JP2013150137A - Data transmission device, data transfer server, and data transmission method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a user to transmit data easily.SOLUTION: A data transmission device comprises: a destination candidate display unit which receives information on destination candidates from a data transfer server and displays a destination selection screen so as to allow for selection of the destination candidates; a destination setting unit which notifies the data transfer server of a selection result selected from the destination candidates to set a destination; a data acquisition unit which acquires transmission object data after the notification; and a transmission control unit which transmits the transmission object data to the data transfer server to transfer the transmission object data from the data transfer server to the destination.

Description

  The present invention relates to a data transmission device, a data transfer server, and a data transmission method.

  In airports, hotels, convenience stores, etc., facsimile machines that are allowed to be used by an unspecified number of users are installed. Such fax limit is used when it is necessary to use a facsimile on the go.

JP 2008-11354 A

  By the way, when a large number of unspecified users are assumed, it is unrealistic from the viewpoint of memory resources to register destination candidate line numbers in a facsimile. In addition, since it is unlikely that the same user will frequently use a specific facsimile that is permitted to an unspecified number of users, the line numbers of destination candidates for unspecified number of users should be registered in the specified facsimile. There is a lot of waste. However, there is a problem that even if it is necessary to use a facsimile outside the office, it is impossible to send a document unless the destination line number is known.

  The present invention was created to solve such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to enable a user to easily transmit data.

  A data transmission apparatus for achieving the above object receives information on a destination candidate from a data transfer server, displays a destination selection screen so that the destination candidate can be selected, and selects from the destination candidate By notifying the data transfer server of the selected result, a destination setting unit for setting the destination, a data acquisition unit for acquiring transmission target data after the notification, and the transmission target data for the data transfer server A transmission control unit for transferring the transmission target data from the data transfer server to the selected destination. The destination setting unit may perform the notification according to selection by a user. The data acquisition unit may start a process of acquiring communication target data after the notification. The data acquisition unit may create the transmission target data by scanning from a transmission target document.

  (1) Specifically, for example, the data transmission device receives a user identifier acquisition unit that receives an input of a user identifier, and receives a communication identifier of a destination candidate from the data transfer server by transmitting the user identifier to a data transfer server. A destination candidate display unit that displays the destination candidates in a selectable manner, and transmits the communication identifier of the destination selected from the destination candidates to the data transfer server, thereby transferring the job identifier corresponding to the destination to the data transfer A destination setting unit that receives from the server, a data acquisition unit that acquires transmission target data in response to reception of the job identifier, and the transmission target data in association with the job identifier to transmit the transmission target data to the data transfer server Transmission for transferring the transmission target data from the data transfer server to the destination It includes a control unit, a.

  Here, the user identifier is not an identifier fixed to the data transmission device but an identifier fixed to the user of the data transmission device. The destination is a data receiving device that receives transmission target data or an area in which the data receiving device stores transmission target data. According to the present invention, an unspecified number of users who use the data transmission device input the user identifier to cause the data transmission device to acquire the communication identifier of the destination candidate, and the transmission target data is transmitted via the data transfer server. The communication identifier of the destination to be set can be set. That is, even when the user cannot specify the communication identifier of the destination, the data can be transmitted to the destination desired by the user. Since the data transmission apparatus acquires the transmission target data after acquiring the job identifier associated with the destination, there is a waste of the data transmission apparatus acquiring the transmission target data that is not transferred from the data transfer server. Absent.

(2) In the data transmitting apparatus for achieving the above object, the destination candidate display unit displays a plurality of destination candidates corresponding to a plurality of communication identifiers conforming to a plurality of different communication protocols so as to be selectable, The transmission control unit may cause the data to be transmitted to be transferred from the data transfer server to the destination by using a protocol that matches the communication identifier of the selected destination.
When this configuration is adopted, the transmission target data can be transmitted to any destination having a different communication protocol for receiving the transmission target data, such as facsimile, HTTP, and SMTP.

(3) In the data transmission device for achieving the above object, the destination candidate display unit may display the plurality of destination candidates as a list in one layer.
When this configuration is adopted, destination candidates can be displayed on the data transmission device without being conscious of the destination communication protocol, and the destination setting operation is facilitated.

