JP6042923B2 - Scan control server and scan control method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a scan control server and a scan control method.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a technique for scanning a target medium such as a paper document using a medium processing apparatus such as a multifunction peripheral and converting it into data has been utilized (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2007-060298 A

  A plurality of providers (manufacturers) provide the above media processing devices. The operation interface screen of the media processing device differs depending on the provider of the media processing device. Therefore, in an environment where a plurality of media processing apparatuses by a plurality of providers are mixed, the user needs to become familiar with each operation interface screen, which is complicated.

  In addition, even when there are a plurality of media processing devices by the same provider, the user needs to perform personal scan settings (such as setting a storage destination folder) of the user for each media processing device. It is complicated.

  In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to realize common operation interface screens and sharing of personal scan settings in an environment where a plurality of medium processing apparatuses exist.

  An authentication module for authenticating a user by referring to a communication master unit connected to a network to which a plurality of medium processing devices each scanning a target medium are connected and a control master database storing authentication information When the user receives a scan function use request from one of the media processing devices from the media processing device, the personal scan settings of the user applied to the plurality of media processing devices are read from the scan master database. Data for displaying a common scan module and an operation interface screen commonly used by the plurality of media processing devices is generated, and the read personal scan settings are reflected in the data to the media processing device. A dedicated scan module for transmitting, and the dedicated scan module. When a notification indicating that the user has performed a scan start operation is received from the medium processing apparatus using the operation interface screen displayed on the medium processing apparatus, the process conforms to the scan processing engine of the medium processing apparatus. A file processing module that transmits the dedicated scan execution instruction to the medium processing apparatus, further receives scan data transmitted from the medium processing apparatus as a scan execution result of the target medium, and stores the scan data in the storage unit; Is provided.

  The scan control method of the present invention refers to a control master database that stores authentication information in a system including a plurality of medium processing devices each capable of scanning a target medium and a control server that controls the plurality of medium processing devices. Authenticating the user and receiving from the media processing device a request to use one of the media processing devices for the scanning function from the media processing device, the user's personal scan applied to the plurality of media processing devices Reading settings from a scan master database; generating an operation interface screen commonly used by a plurality of the media processing devices; reflecting the read personal scan settings to the media processing device; The user starts a scan start operation using the operation panel screen displayed on the medium processing apparatus. When a notification indicating that the processing has been performed is received from the medium processing apparatus, a dedicated scan execution instruction suitable for the processing engine of the medium processing apparatus is transmitted to the medium processing apparatus, and the target medium is scanned. As a result, the scan data transmitted from the medium processing apparatus is received and stored in the storage unit.

  According to the present invention, in an environment where a plurality of medium processing apparatuses exist, common operation interface screens and sharing of personal scan settings are realized.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a scan control system according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a print control server according to the embodiment. It is an operation | movement flowchart which shows the scanning process of embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the function selection screen of embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the operation interface screen of embodiment. It is an operation | movement flowchart which shows the setting change process of embodiment.

1 (1). Configuration of Scan Control System FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a scan control system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The scan control system 1 includes at least one scan control server SCS, a plurality of medium processing devices MP (MP1, MP2,...), A plurality of terminal devices TA (TA1, TA2,...), And at least one file server FS. And at least one mail server MS. The above scan control server SCS, medium processing device MP, terminal device TA, file server FS, and mail server MS are network nodes connected to each other via a local network NW. The network NW is connected to the Internet IN.

  The scan control server SCS is a device that controls scan processing executed by each of the plurality of medium processing devices MP. The scan control server SCS mainly has a function of executing user authentication, a function of causing the medium processing device MP to execute scanning, and a function of managing scan data scanned and transmitted from the medium processing device MP.

  The medium processing device MP is a device that includes a scan processing engine that performs scanning of a target medium such as a paper document based on control by the scan control server SCS. The medium processing device MP includes a touch panel T that receives an operation from the user and displays information (screen) for the user. That is, the touch panel T functions as an operation interface. The medium processing device MP may be a dedicated machine having only a scanning function, or may be a multifunction machine having a printing function, a copying function, a fax function, etc. in addition to the scanning function.

