JP6197683B2 - Facsimile device, control server, and computer program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for transmitting image data from a facsimile apparatus to a storage server.

  2. Description of the Related Art A facsimile apparatus is known that transmits facsimile data to another apparatus when the facsimile data is received. For example, when the facsimile apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 receives facsimile data, the facsimile apparatus transmits a reception notification to a data server provided in the LAN. In response to the reception notification, the data server transmits destination information indicating the destination client device to the facsimile device. The facsimile apparatus transmits facsimile data to the client apparatus indicated by the transmission destination information.

No. 2002-320064 2006-270353

  By the way, when the facsimile apparatus transmits the received facsimile data to another apparatus, it is necessary to receive authentication of the other apparatus depending on the case. If the authentication cannot be received, there is a possibility that the communication between the facsimile apparatus and another apparatus may be wasted.

  An object of the present invention is to reduce waste of communication that may occur between a facsimile machine and a storage server.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to solve at least a part of the problems described above, and the invention can be implemented as the following application examples.

Application Example 1 A facsimile apparatus, a storage unit, a receiving unit that receives facsimile data representing an original image, and image data representing the original image is transmitted to a storage server in response to the reception of the facsimile data. A determination unit that determines whether the image transmission function is valid or invalid; and communication with the storage server using specific authentication information stored in the storage unit when the image transmission function is valid When the image data is transmitted to the storage server and the image transmission function is invalid, the transmission unit does not communicate with the storage server, and the specific authentication information is deleted from the storage unit And a changing unit that changes the image transmission function from valid to invalid so that communication with the storage server is not attempted in response to reception of the facsimile data. Apparatus.

Normally, when the image transmission function is valid, communication with the storage server is attempted regardless of the presence or absence of specific authentication information in the storage unit. However, when specific authentication information is deleted from the storage unit, the communication attempt with the storage server fails and image data cannot be transmitted to the storage server. According to the above configuration, when specific authentication information is deleted from the storage unit, the image transmission function is changed from valid to invalid, and communication with the storage server does not have to be attempted. As a result, wasteful communication that may occur between the facsimile apparatus and the storage server can be reduced.
[Application Example 2]
The facsimile apparatus according to Application Example 1,
The changing unit further changes the print function for printing the original image from invalid to valid in response to reception of the facsimile data when the specific authentication information is deleted from the storage unit.
[Application Example 3]
The facsimile apparatus according to Application Example 1 or 2,
The change unit further changes the storage function for storing the facsimile data in the storage unit from invalid to valid in response to reception of the facsimile data when the specific authentication information is deleted from the storage unit. , Facsimile machine.
[Application Example 4]
The facsimile apparatus according to any one of Application Examples 1 to 3, further comprising:
A facsimile apparatus, comprising: a notification unit that notifies a user that the image transmission function is changed to invalid when the image transmission function is changed from valid to invalid when the specific authentication information is deleted.
[Application Example 5]
The facsimile apparatus according to Application Example 4,
The storage unit can store a plurality of pieces of authentication information used for executing the image transmission function,
As a result of deleting one or more pieces of authentication information used for executing the image transmission function from the storage unit, the remaining number of authentication information used for executing the image transmission function in the storage unit becomes zero. In this case, the change unit changes the image transmission function from enabled to disabled, and the notification unit notifies the user that the image transmission function is changed to disabled,
As a result of deleting one or more pieces of authentication information used for executing the image transmission function from the storage unit, the remaining number of authentication information used for executing the image transmission function in the storage unit becomes one or more. In this case, the changing unit does not change the image transmission function from valid to invalid, and the notification unit does not notify the user that the image transmission function is changed to invalid.
[Application Example 6]
The facsimile apparatus according to any one of Application Examples 1 to 5, further comprising:
A server communication unit for communicating with the control server;
When the image transmission function is valid,
The server communication unit
By communicating with the control server in response to reception of the facsimile data, a transmission command for the specific authentication information is received from the control server,
In accordance with the transmission command for the specific authentication information, the specific authentication information is transmitted to the control server,
After the transmission of the specific authentication information, the control server includes a transmission command of image data representing the original image, and includes location information indicating the location of the storage server associated with the specific authentication information. Receiving a transmission command of the image data;
According to the transmission command of the image data, the image data is transmitted to the storage server by communicating with the storage server indicated by the location information,
When the image transmission function is invalid,
The server communication unit does not communicate with the control server in response to reception of the facsimile data,
The transmission unit is a facsimile apparatus that does not communicate with the storage server in response to reception of the facsimile data.
[Application Example 7]
The facsimile apparatus according to any one of Application Examples 1 to 6, further comprising:
A deletion unit for deleting the authentication information from the storage unit;
The deletion unit is
Communicating with the control server, sending one or more authentication information to the control server;
Obtaining a list indicating the one or more pieces of authentication information from the control server;
Sending to the control server specific information for identifying target authentication information to be deleted among one or more pieces of authentication information shown in the list,
Receiving a deletion command for the target authentication information from the control server;
In accordance with the delete instruction, the target authentication information is deleted from the storage unit,
The changing unit is
When the target authentication information is used for the execution of the image transmission function, a change command from valid to invalid of the image transmission function is received from the control server,
A facsimile apparatus that changes the image transmission function from valid to invalid according to the change command.

Application Example 8 Whether the image transmission function is effective or ineffective in the control server, which transmits the facsimile data representing the original image to the storage server in response to receiving the facsimile data representing the original image. When the image transmission function is valid, the image data is transmitted to the storage server by communicating with the storage server using specific authentication information stored in a storage unit, When the image transmission function is disabled, the specific authentication information is transmitted in accordance with a deletion command unit that transmits a command to delete the specific authentication information to a facsimile machine that does not communicate with the storage server, and the specific authentication information is deleted. If the information is deleted from the storage unit, the facsimile machine does not attempt to communicate with the storage server in response to receiving the facsimile data. And a change command unit that transmits a first change command for changing the image transmission function from valid to invalid to the facsimile apparatus.

Normally, when the image transmission function is valid, the facsimile apparatus tries to communicate with the storage server regardless of the presence or absence of specific authentication information in the storage unit. However, when specific authentication information is deleted from the storage unit, the attempt to communicate with the storage server by the facsimile apparatus fails, and the facsimile apparatus cannot transmit image data to the storage server. According to the above configuration, when specific authentication information is deleted from the storage unit, the control server transmits a change command for changing the image transmission function from valid to invalid to the facsimile apparatus. For this reason, the facsimile apparatus does not need to try communication with the storage server when specific authentication information is deleted from the storage unit. As a result, the control server can appropriately control the facsimile apparatus and reduce communication waste that may occur between the facsimile apparatus and the storage server.
[Application Example 9]
The control server according to application example 8,
The change command unit further sends the original image to the facsimile apparatus in response to the reception of the facsimile data when the specific authentication information is deleted from the storage unit in accordance with the deletion command of the specific authentication information. A control server that transmits a second change command for changing the print function to be printed from invalid to valid.
[Application Example 10]
The control server according to application example 8 or 9,
The change command unit further sends the facsimile data to the facsimile apparatus in response to the reception of the facsimile data when the specific authentication information is deleted from the storage unit in accordance with the specific authentication information deletion command. A control server that transmits a third change command for changing the storage function stored in the storage unit from invalid to valid.
[Application Example 11]
The control server according to any one of application examples 8 to 10, further comprising:
When the image transmission function is changed from valid to invalid along with the deletion of the specific authentication information, a notification command is transmitted to the facsimile apparatus to notify the user that the image transmission function is changed to invalid. A control server comprising a notification command unit.
[Application Example 12]
The control server according to application example 11,
The storage unit of the facsimile apparatus can store a plurality of authentication information used for executing the image transmission function,
As a result of deleting one or more pieces of authentication information used for executing the image transmission function from the storage unit, the remaining number of authentication information used for executing the image transmission function in the storage unit of the facsimile apparatus is obtained. In the case of 0, the change command unit transmits the first change command to the facsimile device, and the notification command unit transmits the notification command to the facsimile device,
As a result of deleting one or more pieces of authentication information used for executing the image transmission function from the storage unit, the remaining number of authentication information used for executing the image transmission function in the storage unit of the facsimile apparatus is obtained. In the case of one or more, the change command unit does not transmit the first change command to the facsimile device, and the notification command unit does not transmit the notification command to the facsimile device. , Control server.
[Application Example 13]
The control server according to any one of Application Examples 8 to 12, further comprising:
An image transmission command unit for controlling the image transmission function of the facsimile apparatus;
When the image transmission function of the facsimile apparatus is effective,
The image transmission command unit includes:
By transmitting communication with the facsimile apparatus in response to reception of the facsimile data by the facsimile apparatus, a command to transmit the specific authentication information is transmitted to the facsimile apparatus,
Receiving the specific authentication information transmitted according to the transmission command of the specific authentication information from the facsimile device;
A transmission command of image data representing the original image, which includes location information indicating the location of the storage server associated with the specific authentication information, is transmitted to the facsimile apparatus. ,
When the facsimile data and the image transmission function are invalid,
The image transmission command unit is a control server that does not execute communication with the facsimile apparatus in response to reception of the facsimile data by the facsimile apparatus.
[Application Example 14]
The control server according to any one of Application Examples 8 to 13, further comprising:
It has a specific part that identifies the target authentication information that is to be deleted
The specific part is:
Sending one or more authentication information transmission instructions to the facsimile machine;
Receiving the one or more pieces of authentication information from the facsimile machine;
A list indicating the one or more pieces of authentication information is transmitted to the facsimile machine;
Receiving from the facsimile device specific information for specifying the target authentication information among the one or more pieces of authentication information shown in the list;
The deletion instruction unit transmits the deletion instruction of the target authentication information to the facsimile device,
The change command unit is configured to transmit the change command for changing the image transmission function from valid to invalid when the target authentication information is used for executing the image transmission function. server.

  The present invention can be realized in various forms other than the above-described apparatus. For example, a system including a facsimile apparatus and a control server, a control method for a facsimile apparatus, and the above-described apparatus, system, or method are realized. And a computer program for recording the computer program.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the system 1000 as one Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of various information. It is a flowchart of a setting process of the Fax to Cloud function. It is a flowchart of a setting process of the Fax to Cloud function. It is a figure which shows an example of an operation command. It is a flowchart of the production | generation process of the display screen data showing a function setting screen. It is a flowchart of an account registration process. It is a flowchart of an account deletion process. It is a flowchart of invalidation processing. It is a flowchart of the process at the time of FAX reception. It is a flowchart of Fax to Cloud processing. It is a flowchart of Fax to Cloud processing. It is a figure which shows an example of the operation command used for Fax to Cloud process. It is a flowchart of the process which produces | generates an upload command.

A. Example:
A-1: Configuration of System 1000 Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described based on examples. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a system 1000 as an embodiment of the present invention. The system 1000 includes a multifunction peripheral 100, a control server 200, and a plurality of storage servers 310 to 330. These apparatuses 100, 200, 310 to 330 are configured separately from each other. The multifunction device 100 is connected to a LAN (Local Area Network) 70. The LAN 70 is connected to the Internet 80. The control server 200 and the storage servers 310 to 330 are connected to the Internet 80. As a result, the multifunction peripheral 100 and the servers 200, 310 to 330 can communicate with each other via the LAN 70 and the Internet 80.

  The storage servers 310 to 330 are servers that provide a storage service that can store image data. Each storage server is, for example, a cloud server including a plurality of computers and a plurality of storage devices connected to be communicable with each other. The storage service includes, for example, a storage service that stores data transmitted from a client (multifunction device 100 or personal computer (not shown)), and a social network service that stores and discloses data transmitted from the client. Specifically, the preservation service includes "Evernote (registered trademark)", "Google (registered trademark) Drive", "PICASA (registered trademark)", "SkyDrive (registered trademark)", "Dropbox (registered trademark)" It includes known services such as “Box.net”, “Flickr (registered trademark)”, and “Facebook (registered trademark)”.