(4) In the data transmission device for achieving the above object, the data acquisition unit may read the transmission target data from a transmission target document.
If this configuration is adopted, the image data of the transmission target document can be transmitted to the destination.

  (5) A data transfer server for achieving the above object includes a destination candidate storage unit that stores communication identifiers of a plurality of destination candidates in association with any of a plurality of user identifiers, and the user identifier from a data transmission device. A destination candidate transmitter that receives and returns the communication identifier of the destination candidate corresponding to the received user identifier, and receives the communication identifier of the destination from the plurality of data transmission devices, and corresponds to the received communication identifier of the destination A transfer setting unit that returns a job identifier to be transmitted; a data transfer unit that receives transmission target data in association with the job identifier and transmits the transmission target data to the destination corresponding to the received transmission target data; Prepare.

  According to the present invention, an unspecified number of users who use the data transmission device input the user identifier to cause the data transmission device to acquire the communication identifier of the destination candidate, and the transmission target data is transmitted via the data transfer server. The communication identifier of the destination to be set can be set. That is, even when the user cannot specify the communication identifier of the destination, the data can be transmitted to the destination desired by the user. Since the data transfer server transmits the job identifier associated with the destination to the data transmission apparatus and receives the transmission target data in association with the job identifier, the transmission target data that is not transferred from the data transfer server. There is no waste of receiving.

  Note that the function of each unit recited in the claims is realized by hardware resources whose function is specified by the configuration itself, hardware resources whose function is specified by a program, or a combination thereof. The functions of these units are not limited to those realized by hardware resources that are physically independent of each other. Furthermore, the present invention can be realized as a data transmission method, a data transmission program, a data transfer program, or a recording medium thereof. Of course, the recording medium for the computer program may be a magnetic recording medium, a magneto-optical recording medium, or any recording medium that will be developed in the future.

The block diagram concerning embodiment of this invention. The data structure figure concerning embodiment of this invention. The sequence chart concerning embodiment of this invention. The screen transition diagram concerning embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in the following order with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the corresponding component in each figure, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.

1. Overall Overview FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a data communication network including a plurality of multifunction peripherals 1 and data transfer servers 2 as data transmission apparatuses. Each multifunction machine 1a, 1b, 1c and the data transfer server 2 are connected via the Internet 3. Each multifunction device 1a, 1b, 1c has a data receiving device such as an arbitrary facsimile machine 4a, PC (Personal Computer) 4c, data storage server 4b connected to the data transfer server 2 via a communication network as a destination. The data to be transmitted read from can be transmitted.

2. Configuration of Data Transfer Server The data transfer server 2 is configured by one or more computer systems including a processor, a main memory, a ROM, a communication interface unit, a hard disk device, etc. (not shown). The hardware resources of the data transfer server 2 are a destination candidate storage unit 21, a destination candidate transmission unit 22, a transfer setting unit 23, a data transfer unit 24, a client registration unit 25, and the like described below according to a data transfer program executed by the processor. Function as.

  The destination candidate storage unit 21 is a database that stores communication identifiers of a plurality of data receiving apparatuses in association with any of user identifiers. That is, the destination candidate storage unit 21 stores communication identifiers of a plurality of communication protocols such as the line number of the facsimile 4a, the e-mail address of the PC 4c, and the URL of the data storage server 4b in association with the user identifier in the transfer destination database.

  FIG. 2 shows an example of the transfer destination database. The user identifier is an identifier fixed to a user who uses the data communication system of the present embodiment, and is a unique character string (for example, ito1234) for each user. The address is composed of a character string (eg, Suzuki Goro) defined by the user to identify the data receiving device. The communication identifier specifies a destination data receiving device, and is composed of a character string that conforms to a communication protocol used when the data transfer server 2 transfers data to the data receiving device. For example, if the destination data receiving apparatus is the facsimile 4a, the line number “012-234-5678” is the data storage server 4b, and if the destination is the PC 4c, the e-mail address “s-ito@sankou.co.jp” is the data storage server 4b. For example, the URL “www.nagoya.com/eigyo/” is registered in the transfer destination database as a communication identifier.

