JP2007306383A - Image reading apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image reading apparatus capable of easily and surely storing read image data to a desired folder being a transmission destination. <P>SOLUTION: The image reading apparatus 1 capable of transmitting the image data to information processing apparatuses 50a, 50b via a network 40 includes a storage means 17 for storing user identification information for specifying a user in cross reference with apparatus identification information for specifying the connected information processing apparatus, and a control means 15 displays the user identification information on a display means 13 and thereafter reads apparatus identification information associated with a user designated by an operation of an entry means 14 from a storage means 26, displays a folder identification information for specifying a share folder of a corresponding information processing apparatus on the display means 13, and transmits the image data to the share folder designated by an operation of the entry means 14. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus, and more particularly to an image reading apparatus capable of transmitting image data read from a document to an information processing apparatus via a network.

  The image reading apparatus scans a document set on a document table, a paper feeder, or the like, thereby reading information such as a document, a drawing, and a photograph, and generates image data. As an example of an image reading apparatus, recently, a multifunction machine having various functions such as a facsimile function, a copy function, and a printer function is becoming widespread, and a plurality of personal computers (hereinafter referred to as “PCs”) via a network such as a LAN. ) And used in offices.

For example, the image reading apparatus disclosed in Patent Literature 1 acquires folder information such as a folder name that a PC connected to the network permits data sharing from the PC, displays the list on the screen, and displays the list as a user. Is configured to transmit image data to a folder designated from among them.
JP 2005-167357 A

  Since the image reading apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 enables selection of a transmission destination of image data based on folder information acquired from a connected PC, image data can be reliably stored in a desired folder. it can.

  However, when a large number of PCs are connected to the network and the number of folders that can be specified by the user increases, it becomes difficult to find the transmission destination of the image data from the list-displayed folders, so there is room for further improvement in this respect. It was.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image reading apparatus capable of easily and reliably storing read image data in a desired folder as a transmission destination.

  An image reading apparatus according to a first invention for achieving the above object is an image reading apparatus capable of transmitting image data read from a document to an information processing apparatus via a network, and a user identification for identifying a user Storage means for storing information in association with apparatus identification information for specifying the information processing apparatus to be connected; display means for displaying various types of information; input means for designating a destination of the image data; Control means for performing image data transmission processing, and the control means displays the user identification information on the display means, and then displays the device identification information associated with the user designated by the operation of the input means. Read from the storage means, display folder identification information for identifying the corresponding shared folder of the information processing apparatus on the display means, and operate the input means Transmitting the image data to a more specified shared folder.

  An image reading apparatus according to a second invention is the image reading apparatus according to the first invention, wherein the control means accesses the information processing apparatus based on the read apparatus identification information, so that the folder Get identification information.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image reading apparatus according to the first or second aspect, a registration form for performing user registration in response to an access from the information processing apparatus is provided as the information. The server further includes a server for displaying on the processing device, and the server prompts the user to input the user identification information in the registration form and searches the information processing device on the network in response to a search request from the information processing device. The apparatus identification information is displayed in a selectable manner, and the control means stores the user identification information and the apparatus identification information received from the information processing apparatus in the storage means.

  According to the image reading apparatus of the first invention, when a user is specified by operating the input means, the shared folder of the information processing apparatus associated with the user is displayed, so that the shared folder can be selected quickly, There is no risk of specifying the shared folder used by other users by mistake. Therefore, the read image data can be easily and reliably stored in a desired folder as a transmission destination.

  Further, according to the image reading apparatus according to the second invention, since the shared folder is displayed based on the result of accessing the information processing apparatus as the transmission destination, there is no possibility of designating a shared folder that does not actually exist. Image data can be reliably stored in a desired folder.

  In addition, according to the image reading apparatus of the third invention, since the information processing apparatus on the network is actually searched and associated with the user, the association between the user and the information processing apparatus can be performed easily and reliably. Can do.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image reading apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image reading apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is a multi-function machine having a printer function, a facsimile function, and the like in addition to an image reading function, and a plurality of information processing apparatuses PC 50 a via a LAN (Local Area Network) 40. , 50b,...

  Connection of the image reading apparatus 1 to the LAN 40 is performed via a LANIF (LAN interface) 20 such as a NIC (Network Interface Card), and SMB / CIFS (Server Message Block / Common Internet File System protocol) on TCP / IP. Communication is possible using a protocol that implements. Similarly, the PCs 50a, 50b,... Are connected to the LAN 40 via LANIFs 51a, 51b,... Corresponding to the SMB / CIFS protocol. With this configuration, it is possible to access the shared folder stored in the storage units 52a, 52b,... Of each PC 50a, 50b,.

  The image reading device 1 includes a reading unit 11, a recording unit 12, a display unit 13, an input unit 14, a CPU 15, a ROM 16, a RAM 17, an image memory unit 18, a codec unit 19, and a user memory unit 26.