  The names of the storage services provided by the storage servers 310, 320, and 330 are “SN1”, “SN2”, and “SN3”, respectively. The operators that operate the storage services SN1 to SN3 provided by the storage servers 310 to 330 are different from each other. The operators of the storage services SN1 to SN3 are also different from the vendor of the multifunction peripheral 100. URLs (Uniform Resource Locators) to be accessed to use the storage services SN1 to SN3 are different from each other. The URLs to be accessed to use the storage services SN1 to SN3 are “URL1”, “URL2”, and “URL3”, respectively. “URL1”, “URL2”, and “URL3” can be said to be location information indicating the location on the Internet 80 of the storage servers 310 to 330 that provide the storage services SN1 to SN3, respectively.

  The multifunction device 100 includes a CPU 110 as a controller of the multifunction device 100, a nonvolatile storage device 120 such as a hard disk drive or an EEPROM, a volatile storage device 130 such as a RAM, and a predetermined method (for example, a laser method or an inkjet method). ), A printer unit 140 that prints an image, a scanner unit 150 that acquires scan data by optically reading an object (for example, a paper document), an operation unit 160 such as a touch panel and buttons, and a touch panel. A display unit 170 such as a liquid crystal panel, a network IF 180, and a telephone line IF 190 are provided.

  The network IF 180 is an interface compliant with, for example, the Ethernet (registered trademark) standard, and is used to connect to the LAN 70. The telephone line IF 190 is, for example, an interface of a two-wire or four-wire analog telephone line, and is used to connect to an analog telephone line network 90, that is, a PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network).

  The nonvolatile storage device 120 stores a computer program PG1, FAX general setting information FG, service information list SL, and FAX reception list FL. The volatile storage device 130 is provided with a buffer area 131 for temporarily storing various intermediate data generated when the CPU 110 performs processing.

  The program PG1 is provided in a form stored in advance in the nonvolatile storage device 120 at the time of shipment of the multifunction peripheral 100. The computer program PG1 may be provided in a form downloaded from a server connected to the multifunction peripheral 100 via the Internet 80, or may be provided in a form stored in a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, or the like.

  The CPU 110 functions as a control unit of the multifunction peripheral 100 by executing the computer program PG1. Specifically, the CPU 110 controls the printer unit 140 and the scanner unit 150 to execute printing and scanning. The CPU 110 implements a facsimile function. That is, the CPU 110 can execute a function of converting image data (for example, scan data generated by the scanner unit 150) into facsimile data according to a standard such as FAXG3 and transmitting the converted data to an external device via the telephone line IF 190. The CPU 110 can execute a function of receiving facsimile data from an external device via the telephone line IF 190 and outputting an image represented by the facsimile data (hereinafter also referred to as a FAX image). The output of the FAX image includes, for example, printing using the printer unit 140 and displaying on the display unit 170.

  Further, the CPU 110 can realize a server cooperation function by executing the computer program PG1. Specifically, the CPU 110 operates according to a command transmitted from the control server 200 by accessing the control server 200. Thus, the CPU 110 can realize a server cooperation function that is a function that cannot be realized by itself. There are three types of server cooperation functions that can be realized in this embodiment: a Fax to Cloud function, a Scan to Cloud function, and a Download Print function. The Fax to Cloud function is one of the server linkage functions described above. As will be described in detail later, the Fax to Cloud function uploads image data representing a FAX image represented by facsimile data (hereinafter also referred to as FAX image data) to a designated storage server in response to reception of the facsimile data ( This is a function to transmit. The Scan to Cloud function is a function for transmitting the generated scan data to a designated storage server in accordance with a user instruction when the multifunction device 100 generates scan data using the scanner unit 150. The Download Print function is a function in which the multifunction peripheral 100 downloads image data stored in a designated storage server in accordance with a user instruction, and prints an image represented by the downloaded image data using the printer unit 140. It is. The designated storage server is a storage server (for example, storage server 310) that provides a storage service (for example, storage service SN1) specified by the user.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of various types of information. The FAX general setting information FG, the service information list SL, and the FAX reception list FL in FIGS. 2A to 2C are stored in the nonvolatile storage device 120 of the multifunction peripheral 100 as described above. The service usage information SA in FIG. 2D is stored in the nonvolatile storage device 220 of the control server 200 as will be described later. The FAX general setting information FG in FIG. 2A is information indicating settings relating to the facsimile function. The FAX general setting information FG includes setting information indicating whether the fax to cloud function is enabled (ON) or disabled (OFF), and whether the display only mode is enabled (ON) or disabled (OFF). Including setting information.

  The setting information indicating whether the Fax to Cloud function is enabled or disabled is recorded because the Fax to Cloud function automatically sends (uploads) FAX image data upon receipt of facsimile data. It is because it is a function to do. Since the Scan to Cloud function and the Download Print function are functions that are executed according to the user's operation when triggered by the user's operation, it is not necessary to set in advance whether to enable or disable these functions Absent.

  When the display only mode is valid, when the facsimile data is received, the CPU 110 displays an image represented by the facsimile data on the display unit 170, and prints the image unless the user gives a print instruction. do not do. When the display only mode is invalid, the CPU 110 automatically prints an image represented by the facsimile data when the facsimile data is received. The initial value of the setting information indicating whether the display only mode is valid or invalid is a value indicating invalidity.

  The service information list SL in FIG. 2B includes account information AD and fax to cloud setting information FC. The account information AD is registered for each account of the storage services SN1 to SN3. The account information AD includes a storage service name, a user name, and a token. The user name (for example, “Alice”) is a character string registered by the user. The token (for example, “TK1”) is authentication information for accessing a storage server (for example, the storage server 310) that provides a storage service. The token in the account information AD is commonly used by the three server cooperation functions. For example, the token TK1 for the storage service SN1 is used when accessing the storage server 310 in order to upload the FAX image data to the storage server 310 in the Fax to Cloud function, and the scan data is stored in the Scan to Cloud function. Used when accessing the storage server 310 for uploading to the storage server 310.

  The Fax to Cloud setting information FC includes FAX image transmission settings and format information. The FAX image transmission setting and the format information are registered for each account. The FAX image transmission setting indicates whether or not FAX image data is transmitted to a corresponding storage server using a corresponding token when the Fax to Cloud function is valid. When the FAX image transmission setting is “ON”, the FAX image data is transmitted to the corresponding storage server using the corresponding token, and when the FAX image transmission setting is “OFF”, the corresponding token is Indicates that FAX image data is not transmitted to the corresponding storage server. Only for the Fax to Cloud function, such settings for each account are registered. This is because, as described above, the Fax to Cloud function is a function for automatically uploading FAX image data in response to reception of facsimile data. The format information indicates the format of the image file used when FAX image data is transmitted to the storage server by the Fax to Cloud function. Formats used in this embodiment include, for example, JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) format, PDF (Portable Document Format), and TIFF (Tagged Image File Format).

  The Fax to Cloud setting information FC further includes information indicating whether backup printing is valid or invalid. When the backup printing is valid, the FAX image is automatically printed in addition to the transmission of the FAX image data to the storage server in the Fax to Cloud function. When backup printing is invalid, the FAX to Cloud function only transmits FAX image data to the storage server and does not print the FAX image.

  The service information list SL is not text data but binary data. In order to interpret each piece of information in the service information list SL, interpretation information IP that associates the value of each piece of information in the service information list SL and the meaning of the value (for example, a format name such as JPEG or PDF) is required. It is. The multi-function device 100 does not have the interpretation information IP. For this reason, the CPU 110 of the multifunction peripheral 100 can transmit the service information list SL to the control server 200, but cannot directly use individual information in the service information list SL.

  The FAX reception list FL in FIG. 2C includes one or more entries EN generated for each received facsimile data. Each entry EN indicates a FAX ID that is an identifier (for example, “001”) of facsimile data, information (for example, “TM1”) that indicates the date and time when the facsimile data was received, and a facsimile number of the transmission source of the facsimile data. Information (for example, “FN1”). Each entry EN is generated, for example, when corresponding facsimile data is received, and is deleted from the FAX reception list FL when the facsimile data is deleted from the nonvolatile storage device 120.

  The control server 200 (FIG. 1) is a server provided by the vendor of the multifunction device 100. The control server 200 includes a CPU 210 as a controller of the control server 200, a nonvolatile storage device 220 such as a hard disk drive, a volatile storage device 230 such as a RAM, and a network IF 280 for connecting to the Internet 80. Yes.

  The nonvolatile storage device 220 stores the computer program PG2, the service usage information SA of FIG. 2D, and the interpretation information IP. The volatile storage device 230 is provided with a buffer area 231 for temporarily storing various intermediate data generated when the CPU 210 performs processing. The computer program PG2, service usage information SA, and interpretation information IP may be provided in a form uploaded from a vendor computer connected via the Internet 80, and stored in a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, or the like. May be provided at.

  The CPU 210 executes the computer program PG2 to cause the multifunction peripheral 100 to realize the server cooperation function described above. Specifically, the CPU 210 controls the multifunction peripheral 100 by transmitting various operation commands to the multifunction peripheral 100 in response to access from the multifunction peripheral 100. As a result, the CPU 210 can cause the multifunction peripheral 100 to realize a server cooperation function.

  The service usage information SA in FIG. 2D is information regarding the storage services SN1 to SN3 realized by the storage servers 310 to 330. The service usage information SA includes a service name (for example, SN1), possible format information (for example, JPEG), a transmission method (for example, MT1), and an upload destination URL (for example, URL1). The service usage information SA is created based on an API (Application Programming Interface) published by each storage service provider. These APIs are rules that define the rules necessary for calling and using the storage service function from an external device, for example, the access procedure (protocol) and the data format to be used when executing the procedure. . That is, referring to the public API, the URL to be accessed to use the storage service, the parameter to be transmitted, the data format for transmitting the parameter and image data to be stored, etc. can be understood.

  The possible format information indicates the format of image data that can be stored by the storage service. For example, a dedicated storage service for image data may support only a format for image data such as JPEG. A storage service that stores arbitrary data may support image data of an arbitrary format. The transmission method indicates a method of transmitting image data to the storage server, for example, a transmission procedure and a parameter to be transmitted. The upload destination URL is a URL indicating the destination of image data or parameters.

  In the service information list SL described above, the token is associated with the storage services SN1 to SN3, and in the service usage information SA, the upload destination URL is associated with the storage services SN1 to SN3. Therefore, it is understood that the token and the upload destination URL are associated with each other by the service information list SL and the service usage information SA.

  As described above, the interpretation information IP is information for interpreting the service information list SL. Since the control server 200 has the interpretation information IP, it can interpret the service information list SL that the multi-function device 100 has.

  The CPU 210 of the control server 200 transmits a series of operation commands to the multifunction device 100 using the service usage information SA and the service information list SL acquired from the multifunction device 100. The CPU 110 of the multifunction peripheral 100 receives a series of operation instructions and operates according to the series of operation instructions, thereby acquiring necessary instructions from the user and transmitting (uploading) FAX image data to a storage server. Fax to Cloud function can be realized. As a result, it becomes easy to deal with a new storage service or to change the specifications of an existing storage service. For example, by updating the service usage information SA and the program PG2 of the control server 200 based on the API of the new storage service or the API updated in accordance with the specification change of the storage service, a new storage service or existing It is possible to cope with changes in specifications of storage services. In other words, if the vendor executes an update process for the control server 200, the user can perform a new storage service or specification change via the multifunction device 100 without updating the computer program PG1 of the multifunction device 100. Fax image data can be stored using a later storage service.