  The destination candidate transmission unit 22 receives user identifiers from the registered multifunction devices 1a, 1b, and 1c, and returns communication identifiers of destination candidates corresponding to the received user identifiers. The communication protocol used for transmission / reception of the user identifier and the communication identifier is HTTP.

  The transfer setting unit 23 receives the communication identifier of the data receiving device as the transfer destination from the registered multifunction devices 1a, 1b, and 1c, stores the job identifier in association with the received communication identifier, and stores the job identifier. The identifier is returned to the corresponding multifunction peripheral 1a, 1b, 1c. In addition, the transfer setting unit 23 analyzes the received communication identifier and specifies a communication protocol that matches the received communication identifier. The communication protocol used for transmission / reception of the communication identifier and the job identifier is HTTP.

  The data transfer unit 24 receives the transmission target data together with the job identifier from the plurality of multifunction devices 1, and transfers the transmission target data with the communication identifier corresponding to the received job identifier as a destination. The communication protocol used for transmission / reception of the upper identifier and the transmission target data is HTTP. On the other hand, the data transfer unit 24 transfers the transmission target data using a communication protocol that matches the communication identifier of the transfer destination. For example, if the transfer destination is the facsimile 4a, a facsimile standard such as G3 is used, and if the transfer destination is the data storage server 4b, HTTP is used.

  The client registration unit 25 registers a plurality of MFPs 1 as clients of the data communication system by registering each communication identifier in the database. Such registration is performed in response to a request from the multifunction device 1 when the multifunction device 1 is set up.

3. Configuration of MFP A MFP 1a, 1b, 1c registered as a client of the data transfer server 2 includes a display 17, an operation key 18, a processor (not shown), a main memory, a ROM, a communication interface unit, and the like. A computer system, an image reading mechanism including a line image sensor, a carriage, and an actuator, and a printing mechanism including an ink discharge head, a carriage, and an actuator are provided. The hardware resources of the multifunction peripherals 1a, 1b, and 1c are obtained by executing a data transmission program by the processor, whereby a user identifier acquisition unit 11, a destination candidate registration unit 12, a destination candidate display unit 13, and a destination setting unit 14 described below. , Functions as a reading control unit 15 and a transmission control unit 16.

  The user identifier acquisition unit 11 receives an input of a user identifier using the operation key 18.

  The destination candidate registration unit 12 registers destination candidate information in the data transfer server 2 by transmitting the communication identifier and address of the data receiving apparatus in association with the user identifier to the data transfer server 2.

  The destination candidate display unit 13 receives the communication identifier and address of the destination candidate from the data transfer server 2 by transmitting the user identifier to the data transfer server 2, and displays the destination on the display 17 so as to be selectable by the operation key 18.

  The destination setting unit 14 receives the job identifier corresponding to the selected destination from the data transfer server 2 by transmitting the communication identifier corresponding to the destination selected from the destination candidates by the operation key 18 to the data transfer server 2. .

  A reading control unit 15 as a data acquisition unit reads transmission target data from a transmission target document by controlling a reading mechanism in response to reception of a job identifier.

  The transmission control unit 16 transmits the transmission target data to the data receiving device corresponding to the job identifier from the data transfer server 2 by transmitting the transmission target data to the data transfer server 2 in association with the job identifier.

4). Data Communication Method FIG. 3 shows the flow of data communication using the above-described multifunction peripherals 1a, 1b, 1c and the data transfer server 2. FIG. 4 shows an example of a screen transition mode of the display 17 of the multifunction machine 1.

  First, a machine body registration process for registering the multifunction machines 1a, 1b, and 1c as clients of the data communication server 2 is performed (S100). The machine registration process is started by a machine registration operation by the user. In the machine registration process, the multifunction machines 1a, 1b, and 1c register themselves as clients in the data transfer server 2 by transmitting a machine identifier that is identification information stored in advance in the multifunction machine itself. Request. The data transfer server 2 that has received the registration request for the machine registers the received machine identification identifier in the client database, and returns to the multifunction machines 1a, 1b, and 1c that the multifunction machine 1 has been registered (S200). Communication between the MFP 1 and the data transfer server 2 in connection with such a machine registration process is performed using HTTP.