  The reading unit 11 outputs digital image data by reading a document placed on a document table or set at a predetermined position from a feeder with a CCD scanner or the like.

  The recording unit 12 is an electrophotographic printer device, and prints image data read by the reading unit 11, received data from the outside, and the like on a paper medium.

  The display unit 13 includes a liquid crystal monitor, a CRT monitor, and the like, and displays information to be provided to the user, information for prompting input by the input operation unit 14, and the like.

  The input unit 14 includes an input key and a touch panel on the display unit 13. The input unit 14 is used to input characters and numbers, use various registration functions such as abbreviated dial functions, and operate buttons displayed on the display unit 13. It can be carried out. The content input by the input unit 14 can be confirmed on the display unit 13.

  The CPU 15 controls the operation of each hardware unit of the image reading apparatus 1 via the bus, and performs transmission processing of image data generated by the reading unit 11. The ROM 16 stores various control programs executed by the CPU 15 and various messages. The RAM 17 is configured by SRAM, flash memory, or the like, and stores temporary data generated when the control program is executed.

  The image memory unit 18 stores the image data generated by the reading unit 11 and image data for transmission or reception in a predetermined file format such as TIFF, PDF, JPEG.

  The codec unit 19 performs an encoding process based on a method such as MH, MR, or MMR on the image data for transmission stored in the image memory unit 18 and also performs a decoding process on the received image data.

  The user memory unit 26 stores a user table in which user identification information for specifying a user is associated with apparatus identification information for specifying each PC 50a, 50b,... Connected via the LAN 40.

  In addition, the image reading apparatus 1 includes an HTTP server 30. The HTTP server 30 is communicable using the HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) protocol, and is stored when there is a web page browsing request based on the designation of a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) from each of the PCs 50a, 50b,. Predetermined web page information is read and transmitted to each PC 50a, 50b,.

  The image reading apparatus 1 is connected to a PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Networks) 24 via a FAX control unit 21, a modem 22, and an NCU (Network Control Unit) 23, and functions as a normal facsimile apparatus. To do.

  The image reading apparatus 1 configured as described above includes a “My Folder” button that can be input by operating an input key or a touch panel in the input unit 14, and the image data read by the reading unit 11 is stored in the PCs 50 a and 50 b. ,... Can be stored in a desired folder using the “My Folder” button.

  In order to use the “My Folder” button, it is first necessary to perform user registration. A processing procedure in the image reading apparatus 1 for performing user registration will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  For example, when a user who exclusively uses the PC 50a accesses the HTTP server 30 of the image reading apparatus 1 from the PC 50a (step S1), the HTTP server 30 displays a registration form on the PC 50a (step S2).

  The registration form is displayed on the PC 50a in association with this registration number by clicking on one of the unused registration numbers on the registered user list display screen displayed on the PC 50a, as shown in FIG. The

  In the registration form shown in FIG. 3, the user inputs user identification information (for example, “user001”) for identifying himself / herself such as the user's name and abbreviation in the user name column. In the PC name column, device identification information for specifying the PC 50a having the shared folder that is the transmission destination of the image data is input. If a password is set for the shared folder of the PC 50a, this password is also input.

  When inputting to the PC name column, a browsing request (search request) is made from the PC 50a to the HTTP server 30 by clicking a reference button displayed on the registration form (step S3). In response to this, the CPU 15 accesses the PCs 50a, 50b,... On the LAN 40 and performs the following browsing process (step S4). That is, the CPU 15 acquires the work group name and the PC name of each PC 50a, 50b,..., And can select the work group name and the PC name in that order on the reference window of the registration form displayed on the PC 50a. Display a list.

  FIG. 3 shows a state in which all PCs belonging to the work group are displayed in the reference window based on the selection of the work group A, and the user selects the PC name corresponding to the PC 50a (for example, “pc001” ")" Is selected by double-clicking or the like, and this PC name is automatically input as the device identification information in the PC name column. When the user clicks the completion button in the state where the user name and PC name of the registration form are input in this way, the HTTP server 30 receives the input user identification information and device identification information (step S5). Then, based on the received information, the CPU 15 stores user identification information associated with the device identification information in the user memory unit 26 (step S6). FIG. 4 shows an example of a user table stored in the user memory unit 26. Each user identification information (user name) is stored together with work group identification information (work group name) and device identification information (PC name). Has been.

  In the present embodiment, user registration is enabled by an input operation on each of the PCs 50 a, 50 b,... To improve user convenience, but the input unit 14 while viewing the display unit 13 in the image reading apparatus 1. , User registration can be performed in the same procedure as in the present embodiment without using the HTTP server 30.

  Next, a processing procedure for transmitting image data to a desired shared folder will be described.

  As an initial screen, the CPU 15 displays a menu screen on which copy, fax, scanner, printer, and the like can be selected on the display unit 13. When the user presses the scanner button on this menu screen, the transmission destination setting screen shown in FIG. Is displayed. In this destination setting screen, the folder name of the shared folder acquired by the CPU 15 accessing each PC 50a, 50b,... On the LAN 40 is displayed corresponding to each button. The destination can be set by pressing.