The terminal device TA is a device used by a user to use various applications.
The user can change the personal scan setting of the user stored in the scan control server SCS using the terminal device TA. The terminal device TA is connected to the network NW via a wired or wireless interface. Examples of the terminal device TA include a personal computer, a tablet terminal, and a smartphone.

  Each user owns an authentication medium for performing authentication in the scan control system 1. The authentication medium presents identification information (user ID) of the user to the reading device. Examples of authentication media include IC cards (contact or non-contact type) and magnetic cards.

  The medium processing device MP incorporates or is connected to a reading device that reads each user's authentication medium. When the user applies his / her authentication medium to the reading device (for example, holding a non-contact type IC card over the reading device), the user identification information is transmitted to the scan control server SCS and authentication is executed. The scan control server SCS notifies the medium processing apparatus MP of the authentication result. When the user is authenticated, the medium processing apparatus MP transitions to a state (logon state) that accepts an instruction from the user. Note that a biometric authentication device using a human iris, fingerprint, or vein shape (vein pattern) may be used instead of the above-described reading device.

  The file server FS is a device having a plurality of scan folders for storing scan data received by the scan control server SCS. The user can access scan data stored in one of the scan folders using the terminal device TA.

  The mail server MS is a device that transmits an e-mail to the user based on an instruction from the scan control server SCS. The above e-mail includes the scan data itself or information indicating the location of the scan data (for example, a download URL).

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing main components of the scan control server SCS of this embodiment. The scan control server SCS includes a communication unit 10, a storage unit 20, a control unit 30, and a database 40. The communication unit 10 is a communication interface for connecting to the network NW. The storage unit 20 is an element that stores application programs and temporary scan data, and includes a storage medium such as a ROM, a RAM, and a magnetic disk.

The control unit 30 includes an authentication module 32, a common scan module 34, a plurality of dedicated scan modules 36 (36 _A , 36 _B , 36 _C ,...) And a file processing module 38. The authentication module 32 is a module that performs user authentication based on the identification information indicated by the authentication medium and the authentication information stored in the database 40. The common scan module 34 is a module that controls various operations related to scan processing. Each of the dedicated scan modules 36 is a module that controls one of the medium processing devices MP provided by a plurality of providers. For example, dedicated scan module 36 _A is a dedicated module to media processing device MP which A-supplied. The file processing module 38 is a module for processing a file (scan data) transmitted from the medium processing device MP.

  The control unit 30 and each element in the control unit 30 are functional blocks realized by a CPU (not shown) in the scan control server SCS executing a computer program in the storage unit 20 and functioning according to the computer program. is there.

  The database 40 includes a control master database 42, a scan master database 44, and a scan log database 46. The control master database 42 is information related to the overall control of the scan control system 1, for example, a combination of user identification information and authentication information necessary for user authentication (for example, user ID and password), user affiliation information, and medium Detailed information of the processing device MP (provider, model name, IP address, etc. of the media processing device MP) is stored. The scan master database 44 stores information related to control of scan processing in the medium processing apparatus MP, for example, personal scan settings of the user (for example, color mode at the time of scan execution, output format, resolution, save destination scan folder, etc.). . The scan log database 46 stores a scan process log in the medium processing apparatus MP (a user who instructed the scan process, a time stamp, a scan setting in the scan process, and the like). The scan log database 46 may store the scan data itself scanned by the medium processing device MP, in addition to the above logs.

1 (2). Scan Process FIG. 3 is an operation flow showing a scan process in the scan control system 1 of the present embodiment. The user moves to the medium processing device MP that wants to execute scanning, and holds the IC card as an authentication medium over the reading device of the medium processing device MP. The medium processing device MP (reading device) transmits the user identification information read from the IC card to the scan control server SCS (S100). The authentication module 32 of the scan control server SCS refers to the control master database 42 and authenticates the user (S110). That is, it is determined whether or not the received user identification information is included in the control master database 42.

  After the above authentication determination operation, the authentication module 32 transmits HTML data for displaying a screen corresponding to the user authentication result (authentication success or authentication failure) to the medium processing device MP (S120). In the case of authentication failure, the medium processing device MP displays a screen indicating that the authentication has not succeeded on the touch panel T, and ends the processing. On the other hand, when the authentication is successful, the medium processing apparatus MP displays the function selection screen on the touch panel T for selecting a function that can be used by the user in a logon state (S130). FIG. 4 is a specific example of the function selection screen.

