JP2005236516A - Scan mail transmitting system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a scan mail transmitting system for which a mail account for the system is not required to be prepared. <P>SOLUTION: The scan mail transmitting system is configured as a system comprising a digital composite machine 10 having a function of scanning an original set in its own apparatus to generate image data and transmitting the image data to a scan agent computer 50, and the scan agent computer 50 having a function of transmitting an E-mail (scan mail) added with a file of the image data transmitted from the machine 10. In the system, the transmission of the scan mail is performed by the computer 50 by utilizing a mail account acquired by the user of the machine 10 from an ISP or the like. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a scan mail transmission system capable of transmitting a scan mail, which is an e-mail attached with an image data file related to the original generated by scanning the original.

  In recent years, some commercially available digital MFPs are connected to a LAN, and a predetermined program (hereinafter referred to as a scan agent program) is installed in a computer on the LAN. There are those that can perform scan-to-file processing (see Non-Patent Document 1).

  Here, as schematically shown in FIG. 15A, the scan-to-mail process is a process in which a document agent image data generated by a scanner of a digital multifunction peripheral is installed from the digital multifunction peripheral. Is sent to the scan agent computer, and the scan agent computer generates an image data file from the image data, and the scan mail, which is an e-mail attached with the image data file, is addressed to the destination designated by the user It is a process that is transmitted. In addition, as schematically shown in FIG. 15B, the scan-to-file process is a process in which image data of a document generated by a scanner of a digital multifunction peripheral is transmitted from the digital multifunction peripheral to a scan agent computer. An image data file is generated from the image data by the scan agent computer, and the image data file (hereinafter also referred to as a scan file) is stored in a common folder of the computer designated by the user. .

  The system consisting of this digital multi-function peripheral and scan agent computer (hereinafter referred to as “scan mail transmission system”) has a mail account (authority to use the mail server) prepared for the system at the start of operation. It is configured as a system that requires work for enabling e-mail transmission using it (work of the same content as that performed for general mailers). The scan mail transmission system is a system that transmits all scan mails using a mail account prepared for the system.

The fact that the scan mail transmission system is configured in this way means that the scan mail transmission system is used in large-scale offices (offices operated by corporations that have their own mail server). This is not a particular problem. However, the fact that the scan mail transmission system is configured as described above means that when the scan mail transmission system is used in a small office, a mail account for the system must be prepared. Was meant.
Seiko Epson CS-7500 User's Manual

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a scan mail transmission system that does not require a mail account for the system.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention scans a scan mail transmission system used in a form capable of transmitting an email on the Internet, including at least one scan data generation device and a scan mail transmission device. As a data generation device, an original scanning unit capable of generating image data representing an image on the original by scanning the set original, and a user inputs a user name assigned to the original User interface means capable of performing various operations including a user name input operation, a destination specifying operation for specifying an e-mail destination, and an operation of a predetermined procedure including a user name input operation and a destination specifying operation Entered by the user name input operation when is performed on the user interface means And the destination name information indicating the destination of the e-mail designated by the destination designation operation are transmitted to the scan mail transmitting device, and the operation of the document scanning unit is started and generated by the document scanning unit. For each user who may use the scan data generation device as a scan mail transmission device, and a control means for transmitting the image data to the scan mail transmission device. An image relating to image data transmitted from a server information storage unit storing server information, which is information necessary for transmitting an email to a certain mail server, and a control unit of the image data generation device Image data file generation means for generating a data file and the image data file generation means A scan mail, which is an e-mail attached with an image data file generated for certain image data, is associated with the user name information transmitted from the control means of the image data generating apparatus as related to the image data, and the server Processing for causing the mail server specified by the server information stored in the information storage means to transmit to the destination indicated by the destination information transmitted from the control means of the image data generation apparatus as related to the image data It is assumed that a device equipped with scan mail transmission control means for performing is used.

  The scan mail transmission system of the present invention having such a configuration is a system that transmits a scan mail related to each user using a mail account that each user has already acquired from an ISP or the like, that is, a mail account for the system. It will function as a scan mail transmission system that does not have to prepare.

  In realizing the scan mail transmission system of the present invention, in order to facilitate the setting of the server information, the scan data transmission device is provided with the total number of server information stored in the server information storage means and each server information. It is desirable that the apparatus further includes server information changing means for changing the contents to the contents corresponding to the contents of the operation performed on the computer connected to the scan data generating apparatus via the network. Further, the server information storage means of the scan mail transmission apparatus is a means for storing common server information that can be used as server information of an arbitrary user, and the server information change means of the scan mail transmission apparatus is used as the server information storage means. The stored common server information may be stored in the server information storage unit as server information related to an arbitrary user.