A-2: Operation of the system 1000 A-2-1. Preparation Before a user uses the multifunction machine 100 to use the Fax to Cloud function, the user registers the account information AD in the service information list SL of the multifunction machine 100 in a PC (Personal Computer) (not shown): Execute the process. The PC accesses the storage server 310 according to the user's operation, and acquires the user account of the storage service SN1 provided by the storage server 310. When the account is acquired, the user ID and password for using the storage service SN1 are registered in the storage server 310.

  Next, the PC accesses the control server 200 according to the user's operation, and acquires a specific URL for accessing the token distribution service provided by the storage server 310 from the control server 200. The PC designates a specific URL, accesses the storage server 310, and transmits the registered user ID and password to the storage server 310 in accordance with a user operation.

  The storage server 310 specifies a user account corresponding to the user ID and password transmitted from the PC. The storage server 310 generates a token corresponding to the identified user account and transmits it to the control server 200. The storage server 310 recognizes in advance that the generated token should be transmitted to the control server 200 when the registered user ID and password are transmitted through access designating a specific URL.

  When receiving the token, the control server 200 generates a temporary ID associated with the token and transmits the temporary ID to the PC. The PC displays the received temporary ID.

  Next, the user registers the account information AD by causing the multifunction peripheral 100 and the control server 200 to execute an account registration process described later. In brief, the user operates the operation unit 160 of the multifunction peripheral 100 to name the storage service SN1 (“SN1”), the user name (for example, “Alice”), and the temporary ID displayed on the PC. Are input to the multifunction device 100. The multi-function device 100 that has received the input of the information transmits the input temporary ID to the control server 200. The control server 200 transmits a token (for example, “TK1”) associated with the temporary ID to the multi-function device 100. The control server 200 deletes the token that has been transmitted to the multifunction peripheral 100 from the nonvolatile storage device 220 of the server 200.

  The MFP 100 receives a set of account information AD including the received token (eg, “TK1”), the name of the storage service SN1 (“SN1”), and the user name (eg, “Alice”). Register in the service information list SL. Thus, for each account of the storage service, one set of account information AD is registered in the service information list SL.

  The example in which the account information AD of the storage service SN1 is registered in the service information list SL has been described above, but the same processing is performed on the other storage services SN2 and SN3. It can be registered in the information list SL. In the service information list SL of FIG. 2, the account information AD of one user is registered for the storage service SN1, and the account information AD of two users is registered for the storage service SN2.

A-2-2. Setting Processing The operation of the system 1000 will be described focusing on the processing for realizing the above-described server cooperation function, particularly the Fax to Cloud function. 3 and 4 are flowcharts of the setting process of the fax to cloud function. This setting process is started when the multifunction device 100 receives an instruction to start using the server cooperation function from the user. Note that the setting process and the Fax to Cloud process, which will be described later, include communication between the multifunction peripheral 100 and the control server 200 as shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 7, 8, 11, and 12. It is out. These communications are executed using HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol). That is, in the setting process, data (for example, various notifications, information, and requests) transmitted from the MFP 100 to the control server 200 is transmitted as an HTTP request. The header of the HTTP request includes a URL indicating the resource to be processed, and the HTTP request is transmitted according to the URL. That is, when the URL indicates a resource in the control server 200, an HTTP request including the URL is transmitted to the control server 200. Hereinafter, the URL included in the header of the HTTP request is referred to as a destination URL. Further, data (for example, various operation commands) transmitted from the control server 200 to the multifunction peripheral 100 is transmitted as an HTTP response to the HTTP request received immediately before.

  When the setting process is started, in S <b> 1, the CPU 110 of the multifunction peripheral 100 transmits a request for the first command to the control server 200. In the first command request, a predetermined URL is used as the destination URL.

  When the control server 200 receives the request for the first command, the CPU 210 transmits a display command for the function selection screen SC1 to the multi-function device 100 (S2). The display command is a kind of operation command transmitted from the control server 200 to the multifunction device 100.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation command. The display command in FIG. 5A is a command for causing the multifunction peripheral 100 to display a screen to be displayed. The display command includes information indicating that it is a display command, display screen data representing a screen to be displayed, and a next designated URL. The display screen data is described using, for example, XML (Extensible Markup Language). The next designated URL is used as a destination URL in an HTTP request to be transmitted from the MFP 100 next time.

  In S3 of FIG. 3, CPU 110 displays screen SC1 on display unit 170 in accordance with a display command for function selection screen SC1. Specifically, when the received operation command is a display command, the CPU 110 displays a screen represented by the display screen data on the display unit 170 using the display screen data included in the display command. Since the display command transmitted by the control server 200 in S2 includes display screen data representing the function selection screen SC1, the function selection screen SC1 is displayed on the display unit 170 in S3.

  The function selection screen SC1 in FIG. 3 includes options indicating three types of server cooperation functions (Fax to Cloud function, Scan to Cloud function, and Download Print function). All of these three types of server cooperation functions require access to a storage server that provides a storage service. The account information AD (FIG. 2) recorded in the service information list SL described above is shared by three types of server cooperation functions.

  The user selects a server cooperation function to be used by selecting one option on the function selection screen SC1. Here, the description is continued assuming that the Fax to Cloud function is selected. However, when another function is selected, setting processing of another function is executed. Although description of other function setting processing is omitted, account setting processing and account deletion processing described later can also be performed in setting processing of other functions.

  In S4, the CPU 110 transmits function selection information (for example, information indicating the Fax to Cloud function) indicating the selection result of the server cooperation function by the user to the control server 200. As described above, when the CPU 110 receives a display command, it receives a user operation on the screen displayed according to the display command, and then transmits a notification of the operation result of the user. The next designated URL included in the display command is used as the destination URL of the notification of the user operation result. As a result, the user operation result is appropriately notified to the control server 200.

  As described above, the CPU 210 can display various display screens functioning as a user interface on the multi-function device 100 by transmitting display commands to the multi-function device 100. And CPU210 can acquire the operation result of the user performed via the said display screen. As a result, the CPU 210 can cause the user to input information necessary for executing the server cooperation function such as the Fax to Cloud function. For example, there is a possibility that the user needs to input new information by changing the specifications of the storage services SN1 to SN3. Even in such a case, the vendor updates the display screen data to be transmitted from the control server 200, thereby allowing the user to input new information without updating the computer program PG1 of the multifunction peripheral 100. Can do.

  When the control server 200 receives the function selection information, the CPU 210 transmits a display instruction for the function explanation screen SC2 to the multi-function device 100 (S5). When the multi-function device 100 receives a display command for the screen SC2, the CPU 110 displays the screen SC2 on the display unit 170 according to the command (S6). The function explanation screen SC2 of FIG. 3 includes an explanation of the Fax to Cloud function and an “OK” button. When the user presses the “OK” button, the CPU 110 transmits a request for the next command to the control server 200 (S7).

  When the control server 200 receives the request for the next command, the CPU 210 transmits a display command for the function valid / invalid setting screen SC3 to the multi-function device 100 (S8). When the multifunction device 100 receives the display instruction for the screen SC3, the CPU 110 displays the screen SC3 on the display unit 170 in accordance with the instruction (S9). The function enable / disable setting screen SC3 in FIG. 3 has an option indicating that the Fax to Cloud function is enabled (ON option in FIG. 3) and an option indicating that the Fax to Cloud function is disabled (OFF in FIG. 3). Option). When the user selects any option, the CPU 110 transmits valid / invalid selection information indicating the selection result to the control server 200 (S10).

  When the control server 200 receives the valid / invalid selection information, the CPU 210 determines based on the valid / invalid selection information whether an option indicating that the Fax to Cloud function is to be valid has been selected (S11). When the option indicating that the Fax to Cloud function is disabled is selected (S11: NO), the CPU 210 advances the process to S27 of FIG.

  When the option indicating that the Fax to Cloud function is to be enabled is selected (S11: YES), the CPU 210 transmits a display command for the service selection screen SC4 to the multi-function device 100 (S12). When the multi-function device 100 receives a display command for the screen SC4, the CPU 110 displays the screen SC4 on the display unit 170 according to the command (S13). The service selection screen SC4 in FIG. 3 includes a plurality of options indicating a plurality of selectable storage services SN1 to SN3. When the user selects an option indicating a storage service to be used as a storage destination, the CPU 110 transmits service selection information indicating a selection result to the control server 200 (S14).

When the control server 200 receives the service selection information, the CPU 210 sends a service information list SL (account information AD and fax to cloud setting information FC) to the multi-function device 100.
A transmission command to the control server 200 is transmitted (S15). The transmission command to the control server 200 is a kind of operation command transmitted from the control server 200 to the multifunction peripheral 100. The transmission command to the control server 200 is a command for causing the MFP 100 to transmit data to be transmitted that the MFP 100 has to the control server 200. The transmission command to the control server 200 in FIG. 5B includes information indicating a transmission command, an ID of data to be transmitted, and a next designated URL.

  When the MFP 100 receives the transmission command for the service information list SL, the CPU 110 transmits the service information list SL (FIG. 2) to the control server 200 in accordance with the received transmission command (S16). Specifically, when the received operation command is a transmission command to the control server 200, the CPU 110 transmits the data in the nonvolatile storage device 120 based on the ID of data to be transmitted included in the transmission command. Identify the target data. Since the transmission command transmitted by the control server 200 in S15 includes an ID indicating the service information list SL as an ID of data to be transmitted, the service information list SL is specified. CPU 110 transmits the data to be transmitted using the next designated URL included in the transmission command as the destination URL. As a result, the transmission target data is appropriately transmitted to the control server 200.

  In this way, the control server 200 (CPU 210) can acquire various information stored in the multifunction device 100 by transmitting a transmission command to the control server 200 to the multifunction device 100. As a result, the CPU 210 can acquire information necessary for executing the server cooperation function such as the Fax to Cloud function from the multifunction peripheral 100. For example, there is a possibility that information to be acquired from the multifunction device 100 needs to be changed due to a specification change of the storage services SN1 to SN3. Even in such a case, the vendor updates the display screen data to be transmitted from the control server 200, so that new information can be obtained from the multifunction device 100 without updating the computer program PG1 of the multifunction device 100. Can be acquired.

  When the control server 200 receives the service information list SL, the CPU 210 generates display screen data representing the account selection screen SC5 based on the received service selection information and the account information AD in the service information list SL ( S17). Specifically, the CPU 210 identifies the selected storage service based on the service selection information received in S14. The CPU 210 extracts the user name associated with the selected storage service from the account information AD in the service information list SL received in S16. For example, when the selected storage service is the storage service SN2, two user names “Alice” and “Bob” are extracted from the account information AD included in the service information list SL of FIG. The The CPU 210 generates display screen data representing the account selection screen SC5 including options indicating the extracted user name.

  In S18 of FIG. 4, the CPU 210 transmits a display command for the account selection screen SC5 represented by the display image data generated in S17 to the multi-function peripheral 100. When the multi-function device 100 receives a display command for the screen SC5, the CPU 110 displays the screen SC5 on the display unit 170 according to the command (S19). In the example of FIG. 4, the account selection screen SC5 includes two options indicating user names “Alice” and “Bob”, and an option indicating “account registration / deletion”. When the user selects any option, the CPU 110 transmits account selection information indicating the selection result to the control server 200 (S20).

  When the control server 200 receives the account selection information, the CPU 210 determines whether an option indicating “account registration / deletion” has been selected by the user based on the account selection information (S21). When an option indicating “account registration / deletion” is selected (S21: YES), an account registration process or an account deletion process described later is executed. When the option indicating “account registration / deletion” is not selected (S21: NO), that is, when the option indicating the user name of the registered account is selected, the MFP 100 is displayed in the display only mode. A command for transmitting the setting information to the control server 200 is transmitted (S22). When the multi-function device 100 receives a transmission command for the setting information in the display only mode, the CPU 110 sends the control server 200 to the control server 200 according to the received transmission command in the display only mode included in the FAX general setting information FG in FIG. Setting information is transmitted (S23).

