drawing of the scan data transmission process which an information processing system performs. Explanatory drawing of the copy basic screen which a control unit displays. Explanatory drawing of the user selection screen which a control unit displays. Explanatory drawing of the scan basic screen which a control unit displays. Explanatory drawing of the scanning destination selection screen which a control unit displays. Explanatory drawing of the scanning destination confirmation and deletion screen which a control unit displays. Explanatory drawing of the file format selection screen which a control unit displays. Explanatory drawing of the document type selection screen which a control unit displays. Explanatory drawing of the job memory selection screen which a control unit displays. Explanatory drawing of the job memory selection screen which a control unit displays. Explanatory drawing of the information memorize | stored in the management computer contained in an information processing system. Explanatory drawing of the information memorize | stored in a management computer. 6 is a flowchart of IP address registration / confirmation processing executed by a management computer. Explanatory drawing of the scan user setting page which a management computer provides. Explanatory drawing of the job memory setting page which a management computer provides. Explanatory drawing of the folder setting page which a management computer provides. Explanatory drawing of the destination setting page which a management computer provides. Explanatory drawing of the destination group setting page which a management computer provides. The sequence diagram which showed the operation | movement procedure of information processing system. The sequence diagram which showed the operation | movement procedure of information processing system. The sequence diagram which showed the operation | movement procedure of information processing system. The block diagram of the image reading system which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows an example of an administrator screen. The figure which shows an example of the setting screen of a selection character string. The figure which shows an example of a scan parameter initial setting screen. The figure which shows an example of a user registration screen. The sequence diagram which showed the procedure in which a digital multi-functional peripheral acquires a selection character string list. The figure which shows an example of a scan basic screen. The figure which shows an example of a scan basic screen. The figure which shows an example of a scan basic screen. The figure which shows an example of a scan basic screen. The figure which shows an example of a keyboard screen. The figure which shows an example of a scan basic screen.

Explanation of symbols

10 Digital MFP, 11 Control Unit, 12 Scanner, 13 Printer 40 Management Program, 50 Management Computer 51 Management Computer, 52 Management Program 1200 Scan Parameter Initial Setting Screen, 1300 User Registration Screen, 1400 Scan Basic Screen, 1600 Item Character String Selection Screen

Claims (5)

An image reading system in which an information processing apparatus and a plurality of scanners having a display unit are connected via a network,
The information processing apparatus includes:
A storage unit storing screen information for a user interface screen displayed on the display unit;
Each of the scanners
Obtaining means for obtaining screen information stored in a storage unit of the information processing apparatus;
Display control means for displaying a user interface screen on the display unit based on the screen information acquired by the acquisition means;
Input means for receiving an input from the user with respect to the user interface screen displayed on the display unit;
Reading means for reading the image;
An output unit that associates and outputs an input from a user received by the input unit and image data based on an image read by the reading unit ;
The screen information is file name information including a plurality of candidate character strings that can be used as the file name of the image data.
When the input means receives selection of one or more candidate character strings when the file name information is displayed on the user interface screen,
And the output means, the file name determined in combination of one or more candidate character strings said selected you output in association with the image data image reading system. The screen information is output destination information for designating an output destination of the image data,
The output means outputs the output destination selected by the input means when the output destination information is displayed on the user interface screen in association with the image data as the output destination of the image data. The image reading system according to claim 1. A registration screen information storage unit for storing registration screen information for displaying a registration screen for accepting registration of the screen information;
The image reading system according to claim 1, wherein the registration screen information is transmitted to another information processing apparatus connected to the network to prompt registration of the screen information. An information processing apparatus constituting an image reading system connected to a plurality of scanners having a display unit via a network,
Registration of display screen information including a plurality of candidate character strings that can be used as file names of image data read by the scanner, which is display screen information for a user interface screen displayed on the display unit of the scanner A registration screen information storage unit for storing registration screen information related to the registration screen;
A display screen information storage unit that stores the display screen information input to the registration screen;
Upon receiving the display screen information acquisition request from one of the scanners, the display unit of the scanner displays the plurality of candidate character strings, and one or more candidates selected from the plurality of candidate character strings by combining the string in order to the file name of the image data, to the requesting scanner, an information processing apparatus, characterized by sending the display screen information stored in the display screen information storage unit. A computer program for an information processing apparatus that is connected to a plurality of scanners having a display unit via a network to constitute an image reading system,
When executed by the information processing apparatus,
Registration of display screen information including a plurality of candidate character strings that can be used as file names of image data read by the scanner, which is display screen information for a user interface screen displayed on the display unit of the scanner A registration screen information storage unit for storing registration screen information related to the registration screen;
Build a display screen information storage unit that stores the display screen information input to the registration screen,
Upon receiving the display screen information acquisition request from one of the scanners, the display unit of the scanner displays the plurality of candidate character strings, and one or more candidates selected from the plurality of candidate character strings by combining the string in order to the file name of the image data, to the requesting scanner, and executes a process to send the display screen information stored in the display screen information storage unit computer program.

Images