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

  First, an outline (mainly hardware configuration) of a scan mail transmission system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the scan mail transmission system according to this embodiment includes one or more (two in the figure) digital multifunction peripheral 10 (corresponding to a scan data generation device) and a scan agent computer 50 (scan mail). Is a system connected to a network. The scan mail transmission system is connected to a network including an Internet router 200 for connecting a number of computers 210, computers 210, etc. used by administrators and general users of the scan mail transmission system to the Internet. It is the system used.

  This scan mail transmission system can perform scan-to-mail processing and scan-to-file processing in the same manner as the existing scan mail transmission system described with reference to FIG. However, since only the part related to the scan-to-mail process is relevant to the present invention, the configuration and operation of the scan-mail transmission system will be described below, focusing on the part related to the scan-to-mail process. .

  A scan agent computer 50 (FIG. 1), which is a component of the scan mail transmission system, is a computer in which the scan agent program 40 developed for the scan mail transmission system is installed. The function of the scan agent program 40 will be described later. The scan agent program 40 is a program that requires setting of an administrator name and an administrator password at the time of installation (setup).

  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, LCD control circuit 27, input interface circuit (input I / F) 28, network interface 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) is a unit that is provided on the casing of the control unit 11 and includes a start button 32s, various push button switches such as a numeric keypad, and control circuits thereof. is there.

  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 non-volatile rewritable memory mounted on the control unit 11 in order to store various kinds of information that need to be retained even when the power is turned off.

  The control unit 11 according to the present embodiment stores in its EEPROM 24 the IP address of its own unit (hereinafter referred to as the device IP address) and the IP address of the scan agent computer 50 (hereinafter referred to as the agent IP address). It is a unit that operates in a stored state (a unit that requires setting of a device IP address and an agent IP address when incorporated into a network).

  Based on the above, the configuration and operation of the scan mail transmission system will be described in more detail below.

  First, operations that must be performed by an administrator or a user at the start of operation of the scan mail transmission system will be described.

  At the start of operation of the scan mail transmission system, the administrator (who knows the administrator name and administrator password set when the scan agent program 40 is installed) is displayed on his computer 210 as shown in FIG. The setting page 60 is displayed. The scan user setting page 60 is logged in to the scan agent computer 50 using a Web browser (a predetermined URL including the IP address of the scan agent computer 50 is input to the Web browser and displayed as a result thereof. By entering the administrator name and password on the login screen), the administrator home page is displayed on the display of the computer 210, and a predetermined link provided on the administrator home page is operated to display the administrator home page. Web page that can be.

  As shown in the figure, the scan user setting page 60 includes a user name and password (details will be described later) that are necessary when the user operates the digital multifunction peripheral 10 or logs in to the scan agent computer 50. ) Are set, and a text box for setting the user's mail address is provided. In the scan user setting page 60, various information necessary for sending an email to a certain mail server (SMTP server) (for logging in to a certain mail server) (by acquiring a mail account) There are provided four text boxes for setting an information group notified from the ISP or the like (hereinafter referred to as server information) and a text box for setting a divided mail address size. Further, the scan user setting page 60 includes two radio buttons for setting whether or not to allow the user to change the contents of the server information, common server information, and server information related to the user whose user name is being set. Two radio buttons are also provided for setting whether or not to use them. Here, the common server information is information necessary for sending mail using a mail account prepared for the system. The setting of the shared server information is also performed by the administrator by causing the computer 210 to display a predetermined Web page provided by the scan agent computer 50.

  The administrator who has displayed this scan user setting page 60 on his computer 210 enters information in each text box on the scan user setting page 60 for each user who uses his / her mail account for scan mail transmission. After the operation is performed, an operation of clicking the “Register” button on the scan user setting page 60 is performed. At this time, for each user who is permitted to change the server information, the administrator turns on a radio button for permitting the content update by the user of the server information and then clicks the “Register” button.

  In addition, for each user who does not use his / her own mail account for scan mail transmission, the administrator sets a user name, password, user mail address, and sets a radio button for specifying that shared server information is used. Click “Register” button after “ON”.

  When such an operation is performed for each user, the scan agent computer 50 includes, for each user, a user name and password (hereinafter referred to as user identification information), an email address, , Server information and split mail size (if the radio button for specifying use of shared server information is “ON”, the split mail size set for the common server information and the shared server), , Information indicating whether or not the user is permitted to change the server information (hereinafter referred to as change enable / disable specifying information) is stored.