  When the control server 200 receives the setting information for the display only mode, the CPU 210 generates display screen data representing the function setting screen SC6 (S24). FIG. 6 is a flowchart of display screen data generation processing representing the function setting screen SC6.

  In S110, the CPU 210 determines whether the format that can be stored by the selected storage service (the above-described possible format) is only the JPEG format or an arbitrary format. This determination is performed with reference to the service usage information SA (FIG. 2) stored in the nonvolatile storage device 220. When the possible format of the selected storage service is only the JPEG format (S110: YES), the format option is determined to be only the JPEG format (S120). When the possible format of the selected storage service is not only the JPEG format (S110: NO), the format choices are determined as three formats: JPEG format, PDF, and TIFF (S115).

  As described above, the format options are determined according to the present embodiment. The possible format of the storage service is only the JPEG format or an arbitrary format. This is because it is possible to generate image files in three formats: JPEG format, PDF, and TIFF. In general, a format that is a storage service-capable format and that can be generated by the MFP 100 may be determined as an option.

  In S125, the CPU 210 determines whether the display only mode is valid (ON) or invalid (OFF) in the multifunction peripheral 100 based on the setting information of the display only mode received in S23 of FIG. When the display only mode is valid (S125: YES), the CPU 210 determines not to display the backup print setting button so that the user does not set whether or not to execute the backup print (S130). . This is because, when the display only mode is valid, even if backup printing is set to valid, the FAX image is not printed in the FAX reception processing (FIG. 10) described later, so backup printing is valid. It is because there is no meaning to set to. The fact that the backup print setting button is not displayed means that the backup print setting is maintained at the initial value (invalid). When the display only mode is invalid (S125: NO), the CPU 210 determines that the backup print setting button should be displayed in order to allow the user to set whether or not to execute the backup print (S135). ). If the display only mode is invalid and the fax to cloud function is valid, whether or not to print a fax image according to the backup print setting in the fax reception processing (FIG. 10) described later. It is because it is decided.

  In S140, the CPU 210 generates display image data representing the function setting screen SC6 based on the determination result regarding the format option and the determination result regarding the backup print setting button. The generated display image data includes data representing a sub screen (described later) of the function setting screen SC6.

  In S25 of FIG. 4, the CPU 210 transmits a display command for the function setting screen SC6 represented by the display image data generated in S24 to the multifunction peripheral 100. When the multi-function device 100 receives a display command for the screen SC6, the CPU 110 displays the screen SC6 on the display unit 170 according to the command (S26). The function setting screen SC6 in FIG. 4 includes a “format” setting button, a “backup printing” setting button, and an “OK” button. When the “Format” setting button is pressed, a sub-screen SB1 including the format options determined in S115 or S120 of FIG. The user can select a format (file format) used when transmitting FAX image data to the storage server via the sub-screen SB1. The “backup print” setting button is not displayed when it is determined in S130 in FIG. 6 that the setting button is not displayed, and it is determined in S135 in FIG. 6 that the setting button is displayed. If it is, it will be displayed. When the “backup printing” setting button is pressed, a sub-screen SB2 including an option indicating valid (ON) and an option indicating invalid (OFF) is displayed on the display unit 170. The user can select whether to enable backup printing via the sub-screen SB2.

  When the user presses the “OK” button, the CPU 110 transmits function setting information indicating the format selection result and the backup print selection result to the control server 200 (S27).

  When the control server 200 receives the function setting information, the CPU 210 transmits a display instruction for the setting confirmation screen SC7 to the multi-function device 100 (S28). When the multifunction device 100 receives the display instruction for the screen SC7, the CPU 110 displays the screen SC7 on the display unit 170 in accordance with the instruction (S29). The setting confirmation screen SC7 of FIG. 4 includes a display of setting contents of a plurality of items set via the above-described screens SC4 to SC6, an “OK” button, and a “Return” button.

  If it is determined in S11 of FIG. 3 that an option indicating that the Fax to Cloud function is disabled is selected (S11: NO), and the process proceeds to S28, the process proceeds to S29. A setting confirmation screen (not shown) different from the setting confirmation screen SC7 of FIG. 4 is displayed. The setting confirmation screen in this case includes a display of disabling the Fax to Cloud function as a display of the setting contents.

  When the “OK” button or the “Return” button is pressed on the setting confirmation screen SC7, in S30, the CPU 110 instructs the control server 200 whether the “OK” button has been pressed or “Return”. A confirmation result notification indicating whether the button has been pressed is transmitted. When the CPU 210 receives a confirmation result notification indicating that the “return” button has been pressed, the CPU 210 returns to the process of S8 or S12 (not shown).

  When the CPU 210 receives a confirmation result notification indicating that the “OK” button has been pressed, the CPU 210 transmits a setting information update command to the multifunction peripheral 100 (S31). The update command is a kind of operation command transmitted from the control server 200 to the multifunction device 100. The update command is a command for writing the update target data in the update target area in the nonvolatile storage device 120 of the multifunction peripheral 100. The update command in FIG. 5C includes information indicating an update command, update target data, update destination information that specifies an update target area, and a next specified URL. The update destination information is information indicating the address of the update target area, for example.

  In the setting information update command transmitted in S31, the update target data is the setting information regarding the Fax to Cloud function received via the screens SC3 to SC6 in FIGS. The update target area is a storage area in which the setting information indicating whether the Fax to Cloud function of the FAX general setting information FG in FIG. 2 is valid or invalid and the Fax to Cloud setting information FC are stored. is there.

  When the MFP 100 receives the update command, the CPU 110 writes the update target data in the update target area in the nonvolatile storage device 220 according to the received update command (S32). As a result, the FAX general setting information FG and the Fax to Cloud setting information FC of the multifunction peripheral 100 are updated according to the user's operation on the screens SC3 to SC6. In S <b> 33, the CPU 110 transmits an update result notification indicating that writing according to the update command is completed to the control server 200. Specifically, CPU 110 transmits information indicating the update result using the next designated URL included in the update command as the destination URL.

  In this way, the control server 200 (CPU 210) can update various information in the nonvolatile storage device 220 of the multifunction device 100 by transmitting an update command to the multifunction device 100. As a result, for example, the CPU 210 can change the setting of the multifunction peripheral 100 necessary for executing the server cooperation function such as the Fax to Cloud function. The CPU 210 can cause the multifunction peripheral 100 to store information necessary for executing the server cooperation function. For example, it may be necessary to change the setting of the multifunction device 100 or to store new information in the multifunction device 100 by changing the specifications of the storage services SN1 to SN3. Even in such a case, the vendor updates the computer program PG2 of the control server 200 so as to transmit an appropriate update command, thereby updating the computer program PG1 of the multifunction device 100 without updating the computer program PG1. 100 settings can be changed and new information can be stored in the MFP 100.

  When the control server 200 receives the update result notification, the CPU 210 transmits a display instruction for the setting completion screen SC8 to the multi-function device 100 (S34). The display command for the screen SC8 does not include the next designated URL (FIG. 5A). When the multi-function device 100 receives a display command for the screen SC8, the CPU 110 displays the screen SC8 on the display unit 170 according to the command (S35). The setting completion screen SC8 in FIG. 4 includes an indication that the processing of the fax to cloud function has been completed, and a “OK” button. When the “OK” button is pressed, the CPU 110 ends the setting process. The CPU 110 can determine that the setting process should be terminated when the next designated URL is not included in the display command of the setting completion screen SC8.

  According to the setting process described above, the control server 200 can appropriately set the Fax to Cloud function in accordance with the user's intention by transmitting the various operation commands shown in FIG. it can.

A-2-3. Account Registration / Deletion Processing Account registration / deletion processing executed when an option indicating “account registration / deletion” is selected in S21 of the setting processing described above will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the account registration process. In S41, the CPU 210 transmits a display command for the registration / deletion selection screen SC9 to the multi-function device 100. When the multifunction device 100 receives the display instruction for the screen SC9, the CPU 110 displays the screen SC9 on the display unit 170 in accordance with the instruction (S42). The registration / deletion selection screen SC9 in FIG. 7 includes an option indicating “account registration”, an option indicating “account deletion”, and a button “OK”.

  When an option indicating “account registration” is selected, the CPU 110 transmits selection information indicating that the option has been selected to the control server 200 (S43). When the control server 200 receives the selection information, the CPU 210 transmits a display instruction for the registration information input screen SC10 to the multi-function device 100 (S44). When the multi-function device 100 receives a display command for the screen SC10, the CPU 110 displays the screen SC10 on the display unit 170 according to the command (S45).

  The registration information input screen SC10 of FIG. 7 includes a user name input field, a temporary ID input field, and an “OK” button. The user inputs the user name of the account to be registered and the temporary ID described in “A-2-1. Preparation in advance”, and presses the “OK” button.

  When the “OK” button is pressed, the CPU 110 transmits to the control server 200 input information indicating the user name and temporary ID input via the registration information input screen SC10 (S46). When the control server 200 receives the input information, the CPU 210 generates a service information list SL including the account information AD to be registered based on the input information, and updates the service information list SL to the MFP 100. Is transmitted (S47). The account information to be registered is input by the user through the screen SC10 (FIG. 3), the name of the storage service selected by the user through the screen SC10, the user name input by the user through the screen SC10, and the screen SC10. The token associated with the temporary ID is information associated with each other.

  When the multifunction device 100 receives an update command for registering the account information AD, the CPU 110 writes the service information list SL including the account information AD to be registered in the nonvolatile storage device 120 according to the update command (S48). . As a result, as described in “A-2-1. Preparation in advance”, new account information AD is registered in the service information list SL (FIG. 2) of the nonvolatile storage device 120 of the multifunction peripheral 100. .

  In S49, the CPU 110 transmits an update completion notification indicating the completion of the update of the service information list SL to the control server 200. When the control server 200 receives the update completion notification, the CPU 210 transmits a display instruction for the registration completion screen SC11 to the multi-function device 100 (S50). When the multi-function device 100 receives a display command for the screen SC11, the CPU 110 displays the screen SC11 on the display unit 170 according to the command (S51). Registration completion screen SC11 includes a message indicating that account information has been newly registered, and a “OK” button. When the “OK” button is pressed, the CPU 110 ends the account registration process.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the account deletion process. S41 and S42 are the same steps as S41 and S42 of FIG. When the “account deletion” option is selected on the registration / deletion selection screen SC9, the CPU 110 transmits selection information indicating that the option has been selected to the control server 200 (S53).

  When the control server 200 receives the selection information, in S54, the CPU 210 generates display image data representing the account selection screen SC12 and transmits a display command for the screen SC12 including the display image data to the multi-function peripheral 100. . The display screen data representing the account selection screen SC12 includes a list of account information AD (user name list). The list of user names is extracted from the service information list SL of FIG. 2B transmitted from the multifunction device 100 to the control server 200 in S16 of FIG. For example, when the storage service selected via the service selection screen SC4 is the storage service SN2, two user names “Alice” and “Bob” are extracted from the service information list SL of FIG. Is done. As can be seen from this description, the transmission of the display screen data representing the account selection screen SC12 from the control server 200 to the multi-function device 100 (S54) is a list of account information AD (user name) from the control server 200 to the multi-function device 100. (Send list).

  When the multi-function device 100 receives a display command for the account selection screen SC12, the CPU 110 displays the screen SC12 on the display unit 170 in accordance with the command (S55). The account selection screen SC12 in FIG. 8 includes two options indicating “Alice” and “Bob” which are user names extracted from the service information list SL. When the user selects any option, the CPU 110 transmits account selection information indicating the selection result to the control server 200 (S56).

  In S57, the CPU 210 instructs the MFP 100 to set information indicating whether the fax to cloud function shown in FIG. 2A is valid or invalid (hereinafter also referred to as “fax to cloud function valid / invalid information”). Send the send command. When the MFP 100 receives the transmission command, the CPU 110 transmits the validity / invalidity information of the fax to cloud function to the control server 200 in S58.