  In order to make it possible to acquire destination candidate information from the data transfer server 2 in the multifunction peripherals 1a, 1b, and 1c registered in the data transfer server 2, processing for registering the destination candidate information in the data transfer server 2 in advance is required. Although the user may register the destination candidate information in the data transfer server 2 by operating a PC or the like, in FIG. 3, the destination candidate information is stored in the data transfer server 2 by operating the multifunction peripherals 1a, 1b, and 1c. An example of registration is shown. The destination candidate information includes an address and a communication identifier stored in the transfer destination database described above. These destination candidate information is stored in the transfer destination database in association with one of the user identifiers as already described.

  Specifically, the user inputs a user identifier, which is identification information notified to the user in advance, using the operation key 18 to the multifunction device 1, and then sets the address and the communication identifier of the data receiving device to the multifunction device 1. Execute the destination registration operation entered in As a result, the multifunction device 1 transmits the address and the communication identifier of the data receiving device in association with the input user identifier to the data transfer server 2 (S102).

  The data transfer server 2 that has received the user identifier, address, and communication identifier from the multifunction device 1 registers the address and communication identifier in the transfer destination database in association with the user identifier, and notifies the multifunction device 1 of the completion of registration (S202). .

  When the destination candidate registration process is performed in this way, the user can set the communication identifier of the data receiving apparatus registered in advance as a destination in any multifunction machine registered in the data transfer server 2 as a client. It is possible only by inputting the identifier and selecting the address. For this reason, even when the user does not remember the communication identifier of the destination, as described below, it becomes possible to transmit the transmission target data to the destination in an arbitrary multifunction device. Note that FIG. 3 shows an example in which destination candidate information is acquired in a multifunction device that has performed destination registration processing, but a multifunction device that has not been subjected to destination registration processing may be a multifunction device that has been registered. For example, a user having a user identifier can execute a process of selecting a destination from candidate destinations and setting a communication identifier of the destination, which is a process after step S104.

  Specifically, the user uses the operation key 18 to select the scan transmission mode. In response to this, when the user inputs a user identifier and requests destination candidate information on the input screen displayed on the display 17 by the multifunction device 1, the multifunction device 1 transmits the input user identifier to the data transfer server 2. (S104). FIG. 4A shows an example of a user identifier input screen displayed on the display 17 of the multifunction peripherals 1a, 1b, and 1c. FIG. 4C shows an example of a standby screen displayed after the user identifier is transmitted to the data transfer server 2 from the multifunction peripherals 1a, 1b, 1c.

  The data transfer server 2 acquires the address and communication identifier stored in association with the received user identifier from the transfer destination database and returns the acquired address and communication identifier to the MFP 1 (S204). As a result, the multifunction device 1 receives the address and communication identifier corresponding to the user identifier input by the user, and displays them on the display 17 so that the address can be selected by the operation key 18. FIG. 4C shows an example of a display screen of destination candidate information displayed on the display 17 of the multifunction peripherals 1a, 1b, 1c. On the display 17, a plurality of destination candidates are displayed as a list in one layer, and the destination candidate where the cursor is positioned is highlighted. Thus, regardless of the type of communication protocol, the destination candidates are listed in the same column regardless of the communication protocol type, whether the destination communication identifier is a facsimile line number, e-mail address, or URL. It is preferable.

  Next, the user who has input the user identifier moves the cursor up and down by operating the up and down keys, and selects the destination where the cursor is located by operating the enter key. When a destination is selected, the multi-function device 1 uses the data transfer server 2 as a selection result based on information that enables the data transfer server 2 to recognize the selected destination, such as a communication identifier corresponding to the selected destination and the number of the destination. Send to. Further, the user performs setting of transmission conditions using the operation keys 18 such as setting, setting a document to be transmitted on the platen glass, and setting image quality (S106). In the state where the screen shown in FIG. 4C is displayed, the user selects one of the destination candidates by the operation key 18 and confirms the selection. Then, the screen shifts to the image quality selection screen shown in FIG. 4D. In a state where the screen shown in FIG. 4D is displayed, the user selects whether to read the document in monochrome or in color with the operation keys 18 and determines the transmission condition. When the transmission condition is determined, the multifunction peripherals 1a, 1b, and 1c transmit the communication identifier and the reading condition corresponding to the selected destination to the data transfer server 2.