  On the other hand, each user whose user name is registered (stored in the scan agent computer 50) by the administrator logs in to the scan agent computer 50 using a Web browser at the start of operation of the scan mail transmission system. As a result, the address setting page 65 as shown in FIG. Each user who has displayed the destination setting page 65 on his computer 210 (Web browser) attached a scan mail (a scan file which is an image data file related to image data of a document generated by the digital multi-function peripheral 10). (E-mail) destination information to be displayed on the touch screen 31 of the control unit 11 as identification information of the e-mail address (hereinafter referred to as e-mail destination specification information) Is written in the scan agent computer 50 as e-mail destination specification information related to itself (after inputting the destination name and e-mail address, pressing the “Register” button) deep. In addition, each user who may send a scan mail with the same scan file attached to a plurality of destinations displays the destination group setting page 70 shown in FIG. 70 for storing information in the scan agent computer 50 as information relating to itself (hereinafter, referred to as group transmission destination specifying information) using several mail addresses and destination group names. Keep going.

  As estimated from the configurations of the destination setting page 65 shown in FIG. 6 and the group setting page 70 shown in FIG. 7, the various setting pages provided to each user by the scan agent computer 50 are all various settings. An area provided with a link to a page (hereinafter referred to as an index area) is provided on the left side of the area. When the scan agent computer 50 (scan agent program 40) indicates that the change permission designation information regarding the user who has logged in to the scan agent computer indicates that the change of the server information is permitted, the scan agent computer 50 (scan agent program 40) The various setting pages to be provided to the user are devices (programs) that have an index area with a link to the server information setting page, and when the link is operated, the user changes the server information about itself This is an apparatus (program) that provides a user with a Web page that can be used as a server information setting page.

  Next, the operation of the scan mail transmission system (control unit 11 and scan agent computer 50) will be described.

  The control unit 11 is a scan mail transmission system that includes an operation mode (hereinafter referred to as a copy mode) for operating the digital multi-function peripheral 10 as a copier, and the digital multi-function peripheral 10 and the scan agent computer 50. As an operation mode (hereinafter referred to as a scan mode).

  When the control unit 11 is operating in the copy mode, the copy basic screen 100 as shown in FIG. 8 is displayed on the touch screen 31, so the control unit 11 starts operating in the scan mode. If desired, the user presses the mode switching button 101 on the basic copy screen 100.

  When this operation is performed, the control unit 11 starts the operation in the scan mode. Then, as shown in FIG. 9, the control unit 11 first transmits a user name list request to the scan agent computer 50 (a device having the agent IP address stored in the EEPROM 24) (step S101). .

  The scan agent computer 50 that has received this user name list request uses the user identification information (user name and password registered using the scan user setting page 60 in FIG. 5) relating to each user stored in the computer. For each user, a user name list including the user name of the user and information indicating whether or not the user has set a password is created and returned to the digital multifunction peripheral 10 (step S201). ).

  Upon receiving this user name list, the control unit 11 displays a user name selection screen 105 as shown in FIG. 10 on the touch screen 31 based on the received user name list (FIG. 9: Step S102). That is, the control unit 11 displays on the touch screen 31 a user name selection screen 105 including a user name button 106 in which each user name included in the received user name list is shown.

  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 scan agent computer 50. It transmits to (step S103). 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 user name input by the user to the scan agent computer 50.

  Upon receiving the login request, the scan agent computer 50 confirms that user management information including the same information (user name or user name and password) included in the login request is stored in the own computer. Then, each request transmitted from the control unit 11 that transmitted the login request is handled as a request from a user (hereinafter referred to as the current user) identified by the user name included in the login request. Processing (session management in the figure) is started (step S202). In addition, the scan agent computer 50 returns information (OK in the figure) indicating that the login request has been accepted to the digital multi-function peripheral 10.

  Receiving this information, the control unit 11 displays the scan basic screen 110 having the configuration shown in FIG. 11 on the touch screen 31 (step S104).

  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.

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

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

  In addition, these buttons are buttons that display another screen on the touch screen 31 when pressed. On the other hand, a “light” button and a “light” button (buttons for adjusting scan density) provided on the basic scan screen 110 are buttons that do not display another screen when pressed (when pressed, the density cursor 117 is displayed). Button to move the display position).

  The scan destination button 116 is a button for designating a folder for storing the scan file and a destination of the scan mail.

  When the scan destination button 116 is pressed, the control unit 11 transmits a scan destination list request to the scan agent computer 50 (FIG. 9: Step S105).