When the control server 200 receives the validity / invalidity information of the Fax to Cloud function, the CPU 210 determines whether or not it is necessary to invalidate the Fax to Cloud function (S59). Specifically, the CPU 210 specifies the account information AD to be deleted based on the account selection information. The CPU 210 determines that invalidation is necessary when both of the following two conditions are satisfied.
Condition 1) Fax to Cloud function is currently enabled (ON) Condition 2) After the account information AD to be deleted is deleted, the FAX image transmission setting (Fig. 2 (B)) is valid. The remaining number is 0. Note that the CPU 210 determines that the invalidation is unnecessary when at least one of the two conditions is not satisfied.

  When the Fax to Cloud function needs to be invalidated (S59: YES), the CPU 210 transmits a display instruction for the invalidation notification screen SC13 to the multi-function device 100 (S60). When the multi-function device 100 receives a display command for the screen SC13, the CPU 110 displays the screen SC13 on the display unit 170 according to the command (S61). The invalidation notification screen SC13 includes a message indicating that the Fax to Cloud function is changed to invalid (the Fax to Cloud function is stopped), and a “OK” button. This informs the user that the Fax to Cloud feature will be disabled. When the “OK” button is pressed, the CPU 110 transmits a request for the next command to the control server 200 (S62).

  When it is not necessary to invalidate the Fax to Cloud function (S59: NO), the processing of S60 to S62 is skipped and the process proceeds to S63.

  In S <b> 63, the CPU 210 transmits a display instruction for the deletion confirmation screen SC <b> 14 to the multifunction peripheral 100. When the multi-function device 100 receives a display command for the screen SC14, the CPU 110 displays the screen SC14 on the display unit 170 according to the command (S64). The deletion confirmation screen SC14 includes a message indicating that the account information AD to be deleted is deleted, a “YES” button, and a “NO” button.

  When one of the “YES” and “NO” buttons is pressed on the deletion confirmation screen SC14, in S65, the CPU 110 sends to the control server 200 deletion confirmation information indicating which button has been pressed. Send. When the CPU 210 receives the deletion confirmation information indicating that the “NO” button has been pressed, the CPU 210 returns to the processing of S54 (not shown). Instead, the CPU 210 may return to the process of S41 when receiving the deletion confirmation information indicating that the “NO” button has been pressed.

  When the CPU 210 receives the deletion confirmation information indicating that the “YES” button has been pressed, the CPU 210 executes processing (invalidation processing) regarding invalidation of the Fax to Cloud function in S66. FIG. 9 is a flowchart of invalidation processing. In S210, the CPU 210 determines whether or not the Fax to Cloud function is valid (ON). Whether or not the Fax to Cloud function is valid is determined based on the validity / invalidity information of the Fax to Cloud function transmitted from the MFP 100 to the control server 200 in S58 of FIG. If the Fax to Cloud function is invalid (OFF) (S210: NO), the invalidation process is terminated.

  When the Fax to Cloud function is valid (S210: YES), the CPU 210 deletes the account information AD to be deleted and deletes the remaining account information AD for which the corresponding FAX image transmission setting is valid (ON). It is determined whether or not the number is 0 (S220). Specifically, the CPU 210 determines that the corresponding FAX image transmission setting is valid (ON) based on the service information list SL (account information AD and fax to cloud setting information FC) received in S16 of FIG. The remaining number of AD is specified. Then, the CPU 210 determines whether or not the specified remaining number is zero. For example, in the example of the service information list SL of FIG. 2, the account information AD for which the corresponding FAX image transmission setting is valid (ON) includes the account information AD for the storage service SN1 whose user name is “Alice”, and the user This is account information AD for the storage service SN2 whose name is “Bob”. The account information AD for the storage service SN2 whose user name is “Alice” is not counted in S220 because the corresponding FAX image transmission setting is valid (OFF).

  When the remaining number of account information AD is not 0 (S220: NO), that is, when the remaining number of account information AD is 1 or more, the CPU 210 ends the invalidation process. The determination executed in S210 and S220 is the same as the determination as to whether or not invalidation is necessary. That is, when the remaining number of account information AD is 0 (S220: YES), the condition for determining that invalidation is necessary is satisfied. Further, when the fax to cloud function is invalid (OFF) (S210: NO), or when the remaining number of account information AD is not zero (S220: NO), the above-described invalidation is necessary. The condition for judging is not satisfied.

  When the remaining number of account information AD is 0 (S220: YES), the CPU 210 determines that the Fax to Cloud function should be changed from valid (ON) to invalid (OFF) (S230).

  In S240, the CPU 210 determines that the FAX printing function for printing FAX images should be validated. Instead of this, or together with this, in S240, the CPU 210 may determine that the FAX storage function for storing the facsimile data in the nonvolatile storage device 120 should be enabled in order to store the facsimile data. . When the Fax to Cloud function is valid, as will be described in detail later, every time facsimile data is received by the multifunction device 100, FAX image data is transmitted (uploaded) from the multifunction device 100 to the storage server. The facsimile data is deleted from the machine 100. For this reason, while the Fax to Cloud function is valid, the multifunction peripheral 100 does not need to print a FAX image and does not need to store facsimile data for storage. For this reason, when the Fax to Cloud function is changed from valid to invalid, there is a possibility that FAX images are not printed and facsimile data is not saved. In this case, facsimile data cannot be received substantially. Therefore, in order to avoid such inconvenience, it is preferable to enable at least one of the FAX printing function and the FAX storing function. In order to enable the FAX storage function, a relatively complicated process such as securing the necessary storage capacity may be required. In this embodiment, the FAX printing function is forcibly enabled. And Specifically, it is determined that the MFP 100 should be set so that the display-only mode is disabled (OFF) and the FAX image is printed immediately upon reception of the facsimile data.

  When the invalidation process ends, the CPU 210 transmits a setting information update command to the multi-function device 100 in S67 of FIG. For example, the CPU 210 generates an updated service information list SL from which the account information AD to be deleted is deleted. In addition, if it is decided to disable the Fax to Cloud function in the disabling process of S66, the Fax to Cloud function is set to disabled and the display only mode is set to disabled. FAX general setting information FG is generated. The CPU 210 issues an update command for writing the updated service information list SL (FIG. 2B) and the updated FAX general setting information FG (FIG. 2A) to the nonvolatile storage device 120. Send to the multifunction device 100.

  When the MFP 100 receives the setting information update command, the CPU 110 receives the setting information (for example, the updated service information list SL and the updated FAX general setting information FG) included in the update command in accordance with the command. Writing to the nonvolatile storage device 120 (S68). As a result, the account information AD to be deleted is deleted from the service information list SL in the nonvolatile storage device 120 of the multifunction peripheral 100. If the remaining number of account information AD for which the FAX image transmission setting is valid becomes 0 with the deletion of the account information AD, the Fax to Cloud function is forcibly changed from valid to invalid. At the same time, the FAX printing function is effectively and forcibly set.

  As can be understood from the above description, it can be said that the setting information update command transmitted from the control server 200 to the MFP 100 in S67 includes a deletion command for deleting the account information AD to be deleted. If the account information AD is deleted according to the deletion instruction, and the remaining number of account information AD for which the FAX image transmission setting is valid becomes 0, the update instruction further activates the fax to cloud function. It can be said that it includes a change command that makes the change invalid.

  In S <b> 69, the CPU 110 transmits an update completion notification indicating completion of the update of the setting information to the control server 200. When the control server 200 receives the update completion notification, the CPU 210 transmits a display instruction for the deletion completion screen SC15 to the multi-function peripheral 100 (S70). When the multi-function device 100 receives a display command for the screen SC15, the CPU 110 displays the screen SC15 on the display unit 170 according to the command (S71). The deletion completion screen SC15 includes a message indicating that the account information to be deleted has been deleted, and a “OK” button. When the “OK” button is pressed, the CPU 110 ends the account deletion process.

A-2-4. Processing at the time of FAX reception Processing that is executed in response to reception of facsimile data when the MFP 100 receives facsimile data via the telephone line IF 190 (hereinafter also referred to as processing at the time of FAX reception) will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the processing at the time of FAX reception.

  When the facsimile data is received, in S310, the CPU 110 stores the received facsimile data in the nonvolatile storage device 120 of the multifunction peripheral 100. In S315, the CPU 110 refers to the FAX general setting information FG (FIG. 2A) and determines whether or not the display only mode is valid (ON). If the display only mode is valid (S315: YES), CPU 110 advances the process to S335 without printing a FAX image. That is, when the display only mode is valid, the setting of the display only mode has priority over the setting of backup printing described later, and the FAX image is not printed.

  When the display only mode is invalid (S315: NO), the CPU 110 refers to the FAX general setting information FG (FIG. 2A) and the Fax to Cloud function is valid (ON) in S320. Determine whether or not. If the Fax to Cloud function is invalid (S320: NO), the CPU 110 prints a FAX image in S330 and advances the process to S335. That is, when the display only mode is invalid (S315: NO) and the fax to cloud function is invalid (S320: NO), the FAX image is printed.

  When the Fax to Cloud function is valid (S320: YES), the CPU 110 enables the backup printing in the Fax to Cloud function based on the Fax to Cloud setting information FC (FIG. 2B) in S325 ( ON) or not. If the backup printing is invalid (S325: NO), the CPU 110 advances the process to S335 without printing a FAX image. On the other hand, if backup printing is valid (S325: YES), the CPU 110 prints a FAX image in S330 and advances the process to S335. That is, when the display only mode is invalid (S315: NO) and the fax to cloud function is valid (S320: YES), the fax image is printed according to the backup print setting in the fax to cloud function. It is determined whether or not.

  In S335, the CPU 110 determines whether the Fax to Cloud function is valid. If the Fax to Cloud function is valid (S335: YES), the CPU 110 executes Fax to Cloud processing in S340. When executing the Fax to Cloud process, the facsimile data is deleted during the Fax to Cloud process, as will be described later.

  When the Fax to Cloud function is invalid (S335: NO), the CPU 110 determines whether or not a FAX image has been printed in S345. If the CPU 110 executes printing of a FAX image in S330 (S345: YES), the facsimile data is deleted from the non-volatile storage device 120 in S350, and the process ends. That is, when the fax to cloud function is invalid and the FAX image is printed, the facsimile data is immediately deleted. On the other hand, if the FAX image is not printed (S345: NO), the CPU 110 ends the process without deleting the facsimile data. That is, when the fax to cloud function is invalid and the FAX image is not printed, the facsimile data is kept stored in the nonvolatile storage device 120. In this case, the facsimile data is deleted when the user gives an instruction.

A-2-5. Fax to Cloud Processing FIGS. 11 and 12 are flowcharts of Fax to Cloud processing. In S <b> 72, CPU 110 transmits a FAX reception notification indicating that facsimile data has been received to control server 200. That is, when the fax to cloud function is valid, communication between the multifunction peripheral 100 and the control server 200 is started in response to reception of facsimile data. When the control server 200 receives the FAX reception notification, the CPU 210 transmits a transmission command for the service information list SL (FIG. 2) to the multi-function device 100 (S73).

  When the multifunction device 100 receives the transmission command, the CPU 110 transmits the service information list SL to the control server 200 according to the received transmission command (S74).

  When the control server 200 receives the service information list SL, the CPU 210 transmits a transmission command for the FAX reception list FL (FIG. 2) to the multi-function device 100 (S75). When the multifunction device 100 receives the transmission command for the FAX reception list FL, the CPU 110 transmits the FAX reception list FL to the control server 200 according to the received transmission command (S76). As a result, the control server 200 receives the FAX reception list FL.