  When the user selects to use the scan function using the touch panel T, the medium processing apparatus MP transmits a use request for the scan function to the scan control server SCS together with the identification information of the user (S140). More specifically, the scan function use request is an HTTP request specifying a URL corresponding to the scan function operation interface screen.

  When the scan control server SCS receives the scan function use request from the medium processing device MP, the common scan module 34 of the scan control server SCS displays the user's personal scan settings indicated by the identification information received together with the use request, in the scan master database 44. (S150). The above personal scan settings are commonly applied to a plurality of medium processing apparatuses MP.

  Next, the dedicated scan module 36 of the scan control server SCS generates HTML data for displaying the operation interface screen of the scan function based on the scan function use request, and the personal scan setting read in step S150. (Color mode, output format, resolution, storage folder scan folder, etc. as initial values) are reflected in HTML data and transmitted to the medium processing apparatus MP (S160). The operation interface screen described above is used in common for a plurality of medium processing apparatuses MP.

  The medium processing device MP displays an operation interface screen for the scan function on the touch panel T based on the HTML data received from the dedicated scan module 36 (S170). FIG. 5 is a specific example of the operation interface screen. The user can change the scan setting from the initial value by operating the operation interface screen (touch panel T).

  When the user performs a scan start operation using the operation interface screen, the medium processing device MP transmits a notification (scan start notification) indicating that the scan start operation has been performed to the scan control server SCS (S180). The above scan start notification includes the scan setting (initial value or changed value) specified on the operation interface screen.

  When the scan start notification is received from the medium processing apparatus MP, the dedicated scan module 36 transmits a dedicated scan execution instruction suitable for the scan processing engine of the medium processing apparatus MP to the medium processing apparatus MP (S190). The scan processing engine of the medium processing apparatus MP is a part that scans the target medium and acquires scan data, and the format of instructions (signals) that the scan processing engine accepts differs depending on the provider of the medium processing apparatus MP. To do. Therefore, it is necessary to be instructed by a dedicated scan execution instruction (signal) as described above.

  The scan execution instruction reflects the scan settings (color mode, output format, resolution, save destination scan folder, etc.) included in the scan start notification.

  The scan processing engine of the medium processing device MP scans the target medium according to the received scan execution instruction and generates scan data (S200). The scan data generated as the scan execution result is transmitted to the scan control server SCS according to the file transfer protocol (FTP) (S210). Information necessary for transmitting scan data (such as an IP address for FTP and FTP account information) is included in the scan execution instruction. The file processing module 38 of the scan control server SCS temporarily stores the received scan data in the storage unit 20 (S220). The common scan module 34 writes the scan log in the scan log database 46 (S230).

1 (3). Distribution processing The scan data temporarily stored in the storage unit 20 by the file processing module 38 is distributed by the common scan module 34. An example of distribution processing is shown below.

1 (3) -1. Distribution processing to the file server The scan setting corresponding to the scan data temporarily stored in the storage unit 20 has a specific scan folder (for example, “\” in FIG. 5) in the file server FS in which the scan data is to be stored. When specifying "NAS1 \ USERS \ myself \"), the common scan module 34 transmits the scan data to the file server FS and stores it in a specific scan folder. The user can acquire scan data by accessing the specific scan folder using the terminal device TA.

  The common scan module 34 stores the scan data in a predetermined scan folder (for example, the shared folder of the department to which the user who issued the scan instruction belongs) when the scan folder in which the scan data is to be stored is not specified in the scan setting. You may let them. Information on the department to which the user belongs is stored in the control master database 42 as described above.

  The common scan module 34 may extract text information from the scan data temporarily stored in the storage unit 20 by a technique such as OCR (Optical Character Recognition). The extracted text information may be attached to the scan data. When the extracted text information includes a specific character string (for example, “confidential”), the common scan module 34 stores the scan data in a specific scan folder (for example, “confidential folder”) in the file server FS. Also good.