  The scan agent computer 50 that has received this scan destination list request, for each destination specification information stored in the computer as relating to the current user, the name and the destination specification information are the destination information for storage. , A scan destination list including information indicating whether the destination definition information for mail or the destination specification information for group is created and returned to the control unit 11 (step S203). It should be noted that the storage destination specification information can be stored in the scan agent computer 50 by causing the computer 210 to display a folder setting page for performing settings related to a folder having the same configuration as the mail setting page 65. This is information that can be obtained (information including the folder path and the information displayed on the touch screen 31 as the name of the information itself).

  The control unit 11 that has received this scan destination list displays the scan destination selection screen 120 having the configuration shown in FIG. 12 on the touch screen 31 based on the received scan destination list (step S106).

  In the list area 121 provided in the scan destination selection screen 120, the names of the transmission destination specifying information included in the scan destination list ("Folder1," "USER_1", etc .: hereinafter also referred to as transmission destination specifying information names) are stored. This is the area shown. This list area 121 shows the graphic 127 and its name (“Folder1”) for the destination information for saving destination, and only the name (“USER_1”, etc.) for the destination destination information for mail. The group destination definition information is an area in which a graphic 128 and its name (such as “GROUP_1”) are shown.

  In addition, the scan destination selection screen 120 is a screen on which an arbitrary number of destination specification information can be selected by performing the following operations.

  In other words, when the user wants to select certain destination specification information (storage destination specification information for saving, mail destination specification information for mail, or group destination specification information), the user selects it by operating the buttons 122u and 122d. A state in which the selection frame 126 is displayed in the portion where the name of the destination specifying information to be displayed is displayed is formed. 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 definition information identified by the transmission destination definition information name surrounded by the selection frame 126 has been selected. Further, the control unit 11 increments the numerical value in the selection number display column 124 by “1” and deletes the transmission destination specifying 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 operation on each destination definition information. It should be noted that the scan destination button 129 on the scan destination selection screen 120 is a button for displaying the scan destination confirmation / deletion screen shown in FIG. 13 on the touch screen 31 when pressed, so that the user can select 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 (destination definition information name) on the touch screen 31 regarding the destination definition information selected by the user. A scan basic screen 110 (see FIG. 12) is displayed in the “scan destination” button 116.

  Then, the scan mail transmission system has the start button 32s of the control unit 11 in a state where only one or more mail-related destination definition information (e-mail destination definition information or group destination definition information) is selected. When the button is pressed, the system starts execution of scan-to-mail processing having the contents shown in FIG. Note that this scan mail transmission system is configured to scan-to-scan based on image data for one original from the digital multifunction peripheral 10 even when the destination information for saving is selected simultaneously with the destination-related information related to mail. Although it is a system in which file processing and scan-to-mail processing are performed, description of such operation of the scan mail transmission system will be omitted.

  That is, when the start button 32s of the control unit 11 is pressed in a state where only one or more mail-related destination specification information is selected, the control unit 11 displays the processing content specification information (scan basic screen) at that time. A processing start request including a set value whose contents are displayed on 110 is transmitted to the scan agent computer 50 (step S111).

  The scan agent computer 50 that has received this processing start request creates scanner control information based on the processing content definition information included therein and returns it to the control unit 11 (step S212). Here, the scanner control information is information obtained by converting each piece of information (only information related to the control of the scanner 12) 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 (step S112). 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 output by the scanner 12 (image data generated by the scanner 12 scanning the document) is transferred to the scan agent computer 50.

  On the other hand, the scan agent 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 (step S213). When the information indicating that the transmission of all the scan data has been completed (scan end in the figure) is transmitted from the control unit 11, the scan agent computer 50 scans the following contents in step S214. Perform transmission control processing.

  First, the scan agent computer 50 scans from the received scan data in a scan format having a file format specified by the current processing content specification information (processing content specification information received from the digital multifunction peripheral 10 in the process of step S112). Process to generate.

  Thereafter, the scan agent computer 50 sends an e-mail (ie, scan mail) with the generated scan file attached to the current user for each e-mail / group destination prescription information included in the current process content prescription information. A process for causing the mail server indicated by the server information stored in the own computer to transmit it to the mailbox of the mail server specified by the destination specification information is performed. In short, if the current user is set to use the user's own mail account for scan mail transmission, the scan agent computer 50 sends an e-mail to the mailer of the current user's computer 210. Processing that is essentially the same as what is sometimes performed (processing that differs only in the content of the information to be transmitted) is performed. The scan agent computer 50 corresponds to the divided mail size corresponding to the common server information and the common server information when the current user is not set to use the user's own mail account for scan mail transmission. This process is essentially the same as that performed by the mailer that sets the information at the time of e-mail transmission.