  In S77, the CPU 210 selects one or more facsimile data in the list FL as a processing target one by one based on the FAX reception list FL. The facsimile data to be selected is received by the multi-function device 100 and stored in the non-volatile storage device 220 of the multi-function device 100, and FAX image data corresponding to the facsimile data is transmitted (upload) to the storage server. This is facsimile data that has not been). In this embodiment, one or more facsimile data corresponding to one or more entries EN (FIG. 2) included in the FAX reception list FL are selected. In this embodiment, since fax to cloud processing is executed every time facsimile data is received, the number of facsimile data to be selected is often one. However, for example, in the process immediately after the Fax to Cloud function is changed from disabled to enabled, the number of facsimile data to be selected becomes multiple, including the facsimile data received when the Fax to Cloud function is disabled. Become. In addition, when transmission of the FAX image data to the storage server fails due to a network failure or the like in the previous process, the facsimile data to be selected including the facsimile data corresponding to the FAX image data that failed to be transmitted is displayed. There can be multiple. In such a case, FAX image data is transmitted to the storage server for each of a plurality of facsimile data in this processing.

  In S78, the CPU 210 refers to the service information list SL and selects the accounts to be selected one by one as the processing target. Specifically, the CPU 210 extracts, as selection target accounts, accounts for which the corresponding FAX image transmission setting is “ON” from one or more accounts whose account information AD is registered in the service information list SL. To do. In the example of FIG. 2, the account of the storage service SN1 whose user name is “Alice” and the account of the storage service SN2 whose user name is “Bob” are the accounts to be selected. A plurality of accounts associated with the same storage service and having different user names may be selected. In addition, a plurality of accounts associated with different storage services and having the same user name may be selected.

  In S79, the CPU 210 performs processing target facsimile data (for example, facsimile data whose FAXID is “001” in FIG. 2C) and processing target account (for example, the user name in FIG. 2B is “Alice”). And a transmission start command corresponding to the storage service SN1), and transmits the transmission start command to the multi-function device 100. The transmission start command is a kind of operation command transmitted from the control server 200 to the multifunction device 100.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation command used for Fax to Cloud processing. The transmission start command in FIG. 13A includes information indicating a transmission start command, target FAX ID, target format information, and three types of transmission destination URLs. The target FAXID is the FAXID of the facsimile data to be processed (for example, “001” in FIG. 2C). The target format information is format information (for example, “JPEG” in FIG. 2B) corresponding to the account to be processed in the service information list SL. As described later, the three types of transmission destination URLs include an upload information request transmission destination URL, an upload result transmission destination URL, and a transmission completion notification transmission destination URL. All of the three types of destination URLs are URLs indicating resources in the control server 200.

  In S79, when the MFP 100 receives the transmission start command, the CPU 110 starts processing for transmitting the FAX image data to the storage server according to the transmission start command. Specifically, in S80, CPU 110 executes format conversion processing. The format conversion process is a process for generating FAX image data using facsimile data specified by the target FAX ID included in the transmission start command, that is, facsimile data to be processed. By this processing, one or more image files having a format indicated by the target format information included in the transmission start command are generated. By including the target format information in the transmission start command in this way, the control server 200 controls the multifunction peripheral 100 so as to transmit FAX image data (one or more image files) of an appropriate format to the storage server. be able to.

  Here, when the facsimile data to be processed includes data for N pages (N is an integer of 1 or more) and the format indicated by the target format information is PDF or TIFF, the data for N pages. One image file is generated as FAX image data. This is because PDF and TIFF are formats that can store a plurality of images in one file and can construct a multi-page file that handles each image as an image for one page.

  When the facsimile data to be processed includes data for N pages (N is an integer equal to or greater than 1) and the format indicated by the target format information is JPEG format, the facsimile image data for N pages , N image files are generated. This is because the JPEG format is a format in which a multi-page file cannot be configured and one image is stored in one file.

  In S <b> 81, the CPU 110 transmits an upload information request to the control server 200. In the transmission of the upload information request, the upload information request transmission destination URL included in the transmission start command is used as the destination URL. The upload information request includes information indicating the amount of FAX image data generated in S80 (in units of bytes, for example). Information indicating the amount of FAX image data is described for each image file. For example, when N image files are generated as FAX image data corresponding to one facsimile data, the upload information request includes information indicating the data amount of each of the N image files.

  When the control server 200 receives the upload information request, the CPU 210 generates the upload command shown in FIG. 13B (S82).

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart of processing for generating an upload command. In S410, the CPU 210 determines a file name of an image file (hereinafter also referred to as a target image file) that is a target of an upload command among one or more image files as FAX image data to be transmitted. For example, the file name is determined as “reception date / time_serial number.format name”. For example, in step S80, N JPEG format image files are generated using facsimile data of FAXID “001” (FIG. 2C), and N of the N JPEG formats are generated. When the image file on the first page is the target image file, the file name is determined as “TM1_001.jpg”.

  In S420, the CPU 210 refers to the service information list SL and determines the type of the storage service (hereinafter also referred to as the target storage service) corresponding to the account to be processed. If the target storage service is the storage service SN1, the CPU 210 advances the process to S470 without performing any special processing.

  When the target storage service is the storage service SN2, the CPU 210 obtains a temporary token using the token of the processing target account. The temporary token is a token whose usable period (for example, one day) is shorter than that of a normal token. The temporary token is generated, for example, by executing a predetermined generation program. For example, the generation program is published together with the API by the business operator of the storage service SN2. The temporary token may be acquired from the storage server 320 by the CPU 210 transmitting an issuance request to the storage server 320 that provides the storage service SN2.

  When the target storage service is the storage service SN3, the CPU 210 generates a folder unique to the storage service SN3 in the storage server 330 that provides the storage service SN3 (S450). For example, the CPU 210 uses the token of the account to be processed to access the storage server 330 and generate a folder for storing FAX image data. In S460, the CPU 210 acquires a folder ID that is an identifier of the generated folder.

  In S470, the CPU 210 determines an upload destination URL according to the target storage service. As described above, the upload destination URL is described in the service usage information SA (FIG. 2) for each storage service.

  In S480, the CPU 210 generates template data for upload according to the target storage service. The template data is data created in a data format used when transmitting the target image file to the target storage server, and includes a parameter group necessary for transmitting the target image file. If template data has been generated, data to be transmitted can be easily generated by adding the target image file to the template data. Template data is different for each storage service. For example, as shown in FIG. 13B, the template data generated for the storage service SN1 includes the token of the account to be processed, the file name determined in S410, the format information of the target image file, the target Data amount information of the image file. The template data generated for the storage service SN2 includes the temporary token acquired in S440 instead of the token of the account to be processed. The template data generated for the storage service SN3 further includes the folder ID acquired in S460.

  In S83 of FIG. 11, the CPU 210 transmits an upload command to the multi-function device 100. The upload command is a kind of operation command transmitted from the control server 200 to the multifunction peripheral 100. The upload command in FIG. 13B includes information indicating that it is an upload command, the upload destination URL determined in S470 in FIG. 14, and the template data generated in S480 in FIG.

  When the MFP 100 receives the upload command, the CPU 110 transmits (uploads) the target image file to the target storage server (for example, the storage server 310) in accordance with the received upload command (S84). Specifically, the CPU 110 adds the target image file to the template data included in the upload command, and generates transmission target data. The CPU 110 transmits the transmission target data using the upload information request transmission destination URL included in the upload command as the destination URL. In response to one upload command, one image file is transmitted to the storage server. For example, if N JPEG format image files are generated as FAX image data for N pages in S80, the process of S84 is repeatedly performed N times as described later. In one processing of S84, one image file for one page among N image files is transmitted to the storage server.

  In S85, the storage server executes a storage process. Specifically, the storage server performs an authentication process using a token included in data transmitted from the multifunction device 100. When determining that the token is authentic, the storage server stores the target image file in a storage area in the storage server assigned to the account corresponding to the token. If an error occurs during the saving process, the saving server interrupts the saving process without completing the saving of the target image file.

  Errors that may occur in the storage process include, for example, an authentication error, a storage capacity upper limit violation error, a write authority violation error, a communication failure error, and a service stop error. The authentication error is an error that the token cannot be determined to be authentic and the account corresponding to the token cannot be authenticated. The storage capacity upper limit violation error is an error in which the usable storage capacity in the storage server assigned to the account corresponding to the token is insufficient. The write authority violation error is an error in which there is no write authority for the storage area of the write destination in the storage server (for example, the upload destination URL or the write destination folder specified by the folder ID). The communication failure error is an error caused by a communication failure between the MFP 100 and the target storage server (for example, an error in which the entire target image file cannot be received due to a timeout). The service stop error is an error in which the target image file cannot be saved because the target storage server temporarily stops the service.

  In S <b> 86, the storage server transmits an upload result notification indicating the result of the storage process, that is, the upload result, to the multifunction peripheral 100. The upload result notification includes information indicating that either the saving of the target image file has succeeded or the saving of the target image file has failed. Further, when the upload result notification includes information indicating that the saving of the target image file has failed, the upload result notification further includes information indicating the type of error that has caused the failure.

  In S <b> 87 of FIG. 12, when the multifunction peripheral 100 receives the upload result notification from the storage server, the CPU 110 transmits the received upload result notification to the control server 200. In the transmission of the upload result notification to the control server 200, the upload result transmission destination URL included in the transmission start command (FIG. 13A) is used as the destination URL.

  When the control server 200 receives the upload result notification, the CPU 210 determines whether or not the target image file has been successfully saved based on the upload result notification (S88). If the saving of the target image file has failed (S88: NO), the CPU 210 advances the process to S97 to be described later in order to interrupt transmission (upload) of the FAX image data. If the saving of the target image file has succeeded (S88: YES in FIG. 12), in S89, the CPU 210 transmits a continuation instruction instructing continuation of transmission of FAX image data to the multi-function device 100 (S89). The continuation instruction in FIG. 13C includes information indicating that it is a continuation instruction.

  When the multifunction device 100 receives the continuation command, in S90, the CPU 110 includes one or more image files as FAX image data that are not transmitted to the storage server (that is, not uploaded). Determine whether or not. That is, it is determined whether there is an untransmitted image file among the one or more image files generated in S80 (FIG. 11) using the facsimile data to be processed. As described above, when the FAX image data format is the JPEG format, a plurality of image files can be generated for one piece of facsimile data to be processed. In this case, it can be determined in S90 that there is an untransmitted image file. When the format of FAX image data is PDF or TIFF, one image file is generated for one facsimile data to be processed. In this case, it is not determined in S90 that there is an untransmitted image file.

  If there is an untransmitted image file (S90: YES), the CPU 110 returns the process to S81 in FIG. As a result, an untransmitted image file is selected as a target image file, and a series of processing (S81 to S89) related to transmission of the target image file to the storage server is executed. As a result, if N image files in N JPEG format for N pages are generated in S80, N upload instructions corresponding to N pages are transmitted from the control server 200 to the multifunction peripheral 100. (S83). The MFP 100 transmits (uploads) one image file to the storage server one by one each time an upload command is received (S84). In other words, the CPU 110 executes transmission of one image file corresponding to one upload command N times according to N upload commands. Accordingly, when N image files are generated as N pages of FAX image data, the control server 200 controls the multifunction peripheral 100 to appropriately transmit the FAX image data to the target storage server. be able to.

  When there is no unsent image file (S90: NO), in S91, the CPU 110 transmits an upload completion notification indicating that transmission (upload) of one FAX image data is completed to the control server 200. . In the transmission of the upload completion notification to the control server 200, the transmission completion notification transmission destination URL included in the transmission start command is used as the destination URL.

  When the control server 200 receives the upload completion notification, in S92, the CPU 210 determines whether or not all accounts to be selected have been selected as processing targets. If all the accounts to be selected have not been selected (S92: NO), the CPU 210 returns the process to S78 of FIG. As a result, the processing of S79 to S91 described above is repeated for another account to be selected. As a result, when the number of accounts to be selected is M (M is an integer equal to or greater than 1), FAX image data corresponding to one piece of processing-target facsimile data is transmitted M times.