  Upon receiving the communication identifier, the data transfer server 2 generates a job for transmitting the transmission target data to the data receiving device corresponding to the received communication identifier, and returns the generated job identifier (job identifier) to the multifunction device 1. (S206).

  At this time, the data transfer server 2 analyzes the received communication identifier, identifies the communication protocol corresponding to the communication identifier, and sets it in the job. Specifically, for example, when a communication identifier of a predetermined number of characters is composed of only numbers or only numbers and hyphens, the facsimile standard is used for transferring transmission target data, assuming that the communication identifier is a facsimile line number. Create a job. If the communication identifier is composed of only alphanumeric characters including “@”, a job that uses SMTP for transferring the transmission target data is generated assuming that the communication identifier is an electronic mail address. If the communication identifier is composed of only alphanumeric characters including “http: //”, a job that uses HTTP for transferring the transmission target data is generated assuming that the communication identifier is a URL. The data transfer server 2 transmits an address (reception address) for the data transfer server 2 to receive the transmission target data together with the job identifier to the multi function device 1. Therefore, the job is information that identifies the transfer destination communication identifier, communication protocol, and reception address of the transmission target data, and is identified by the job identifier.

  The multifunction device 1 that has received the job identifier reads the transmission target data from the document, and transmits the read transmission target data together with the job identifier to the reception address received from the data transfer server 2 (S108). That is, the multifunction device 1 is in a state where it can start reading the transmission target data only after receiving the job identifier. FIG. 4E is an example of a standby screen displayed on the display 17 of the multifunction peripherals 1a, 1b, and 1c during a period from when the communication identifier is transmitted to the data transfer server 2 until the job identifier is received. When the multifunction peripherals 1a, 1b, and 1c receive the job identifier, reading of the original is started, and a status screen shown in FIG. 4F is displayed on the display 17 while the original is being read.

  The data transfer server 2 that has received the transmission target data transfers the transmission target data to a data receiving apparatus having a communication identifier corresponding to the job identifier received together with the transmission target data (S208). Specifically, the data transfer server 2 acquires a job using a job identifier, and specifies a communication identifier and a communication protocol set for the job. Then, the data transfer server 2 converts the format of the transmission target data, if necessary, according to the specified communication protocol. Thereafter, the data transfer server 2 transmits the transmission target data using the communication protocol set for the job with the communication identifier set for the job as the destination. Therefore, for example, if the destination data receiving apparatus is the facsimile 4a, the transmission target data converted into a facsimile image using the facsimile standard is transferred, and if the destination data receiving apparatus is the PC 4c, the transmission target data is transferred using SMTP. If the destination data receiving device is the data storage server 4b, the transmission target data is transferred using HTTP. Thereafter, the success / failure of the transfer is stored in the log of the data transfer server 2, and the data transfer server 2 notifies the multi-function device 1 and the success / failure is displayed on the display 17 of the multi-function device 1, and the process ends.

  According to the embodiment described above, an unspecified number of users using the multifunction peripherals 1a, 1b, and 1c input the user identifier to cause the data transmission apparatus to acquire the communication identifier of the destination candidate and pass through the data transfer server. Thus, the communication identifier of the destination to which the transmission target data is transmitted can be set. Since the data transmission apparatus acquires the transmission target data after acquiring the job identifier associated with the destination, there is a waste of the data transmission apparatus acquiring the transmission target data that is not transferred from the data transfer server. Absent. In addition, the transmission target data can be transmitted to an arbitrary data receiving apparatus such as a facsimile, HTTP, SMTP, or the like having a different communication protocol for receiving the transmission target data. Also, because the destination can be displayed on the data transmission device without being conscious of the destination communication protocol, the destination setting operation is easier than when the destination candidate is displayed by branching the UI for each destination communication protocol. become. That is, according to the above-described embodiment, the user can send the image data of the document from an arbitrary data transmission device to the facsimile, as if calling the registered telephone directory in the facsimile owned by the user, setting the destination, and transmitting it. It can be transmitted to a PC, a data storage server or the like.