  Since the destination setting described above is selected from all shared folders accessible on the LAN 40, if there are many shared folders, it may take time to reach the desired shared folder. is there. On the other hand, the user who has registered in advance can set the transmission destination from the shared folder list corresponding to the user by pressing the “My Folder” button on the transmission destination setting screen shown in FIG. . A processing procedure for transmitting image data to a desired shared folder using the “My Folder” button will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  When the “My Folder” button is pressed (step S11), the CPU 15 displays the user selection screen shown in FIG. 7 (step S12). On the user selection screen, all user identification information (user names) is displayed in a selectable manner corresponding to each button based on a user table (see FIG. 4) stored in the user memory unit 26.

  The user selection screen includes a group button. When this group button is pressed, the CPU 15 displays a work group on the display unit 13 so that the work group can be selected. Only the user identification information belonging to the work group is displayed on the display unit 13 based on the search. Thereby, even when there are a large number of registered users, the user can be easily selected.

  In the user selection screen shown in FIG. 7, when the confirm button is pressed after the user is selected (step S13), the CPU 15 acquires device identification information (PC name) associated with the selected user based on the user table. (Step S14). Then, the PCs 50a, 50b,... Corresponding to the device identification information are accessed via the LAN 40, and as shown in FIG. 8, folders for specifying the shared folders that are set to permit sharing are identified. Identification information is displayed corresponding to each button (step S15).

  In the transmission destination setting screen shown in FIG. 8, the device identification information “pc001” is acquired based on the selection of the user identification information “user001”, and all the folder identification information “folder001” included in the pc 50a corresponding to this device identification information. A state in which “folder004” is displayed is shown. In each of the PCs 50a, 50b,..., When a plurality of shared folders exist in a hierarchical format, the shared folders of all layers may be displayed on the same screen, or the lower folders are sequentially displayed from the upper folder. You may make it expand and display.

  When the user selects any folder identification information on the transmission destination setting screen of FIG. 8 (step S16), the CPU 15 temporarily stores the folder identification information in the RAM 17 as a transmission destination (step S17).

  In the present embodiment, the case where the user identification information and the device identification information are associated one-to-one in the user table has been described as an example. However, a plurality of device identification information is associated with one user identification information. In this case, the device identification information of the shared folder of the plurality of PCs 50a, 50b,... Is displayed on the transmission destination setting screen of FIG.

  The processing after the transmission destination is determined is the same as that of the conventional image reading apparatus. A document is set in the reading unit 11, and the file format (TIFF format, PDF format, etc.), image quality, density, After appropriately inputting the resolution, reading size, file name, and the like, by pressing a scan key, the reading unit 11 reads information on the document and generates image data in a predetermined file format (step S18). The CPU 15 stores the generated image data in the image memory unit 18, and transmits a copy of this image data to the folder of the folder identification information temporarily stored in the RAM 17 (step S19).

  As described above, according to the image reading apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the user identification information is transmitted when the image data is transmitted by performing user registration for storing the user identification information in association with the apparatus identification information in advance. By selecting this, it is possible to easily and reliably set a shared folder as a transmission destination.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image reading apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart explaining the process sequence in the said image reading apparatus for performing user registration. It is a figure which shows an example of the form for registration. It is a figure which shows an example of a user table. It is a figure which shows an example of a transmission destination setting screen. It is a flowchart explaining the process sequence which transmits image data to a desired shared folder. It is a figure which shows an example of a user selection screen. It is a figure which shows the other example of a transmission destination setting screen.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image reader 11 Reading part 13 Display part 14 Input part 15 CPU
16 ROM
17 RAM
18 Image memory unit 20 LANIF
26 User memory unit 30 HTTP server 40 LAN
50a, 50b PC

Claims (3)

An image reading apparatus capable of transmitting image data read from a document to an information processing apparatus via a network,
Storage means for storing user identification information for identifying a user in association with apparatus identification information for identifying the information processing apparatus to be connected;
Display means for displaying various information;
Input means for designating a destination of the image data;
Control means for performing transmission processing of the image data,
After the control means displays the user identification information on the display means, the control means reads out the device identification information associated with the user designated by the operation of the input means from the storage means, and the corresponding information processing apparatus An image reading apparatus that displays folder identification information for specifying a shared folder on the display unit and transmits the image data to a shared folder designated by an operation of the input unit. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit acquires the folder identification information by accessing the information processing apparatus based on the read apparatus identification information. A server for displaying a registration form for performing user registration on the information processing apparatus in response to access from the information processing apparatus;
The server prompts input of the user identification information in the registration form, and searches the information processing apparatus on the network in response to a search request from the information processing apparatus, so that the apparatus identification information can be selected. Display
The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit stores the user identification information and device identification information received from the information processing apparatus in the storage unit.

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