  If all accounts to be selected have been selected (S92: YES), the CPU 210 transmits a facsimile data deletion command to the multifunction device 100 (S93). The delete command is a kind of operation command transmitted from the control server 200 to the multifunction peripheral 100. The deletion command is a command for deleting data to be deleted from the nonvolatile storage device 120 of the multifunction peripheral 100. The delete command in FIG. 13D includes information indicating that it is a delete command, FAXID of facsimile data to be deleted, and next designated URL.

  When the multifunction device 100 receives the delete command, in step S94, the CPU 110 deletes the facsimile data having the FAX ID included in the delete command from the nonvolatile storage device 120 in accordance with the command. Deletion from the storage device is to replace the data to be deleted with other data (for example, data representing 0). Alternatively, the deletion from the storage device may be to allow writing to the storage area in which the data to be deleted is stored, that is, to release the storage area. In S <b> 95, the CPU 110 transmits a deletion completion notification indicating that the deletion of facsimile data has been completed to the control server 200. The next designated URL included in the deletion command is used as the destination URL of the deletion completion notification. When the facsimile data is deleted from the nonvolatile storage device 120, the CPU 110 also deletes the FAX image data generated using the deleted facsimile data from the volatile storage device 130.

  When the control server 200 receives the deletion completion notification, in S96, the CPU 210 determines whether or not all the facsimile data to be selected has been selected as a processing target. If all the facsimile data to be selected has not been selected (S96: NO), the CPU 210 returns the process to S77 in FIG. As a result, the processing of S78 to S95 described above is repeated for another facsimile data to be selected. As a result, if the FAX reception list FL transmitted from the multifunction device 100 to the control server 200 in S76 includes a plurality of entries EN corresponding to a plurality of received facsimile data, the control server 200 transmits to the multifunction device 100. Then, a transmission start command and an upload command are transmitted for each of the plurality of received facsimile data (S79, S83). Then, in response to the transmission start command and the upload command, the multi-function device 100 transmits FAX image data to each of the plurality of received facsimile data to the storage server (S84). Therefore, the control server 200 can control the multifunction peripheral 100 so as to transmit a plurality of FAX image data corresponding to a plurality of received facsimile data to an appropriate storage server.

  When all the facsimile data to be selected are selected (S96: YES), the CPU 110 advances the process to S97. In S <b> 97, the CPU 210 transmits an end screen display command to the multifunction peripheral 100. When the multi-function device 100 receives an instruction to display an end screen, the CPU 110 displays an end screen (not shown) on the display unit 170 in accordance with the instruction (S98). The end screen includes a message indicating that transmission of the FAX image data corresponding to the received facsimile data to the storage server has ended, and a “OK” button. When the “OK” button is pressed, the CPU 110 ends the fax to cloud process. Since the end screen display command does not include the next designated URL, the CPU 110 can determine that the fax to cloud processing should be terminated.

  According to the present embodiment described above, when a specific authentication information (for example, a specific token) is deleted from the service information list SL in a state where the Fax to Cloud function is valid, the facsimile data is received. Thus, the fax to cloud function is forcibly changed from valid to invalid so that the multifunction peripheral 100 does not attempt communication with the storage server. As a result, it is possible to reduce waste of communication that may occur between the multifunction device 100 and the storage server.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2B, two pieces of account information AD including tokens TK1 and TK2 used for the fax to cloud function are stored in the service information list SL in the nonvolatile storage device 120. An example will be described in which the Fax to Cloud function is enabled. Assume that the account deletion process of FIG. 8 is executed from this state, and two account information AD including tokens TK1 and TK2 are deleted from the service information list SL. In this case, the remaining number of account information AD including tokens used for the fax to cloud function is zero. In this case, even if the MFP 100 and the storage server communicate with each other in response to reception of the facsimile data, there is no token for accessing the storage server, so transmission of FAX image data to the storage server (upload) ) Fails. As a result, communication between the multifunction device 100 and the storage server is wasted. In the above embodiment, when the account information AD including the token is deleted, the remaining account information AD including the token used for the Fax to Cloud function becomes 0 (S220 in FIG. 9: YES). , Fax to Cloud function is changed from enabled (ON) to disabled (OFF). That is, (S230 in FIG. 9, S67, S68 in FIG. 8). As a result, even when facsimile data is received, the Fax to Cloud process is not executed (S350: NO in FIG. 10). That is, in this case, the multifunction device 100 and the storage server do not communicate in response to reception of facsimile data. Therefore, waste of communication between the multifunction device 100 and the storage server can be reduced.

  In addition, when the remaining account information AD including the token used for the Fax to Cloud function is 0, the Fax to Cloud function is changed from enabled to disabled, so that facsimile data is received after that. However, the entire Fax to Cloud process shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 is not executed (S350: NO in FIG. 10). As a result, when the remaining number of account information AD including tokens used for the fax to cloud function is 0, in addition to the communication between the MFP 100 and the storage server, the MFP 100 and the control server 200 There is no communication. As a result, waste of communication between the multifunction device 100 and the control server 200 can be reduced.

  Further, in the above embodiment, when the specific authentication information (for example, specific token) is deleted from the service information list SL in a state where the Fax to Cloud function is enabled, the Fax to Cloud function is disabled from the enabled state. Along with the change, the FAX printing function is validated (S240 in FIG. 9, S67, S68 in FIG. 8). Alternatively, the fax storage function is enabled as the fax to cloud function is changed from enabled to disabled. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the inconvenience that the FAX image is not provided to the user as a result of disabling the Fax to Cloud function.

  Further, in the above embodiment, if the account information AD including the token is deleted from the service information list SL, and the remaining number of account information AD including the token used for the Fax to Cloud function is 0, the fax The to Cloud function is changed from enabled to disabled (S230 in FIG. 9, S67 and S68 in FIG. 8), and the user is notified that the Fax to Cloud function is changed to disabled (S60 and S61 in FIG. 8). , Invalidation notification screen SC13). If the account information AD including the token is deleted from the service information list SL, and the remaining number of account information AD including the token used for the Fax to Cloud function is 1 or more, the Fax to Cloud function Is not changed to invalid (S220: NO in FIG. 9), and the user is not notified that the Fax to Cloud function is changed to invalid (S59: NO in FIG. 8). As a result, it is possible to appropriately control the fax to cloud function according to the remaining number of tokens recorded in the service information list SL.

  Further, in the fax to cloud process (FIGS. 11 and 12) of the above embodiment, the service information list SL (FIG. 2) including tokens for communicating with the target storage server is transmitted from the multifunction peripheral 100 to the control server 200. (S73 in FIG. 11). Then, a transmission start command and an upload command are transmitted from the control server 200 to the MFP 100 (S79 and S83 in FIG. 11), and FAX image data is transmitted (upload) from the MFP 100 to the target storage server in accordance with these commands. (S84 in FIG. 11). The upload command includes an upload destination URL indicating the location of the target storage server associated with the token (FIG. 13B). As a result, the multifunction peripheral 100 can transmit the FAX image data to an appropriate storage server in accordance with a command from the control server 200. As a result, the control server 200 can appropriately control the transmission of FAX image data to the storage server by the multifunction device 100 by transmitting a command to the multifunction device 100.

  Furthermore, in the setting process (FIGS. 3 and 4) and the account deletion process (FIG. 8) in the above embodiment, one or more account information AD (service information list SL) is transmitted from the multi-function peripheral 100 to the control server 200. (S16 in FIG. 3). Then, a display command for an account selection screen SC12 including a list of one or more account information AD (a list of user names) is transmitted from the control server 200 to the multifunction peripheral 100 (S54 in FIG. 8). Further, in accordance with the user's operation, account selection information for specifying the account information AD to be deleted among the one or more pieces of account information AD is transmitted from the multifunction peripheral 100 to the control server 200 (S56 in FIG. 8). Further, an update command for deleting the account information AD to be deleted is transmitted from the control server 200 to the multifunction peripheral 100 (S67 in FIG. 8), and the account information AD to be deleted is changed to the service information list SL according to the update command. (S68). If the account information AD including the token used for executing the Fax to Cloud process becomes 0 as a result of the deletion of the account information AD to be deleted, the control server 200 sends a fax to An update command for changing the cloud processing from valid to invalid is transmitted (S67 in FIG. 8). Then, according to the update command, the fax to cloud function is changed from valid to invalid (S68 in FIG. 8). As a result, the control server 200 can appropriately control the multifunction device 100 so as to reduce waste of communication between the multifunction device 100 and the storage server.

B. Variations:
(1) In the above embodiment, the control server 200 determines whether or not to change the Fax to Cloud function from valid to invalid along with the deletion of the account information AD to be deleted (FIG. 8). S66, FIG. 9). Instead, the MFP 100 may determine whether to change the fax to cloud function from valid to invalid. In this case, for example, S66 in FIG. 8 is omitted, and in S67, only the update command for deleting the account information AD is transmitted from the control server 200 to the multi function device 100. Then, in S68, the CPU 110 of the multi-function device 100 deletes the account information AD according to the update command, and then executes the invalidation process of FIG. Judging. The CPU 110 changes the Fax to Cloud function from valid to invalid or maintains the Fax to Cloud function valid according to its own determination result. The same applies to the determination as to whether or not to enable the FAX printing function and FAX storage function when the account information AD to be deleted is deleted.

(2) The processes of FIGS. 3, 4, 7, 8, 11, and 12 of the above embodiment are realized by the multifunction peripheral 100 and the control server 200 cooperating. These processes may be executed by the multifunction peripheral 100 alone. In this case, the control server 200 may not be provided. For example, the service usage information SA and the interpretation information IP stored in the nonvolatile storage device 220 of the control server 200 in the above embodiment are stored in the nonvolatile storage device 120 of the multifunction peripheral 100. 3, 4, 7, 8, 11, and 12, communication processing between the multifunction peripheral 100 and the control server 200 is omitted, and processing executed by the control server 200 is combined. The CPU 110 of the machine 100 may be executed.

(3) In the account deletion process (FIG. 8) of the above embodiment, the update command (S67) transmitted from the control server 200 to the multifunction peripheral 100 is the entire service information list SL (FIG. 2 (B)), the FAX This is a command for updating the entire general setting information FG (FIG. 2A). Instead, only an update command for deleting only the portion of the service information list SL in which the account information AD to be deleted is recorded, or a value indicating valid (ON) or invalid (OFF) in the FAX general setting information FG. An update instruction that changes the value may be used.

(4) In the above embodiment, a token is used as the authentication information, but other authentication information may be used. For example, a user ID and password for accessing the target storage server may be used as the authentication information.

(5) The format of FAX image data may be a format of facsimile data. In this case, the format conversion (step S80) is omitted, and the facsimile data is transmitted (uploaded) as it is to the storage server as FAX image data.

(6) In the above embodiment, the facsimile data is received via the telephone line IF 190 and the analog telephone line network 90, but may be received via the Internet 80 and the network IF 180. That is, the facsimile data may be received by a so-called Internet fax mechanism. In Internet fax, for example, image data in a predetermined format is transmitted and received in a format attached to an e-mail described in a predetermined format. The transmission / reception of the e-mail is performed using, for example, the same protocol as that of normal e-mail, for example, SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) or POP (Post Office Protocol). The facsimile data may be received via the telephone line IF 190 and the Internet 80. In this case, for example, the telephone line IF 190 is connected to a predetermined converter, and the converter is connected to the Internet 80. The exchange executes a conversion process between an analog signal transmitted / received via the telephone line IF 190 and a digital signal transmitted / received via the Internet 80.

(7) In each of the above embodiments, a part of the configuration realized by hardware may be replaced with software, and conversely, part or all of the configuration realized by software is replaced with hardware. You may do it.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated based on the Example and the modification, Embodiment mentioned above is for making an understanding of this invention easy, and does not limit this invention. The present invention can be changed and improved without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims, and equivalents thereof are included in the present invention.