  As described above, the scan mail transmission system according to the present embodiment is configured as a system that performs scan mail transmission regarding each user using the mail account that each user has already acquired from the ISP or the like. . Therefore, it can be said that this scan mail transmission system is a system that does not require a system mail account.

  In addition, since the scan mail transmission system according to the present embodiment is configured as a system that can set the common server information as server information of an arbitrary user, the scan mail transmission system only transmits scan mail related to some users. It will also function as a system that can be performed using the user's email account.

<Deformation>
The scan mail transmission system according to the embodiment can be variously modified. For example, the scan mail transmission system described above is a system that can perform scan-to-file processing and scan-to-mail processing. However, the scan mail transmission system may be modified to one that can perform only scan-to-file processing. The scan mail transmission system is a system in which various settings are performed using a Web browser. However, the scan mail transmission system is a system in which various settings are performed by executing dedicated software on the computer 210. It may be deformed. The scan agent computer 50 (scan agent program 40) also has an operation mode in which server information cannot be set for each user (the server information of all users is the same) (predetermined settings have been made by the administrator). In such a case, the operation may be modified to start the operation in a state where server information cannot be set for each user.

  The scan agent computer 50 (scan agent program 40) may be configured such that the server information is initially set by the user (the server information is not set by the administrator). Further, the scan agent computer 50 (scan agent program 40) may be configured to display on the computer 210 (Web browser) a configuration different from the above-described Web page for setting various information. Of course, the screens displayed on the touch screen 31 of the control unit 11 may be different from those described above.

Explanatory drawing of a structure and usage pattern of the scan mail transmission system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. 1 is an external view of a digital multi-function peripheral included in a scan mail transmission system according to an embodiment. 1 is a configuration diagram of a digital multifunction peripheral. 1 is an external view of a control unit included in a digital multi-function peripheral. Explanatory drawing of the scan user setting page which a scan agent computer displays on a web browser. Explanatory drawing of the destination setting page which a scan agent computer displays on a Web browser. Explanatory drawing of the destination group setting page which a scan agent computer displays on a Web browser. Explanatory drawing of the copy basic screen which a control unit displays. The sequence diagram which showed the operation | movement procedure of the scan mail transmission system. Explanatory drawing of the user name 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. The sequence diagram which showed the operation | movement procedure of the scan mail transmission system. Explanatory drawing of a scan to mail process and a scan to file process.

Explanation of symbols

10 Digital MFP, 11 Control Unit, 12 Scanner, 13 Printer 40 Scan Agent Program, 50 Scan Agent Computer

Claims (3)

A scan mail transmission system used in a form capable of transmitting an e-mail on the Internet, including at least one scan data generation device and a scan mail transmission device,
The scan data generation device
A document scanning unit capable of generating image data representing an image on the document by scanning the set document;
A user interface means that allows a user to perform various operations including a user name input operation for inputting a user name assigned to the user and a destination specifying operation for specifying an e-mail destination;
User name information indicating a user name input by the user name input operation when an operation of a predetermined procedure including the user name input operation and the destination designation operation is performed on the user interface means; and , Sending destination information indicating the destination of the e-mail designated by the destination designation operation to the scan mail transmitting device and starting the operation of the document scanning unit, and generating the image data generated by the document scanning unit. And a control means for transmitting to the scan mail transmitting device,
The scan mail transmitting device is
For each user who may use the scan data generation device, server information, which is information necessary for sending an e-mail to a certain mail server, is stored in association with the user name information of the user. Server information storage means,
Image data file generation means for generating an image data file related to the image data transmitted from the control means of the image data generation device;
The scan mail, which is an e-mail attached with an image data file generated for certain image data by the image data file generation means, is transmitted from the control means of the image data generation apparatus as relating to the image data. It has been transmitted from the control means of the image data generating apparatus to the mail server specified by the server information stored in the server information storage means in association with the user name information as relating to the image data. Scan mail transmission control means for performing processing for sending to the destination indicated by the destination information;
A scan mail transmission system, characterized in that it is a device equipped with. The scan mail transmitting device is
Server information change for changing the total number of server information stored in the server information storage means and the contents of each server information to those according to the contents of operations performed on the computer connected to the scan data generating device via the network The scan mail transmission system according to claim 1, further comprising a device. The server information storage means of the scan mail transmitting device is means for storing common server information that can be used as server information of any user,
The server information changing unit of the scan mail transmitting device is a unit capable of storing the common server information stored in the server information storage unit as server information relating to an arbitrary user in the server information storage unit. The scan mail transmission system according to claim 2, wherein:

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