1 (3) -2. When the scan setting corresponding to the scan data temporarily stored in the storage unit 20 specifies the mail address to which the scan data is to be transmitted, the common scan module 34 selects the mail server MS. The electronic mail to which the scan data is attached is transmitted to the above mail address.

  As described above, when the scan setting specifies the destination mail address, the common scan module 34, when the capacity of the scan data stored in the storage unit 20 falls below a predetermined threshold (for example, 3 MB), When the scan data is attached to the e-mail and transmitted, and the capacity of the scan data exceeds the above threshold, the scan data is stored in a predetermined folder, and the download URL of the scan data is attached to the e-mail. You may send it.

1 (3) -3. Other Distribution Processing The common scan module 34 may transmit the scan data temporarily stored in the storage unit 20 to a document management application on the local or cloud based on the designation by the scan setting.

1 (4). Setting Change Process As described above, the user can change the scan setting from the initial value by operating the operation interface screen (touch panel T). The changed setting value is reflected in the personal user setting of the user in the scan master database 44 when the user performs a storing operation (pressing the “save setting” button in FIG. 5).

  FIG. 6 is an operation flow showing setting change processing in the scan control system 1 of the present embodiment. The user operates the operation interface screen (touch panel T) to change the scan setting from the initial value (S310), and presses the “save setting” button on the screen to perform the save operation of the personal scan setting (S320). ). The medium processing device MP transmits a notification (save notification) indicating that the save operation has been performed to the scan control server SCS together with the changed scan setting content (S330). The dedicated scan module 36 corresponding to the medium processing device MP updates the personal scan setting of the user stored in the scan master database 44 based on the received changed scan setting content (S340).

1 (5). Effects of this Embodiment According to the above configuration, in an environment where a plurality of medium processing apparatuses MP exist, the operation interface screen displayed on each medium processing apparatus MP can be shared, and the scan master database 44 can Scan settings are shared. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the workload of learning the individual screens for each medium processing apparatus MP and performing individual scan settings.

  Further, according to the configuration in which the personal scan setting is updated using the operation interface screen, it is possible to easily change the scan setting, which is convenient for the user.

  Furthermore, since the scan data is appropriately distributed according to the corresponding scan setting, the user who has instructed the scan process can appropriately acquire the scan data.

2. Modified example
The above embodiment can be variously modified. Specific modifications are exemplified below. Two or more aspects arbitrarily selected from the above embodiments and the following examples can be appropriately combined as long as they do not contradict each other.

2 (1). Modification 1
In the above embodiment, the control module (authentication module 32, common scan module 34, dedicated scan module 36, file processing module 38) and database 40 are provided in one scan control server SCS. However, in the scan control system 1, the database server including the database 40 may be provided separately from the scan control server SCS including the control module.

  The scan control system 1 is provided with a plurality of scan control servers SCS, and a plurality of control modules (authentication module 32, common scan module 34, dedicated scan module 36, file processing module 38) are distributed to the plurality of scan control servers SCS. May be arranged.

2 (2). Modification 2
The common scan module 34 may analyze the data structure of the scan data temporarily stored in the storage unit 20 and process the scan data based on the analyzed result. For example, if the scan data is in a tabular format, the common scan module 34 may convert the scan data into spreadsheet data.

2 (3). Modification 3
In the scan control system 1, the file server FS and the mail server MS are not essential components. For example, the scan control system 1 may include the mail server MS without the file server FS, may include the file server FS without the mail server MS, or may include both the file server FS and the mail server MS. It does not have to be provided.

2 (4). Modification 4
In the above embodiment, user authentication is executed by an authentication medium such as an IC card. However, the user may input identification information (logon ID, password, etc.) of the user using the touch panel T, and the authentication module 32 of the scan control server SCS may execute authentication based on the input identification information. .

2 (5). Modification 5
Each function executed by the CPU in the scan control server SCS may be executed by hardware instead of the CPU, or executed by a programmable logic device such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) or a DSP (Digital Signal Processor). May be.