  70 ... LAN, 80 ... Internet, 90 ... Telephone network, 100 ... MFP, 110 ... CPU, 120 ... Non-volatile storage, 130 ... Volatile storage Device 131 131 Buffer area 140 Printer unit 150 Scanner unit 160 Operation unit 170 Display unit 180 Network IF 190 Telephone line IF, 200 ... control server, 210 ... CPU, 220 ... nonvolatile storage device, 230 ... volatile storage device, 280 ... network IF, 231 ... buffer area, 310-330 ... storage server, 1000 ... system

Claims (14)

A receiving unit for receiving facsimile data representing the original image;
A determination unit that determines whether an image transmission function for transmitting image data representing the original image to a storage server is valid or invalid in response to reception of the facsimile data;
A storage unit capable of storing a plurality of pieces of authentication information used for executing the image transmission function;
When the image transmission function is valid, the image transmission function communicates with the storage server using specific authentication information stored in the storage unit, and transmits the image data to the storage server. If invalid, a transmitter that does not communicate with the storage server;
As a result of the specific authentication information used for executing the image transmission function being deleted from the storage unit, the remaining number of authentication information used for executing the image transmission function in the storage unit becomes zero. 1, a change unit that changes the image transmission function from valid to invalid so as not to attempt communication with the storage server in response to reception of the facsimile data , the storage unit to the image transmission function In the second case, when the specific authentication information used for execution of the image is deleted, the remaining number of authentication information used for execution of the image transmission function in the storage unit becomes one or more. The change unit that does not change the transmission function from enabled to disabled, and
A notification unit for notifying a user that the image transmission function is changed to invalid in the first case, wherein the user is notified that the image transmission function is changed to invalid in the second case; Notifying, notifying part,
A facsimile machine. A storage unit;
A receiving unit for receiving facsimile data representing the original image;
A determination unit that determines whether an image transmission function for transmitting image data representing the original image to a storage server is valid or invalid in response to reception of the facsimile data;
When the image transmission function is valid, the image transmission function communicates with the storage server using specific authentication information stored in the storage unit, and transmits the image data to the storage server. If invalid, a transmitter that does not communicate with the storage server;
A deletion unit for deleting authentication information from the storage unit;
A changing unit that changes the image transmission function from valid to invalid so as not to attempt communication with the storage server in response to reception of the facsimile data when the specific authentication information is deleted from the storage unit; ,
Equipped with a,
The deletion unit is
Communicating with the control server, sending one or more authentication information to the control server;
Obtaining a list indicating the one or more pieces of authentication information from the control server;
Sending to the control server specific information for identifying target authentication information to be deleted among one or more pieces of authentication information shown in the list,
Receiving a deletion command for the target authentication information from the control server;
In accordance with the delete instruction, the target authentication information is deleted from the storage unit,
The changing unit is
If the target authentication information is the specific authentication information that is used to execute the image transmission function, a command to change the image transmission function from valid to invalid is received from the control server;
In accordance with the change instruction, disable changing from effectively the image transmission function, a facsimile device. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 2 , further comprising:
A facsimile apparatus, comprising: a notification unit that notifies a user that the image transmission function is changed to invalid when the image transmission function is changed from valid to invalid when the specific authentication information is deleted. The facsimile apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
The changing unit further changes the print function for printing the original image from invalid to valid in response to reception of the facsimile data when the specific authentication information is deleted from the storage unit. The facsimile apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 ,
The change unit further changes the storage function for storing the facsimile data in the storage unit from invalid to valid in response to reception of the facsimile data when the specific authentication information is deleted from the storage unit. , Facsimile machine. The facsimile apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising:
A server communication unit for communicating with the control server;
When the image transmission function is valid,
The server communication unit
By communicating with the control server in response to reception of the facsimile data, a transmission command for the specific authentication information is received from the control server,
In accordance with the transmission command for the specific authentication information, the specific authentication information is transmitted to the control server,
After the transmission of the specific authentication information, the control server includes a transmission command of image data representing the original image, and includes location information indicating the location of the storage server associated with the specific authentication information. Receiving a transmission command of the image data;
According to the transmission command of the image data, the image data is transmitted to the storage server by communicating with the storage server indicated by the location information,
When the image transmission function is invalid,
The server communication unit does not communicate with the control server in response to reception of the facsimile data,
The transmission unit is a facsimile apparatus that does not communicate with the storage server in response to reception of the facsimile data. A control server,
In response to reception of facsimile data representing the original image, the facsimile apparatus determines whether the image transmission function for transmitting the image data representing the original image to the storage server is valid or invalid, and the image transmission function is valid. In this case, the storage unit in the facsimile apparatus, and using the specific authentication information stored in the storage unit capable of storing a plurality of pieces of authentication information used for execution of the image transmission function. To the facsimile apparatus configured to transmit the image data to the storage server by communicating with the storage server, and configured not to communicate with the storage server when the image transmission function is invalid A deletion command part for transmitting a deletion command for the specific authentication information;
Accordance delete command of the specific authentication information, said specific authentication information used in the execution of the image transmission function is to Ru results deleted from the storage unit, the execution of the image transmission function in the storage unit of the facsimile apparatus In the first case where the remaining number of authentication information to be used is 0 , the facsimile apparatus is instructed not to attempt communication with the storage server in response to reception of the facsimile data. A change command unit that transmits a first change command for changing the image transmission function from valid to invalid, as a result of the specific authentication information used for executing the image transmission function being deleted from the storage unit, In the second case where the remaining number of authentication information used to execute the image transmission function in the storage unit of the facsimile apparatus is one or more, to the facsimile apparatus, Does not transmit the serial first change command, and the changing instruction section,
A notification command unit for transmitting a notification command for notifying the user that the image transmission function is changed to invalid in the first case, wherein the notification command is sent to the facsimile apparatus in the second case; Not transmitting the notification command part;
A control server. A control server,
In response to reception of facsimile data representing the original image, the facsimile apparatus determines whether the image transmission function for transmitting the image data representing the original image to the storage server is valid or invalid, and the image transmission function is valid. Is configured to transmit the image data to the storage server by communicating with the storage server using specific authentication information stored in a storage unit in the facsimile apparatus, and A deletion instruction unit that transmits a deletion instruction of the specific authentication information to the facsimile apparatus configured not to communicate with the storage server when the image transmission function is invalid;
When the specific authentication information is deleted from the storage unit in accordance with the specific authentication information deletion command, the facsimile apparatus does not attempt communication with the storage server in response to reception of the facsimile data. A change command unit for transmitting a first change command for changing the image transmission function from valid to invalid to the facsimile apparatus;
A specifying unit for specifying target authentication information to be deleted;
Equipped with a,
The specific part is:
Sending one or more authentication information transmission instructions to the facsimile machine;
Receiving the one or more pieces of authentication information from the facsimile machine;
A list indicating the one or more pieces of authentication information is transmitted to the facsimile machine;
Receiving from the facsimile device specific information for specifying the target authentication information among the one or more pieces of authentication information shown in the list;
The deletion instruction unit transmits the deletion instruction of the target authentication information to the facsimile device,
The change command unit changes the image transmission function from valid to invalid to the facsimile apparatus when the target authentication information is the specific authentication information used for executing the image transmission function. that sends a first change command, the control server. The control server according to claim 8 , further comprising:
When the image transmission function is changed from valid to invalid along with the deletion of the specific authentication information, a notification command is transmitted to the facsimile apparatus to notify the user that the image transmission function is changed to invalid. A control server comprising a notification command unit. A control server according to any one of claims 7 to 9 ,
The change command unit further sends the original image to the facsimile apparatus in response to the reception of the facsimile data when the specific authentication information is deleted from the storage unit in accordance with the deletion command of the specific authentication information. A control server that transmits a second change command for changing the print function to be printed from invalid to valid. The control server according to any one of claims 7 to 10 ,
The change command unit further sends the facsimile data to the facsimile apparatus in response to the reception of the facsimile data when the specific authentication information is deleted from the storage unit in accordance with the specific authentication information deletion command. A control server that transmits a third change command for changing the storage function stored in the storage unit from invalid to valid. The control server according to claim 7 , further comprising:
An image transmission command unit for controlling the image transmission function of the facsimile apparatus;
When the image transmission function of the facsimile apparatus is effective,
The image transmission command unit includes:
By transmitting communication with the facsimile apparatus in response to reception of the facsimile data by the facsimile apparatus, a command to transmit the specific authentication information is transmitted to the facsimile apparatus,
Receiving the specific authentication information transmitted according to the transmission command of the specific authentication information from the facsimile device;
A transmission command of image data representing the original image, which includes location information indicating the location of the storage server associated with the specific authentication information, is transmitted to the facsimile apparatus. ,
When the image transmission function of the facsimile apparatus is invalid,
The image transmission command unit is a control server that does not execute communication with the facsimile apparatus in response to reception of the facsimile data by the facsimile apparatus. A computer program,
In response to reception of facsimile data representing the original image, the facsimile apparatus determines whether the image transmission function for transmitting the image data representing the original image to the storage server is valid or invalid, and the image transmission function is valid. In this case, the storage unit in the facsimile apparatus, and using the specific authentication information stored in the storage unit capable of storing a plurality of pieces of authentication information used for execution of the image transmission function. by communicating with the storage server is configured to send said image data to said storage server and wherein when the image transmission function is disabled, the facsimile apparatus does not communicate with the storage server, the specific Deletion function to delete authentication information,
The image transmission said specific authentication information used in the execution of Functions may be deleted from the storage unit result, the remaining number of the authentication information that is used for execution of the image transmission function in the storage unit of the facsimile apparatus 0 A change that changes the image transmission function of the facsimile apparatus from valid to invalid so that the facsimile apparatus does not attempt communication with the storage server in response to reception of the facsimile data in the first case Authentication information used to execute the image transmission function in the storage unit of the facsimile apparatus as a result of the deletion of the specific authentication information used to execute the image transmission function from the storage unit The change function that does not change the image transmission function of the facsimile apparatus from valid to invalid in the second case where the remaining number of the facsimile apparatus is one or more ;
A notification function for notifying a user that the image transmission function is changed to invalid in the first case, wherein the image transmission function is invalid in the second case; The notification function not to notify the user that the facsimile apparatus is changed to,
A computer program that causes a computer to realize A computer program,
In response to reception of facsimile data representing the original image, the facsimile apparatus determines whether the image transmission function for transmitting the image data representing the original image to the storage server is valid or invalid, and the image transmission function is valid. The image data is transmitted to the storage server by communicating with the storage server using specific authentication information stored in a storage unit in the facsimile device, and If the image transmission function is disabled, the storage server and does not communicate the facsimile apparatus, and a delete function for deleting the specific authentication information,
When the specific authentication information is deleted from the storage unit, the image transmission function of the facsimile apparatus is set so that the facsimile apparatus does not attempt communication with the storage server in response to reception of the facsimile data. Change function to change from enabled to disabled,
Is realized on a computer ,
The delete function is
Causing the facsimile machine to transmit one or more pieces of authentication information to the control server;
Causing the facsimile apparatus to obtain a list indicating the one or more pieces of authentication information from the control server;
Causing the facsimile apparatus to transmit, to the control server, specific information for specifying target authentication information to be deleted among one or more pieces of authentication information indicated in the list;
Causing the facsimile apparatus to receive an instruction to delete the target authentication information from the control server;
In accordance with the deletion instruction, the facsimile apparatus causes the target authentication information to be deleted from the storage unit,
The change function is
When the target authentication information is the specific authentication information used for executing the image transmission function, a command to change the image transmission function from valid to invalid is sent from the control server to the facsimile apparatus. Receive
Wherein the facsimile apparatus, in accordance with the change instruction, a computer program that Ru is disabled changed from enabled the image transmission function.

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