5. Other Embodiments Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described based on the embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and the present invention includes the following modifications. Of course, various changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, a multi-function device is exemplified as the data transmission device. However, a scanner, a digital camera, or a portable information terminal may be used as long as it has a data communication function. Further, the image data read from the document is exemplified as the transmission target data. However, the transmission target data may be image data read from a removable memory or a hard disk device, text data, or vector data.

  In addition, the communication identifier may not be analyzed by describing information for identifying the communication protocol in the transfer destination database. In addition, a login ID and a login password for logging in to the data receiving device are described so that the data transfer server 2 sends data after logging in to the data receiving device that requires login for data reception. May be. In addition, the image quality setting by the user may be omitted by describing the scan image quality and using it for the scan.

In addition, as an example of the destination candidate display format, an address and a communication identifier are notified from the transfer server 2 to the MFP 1 and displayed. However, only the address is notified and displayed, or only the communication identifier is notified. May be displayed. Further, although the line number, the e-mail address, and the URL are exemplified as the communication identifier, any identifier may be used as long as it is identification information necessary for the data transfer server to transmit the transmission target data, and the password. May be included. Further, it may not be displayed in one layer. For example, when a user designates a belonging group at the registration stage of a communication identifier or the like, it may be displayed in a plurality of layers for each belonging group.

  In addition, although HTTP is exemplified as the communication protocol between the data transmission device and the data transfer server, other data communication protocols such as XMPP, SMTP, and TelNet may be used.

  Needless to say, the above-described relationship between the operation and the screen transition is merely an example. For example, the image quality setting operation may be performed before the destination selection operation. The server may be composed of one computer device or a plurality of computer devices.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1a, 1b, 1c ... MFP, 2 ... Data transfer server, 3 ... Internet, 4a ... Facsimile, 4b ... Data storage server, 4c ... PC, 11 ... User identifier acquisition part, 12 ... Destination candidate registration part, 13 ... Destination Candidate display unit, 14 ... Destination setting unit, 15 ... Reading control unit, 16 ... Transmission control unit, 17 ... Display, 18 ... Operation key, 21 ... Destination candidate storage unit, 22 ... Destination candidate transmission unit, 23 ... Transfer setting unit 24 ... Data transfer unit 25 ... Client registration unit

Claims (6)

A destination candidate display unit that receives information on a destination candidate from the data transfer server and displays a destination selection screen so that the destination candidate can be selected;
A destination setting unit for setting a destination by notifying the data transfer server of a selection result selected from the destination candidates;
A data acquisition unit for acquiring transmission target data after the notification;
A transmission control unit for transferring the transmission target data from the data transfer server to the destination by transmitting the transmission target data to the data transfer server;
A data transmission device comprising: The destination setting unit performs the notification according to a selection by a user.
The data transmission device according to claim 1. The data acquisition unit starts processing to acquire the data to be trusted after the notification;
The data transmission device according to claim 1 or 2. The data acquisition unit creates the transmission target data by scanning from a transmission target document;
The data transmission device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. A destination candidate storage unit for storing a plurality of destination candidates;
A destination candidate transmission unit for transmitting information on the destination candidate to the data transmission device;
A transfer setting unit that receives a destination selection result from the data transmission device and sets a destination indicated by the selection result as a transfer destination;
A data transfer unit that receives transmission target data and transmits the transmission target data to the destination corresponding to the transfer destination;
A data transfer server comprising: Receives information about the destination candidate from the data transfer server, displays a destination selection screen so that the destination candidate can be selected,
By notifying the data transfer server of the selection result selected from the destination candidates, and setting the destination;
After the notification, obtain the data to be sent,
Transmitting the transmission target data from the data transfer server to the selected destination by transmitting the transmission target data to the data transfer server;
Data transmission method.

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