FS ... File server, IN ... Internet, MP ... Media processing device, MS ... Mail server, NW ... Network, SCS ... Scan control server, 10 ... Communication unit, 20 ... Storage unit, 30 ... ... Control unit, 32 ... Authentication module, 34 ... Common scan module, 36 ... Dedicated scan module, 38 ... File processing module, 40 ... Database, 42 ... Control master database, 44 ... Scan master database, 46: Scan log database, T: Touch panel, TA: Terminal device.

Claims (5)

A communication unit connected to a network to which a plurality of medium processing apparatuses including a first medium processing apparatus and a second medium processing apparatus capable of scanning a target medium are connected;
A common scan module that reads, from a database, a personal scan setting of the user that is commonly applied to the plurality of media processing devices upon receiving from the media processing device a request to use the scan function from the user for the media processing device;
An operation interface screen commonly used by the plurality of medium processing devices when the common scan module reads out the personal scan setting of the user in response to reception of the use request from the first medium processing device. Display data for displaying the image, and the read personal scan setting is reflected in the display data and transmitted to the first medium processing device,
When a notification indicating that the user has performed a scan start operation is received from the first medium processing apparatus using the operation interface screen displayed on the first medium processing apparatus, the first medium processing apparatus A first dedicated scan module that transmits a first instruction signal for causing the first medium processing apparatus to perform a scan;
When the common scan module reads the user's personal scan setting in response to receiving the use request from the second medium processing apparatus, the common scan module generates the display data and reads the read personal scan setting. Is reflected in the display data and transmitted to the second medium processing device,
When a notification indicating that the user has performed a scan start operation is received from the second medium processing apparatus using the operation interface screen displayed on the second medium processing apparatus, the second medium processing apparatus A second dedicated scan module that transmits a second instruction signal for causing the second medium processing apparatus to perform a scan;
With
The data formats of the first instruction signal and the second instruction signal are different.
Scan control server. The first dedicated scan module includes:
When a notification indicating that the user has performed the save operation of the personal scan setting is received from the first medium processing apparatus using the operation interface screen displayed on the first medium processing apparatus, Update the personal scan settings of the user stored,
The second dedicated scan module is
When a notification indicating that the user has performed the save operation of the personal scan setting is received from the second medium processing apparatus using the operation interface screen displayed on the second medium processing apparatus, The scan control server according to claim 1, wherein the personal scan setting of the user stored is updated. A file processing module that receives scan data transmitted from the medium processing device as a scan execution result of the target medium and stores the scan data in a storage unit;
The common scan module is
The text information is extracted from the scan data stored in the storage unit, and when the extracted text information includes a specific character string, the scan data is stored in a specific folder. Scan control server. A file processing module that receives scan data transmitted from the medium processing device as a scan execution result of the target medium and stores the scan data in a storage unit;
The common scan module is
When the capacity of the scan data stored in the storage unit is lower than a predetermined threshold, the scan data is attached to the email and transmitted. When the capacity of the scan data exceeds the threshold, the The scan control server according to claim 1, wherein the scan data is stored in a predetermined folder, and is transmitted with a download URL of the scan data attached to an e-mail. A scan control method in a control server capable of communicating with a plurality of media processing devices including a first media processing device and a second media processing device capable of scanning a target medium ,
Upon receiving from the media processing device a request to use the scan function from the user for the media processing device, the personal scan settings of the user that are commonly applied to the plurality of media processing devices are read from the database,
To display an operation interface screen commonly used by the plurality of media processing devices when the personal scan setting of the user is read in response to the use request received from the first media processing device. The display data is generated, and the read personal scan setting is reflected in the display data and transmitted to the first medium processing device.
When a notification indicating that the user has performed a scan start operation is received from the first medium processing apparatus using the operation interface screen displayed on the first medium processing apparatus, the first medium processing apparatus A first instruction signal for causing the first medium processing apparatus to perform a scan,
When the user's personal scan setting is read in response to receiving the use request from the second medium processing device, the display data is generated, and the read personal scan setting is displayed as the display data. Reflected to the second medium processing device,
When a notification indicating that the user has performed a scan start operation is received from the second medium processing apparatus using the operation interface screen displayed on the second medium processing apparatus, the second medium processing apparatus A second instruction signal for causing the second medium processing apparatus to perform a scan,
The data formats of the first instruction signal and the second instruction signal are different.
A scan control method characterized by the above.

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